1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
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}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
544 Initial support for the FreeBSD/mips target and native configuration
545 was developed by SRI International and the University of Cambridge
546 Computer Laboratory under DARPA/AFRL contract FA8750-10-C-0237
547 ("CTSRD"), as part of the DARPA CRASH research programme.
549 The original port to the OpenRISC 1000 is believed to be due to
550 Alessandro Forin and Per Bothner. More recent ports have been the work
551 of Jeremy Bennett, Franck Jullien, Stefan Wallentowitz and
555 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
557 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
558 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
559 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
562 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
563 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
566 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
567 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
569 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
570 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
571 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
572 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
573 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
574 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
575 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
576 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
577 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
586 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
590 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
592 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
595 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
599 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
602 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
603 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
604 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
605 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
606 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
608 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
611 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
616 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
617 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
618 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
619 that examples fit in this manual.
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
626 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
627 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
628 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
629 @code{break} command.
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
633 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
637 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
638 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
639 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
642 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
643 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
651 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
652 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
653 context where it stops.
656 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
658 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
660 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
664 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
665 the next line of the current function.
669 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
674 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
675 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
676 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
677 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
681 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
683 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
687 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
688 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
689 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
690 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
691 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
692 stack frame for each active subroutine.
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
696 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
698 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
700 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
701 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
703 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
704 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
708 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
709 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
710 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
714 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
716 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
717 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
719 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
722 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
726 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
727 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
728 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
729 (@code{print}) to see their values.
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
733 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
735 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
739 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
740 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
741 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
747 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
749 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
752 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
753 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
760 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
761 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
765 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
768 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
770 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
775 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
776 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
777 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
778 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
779 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
783 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
790 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
791 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
792 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
793 example that caused trouble initially:
799 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
806 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
807 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
808 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
812 Program exited normally.
816 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
817 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
818 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
821 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
825 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
827 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
831 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
833 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
837 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
838 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
839 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
840 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
844 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
846 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
847 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
849 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
850 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
852 The command-line options described here are designed
853 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
854 options may effectively be unavailable.
856 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
857 specifying an executable program:
860 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
864 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
868 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
871 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
872 to debug a running process:
875 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
879 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
880 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
882 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
883 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
884 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
885 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
886 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
888 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
889 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
892 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
894 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
895 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
897 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
898 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
899 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
902 @value{GDBP} --silent
906 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
907 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
917 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
918 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
920 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
921 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
922 @samp{-x} option is used.
926 * File Options:: Choosing files
927 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
928 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
932 @subsection Choosing Files
934 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
935 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
936 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
937 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
938 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
939 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
940 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
941 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
942 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
943 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
944 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
945 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
946 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
948 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
949 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
950 argument and ignore it.
952 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
953 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
954 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
955 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
956 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
958 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
959 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
963 @item -symbols @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--symbols}
967 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
969 @item -exec @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--exec}
973 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
974 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
978 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
981 @item -core @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--core}
985 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
987 @item -pid @var{number}
988 @itemx -p @var{number}
991 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
993 @item -command @var{file}
995 @cindex @code{--command}
997 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
998 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
999 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
1001 @item -eval-command @var{command}
1002 @itemx -ex @var{command}
1003 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
1005 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
1007 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
1008 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
1011 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1012 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1015 @item -init-command @var{file}
1016 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1017 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1019 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1020 after loading gdbinit files).
1023 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1024 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1025 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1027 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1028 after loading gdbinit files).
1031 @item -directory @var{directory}
1032 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1033 @cindex @code{--directory}
1035 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1039 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1041 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1042 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1043 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1046 @anchor{--readnever}
1047 @cindex @code{--readnever}, command-line option
1048 Do not read each symbol file's symbolic debug information. This makes
1049 startup faster but at the expense of not being able to perform
1050 symbolic debugging. DWARF unwind information is also not read,
1051 meaning backtraces may become incomplete or inaccurate. One use of
1052 this is when a user simply wants to do the following sequence: attach,
1053 dump core, detach. Loading the debugging information in this case is
1054 an unnecessary cause of delay.
1058 @subsection Choosing Modes
1060 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1061 batch mode or quiet mode.
1069 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1070 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1073 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1074 This is the system-wide init file.
1075 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1076 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1077 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1078 have been processed.
1079 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1080 This is the init file in your home directory.
1081 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1082 command options have been processed.
1083 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1084 This is the init file in the current directory.
1085 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1086 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1087 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1090 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1091 For documentation on how to write command files,
1092 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1097 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1098 in your home directory.
1104 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1105 @cindex @code{--silent}
1107 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1108 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1111 @cindex @code{--batch}
1112 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1113 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1114 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1115 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1116 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1117 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1118 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1120 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1121 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1122 make this more useful, the message
1125 Program exited normally.
1129 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1130 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1134 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1135 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1136 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1137 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1138 for an interactive session.
1140 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1141 messages, for example.
1143 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1144 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1146 @item -return-child-result
1147 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1148 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1149 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1153 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1154 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1155 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1157 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1159 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1160 the exit code will be -1.
1163 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1164 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1169 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1171 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1172 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1173 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1177 @cindex @code{--windows}
1179 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1182 @item -cd @var{directory}
1184 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1185 instead of the current directory.
1187 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1188 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1189 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1191 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1192 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1193 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1197 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1199 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1200 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1201 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1202 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1203 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1204 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1205 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1206 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1209 @item -annotate @var{level}
1210 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1211 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1212 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1213 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1214 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1215 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1216 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1217 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1218 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1220 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1224 @cindex @code{--args}
1225 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1226 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1227 This option stops option processing.
1229 @item -baud @var{bps}
1231 @cindex @code{--baud}
1233 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1234 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1236 @item -l @var{timeout}
1238 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1239 for remote debugging.
1241 @item -tty @var{device}
1242 @itemx -t @var{device}
1243 @cindex @code{--tty}
1245 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1246 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1248 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1250 @cindex @code{--tui}
1251 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1252 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1253 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1254 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1255 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1256 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1258 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1259 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1260 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1261 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1262 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1263 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1265 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1266 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1267 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1268 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1269 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1270 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1273 @cindex @code{--write}
1274 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1275 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1279 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1280 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1281 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1284 @cindex @code{--version}
1285 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1286 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1288 @item -configuration
1289 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1290 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1291 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1292 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1297 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1298 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1300 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1304 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1305 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1309 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1310 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1311 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1314 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1316 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1317 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1318 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1321 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1323 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1324 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1325 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1326 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1330 Processes command line options and operands.
1332 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1334 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1335 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1336 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1337 This is only done if the current directory is
1338 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1339 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1340 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1344 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1345 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1346 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1347 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1349 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1350 you must do something like the following:
1353 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1356 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1360 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1361 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1362 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1365 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1366 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1367 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1370 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1371 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1372 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1373 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1374 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1375 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1377 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1378 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1380 @cindex init file name
1381 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1382 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1383 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1384 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1385 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1386 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1387 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1388 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1392 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1393 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1394 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1397 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1398 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1399 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1401 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1402 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1403 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1404 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1409 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1410 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1411 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1412 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1413 until a time when it is safe.
1415 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1416 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1417 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1419 @node Shell Commands
1420 @section Shell Commands
1422 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1423 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1424 just use the @code{shell} command.
1429 @cindex shell escape
1430 @item shell @var{command-string}
1431 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1432 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1433 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1434 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1435 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1436 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1439 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1440 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1445 @cindex calling make
1446 @item make @var{make-args}
1447 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1448 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1451 @node Logging Output
1452 @section Logging Output
1453 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1454 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1456 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1457 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1461 @item set logging on
1463 @item set logging off
1465 @cindex logging file name
1466 @item set logging file @var{file}
1467 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1468 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1469 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1470 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1471 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1472 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1473 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1474 @kindex show logging
1476 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1480 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1482 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1483 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1484 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1485 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1486 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1489 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1490 * Completion:: Command completion
1491 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1494 @node Command Syntax
1495 @section Command Syntax
1497 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1498 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1499 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1500 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1501 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1502 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1504 @cindex abbreviation
1505 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1506 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1507 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1508 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1509 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1510 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1511 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1513 @cindex repeating commands
1514 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1515 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1516 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1517 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1518 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1519 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1520 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1522 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1523 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1524 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1526 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1527 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1528 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1529 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1530 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1532 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1534 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1535 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1536 Files,,Command Files}).
1538 @cindex repeating command sequences
1539 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1540 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1541 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1542 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1546 @section Command Completion
1549 @cindex word completion
1550 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1551 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1552 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1553 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1555 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1556 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1557 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1558 enter it). For example, if you type
1560 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1561 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1562 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1563 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1565 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1569 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1570 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1573 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1577 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1578 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1579 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1580 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1581 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1582 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1584 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1585 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1586 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1587 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1588 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1589 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1590 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1591 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1595 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1596 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1597 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1598 make_abs_section make_function_type
1599 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1600 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1601 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1602 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1606 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1607 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1610 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1611 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1612 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1613 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1614 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1616 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1617 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1618 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1621 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1623 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1624 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1629 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1632 @kindex set max-completions
1633 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1634 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1635 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1636 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1637 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1638 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1639 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1640 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1642 @kindex show max-completions
1643 @item show max-completions
1644 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1648 @cindex quotes in commands
1649 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1650 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1651 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1652 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1653 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1654 @value{GDBN} commands.
1656 A likely situation where you might need this is in typing an
1657 expression that involves a C@t{++} symbol name with template
1658 parameters. This is because when completing expressions, GDB treats
1659 the @samp{<} character as word delimiter, assuming that it's the
1660 less-than comparison operator (@pxref{C Operators, , C and C@t{++}
1663 For example, when you want to call a C@t{++} template function
1664 interactively using the @code{print} or @code{call} commands, you may
1665 need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that
1666 was specialized for @code{int}, @code{name<int>()}, or the version
1667 that was specialized for @code{float}, @code{name<float>()}. To use
1668 the word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1669 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1670 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1671 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1674 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func< @kbd{M-?}
1675 func<int>() func<float>()
1676 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func<
1679 When setting breakpoints however (@pxref{Specify Location}), you don't
1680 usually need to type a quote before the function name, because
1681 @value{GDBN} understands that you want to set a breakpoint on a
1685 (@value{GDBP}) b func< @kbd{M-?}
1686 func<int>() func<float>()
1687 (@value{GDBP}) b func<
1690 This is true even in the case of typing the name of C@t{++} overloaded
1691 functions (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by
1692 argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1693 don't need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1694 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1695 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}.
1698 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1699 bubble(int) bubble(double)
1700 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble(dou @kbd{M-?}
1704 See @ref{quoting names} for a description of other scenarios that
1707 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1708 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1709 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1710 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1712 @cindex completion of structure field names
1713 @cindex structure field name completion
1714 @cindex completion of union field names
1715 @cindex union field name completion
1716 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1717 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1718 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1719 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1720 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1724 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1725 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1726 to_data to_isatty to_write
1727 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1732 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1733 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1740 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1741 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1742 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1743 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1744 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1745 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1746 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1747 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1748 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1755 @section Getting Help
1756 @cindex online documentation
1759 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1760 using the command @code{help}.
1763 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1766 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1767 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1771 List of classes of commands:
1773 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1774 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1775 data -- Examining data
1776 files -- Specifying and examining files
1777 internals -- Maintenance commands
1778 obscure -- Obscure features
1779 running -- Running the program
1780 stack -- Examining the stack
1781 status -- Status inquiries
1782 support -- Support facilities
1783 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1784 stopping the program
1785 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1787 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1788 commands in that class.
1789 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1791 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1794 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1796 @item help @var{class}
1797 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1798 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1799 help display for the class @code{status}:
1802 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1807 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1808 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1809 info -- Generic command for showing things
1810 about the program being debugged
1811 show -- Generic command for showing things
1814 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1816 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1820 @item help @var{command}
1821 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1822 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1825 @item apropos @var{args}
1826 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1827 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1828 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1839 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1840 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1841 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1842 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1843 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1848 @item complete @var{args}
1849 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1850 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1851 command you want completed. For example:
1857 @noindent results in:
1868 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1871 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1872 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1873 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1874 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1875 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1876 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1882 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1884 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1885 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1886 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1887 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1888 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1889 @w{@code{help info}}.
1893 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1894 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1895 @code{set prompt $}.
1899 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1900 @value{GDBN} itself.
1901 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1902 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1903 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1904 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1907 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1908 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1909 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1910 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1911 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1912 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1916 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1917 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1920 @kindex show version
1921 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1923 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1924 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1925 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1926 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1927 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1928 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1929 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1930 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1933 @kindex show copying
1934 @kindex info copying
1935 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1938 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1940 @kindex show warranty
1941 @kindex info warranty
1943 @itemx info warranty
1944 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1945 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1947 @kindex show configuration
1948 @item show configuration
1949 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1950 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1951 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1952 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1953 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1959 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1961 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1962 debugging information when you compile it.
1964 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1965 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1966 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1967 kill a child process.
1970 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1971 * Starting:: Starting your program
1972 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1973 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1975 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1976 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1977 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1978 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1980 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1981 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1982 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1983 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1987 @section Compiling for Debugging
1989 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1990 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1991 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1992 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1993 and addresses in the executable code.
1995 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1998 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1999 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
2000 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
2001 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
2002 executables containing debugging information.
2004 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
2005 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
2006 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
2007 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
2008 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
2010 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
2011 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
2012 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
2014 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
2015 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
2016 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
2017 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
2018 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
2019 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
2021 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
2022 gcc, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
2023 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
2025 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
2026 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
2027 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
2028 format in @value{GDBN}.
2032 @section Starting your Program
2038 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2041 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2042 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2043 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2044 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2045 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2049 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2050 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2051 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2052 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2053 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2054 message like this one:
2057 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2058 Try "help target" or "continue".
2062 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2063 first (@pxref{load}).
2065 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2066 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2067 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2068 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2069 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2070 divided into four categories:
2073 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2074 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2075 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2076 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2077 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2079 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2080 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2081 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2082 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2085 @item The @emph{environment.}
2086 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2087 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2088 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2089 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2091 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2092 You can set your program's working directory with the command
2093 @kbd{set cwd}. If you do not set any working directory with this
2094 command, your program will inherit @value{GDBN}'s working directory if
2095 native debugging, or the remote server's working directory if remote
2096 debugging. @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working
2099 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2100 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2101 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2102 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2103 set a different device for your program.
2104 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2107 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2108 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2109 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2113 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2114 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2115 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2116 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2117 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2119 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2120 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2121 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2122 your current breakpoints.
2127 @cindex run to main procedure
2128 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2129 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2130 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2131 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2132 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2133 procedure, depending on the language used.
2135 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2136 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2137 the @samp{run} command.
2139 @cindex elaboration phase
2140 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2141 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2142 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2143 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2144 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2145 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2146 will remain to halt execution.
2148 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2149 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2150 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2151 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2152 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2154 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2155 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution
2156 of your program too late, as the program would have already completed
2157 the elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, either insert
2158 breakpoints in your elaboration code before running your program or
2159 use the @code{starti} command.
2163 @cindex run to first instruction
2164 The @samp{starti} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2165 breakpoint at the first instruction of a program's execution and then
2166 invoking the @samp{run} command. For programs containing an
2167 elaboration phase, the @code{starti} command will stop execution at
2168 the start of the elaboration phase.
2170 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2171 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2172 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2173 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2174 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2175 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2176 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2177 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2178 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2179 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2180 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2181 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2183 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2184 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2185 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2186 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2188 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2189 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2193 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2197 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2198 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2200 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2201 @anchor{set startup-with-shell}
2202 @item set startup-with-shell
2203 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2204 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2205 @itemx show startup-with-shell
2206 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2207 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2208 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2209 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2210 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2211 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2212 startup failures such as:
2216 Starting program: ./a.out
2217 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2221 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2222 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2223 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2224 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2225 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2226 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2228 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2229 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2230 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2231 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2232 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2233 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2235 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2236 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2237 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2238 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2239 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2240 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2242 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2243 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2244 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2246 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2247 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2251 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2254 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2255 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2257 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2258 @code{target native} command. For example,
2261 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2263 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2264 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2266 Starting program: ./a.out
2267 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2270 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2271 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2272 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2275 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2276 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2277 proc}, @code{info os}.
2279 @kindex set disable-randomization
2280 @item set disable-randomization
2281 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2282 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2283 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2284 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2285 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2287 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2288 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2291 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2294 @item set disable-randomization off
2295 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2296 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2297 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2298 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2299 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2300 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2302 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2303 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2304 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2305 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2306 a code at its expected addresses.
2308 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2309 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2310 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2311 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2312 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2313 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2314 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2315 a randomly chosen address.
2317 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2318 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2319 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2320 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2321 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2323 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2324 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2326 @item show disable-randomization
2327 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2328 the virtual address space of the started program.
2333 @section Your Program's Arguments
2335 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2336 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2338 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2339 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2340 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2341 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2342 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2344 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2345 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2346 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2347 the program, not by the shell.
2349 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2350 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2355 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2356 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2357 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2358 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2359 it again without arguments.
2363 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2367 @section Your Program's Environment
2369 @cindex environment (of your program)
2370 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2371 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2372 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2373 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2374 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2375 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2376 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2380 @item path @var{directory}
2381 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2382 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2383 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2384 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2385 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2386 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2387 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2389 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2390 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2391 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2392 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2393 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2394 @var{directory} to the search path.
2395 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2396 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2400 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2401 environment variable).
2403 @kindex show environment
2404 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2405 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2406 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2407 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2408 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2410 @kindex set environment
2411 @anchor{set environment}
2412 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2413 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2414 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2415 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2416 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2417 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2418 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2420 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2421 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2423 For example, this command:
2430 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2431 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2432 are not actually required.)
2434 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2435 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2436 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2437 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2438 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2440 Environment variables that are set by the user are also transmitted to
2441 @command{gdbserver} to be used when starting the remote inferior.
2442 @pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}.
2444 @kindex unset environment
2445 @anchor{unset environment}
2446 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2447 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2448 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2449 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2450 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2452 Environment variables that are unset by the user are also unset on
2453 @command{gdbserver} when starting the remote inferior.
2454 @pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}.
2457 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2458 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2459 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2460 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2461 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2462 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2463 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2464 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2465 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2466 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2468 @node Working Directory
2469 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2471 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2472 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, the inferior will be
2473 initialized with the current working directory specified by the
2474 @kbd{set cwd} command. If no directory has been specified by this
2475 command, then the inferior will inherit @value{GDBN}'s current working
2476 directory as its working directory if native debugging, or it will
2477 inherit the remote server's current working directory if remote
2482 @cindex change inferior's working directory
2483 @anchor{set cwd command}
2484 @item set cwd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2485 Set the inferior's working directory to @var{directory}, which will be
2486 @code{glob}-expanded in order to resolve tildes (@file{~}). If no
2487 argument has been specified, the command clears the setting and resets
2488 it to an empty state. This setting has no effect on @value{GDBN}'s
2489 working directory, and it only takes effect the next time you start
2490 the inferior. The @file{~} in @var{directory} is a short for the
2491 @dfn{home directory}, usually pointed to by the @env{HOME} environment
2492 variable. On MS-Windows, if @env{HOME} is not defined, @value{GDBN}
2493 uses the concatenation of @env{HOMEDRIVE} and @env{HOMEPATH} as
2496 You can also change @value{GDBN}'s current working directory by using
2497 the @code{cd} command.
2501 @cindex show inferior's working directory
2503 Show the inferior's working directory. If no directory has been
2504 specified by @kbd{set cwd}, then the default inferior's working
2505 directory is the same as @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
2508 @cindex change @value{GDBN}'s working directory
2510 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2511 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2512 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2514 The @value{GDBN} working directory serves as a default for the
2515 commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on.
2516 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
2517 @xref{set cwd command}.
2521 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2524 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2525 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2526 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} supports
2527 the @code{info proc} command (@pxref{Process Information}), you can
2528 use the @code{info proc} command to find out the
2529 current working directory of the debuggee.
2532 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2537 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2538 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2539 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2540 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2541 running your program.
2544 @kindex info terminal
2546 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2550 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2551 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2558 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2561 @cindex controlling terminal
2562 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2563 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2564 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2565 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2566 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2573 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2574 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2575 that as their controlling terminal.
2577 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2578 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2581 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2582 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2583 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2584 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2586 @cindex inferior tty
2587 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2588 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2589 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2593 @item set inferior-tty [ @var{tty} ]
2594 @kindex set inferior-tty
2595 Set the tty for the program being debugged to @var{tty}. Omitting @var{tty}
2596 restores the default behavior, which is to use the same terminal as
2599 @item show inferior-tty
2600 @kindex show inferior-tty
2601 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2605 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2610 @item attach @var{process-id}
2611 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2612 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2613 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2614 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2615 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2617 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2618 executing the command.
2621 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2622 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2623 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2624 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2626 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2627 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2628 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2629 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2630 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2633 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2634 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2635 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2636 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2637 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2638 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2639 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2644 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2645 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2646 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2647 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2648 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2649 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2650 executing the command.
2653 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2654 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2655 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2656 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2657 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2661 @section Killing the Child Process
2666 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2669 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2670 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2673 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2674 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2675 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2676 outside the debugger.
2678 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2679 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2680 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2681 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2682 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2683 breakpoint settings).
2685 @node Inferiors and Programs
2686 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2688 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2689 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2690 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2691 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2692 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2693 from multiple executables.
2696 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2697 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2698 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2699 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2700 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2701 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2702 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2703 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2704 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2705 threads running in it.
2707 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2711 @kindex info inferiors [ @var{id}@dots{} ]
2712 @item info inferiors
2713 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2714 By default all inferiors are printed, but the argument @var{id}@dots{}
2715 -- a space separated list of inferior numbers -- can be used to limit
2716 the display to just the requested inferiors.
2718 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2722 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2725 the target system's inferior identifier
2728 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2734 indicates the current inferior.
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2742 Num Description Executable
2743 2 process 2307 hello
2744 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2747 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2750 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2751 @item inferior @var{infno}
2752 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2753 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2754 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2757 @vindex $_inferior@r{, convenience variable}
2758 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_inferior} contains the
2759 number of the current inferior. You may find this useful in writing
2760 breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth.
2761 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2762 information on convenience variables.
2764 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2765 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2766 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2767 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2768 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2769 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2772 @kindex add-inferior
2773 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2774 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2775 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2776 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2777 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2778 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2780 @kindex clone-inferior
2781 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2782 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2783 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2784 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2785 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2788 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2789 Num Description Executable
2790 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2791 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2794 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2795 Num Description Executable
2797 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2800 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2802 @kindex remove-inferiors
2803 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2804 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2805 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2806 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2810 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2811 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2812 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2813 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2816 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2817 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2818 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2819 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2820 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2821 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2823 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2824 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2825 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2826 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2827 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2828 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2831 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2832 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2833 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2834 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2837 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2838 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2841 @kindex set print inferior-events
2842 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2843 @item set print inferior-events
2844 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2845 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2846 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2847 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2848 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2849 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2851 @kindex show print inferior-events
2852 @item show print inferior-events
2853 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2854 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2857 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2858 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2859 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2862 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2863 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2864 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2865 info program-spaces}} command.
2868 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2869 @item maint info program-spaces
2870 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2873 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2877 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2880 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2881 the @code{file} command.
2886 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2887 indicates the current program space.
2889 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2890 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2891 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2894 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2898 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2901 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2902 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2903 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2904 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2905 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2908 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2911 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2914 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2915 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2919 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2921 @cindex threads of execution
2922 @cindex multiple threads
2923 @cindex switching threads
2924 In some operating systems, such as GNU/Linux and Solaris, a single program
2925 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2926 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2927 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2928 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2929 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2930 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2932 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2936 @item automatic notification of new threads
2937 @item @samp{thread @var{thread-id}}, a command to switch among threads
2938 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2939 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all] @var{args}},
2940 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2941 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2942 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2943 messages on thread start and exit.
2944 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2945 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2946 isn't compatible with the program.
2949 @cindex focus of debugging
2950 @cindex current thread
2951 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2952 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2953 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2954 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2955 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2957 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2958 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2959 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2960 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2961 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2962 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2963 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2964 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2965 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2966 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2969 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2973 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on other systems,
2974 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2977 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2978 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2979 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2981 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2982 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2983 @c threads ab initio?
2985 @anchor{thread numbers}
2986 @cindex thread number, per inferior
2987 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2988 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread number
2989 ---always a single integer---with each thread of an inferior. This
2990 number is unique between all threads of an inferior, but not unique
2991 between threads of different inferiors.
2993 @cindex qualified thread ID
2994 You can refer to a given thread in an inferior using the qualified
2995 @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} syntax, also known as
2996 @dfn{qualified thread ID}, with @var{inferior-num} being the inferior
2997 number and @var{thread-num} being the thread number of the given
2998 inferior. For example, thread @code{2.3} refers to thread number 3 of
2999 inferior 2. If you omit @var{inferior-num} (e.g., @code{thread 3}),
3000 then @value{GDBN} infers you're referring to a thread of the current
3003 Until you create a second inferior, @value{GDBN} does not show the
3004 @var{inferior-num} part of thread IDs, even though you can always use
3005 the full @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} form to refer to threads
3006 of inferior 1, the initial inferior.
3008 @anchor{thread ID lists}
3009 @cindex thread ID lists
3010 Some commands accept a space-separated @dfn{thread ID list} as
3011 argument. A list element can be:
3015 A thread ID as shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads}
3016 display, with or without an inferior qualifier. E.g., @samp{2.1} or
3020 A range of thread numbers, again with or without an inferior
3021 qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@var{thr1}-@var{thr2} or
3022 @var{thr1}-@var{thr2}. E.g., @samp{1.2-4} or @samp{2-4}.
3025 All threads of an inferior, specified with a star wildcard, with or
3026 without an inferior qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@code{*} (e.g.,
3027 @samp{1.*}) or @code{*}. The former refers to all threads of the
3028 given inferior, and the latter form without an inferior qualifier
3029 refers to all threads of the current inferior.
3033 For example, if the current inferior is 1, and inferior 7 has one
3034 thread with ID 7.1, the thread list @samp{1 2-3 4.5 6.7-9 7.*}
3035 includes threads 1 to 3 of inferior 1, thread 5 of inferior 4, threads
3036 7 to 9 of inferior 6 and all threads of inferior 7. That is, in
3037 expanded qualified form, the same as @samp{1.1 1.2 1.3 4.5 6.7 6.8 6.9
3041 @anchor{global thread numbers}
3042 @cindex global thread number
3043 @cindex global thread identifier (GDB)
3044 In addition to a @emph{per-inferior} number, each thread is also
3045 assigned a unique @emph{global} number, also known as @dfn{global
3046 thread ID}, a single integer. Unlike the thread number component of
3047 the thread ID, no two threads have the same global ID, even when
3048 you're debugging multiple inferiors.
3050 From @value{GDBN}'s perspective, a process always has at least one
3051 thread. In other words, @value{GDBN} assigns a thread number to the
3052 program's ``main thread'' even if the program is not multi-threaded.
3054 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
3055 @vindex $_gthread@r{, convenience variable}
3056 The debugger convenience variables @samp{$_thread} and
3057 @samp{$_gthread} contain, respectively, the per-inferior thread number
3058 and the global thread number of the current thread. You may find this
3059 useful in writing breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts,
3060 and so forth. @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for
3061 general information on convenience variables.
3063 If @value{GDBN} detects the program is multi-threaded, it augments the
3064 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint with the ID and name of
3065 the thread that hit the breakpoint.
3068 Thread 2 "client" hit Breakpoint 1, send_message () at client.c:68
3071 Likewise when the program receives a signal:
3074 Thread 1 "main" received signal SIGINT, Interrupt.
3078 @kindex info threads
3079 @item info threads @r{[}@var{thread-id-list}@r{]}
3081 Display information about one or more threads. With no arguments
3082 displays information about all threads. You can specify the list of
3083 threads that you want to display using the thread ID list syntax
3084 (@pxref{thread ID lists}).
3086 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
3090 the per-inferior thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3093 the global thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}, if the @samp{-gid}
3094 option was specified
3097 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
3100 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
3101 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
3105 the current stack frame summary for that thread
3109 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
3110 indicates the current thread.
3114 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
3117 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3119 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3120 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3121 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3125 If you're debugging multiple inferiors, @value{GDBN} displays thread
3126 IDs using the qualified @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} format.
3127 Otherwise, only @var{thread-num} is shown.
3129 If you specify the @samp{-gid} option, @value{GDBN} displays a column
3130 indicating each thread's global thread ID:
3133 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3134 Id GId Target Id Frame
3135 1.1 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3136 1.2 3 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3137 1.3 4 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3138 * 2.1 2 process 65 thread 1 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3141 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
3142 Solaris-specific command:
3145 @item maint info sol-threads
3146 @kindex maint info sol-threads
3147 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
3148 Display info on Solaris user threads.
3152 @kindex thread @var{thread-id}
3153 @item thread @var{thread-id}
3154 Make thread ID @var{thread-id} the current thread. The command
3155 argument @var{thread-id} is the @value{GDBN} thread ID, as shown in
3156 the first field of the @samp{info threads} display, with or without an
3157 inferior qualifier (e.g., @samp{2.1} or @samp{1}).
3159 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the
3160 thread you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
3163 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
3164 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
3165 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
3166 8 printf ("hello\n");
3170 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
3171 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
3174 @kindex thread apply
3175 @cindex apply command to several threads
3176 @item thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all [-ascending]] [@var{flag}]@dots{} @var{command}
3177 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
3178 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the threads that you
3179 want affected using the thread ID list syntax (@pxref{thread ID
3180 lists}), or specify @code{all} to apply to all threads. To apply a
3181 command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
3182 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
3183 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
3185 The @var{flag} arguments control what output to produce and how to handle
3186 errors raised when applying @var{command} to a thread. @var{flag}
3187 must start with a @code{-} directly followed by one letter in
3188 @code{qcs}. If several flags are provided, they must be given
3189 individually, such as @code{-c -q}.
3191 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some thread information before the
3192 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
3193 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{thread apply}. The
3194 following flags can be used to fine-tune this behavior:
3198 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
3199 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
3200 @code{thread apply} then continues.
3202 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
3203 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
3204 That is, the execution continues, but the thread information and errors
3207 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the thread
3211 Flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} cannot be used together.
3214 @cindex apply command to all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3215 @item taas @var{command}
3216 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s @var{command}}.
3217 Applies @var{command} on all threads, ignoring errors and empty output.
3220 @cindex apply a command to all frames of all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3221 @item tfaas @var{command}
3222 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s frame apply all -s @var{command}}.
3223 Applies @var{command} on all frames of all threads, ignoring errors
3224 and empty output. Note that the flag @code{-s} is specified twice:
3225 The first @code{-s} ensures that @code{thread apply} only shows the thread
3226 information of the threads for which @code{frame apply} produces
3227 some output. The second @code{-s} is needed to ensure that @code{frame
3228 apply} shows the frame information of a frame only if the
3229 @var{command} successfully produced some output.
3231 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
3232 argument without knowing the thread or frame where this variable or argument
3235 (@value{GDBP}) tfaas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
3240 @cindex name a thread
3241 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3242 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3243 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3244 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3246 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3247 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3248 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3249 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3250 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3253 @cindex search for a thread
3254 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3255 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3256 matches the supplied regular expression.
3258 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3259 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3260 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3264 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3265 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3266 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3268 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3271 @kindex set print thread-events
3272 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3273 @item set print thread-events
3274 @itemx set print thread-events on
3275 @itemx set print thread-events off
3276 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3277 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3278 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3279 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3280 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3282 @kindex show print thread-events
3283 @item show print thread-events
3284 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3285 have started and exited.
3288 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3289 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3290 programs with multiple threads.
3292 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3293 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3295 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3297 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3298 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3299 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3300 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3301 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3302 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3303 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3304 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3307 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3308 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3309 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3310 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3311 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3312 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3314 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3315 refers to the default system directories that are
3316 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3317 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3318 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3320 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3321 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3322 was loaded in the inferior process.
3324 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3325 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3326 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3327 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3328 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3329 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3330 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3332 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3333 only on some platforms.
3335 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3336 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3337 Display current libthread_db search path.
3339 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3340 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3341 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3342 @item set debug libthread-db
3343 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3344 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3345 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3349 @section Debugging Forks
3351 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3352 @cindex multiple processes
3353 @cindex processes, multiple
3354 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3355 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3356 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3357 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3358 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3359 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3360 will cause it to terminate.
3362 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3363 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3364 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3365 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3366 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3367 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3368 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3369 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3370 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3371 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3373 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs
3374 that create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork}
3375 functions. On @sc{gnu}/Linux platforms, this feature is supported
3376 with kernel version 2.5.46 and later.
3378 The fork debugging commands are supported in native mode and when
3379 connected to @code{gdbserver} in either @code{target remote} mode or
3380 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3382 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3383 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3385 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3386 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3389 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3390 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3391 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3392 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3393 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3397 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3398 unimpeded. This is the default.
3401 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3406 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3407 @item show follow-fork-mode
3408 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3411 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3412 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3413 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3416 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3417 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3418 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3419 retain debugger control over them both.
3423 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3424 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3425 independently. This is the default.
3428 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3429 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3430 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3435 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3436 @item show detach-on-fork
3437 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3440 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3441 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3442 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3443 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3444 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3445 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3447 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3448 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3449 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3450 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3453 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3454 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3455 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3456 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3457 the child process's @code{main}.
3459 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3460 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3462 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3463 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3464 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3465 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3466 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3467 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3471 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3472 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3474 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3475 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3477 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3481 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3482 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3483 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3489 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3491 Id Description Executable
3494 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3495 Program exited normally.
3496 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3497 Id Description Executable
3503 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3504 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3505 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3506 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3507 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3512 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3513 Id Description Executable
3516 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3517 Program exited normally.
3518 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3519 Id Description Executable
3526 @code{follow-exec-mode} is supported in native mode and
3527 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3529 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3530 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3531 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3533 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3534 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3539 @cindex snapshot of a process
3540 @cindex rewind program state
3542 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3543 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3544 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3547 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3548 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3549 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3550 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3551 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3553 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3554 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3555 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3556 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3557 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3558 start again from there.
3560 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3561 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3563 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3568 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3569 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3570 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3572 @kindex info checkpoints
3573 @item info checkpoints
3574 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3575 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3582 @item Source line, or label
3585 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3586 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3587 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3588 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3589 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3590 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3591 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3593 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3594 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3595 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3598 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3599 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3600 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3604 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3605 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3606 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3607 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3608 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3609 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3610 previously read data can be read again.
3612 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3613 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3614 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3615 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3616 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3617 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3619 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3620 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3621 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3622 different execution path this time.
3624 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3625 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3626 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3627 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3628 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3629 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3630 potentially pose a problem.
3632 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3634 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3635 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3636 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3637 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3638 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3641 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3642 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3643 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3644 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3645 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3648 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3650 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3651 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3652 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3654 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3655 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3656 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3657 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3658 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3659 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3660 explicitly request this information at any time.
3663 @kindex info program
3665 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3666 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3670 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3671 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3672 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3673 Skipping over functions and files
3675 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3679 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3682 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3683 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3684 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3685 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3686 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3687 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3690 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3691 the executable is run.
3694 @cindex data breakpoints
3695 @cindex memory tracing
3696 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3697 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3698 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3699 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3700 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3701 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3702 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3703 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3704 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3705 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3708 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3709 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3713 @cindex breakpoint on events
3714 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3715 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3716 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3717 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3718 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3719 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3720 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3722 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3723 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3724 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3725 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3726 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3727 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3728 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3729 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3732 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3733 @cindex breakpoint lists
3734 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3735 @cindex lists of breakpoints
3736 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a space-separated list of breakpoints
3737 on which to operate. A list element can be either a single breakpoint number,
3738 like @samp{5}, or a range of such numbers, like @samp{5-7}.
3739 When a breakpoint list is given to a command, all breakpoints in that list
3743 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3744 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3745 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3746 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3747 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3748 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3749 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3750 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3751 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3752 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3753 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3754 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3758 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3760 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3761 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3763 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3766 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3767 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3768 @cindex latest breakpoint
3769 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3770 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3771 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3772 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3773 convenience variables.
3776 @item break @var{location}
3777 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3778 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3779 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3780 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3781 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3783 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3784 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3785 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3788 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3789 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3790 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3793 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3794 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3795 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3796 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3797 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3798 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3799 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3800 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3801 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3804 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3805 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3806 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3807 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3808 existed when your program stopped.
3810 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3811 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3812 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3813 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3814 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3815 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3816 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3819 @item tbreak @var{args}
3820 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3821 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3822 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3823 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3826 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3827 @item hbreak @var{args}
3828 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3829 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3830 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3831 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3832 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3833 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3834 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3835 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3836 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3837 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3838 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3839 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3840 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3841 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3842 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3843 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3844 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3845 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3848 @item thbreak @var{args}
3849 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3850 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3851 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3852 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3853 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3854 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3855 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3856 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3859 @cindex regular expression
3860 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3861 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3862 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3863 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3864 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3865 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3866 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3867 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3868 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3870 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3871 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3872 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3873 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3874 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3875 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3877 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3878 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3879 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3882 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3883 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3884 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3887 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3890 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3891 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3892 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3893 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3894 every function in a given file:
3897 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3900 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3901 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3903 @kindex info breakpoints
3904 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3905 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
3906 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
3907 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3908 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3909 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3910 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3913 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3915 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3917 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3918 @item Enabled or Disabled
3919 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3920 that are not enabled.
3922 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3923 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3924 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3925 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3926 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3927 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3929 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3930 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3931 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3932 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3936 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3937 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3938 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3939 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3940 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3941 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3943 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3944 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3945 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3946 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3949 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3950 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3951 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3952 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3953 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3956 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3957 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3958 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3959 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3960 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3961 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3964 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3965 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3969 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3970 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3971 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3972 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3974 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3975 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3976 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3977 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3981 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3984 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3985 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3988 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3989 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3992 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3993 several places where that function is inlined.
3996 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3997 the relevant locations.
3999 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
4000 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
4001 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
4002 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
4003 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
4004 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
4005 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
4010 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
4011 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
4013 breakpoint already hit 1 time
4014 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
4015 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
4018 You cannot delete the individual locations from a breakpoint. However,
4019 each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
4020 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
4021 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. It's also possible to
4022 @code{enable} and @code{disable} a range of @var{location-number}
4023 locations using a @var{breakpoint-number} and two @var{location-number}s,
4024 in increasing order, separated by a hyphen, like
4025 @kbd{@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number1}-@var{location-number2}},
4026 in which case @value{GDBN} acts on all the locations in the range (inclusive).
4027 Disabling or enabling the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects
4028 all of the locations that belong to that breakpoint.
4030 @cindex pending breakpoints
4031 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
4032 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
4033 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
4034 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
4035 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
4036 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
4037 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
4038 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
4039 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
4040 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
4041 is not yet resolved.
4043 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
4044 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
4045 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
4046 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
4047 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
4048 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
4050 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
4051 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
4052 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
4053 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
4055 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
4056 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
4057 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
4059 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
4060 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
4061 address specification to an address:
4063 @kindex set breakpoint pending
4064 @kindex show breakpoint pending
4066 @item set breakpoint pending auto
4067 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
4068 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
4070 @item set breakpoint pending on
4071 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
4072 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
4074 @item set breakpoint pending off
4075 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
4076 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
4077 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
4079 @item show breakpoint pending
4080 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
4083 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
4084 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
4085 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
4087 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
4088 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
4089 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
4090 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
4091 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
4092 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
4093 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
4096 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands:
4098 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
4099 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
4101 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
4102 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
4103 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
4104 breakpoint must be used.
4106 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
4107 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
4108 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
4109 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
4112 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
4113 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
4114 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
4115 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
4116 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
4117 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
4118 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
4119 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
4120 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
4122 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
4123 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
4125 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
4126 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
4127 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
4128 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
4130 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
4131 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
4132 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
4133 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
4134 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
4137 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
4138 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
4139 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
4141 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
4142 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
4144 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
4146 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
4147 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
4149 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
4150 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
4151 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
4152 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
4153 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
4155 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
4156 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
4157 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
4158 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
4159 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
4160 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
4161 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
4162 that is only known to the host. Examples include
4163 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
4164 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
4165 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
4166 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
4167 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
4169 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
4170 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
4171 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
4172 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
4173 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
4174 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
4178 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
4179 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
4180 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
4181 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
4182 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
4183 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
4184 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
4185 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
4188 @node Set Watchpoints
4189 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
4191 @cindex setting watchpoints
4192 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
4193 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
4194 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
4195 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
4196 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
4200 A reference to the value of a single variable.
4203 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
4204 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
4205 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
4208 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
4209 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
4210 language (@pxref{Languages}).
4213 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
4214 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
4215 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
4216 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
4217 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
4218 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
4219 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
4220 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
4221 the expression changes.
4223 @cindex software watchpoints
4224 @cindex hardware watchpoints
4225 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
4226 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
4227 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
4228 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
4229 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
4232 On some systems, such as most PowerPC or x86-based targets,
4233 @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware watchpoints, which do not
4234 slow down the running of your program.
4238 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4239 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
4240 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
4241 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
4242 to watch the value of a single variable:
4245 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4248 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]}}
4249 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4250 @var{thread-id} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4251 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4252 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4253 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4255 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4256 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4257 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4258 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4259 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4260 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4261 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4264 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4265 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4266 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4267 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4268 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4269 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4270 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4271 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4272 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4273 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4277 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4278 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4282 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4283 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4287 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4288 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4289 or written into by the program.
4291 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4292 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4293 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4294 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4297 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4298 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4299 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4300 a never-changing value:
4303 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4304 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4305 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4306 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4309 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4310 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4311 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4312 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4313 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4314 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4316 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4317 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4318 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4319 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4320 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4321 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4322 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4323 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4326 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4327 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4328 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4330 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4331 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4332 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4335 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4336 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4337 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4339 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4342 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4346 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4348 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4349 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4350 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4351 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4352 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4353 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4354 will print a message like this:
4357 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4360 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4361 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4362 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4363 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4364 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4365 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4366 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4367 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4369 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4370 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4371 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4372 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4373 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4374 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4377 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4381 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4383 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4384 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4385 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4386 expression with separately allocated resources.
4388 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4389 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4390 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4392 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4393 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4394 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4395 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4396 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4397 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4398 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4399 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4400 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4402 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4403 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4404 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4405 watched expression from every thread.
4408 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4409 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4410 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4411 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4412 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4413 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4414 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4415 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4416 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4419 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4421 @node Set Catchpoints
4422 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4423 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4424 @cindex exception handlers
4425 @cindex event handling
4427 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4428 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4429 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4433 @item catch @var{event}
4434 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4437 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4438 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4439 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4441 @kindex catch rethrow
4443 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4444 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4446 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4447 regular expression will be caught.
4449 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4450 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4451 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4452 exception being thrown.
4454 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4459 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4460 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4464 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4465 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4466 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4467 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4468 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4472 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4473 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4476 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4477 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4478 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4479 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4482 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4483 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4484 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4485 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4486 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4487 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4488 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4489 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4490 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4493 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4496 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4500 @kindex catch exception
4501 @cindex Ada exception catching
4502 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4503 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4504 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4505 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4506 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4508 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4509 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4510 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4511 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4512 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4513 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4514 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4515 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4518 @kindex catch handlers
4519 @cindex Ada exception handlers catching
4520 @cindex catch Ada exceptions when handled
4521 An Ada exception being handled. If an exception name is
4522 specified at the end of the command
4523 (eg @kbd{catch handlers Program_Error}), the debugger will stop
4524 only when this specific exception is handled.
4525 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is handled.
4527 When inserting a handlers catchpoint on a user-defined
4528 exception whose name is identical to one of the exceptions
4529 defined by the language, the fully qualified name must be used
4530 as the exception name. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will assume that it
4531 should stop on the pre-defined exception rather than the
4532 user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception called
4533 @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then the
4534 command to use to catch such exceptions handling is
4535 @kbd{catch handlers Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4537 @item exception unhandled
4538 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4539 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4542 @kindex catch assert
4543 A failed Ada assertion.
4547 @cindex break on fork/exec
4548 A call to @code{exec}.
4551 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number} @r{|} @r{group:}@var{groupname} @r{|} @r{g:}@var{groupname}@r{]} @dots{}
4552 @kindex catch syscall
4553 @cindex break on a system call.
4554 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4555 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4556 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4557 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4558 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4559 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4562 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4563 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4564 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4565 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4567 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4568 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4569 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4570 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4572 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4573 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4574 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4577 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4578 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4579 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4580 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4581 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4582 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4583 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4584 behind the OS upgrades).
4586 You may specify a group of related syscalls to be caught at once using
4587 the @code{group:} syntax (@code{g:} is a shorter equivalent). For
4588 instance, on some platforms @value{GDBN} allows you to catch all
4589 network related syscalls, by passing the argument @code{group:network}
4590 to @code{catch syscall}. Note that not all syscall groups are
4591 available in every system. You can use the command completion
4592 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4593 syscall groups available on your environment.
4595 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4599 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4600 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4602 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4604 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4605 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4609 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4610 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4614 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4617 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4618 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4620 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4622 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4623 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4627 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4628 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4632 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4633 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4634 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4637 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4638 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4640 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4642 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4643 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4647 Program exited normally.
4651 Here is an example of catching a syscall group:
4654 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall group:process
4655 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'exit' [1] 'fork' [2] 'waitpid' [7]
4656 'execve' [11] 'wait4' [114] 'clone' [120] 'vfork' [190]
4657 'exit_group' [252] 'waitid' [284] 'unshare' [310])
4659 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4661 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall fork), 0x00007ffff7df4e27 in open64 ()
4662 from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
4668 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4669 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4670 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4671 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4674 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4675 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4676 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4680 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4681 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4682 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4683 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4684 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4685 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4688 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4689 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4690 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4691 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4692 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4696 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4698 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4699 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4702 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4703 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4706 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4710 A call to @code{fork}.
4714 A call to @code{vfork}.
4716 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4717 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4719 @kindex catch unload
4720 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4721 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4722 matches one of the affected libraries.
4724 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4725 @kindex catch signal
4726 The delivery of a signal.
4728 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4729 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4730 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4732 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4733 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4736 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4737 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4740 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4741 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4744 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4745 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4746 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4747 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4752 @item tcatch @var{event}
4754 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4755 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4759 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4763 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4765 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4766 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4767 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4768 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4769 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4770 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4772 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4773 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4774 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4775 their breakpoint numbers.
4777 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4778 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4779 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4784 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4785 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4786 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4787 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4789 @item clear @var{location}
4790 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4791 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4792 most useful ones are listed below:
4795 @item clear @var{function}
4796 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4797 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4799 @item clear @var{linenum}
4800 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4801 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4802 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4805 @cindex delete breakpoints
4807 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4808 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4809 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4810 list specified as argument. If no argument is specified, delete all
4811 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4812 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4816 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4818 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4819 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4820 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4821 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4822 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4824 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4825 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4826 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4827 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4828 do not know which numbers to use.
4830 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4831 affects all of its locations.
4833 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4834 different states of enablement:
4838 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4839 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4841 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4843 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4846 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4847 N times, then becomes disabled.
4849 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4850 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4851 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4854 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4855 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4859 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4860 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4861 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4862 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4863 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4864 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4865 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4868 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4869 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4870 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4872 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{list}@dots{}
4873 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4874 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4876 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{list}@dots{}
4877 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4878 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4879 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4880 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4881 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4882 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4884 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{list}@dots{}
4885 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4886 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4887 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4890 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4891 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4892 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4893 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4894 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4895 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4896 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4897 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4901 @subsection Break Conditions
4902 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4903 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4905 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4906 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4907 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4908 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4909 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4910 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4911 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4912 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4914 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4915 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4916 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4917 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4918 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4920 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4921 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4922 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4923 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4926 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4927 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4928 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4929 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4930 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4931 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4932 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4933 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4935 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4936 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4938 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4939 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4940 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4941 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4942 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4943 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4945 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4946 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4947 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4948 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4949 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4951 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4952 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4953 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4954 with the @code{condition} command.
4956 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4957 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4958 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4963 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4964 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4965 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4966 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4967 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4968 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4969 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4970 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4971 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4972 prints an error message:
4975 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4980 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4981 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4982 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4984 @item condition @var{bnum}
4985 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4986 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4989 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4990 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4991 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4992 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4993 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4994 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4995 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4996 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4997 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4998 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4999 your program reaches it.
5003 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
5004 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
5005 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
5006 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
5009 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
5012 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
5013 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
5014 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
5015 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
5017 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
5018 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
5019 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
5021 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
5022 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
5023 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5027 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
5030 @node Break Commands
5031 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
5033 @cindex breakpoint commands
5034 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
5035 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
5036 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
5037 enable other breakpoints.
5041 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
5042 @item commands @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5043 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
5045 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
5046 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
5047 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
5049 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
5050 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
5052 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
5053 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
5054 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
5055 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
5056 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
5057 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
5058 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
5062 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
5063 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
5065 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
5066 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
5067 that resumes execution.
5069 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
5070 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
5071 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
5072 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
5073 ambiguities about which list to execute.
5076 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
5077 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
5078 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
5079 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
5080 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
5081 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
5083 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
5084 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
5085 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
5087 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
5088 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
5094 printf "x is %d\n",x
5099 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
5100 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
5101 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
5102 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
5103 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
5104 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
5105 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
5116 @node Dynamic Printf
5117 @subsection Dynamic Printf
5119 @cindex dynamic printf
5121 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
5122 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
5123 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
5124 having to recompile it.
5126 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
5127 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
5128 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
5129 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
5130 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
5131 redirects to files and so forth.
5133 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
5134 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
5135 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
5136 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
5137 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
5138 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
5139 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
5143 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
5144 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
5145 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
5146 To print several values, separate them with commas.
5148 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
5149 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
5150 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
5151 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
5152 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
5153 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
5157 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
5158 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
5161 @kindex dprintf-style call
5162 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
5166 @kindex dprintf-style agent
5167 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
5168 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
5169 support running commands on the target.
5172 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
5173 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
5174 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
5175 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
5178 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
5179 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
5180 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
5181 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
5182 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
5183 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
5185 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
5186 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
5187 you could do the following:
5190 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
5191 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
5192 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
5193 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
5194 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
5196 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
5197 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
5202 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
5203 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
5204 the variable settings.
5206 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
5207 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
5208 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
5209 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
5210 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
5211 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
5213 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
5214 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
5215 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
5219 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
5220 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
5221 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
5222 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
5223 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
5224 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
5226 @node Save Breakpoints
5227 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
5229 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
5230 breakpoints}} command.
5233 @kindex save breakpoints
5234 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
5235 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
5236 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
5237 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
5238 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
5239 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
5240 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
5241 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
5242 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
5243 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
5244 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
5245 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
5246 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
5247 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
5248 that can no longer be recreated.
5251 @node Static Probe Points
5252 @subsection Static Probe Points
5254 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
5255 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
5256 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
5257 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
5258 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
5260 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
5261 ELF-compatible systems:
5265 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
5266 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
5267 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
5268 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
5269 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
5270 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
5271 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
5272 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
5274 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
5275 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
5279 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
5280 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
5281 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
5282 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
5283 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
5284 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
5285 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
5286 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
5287 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
5289 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
5290 probes}, with optional arguments:
5294 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5295 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
5296 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
5297 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
5299 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5300 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5301 probes from all providers are listed.
5303 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5304 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5305 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5307 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5308 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5309 given, all object files are considered.
5311 @item info probes all
5312 List the available static probes, from all types.
5315 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5316 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5317 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5318 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5319 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5321 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5322 commands, with optional arguments:
5325 @kindex enable probes
5326 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5327 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5328 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5329 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5331 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5332 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5333 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5335 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5336 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5337 given, all object files are considered.
5339 @kindex disable probes
5340 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5341 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5342 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5345 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5346 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5347 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5348 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5349 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5350 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5351 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5352 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5353 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5354 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5355 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5356 at the current probe point.
5358 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5359 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5363 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5364 @node Error in Breakpoints
5365 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5367 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5368 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5370 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5371 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5373 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5374 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5378 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5379 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5380 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5382 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5383 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5385 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5386 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5387 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5389 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5390 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5391 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5392 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5394 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5395 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5396 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5397 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5398 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5399 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5400 first in the bundle.
5402 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5403 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5404 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5405 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5406 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5407 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5410 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5411 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5414 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5417 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5418 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5419 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5420 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5421 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5422 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5423 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5424 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5426 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5427 adjusted breakpoints:
5430 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5434 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5435 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5436 frequently than expected.
5438 @node Continuing and Stepping
5439 @section Continuing and Stepping
5443 @cindex resuming execution
5444 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5445 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5446 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5447 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5448 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5449 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5450 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5451 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5452 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5457 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5458 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5459 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5460 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5461 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5462 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5463 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5464 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5465 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5466 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5468 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5469 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5470 @code{continue} is ignored.
5472 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5473 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5474 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5478 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5479 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5480 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5481 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5483 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5484 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5485 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5486 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5487 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5488 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5492 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5494 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5495 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5496 abbreviated @code{s}.
5499 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5500 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5501 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5502 @c distinction here.
5503 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5504 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5505 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5506 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5507 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5508 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5512 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5513 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5514 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5515 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5516 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5517 called within the line.
5519 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5520 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5521 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5522 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5523 was any debugging information about the routine.
5525 @item step @var{count}
5526 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5527 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5528 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5531 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5532 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5533 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5534 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5535 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5536 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5537 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5538 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5540 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5543 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5544 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5546 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5547 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5548 @c function are executed without stopping.
5550 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5551 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5552 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5554 @kindex set step-mode
5556 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5557 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5558 @itemx set step-mode on
5559 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5560 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5561 information rather than stepping over it.
5563 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5564 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5565 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5567 @item set step-mode off
5568 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5569 debug information. This is the default.
5571 @item show step-mode
5572 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5573 source line debug information.
5576 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5578 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5579 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5580 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5582 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5583 ,Returning from a Function}).
5586 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5587 @cindex run until specified location
5590 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5591 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5592 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5593 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5594 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5595 than the address of the jump.
5597 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5598 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5599 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5600 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5601 through the next iteration.
5603 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5606 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5607 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5608 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5609 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5610 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5614 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5616 (@value{GDBP}) until
5617 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5620 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5621 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5622 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5623 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5624 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5625 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5626 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5628 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5629 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5632 @item until @var{location}
5633 @itemx u @var{location}
5634 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5635 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5636 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5637 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5638 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5639 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5640 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5641 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5642 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5643 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5644 invocations have returned.
5647 94 int factorial (int value)
5649 96 if (value > 1) @{
5650 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5657 @kindex advance @var{location}
5658 @item advance @var{location}
5659 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5660 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5661 @ref{Specify Location}.
5662 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5663 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5664 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5665 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5669 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5671 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5673 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5675 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5676 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5677 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5678 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5680 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5684 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5686 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5688 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5689 proceed until the function returns.
5691 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5695 @anchor{range stepping}
5696 @cindex range stepping
5697 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5698 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5699 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5700 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5701 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5702 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5703 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5704 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5705 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5706 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5707 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5708 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5712 @kindex set range-stepping
5713 @kindex show range-stepping
5714 @item set range-stepping
5715 @itemx show range-stepping
5716 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5718 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5719 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5720 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5721 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5722 default is @code{on}.
5726 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5727 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5728 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5730 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5731 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} command lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5732 skip a function, all functions in a file or a particular function in
5733 a particular file when stepping.
5735 For example, consider the following C function:
5746 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5747 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5748 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5749 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5751 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5752 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5753 is called from many places.
5755 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5756 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5757 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5760 Functions may be skipped by providing either a function name, linespec
5761 (@pxref{Specify Location}), regular expression that matches the function's
5762 name, file name or a @code{glob}-style pattern that matches the file name.
5764 On Posix systems the form of the regular expression is
5765 ``Extended Regular Expressions''. See for example @samp{man 7 regex}
5766 on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. On non-Posix systems the form of the regular
5767 expression is whatever is provided by the @code{regcomp} function of
5768 the underlying system.
5769 See for example @samp{man 7 glob} on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems for a
5770 description of @code{glob}-style patterns.
5774 @item skip @r{[}@var{options}@r{]}
5775 The basic form of the @code{skip} command takes zero or more options
5776 that specify what to skip.
5777 The @var{options} argument is any useful combination of the following:
5780 @item -file @var{file}
5781 @itemx -fi @var{file}
5782 Functions in @var{file} will be skipped over when stepping.
5784 @item -gfile @var{file-glob-pattern}
5785 @itemx -gfi @var{file-glob-pattern}
5786 @cindex skipping over files via glob-style patterns
5787 Functions in files matching @var{file-glob-pattern} will be skipped
5791 (gdb) skip -gfi utils/*.c
5794 @item -function @var{linespec}
5795 @itemx -fu @var{linespec}
5796 Functions named by @var{linespec} or the function containing the line
5797 named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when stepping.
5798 @xref{Specify Location}.
5800 @item -rfunction @var{regexp}
5801 @itemx -rfu @var{regexp}
5802 @cindex skipping over functions via regular expressions
5803 Functions whose name matches @var{regexp} will be skipped over when stepping.
5805 This form is useful for complex function names.
5806 For example, there is generally no need to step into C@t{++} @code{std::string}
5807 constructors or destructors. Plus with C@t{++} templates it can be hard to
5808 write out the full name of the function, and often it doesn't matter what
5809 the template arguments are. Specifying the function to be skipped as a
5810 regular expression makes this easier.
5813 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::(allocator|basic_string)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
5816 If you want to skip every templated C@t{++} constructor and destructor
5817 in the @code{std} namespace you can do:
5820 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::([a-zA-z0-9_]+)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
5824 If no options are specified, the function you're currently debugging
5827 @kindex skip function
5828 @item skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5829 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5830 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5831 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5833 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5836 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5837 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5840 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5841 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5842 will be skipped over when stepping.
5845 (gdb) skip file boring.c
5846 File boring.c will be skipped when stepping.
5849 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5850 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5853 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5854 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5858 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5859 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5860 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5861 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5865 A number identifying this skip.
5866 @item Enabled or Disabled
5867 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}.
5868 Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5870 If the file name is a @samp{glob} pattern this is @samp{y}.
5871 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
5873 The name or @samp{glob} pattern of the file to be skipped.
5874 If no file is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
5876 If the function name is a @samp{regular expression} this is @samp{y}.
5877 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
5879 The name or regular expression of the function to skip.
5880 If no function is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
5884 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5885 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5889 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5890 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5893 @kindex skip disable
5894 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5895 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5898 @kindex set debug skip
5899 @item set debug skip @r{[}on|off@r{]}
5900 Set whether to print the debug output about skipping files and functions.
5902 @kindex show debug skip
5903 @item show debug skip
5904 Show whether the debug output about skipping files and functions is printed.
5912 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5913 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5914 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5915 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5916 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5917 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5918 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5919 requested an alarm).
5921 @cindex fatal signals
5922 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5923 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5924 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5925 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5926 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5927 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5929 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5930 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5933 @cindex handling signals
5934 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5935 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5936 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5937 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5938 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5941 @kindex info signals
5945 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5946 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5947 the defined types of signals.
5949 @item info signals @var{sig}
5950 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5952 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5954 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5955 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5956 for details about this command.
5959 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5960 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5961 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5962 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5963 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5964 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5965 say what change to make.
5969 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5970 Their full names are:
5974 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5975 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5978 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5979 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5982 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5985 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5986 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5990 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5991 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5992 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5996 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5997 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
6001 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
6003 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
6004 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
6005 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
6006 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
6007 program sees that signal when you continue.
6009 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
6010 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
6011 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
6014 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
6015 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
6016 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
6017 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
6018 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
6019 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
6020 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
6021 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
6024 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
6025 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
6027 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
6028 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
6029 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
6030 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
6031 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
6032 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
6033 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
6034 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
6035 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
6036 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
6037 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
6038 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
6039 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
6041 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
6043 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
6044 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
6045 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
6046 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
6048 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
6049 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
6050 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
6051 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
6053 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
6054 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
6057 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
6058 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
6059 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
6063 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
6064 main () sigusr1.c:28
6067 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6071 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
6072 program to receive the signal first:
6077 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
6079 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6084 @cindex extra signal information
6085 @anchor{extra signal information}
6087 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
6088 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
6089 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
6090 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
6091 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
6092 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
6093 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
6094 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
6095 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
6098 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
6099 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
6103 (@value{GDBP}) continue
6104 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
6105 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
6107 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
6114 struct @{...@} _kill;
6115 struct @{...@} _timer;
6117 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
6118 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
6119 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
6122 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
6126 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
6127 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
6131 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
6133 @cindex Intel MPX boundary violations
6134 @cindex boundary violations, Intel MPX
6135 On some targets, a @code{SIGSEGV} can be caused by a boundary
6136 violation, i.e., accessing an address outside of the allowed range.
6137 In those cases @value{GDBN} may displays additional information,
6138 depending on how @value{GDBN} has been told to handle the signal.
6139 With @code{handle stop SIGSEGV}, @value{GDBN} displays the violation
6140 kind: "Upper" or "Lower", the memory address accessed and the
6141 bounds, while with @code{handle nostop SIGSEGV} no additional
6142 information is displayed.
6144 The usual output of a segfault is:
6146 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6147 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6148 68 value = *(p + len);
6151 While a bound violation is presented as:
6153 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6154 Upper bound violation while accessing address 0x7fffffffc3b3
6155 Bounds: [lower = 0x7fffffffc390, upper = 0x7fffffffc3a3]
6156 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6157 68 value = *(p + len);
6161 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
6163 @cindex stopped threads
6164 @cindex threads, stopped
6166 @cindex continuing threads
6167 @cindex threads, continuing
6169 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
6170 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
6171 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
6172 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
6173 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
6174 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
6175 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
6176 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
6177 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
6180 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
6181 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
6182 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
6183 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
6184 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
6185 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
6189 @subsection All-Stop Mode
6191 @cindex all-stop mode
6193 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
6194 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
6195 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
6196 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
6199 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
6200 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
6201 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
6203 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
6204 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
6205 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
6206 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
6207 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
6208 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
6211 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
6212 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
6213 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
6214 first thread completes whatever you requested.
6216 @cindex automatic thread selection
6217 @cindex switching threads automatically
6218 @cindex threads, automatic switching
6219 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
6220 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
6221 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
6222 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
6225 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
6226 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
6229 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
6230 @cindex scheduler locking mode
6231 @cindex lock scheduler
6232 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
6233 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
6234 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
6235 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
6236 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
6237 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
6238 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
6239 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
6240 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
6241 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
6242 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
6243 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
6244 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
6245 @code{on} in replay mode.
6247 @item show scheduler-locking
6248 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
6251 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
6252 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
6253 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
6254 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
6255 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
6256 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
6257 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
6258 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
6259 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
6260 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
6261 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
6262 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
6263 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
6264 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
6267 @kindex set schedule-multiple
6268 @item set schedule-multiple
6269 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
6270 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
6271 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
6272 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
6273 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
6274 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
6276 @item show schedule-multiple
6277 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
6282 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
6284 @cindex non-stop mode
6286 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
6287 @c with more details.
6289 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
6290 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
6291 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
6292 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
6293 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
6294 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
6296 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
6297 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
6298 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
6299 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
6300 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
6301 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
6302 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
6303 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
6304 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
6305 independently and simultaneously.
6307 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
6308 or attach to your program:
6311 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
6314 # Finally, turn it on!
6318 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
6321 @kindex set non-stop
6322 @item set non-stop on
6323 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
6324 @item set non-stop off
6325 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
6326 @kindex show non-stop
6328 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
6331 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
6332 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
6333 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
6334 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
6335 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
6336 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
6337 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
6340 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
6341 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
6342 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
6344 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
6345 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
6346 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
6347 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
6348 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
6350 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
6351 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
6352 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
6353 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
6354 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
6356 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
6358 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
6359 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
6360 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
6361 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
6362 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
6363 previously current thread.
6365 @node Background Execution
6366 @subsection Background Execution
6368 @cindex foreground execution
6369 @cindex background execution
6370 @cindex asynchronous execution
6371 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
6373 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
6374 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
6375 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
6376 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
6377 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
6378 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
6380 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
6381 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
6383 @cindex @code{&}, background execution of commands
6384 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
6385 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
6386 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
6392 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
6396 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
6400 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
6404 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6408 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6412 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6416 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6420 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6424 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6428 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6429 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6430 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6431 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6432 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6433 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6435 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6436 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6443 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6444 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6445 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6446 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6449 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6450 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6452 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6453 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6454 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6457 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6458 @cindex thread breakpoints
6459 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{thread-id}
6460 @item break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id}
6461 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id} if @dots{}
6462 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6463 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6464 specify some source line.
6466 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} with a breakpoint command
6467 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6468 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{thread-id} specifier
6469 is one of the thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6470 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6472 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} when you set a
6473 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6476 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6477 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} before or
6478 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6481 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6486 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6487 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6488 thread list. For example:
6492 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6495 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6496 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6497 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6498 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6499 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6500 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6501 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6504 @node Interrupted System Calls
6505 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6507 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6508 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6509 @cindex premature return from system calls
6510 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6511 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6512 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6513 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6514 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6515 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6518 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6519 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6522 For example, do not write code like this:
6528 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6529 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6531 Instead, write this:
6536 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6539 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6540 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6541 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6544 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6545 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6546 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6547 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6550 @subsection Observer Mode
6552 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6553 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6554 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6555 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6556 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6558 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6559 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6560 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6563 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6564 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6565 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6566 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6567 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6572 @item set observer on
6573 @itemx set observer off
6574 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6575 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6576 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6577 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6580 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6582 @kindex may-write-registers
6583 @item set may-write-registers on
6584 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6585 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6586 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6587 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6589 @item show may-write-registers
6590 Show the current permission to write registers.
6592 @kindex may-write-memory
6593 @item set may-write-memory on
6594 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6595 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6596 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6597 defaults to @code{on}.
6599 @item show may-write-memory
6600 Show the current permission to write memory.
6602 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6603 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6604 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6605 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6606 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6607 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6609 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6610 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6612 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6613 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6614 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6615 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6616 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6617 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6618 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6620 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6621 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6623 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6624 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6625 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6626 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6627 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6628 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6629 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6631 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6632 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6634 @kindex may-interrupt
6635 @item set may-interrupt on
6636 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6637 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6638 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6639 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6640 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6642 @item show may-interrupt
6643 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6647 @node Reverse Execution
6648 @chapter Running programs backward
6649 @cindex reverse execution
6650 @cindex running programs backward
6652 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6653 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6654 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6655 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6657 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6658 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6659 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6660 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6661 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6662 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6664 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6665 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6666 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6667 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6668 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6669 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6670 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6671 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6672 prior values@footnote{
6673 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6674 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6675 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6677 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6678 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6679 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6680 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6681 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6682 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6683 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6686 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6687 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6690 @kindex reverse-continue
6691 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6692 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6693 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6694 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6695 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6696 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6697 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6699 @kindex reverse-step
6700 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6701 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6702 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6703 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6705 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6706 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6707 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6708 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6709 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6710 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6712 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6713 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6715 @kindex reverse-stepi
6716 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6717 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6718 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6719 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6720 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6721 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6722 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6724 @kindex reverse-next
6725 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6726 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6727 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6728 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6729 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6730 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6731 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6732 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6733 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6734 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6736 @kindex reverse-nexti
6737 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6738 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6739 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6740 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6741 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6742 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6743 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6746 @kindex reverse-finish
6747 @item reverse-finish
6748 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6749 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6750 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6751 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6753 @kindex set exec-direction
6754 @item set exec-direction
6755 Set the direction of target execution.
6756 @item set exec-direction reverse
6757 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6758 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6759 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6760 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6761 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6762 @item set exec-direction forward
6763 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6764 This is the default.
6768 @node Process Record and Replay
6769 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6770 @cindex process record and replay
6771 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6773 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6774 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6775 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6778 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6779 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6780 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6781 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6782 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6783 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6784 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6785 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6789 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6790 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6791 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6794 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6795 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6796 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6797 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6798 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6799 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6801 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6802 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6803 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6804 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6806 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6807 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6810 @kindex target record
6811 @kindex target record-full
6812 @kindex target record-btrace
6815 @kindex record btrace
6816 @kindex record btrace bts
6817 @kindex record btrace pt
6823 @kindex rec btrace bts
6824 @kindex rec btrace pt
6827 @item record @var{method}
6828 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6829 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6830 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6831 recording methods are available:
6835 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6836 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6839 @item btrace @var{format}
6840 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6841 data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6842 be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited reverse
6843 execution. Variables and registers are not available during reverse
6844 execution. In remote debugging, recording continues on disconnect.
6845 Recorded data can be inspected after reconnecting. The recording may
6846 be stopped using @code{record stop}.
6848 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6849 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
6850 formats are available:
6854 @cindex branch trace store
6855 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
6856 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
6857 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
6860 @cindex Intel Processor Trace
6861 Use the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} recording format. In this
6862 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
6863 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
6865 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
6866 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
6867 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
6869 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
6870 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
6871 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
6872 buffer-size with care.
6875 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
6878 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6879 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6880 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6881 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6883 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6884 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6885 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6886 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6887 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6889 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6890 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6891 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6892 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6893 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6894 does not support these two modes.
6899 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6900 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6901 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6903 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6904 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6905 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6906 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6907 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6909 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6910 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6911 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6912 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6913 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6915 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6916 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6920 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6921 ways to specify the location to go to:
6924 @item record goto begin
6925 @itemx record goto start
6926 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6928 @item record goto end
6929 Go to the end of the execution log.
6931 @item record goto @var{n}
6932 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6936 @item record save @var{filename}
6937 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6938 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6939 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6941 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6943 @kindex record restore
6944 @item record restore @var{filename}
6945 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6946 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6948 @kindex set record full
6949 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6950 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6951 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6952 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6954 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6955 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6956 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6957 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6958 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6959 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6960 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6961 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6963 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6964 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6965 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6967 @kindex show record full
6968 @item show record full insn-number-max
6969 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6972 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6973 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6974 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6975 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6976 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6977 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6978 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6979 oldest one to be deleted.
6981 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6982 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6984 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6985 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6987 @item set record full memory-query
6988 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6989 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6990 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6993 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6994 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6995 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6996 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6999 @item show record full memory-query
7000 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
7002 @kindex set record btrace
7003 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
7004 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
7005 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
7006 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
7007 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
7008 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
7009 You can use the following command for that:
7011 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
7012 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
7013 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
7014 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
7015 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
7016 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
7017 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
7020 @item set record btrace cpu @var{identifier}
7021 Set the processor to be used for enabling workarounds for processor
7022 errata when decoding the trace.
7024 Processor errata are defects in processor operation, caused by its
7025 design or manufacture. They can cause a trace not to match the
7026 specification. This, in turn, may cause trace decode to fail.
7027 @value{GDBN} can detect erroneous trace packets and correct them, thus
7028 avoiding the decoding failures. These corrections are known as
7029 @dfn{errata workarounds}, and are enabled based on the processor on
7030 which the trace was recorded.
7032 By default, @value{GDBN} attempts to detect the processor
7033 automatically, and apply the necessary workarounds for it. However,
7034 you may need to specify the processor if @value{GDBN} does not yet
7035 support it. This command allows you to do that, and also allows to
7036 disable the workarounds.
7038 The argument @var{identifier} identifies the @sc{cpu} and is of the
7039 form: @code{@var{vendor}:@var{procesor identifier}}. In addition,
7040 there are two special identifiers, @code{none} and @code{auto}
7043 The following vendor identifiers and corresponding processor
7044 identifiers are currently supported:
7046 @multitable @columnfractions .1 .9
7049 @tab @var{family}/@var{model}[/@var{stepping}]
7053 On GNU/Linux systems, the processor @var{family}, @var{model}, and
7054 @var{stepping} can be obtained from @code{/proc/cpuinfo}.
7056 If @var{identifier} is @code{auto}, enable errata workarounds for the
7057 processor on which the trace was recorded. If @var{identifier} is
7058 @code{none}, errata workarounds are disabled.
7060 For example, when using an old @value{GDBN} on a new system, decode
7061 may fail because @value{GDBN} does not support the new processor. It
7062 often suffices to specify an older processor that @value{GDBN}
7067 Active record target: record-btrace
7068 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7070 Failed to configure the Intel Processor Trace decoder: unknown cpu.
7071 (gdb) set record btrace cpu intel:6/158
7073 Active record target: record-btrace
7074 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7076 Recorded 84872 instructions in 3189 functions (0 gaps) for thread 1 (...).
7079 @kindex show record btrace
7080 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
7081 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
7083 @item show record btrace cpu
7084 Show the processor to be used for enabling trace decode errata
7087 @kindex set record btrace bts
7088 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7089 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
7090 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
7091 format. Default is 64KB.
7093 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7094 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7095 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
7096 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
7097 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
7098 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
7099 the @acronym{BTS} format.
7101 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7102 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7104 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7105 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7107 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7108 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7109 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
7111 @kindex set record btrace pt
7112 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7113 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
7114 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel
7115 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
7117 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7118 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7119 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel Processor Trace
7120 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
7121 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
7122 actual buffer size for each thread.
7124 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7125 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7127 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7128 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7130 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7131 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7132 tracing in Intel Processor Trace format.
7136 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
7141 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
7142 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
7146 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7148 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
7150 Highest recorded instruction number.
7152 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
7154 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
7156 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
7160 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
7166 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
7168 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
7171 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7174 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
7177 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7180 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
7183 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7187 @kindex record delete
7190 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
7191 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
7192 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
7193 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
7195 @kindex record instruction-history
7196 @kindex rec instruction-history
7197 @item record instruction-history
7198 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
7199 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
7200 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
7201 are printed in execution order.
7203 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
7204 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
7205 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
7207 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
7208 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
7209 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
7210 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
7213 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
7214 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
7215 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
7217 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
7218 feature is not available for all recording formats.
7220 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
7224 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
7225 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
7228 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
7229 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
7230 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
7231 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
7232 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
7233 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
7235 @item record instruction-history
7236 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
7238 @item record instruction-history -
7239 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
7241 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7242 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
7243 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
7244 number @var{end} is included.
7247 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7250 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
7251 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
7252 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7253 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
7254 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
7257 @item show record instruction-history-size
7258 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7259 instruction-history} command.
7261 @kindex record function-call-history
7262 @kindex rec function-call-history
7263 @item record function-call-history
7264 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
7265 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
7266 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
7267 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
7268 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
7269 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
7270 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
7271 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
7275 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
7286 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
7287 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
7288 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
7289 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
7292 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
7293 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
7294 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
7298 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
7299 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
7301 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
7302 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
7303 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
7304 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
7305 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
7307 @item record function-call-history
7308 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
7310 @item record function-call-history -
7311 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
7313 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7314 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
7315 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
7318 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7320 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
7321 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
7322 Define how many lines to print in the
7323 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
7324 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
7326 @item show record function-call-history-size
7327 Show how many lines to print in the
7328 @code{record function-call-history} command.
7333 @chapter Examining the Stack
7335 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
7336 stopped and how it got there.
7339 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
7341 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
7342 the arguments of the call,
7343 and the local variables of the function being called.
7344 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
7345 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
7348 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
7349 stack allow you to see all of this information.
7351 @cindex selected frame
7352 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
7353 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
7354 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
7355 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
7356 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
7357 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7359 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
7360 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
7361 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
7364 * Frames:: Stack frames
7365 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
7366 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
7367 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
7368 * Frame Apply:: Applying a command to several frames
7369 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
7374 @section Stack Frames
7376 @cindex frame, definition
7378 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
7379 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
7380 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
7381 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
7382 which the function is executing.
7384 @cindex initial frame
7385 @cindex outermost frame
7386 @cindex innermost frame
7387 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
7388 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
7389 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
7390 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
7391 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
7392 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
7393 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
7394 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
7396 @cindex frame pointer
7397 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
7398 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
7399 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
7400 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
7401 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
7402 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
7404 @cindex frame number
7405 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
7406 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
7407 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
7408 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
7409 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
7411 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
7412 @c underflow problems.
7413 @cindex frameless execution
7414 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
7415 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
7417 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
7419 generates functions without a frame.)
7420 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
7421 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
7422 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
7423 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
7424 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
7425 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
7426 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
7432 @cindex call stack traces
7433 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
7434 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
7435 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
7438 @anchor{backtrace-command}
7440 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
7441 To print a backtrace of the entire stack, use the @code{backtrace}
7442 command, or its alias @code{bt}. This command will print one line per
7443 frame for frames in the stack. By default, all stack frames are
7444 printed. You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system
7445 interrupt character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
7448 @item backtrace [@var{args}@dots{}]
7449 @itemx bt [@var{args}@dots{}]
7450 Print the backtrace of the entire stack. The optional @var{args} can
7451 be one of the following:
7456 Print only the innermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7461 Print only the outermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7465 Print the values of the local variables also. This can be combined
7466 with a number to limit the number of frames shown.
7469 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7470 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7471 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7472 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7476 A Python frame filter might decide to ``elide'' some frames. Normally
7477 such elided frames are still printed, but they are indented relative
7478 to the filtered frames that cause them to be elided. The @code{hide}
7479 option causes elided frames to not be printed at all.
7485 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7486 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7488 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7489 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7490 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7491 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7492 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7493 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7494 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7495 multi-threaded program.
7497 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7498 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7499 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7500 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7501 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7504 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7505 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7509 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7511 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7512 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7514 (More stack frames follow...)
7519 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7520 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7521 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7524 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7525 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7526 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7527 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7528 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7530 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7531 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7532 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7533 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7534 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7535 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7536 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7537 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7538 such a backtrace might look like:
7542 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7544 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7545 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7547 (More stack frames follow...)
7552 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7553 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7555 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7556 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7557 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7559 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7560 @cindex program entry point
7561 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7562 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7563 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7564 @code{main}@footnote{
7565 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7566 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7567 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7568 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7569 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7570 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7572 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7573 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7576 @item set backtrace past-main
7577 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7578 @kindex set backtrace
7579 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7581 @item set backtrace past-main off
7582 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7585 @item show backtrace past-main
7586 @kindex show backtrace
7587 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7589 @item set backtrace past-entry
7590 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7591 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7592 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7593 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7595 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7596 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7597 application. This is the default.
7599 @item show backtrace past-entry
7600 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7602 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7603 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7604 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7605 @cindex backtrace limit
7606 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7607 or zero means unlimited levels.
7609 @item show backtrace limit
7610 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7613 You can control how file names are displayed.
7616 @item set filename-display
7617 @itemx set filename-display relative
7618 @cindex filename-display
7619 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7621 @item set filename-display basename
7622 Display only basename of a filename.
7624 @item set filename-display absolute
7625 Display an absolute filename.
7627 @item show filename-display
7628 Show the current way to display filenames.
7632 @section Selecting a Frame
7634 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7635 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7636 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7637 of the stack frame just selected.
7640 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7641 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7644 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7645 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7646 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7649 @item frame @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7650 @itemx f @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7651 Select the frame at address @var{stack-addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7652 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7653 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7654 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7655 switches between them. The optional @var{pc-addr} can also be given to
7656 specify the value of PC for the stack frame.
7660 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7661 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7662 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7665 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7667 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7668 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7669 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7670 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7673 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7674 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7675 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7676 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7684 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7686 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7690 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7691 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7692 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7693 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7694 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7698 @kindex select-frame
7700 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
7701 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
7702 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
7703 output might be unnecessary and distracting.
7705 @kindex down-silently
7707 @item up-silently @var{n}
7708 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7709 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7710 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7711 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7712 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7717 @section Information About a Frame
7719 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7725 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7726 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7727 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7728 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7729 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7732 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7735 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7740 the address of the frame
7742 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7744 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7746 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7748 the address of the frame's arguments
7750 the address of the frame's local variables
7752 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7754 which registers were saved in the frame
7757 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7758 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7759 the usual conventions.
7761 @item info frame @var{addr}
7762 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7763 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7764 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7765 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7766 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7767 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7771 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7775 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7776 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7777 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7782 @section Applying a Command to Several Frames.
7784 @cindex apply command to several frames
7786 @item frame apply [all | @var{count} | @var{-count} | level @var{level}@dots{}] [@var{flag}]@dots{} @var{command}
7787 The @code{frame apply} command allows you to apply the named
7788 @var{command} to one or more frames.
7792 Specify @code{all} to apply @var{command} to all frames.
7795 Use @var{count} to apply @var{command} to the innermost @var{count}
7796 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
7799 Use @var{-count} to apply @var{command} to the outermost @var{count}
7800 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
7803 Use @code{level} to apply @var{command} to the set of frames identified
7804 by the @var{level} list. @var{level} is a frame level or a range of frame
7805 levels as @var{level1}-@var{level2}. The frame level is the number shown
7806 in the first field of the @samp{backtrace} command output.
7807 E.g., @samp{2-4 6-8 3} indicates to apply @var{command} for the frames
7808 at levels 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and then again on frame at level 3.
7814 Note that the frames on which @code{frame apply} applies a command are
7815 also influenced by the @code{set backtrace} settings such as @code{set
7816 backtrace past-main} and @code{set backtrace limit N}. See
7817 @xref{Backtrace,,Backtraces}.
7819 The @var{flag} arguments control what output to produce and how to handle
7820 errors raised when applying @var{command} to a frame. @var{flag}
7821 must start with a @code{-} directly followed by one letter in
7822 @code{qcs}. If several flags are provided, they must be given
7823 individually, such as @code{-c -q}.
7825 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some frame information before the
7826 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
7827 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{frame apply}. The
7828 following flags can be used to fine-tune this behavior:
7832 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
7833 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
7834 @code{frame apply} then continues.
7836 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
7837 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
7838 That is, the execution continues, but the frame information and errors
7841 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the frame
7845 The following example shows how the flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} are
7846 working when applying the command @code{p j} to all frames, where
7847 variable @code{j} can only be successfully printed in the outermost
7848 @code{#1 main} frame.
7852 (gdb) frame apply all p j
7853 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
7854 No symbol "j" in current context.
7855 (gdb) frame apply all -c p j
7856 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
7857 No symbol "j" in current context.
7858 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
7860 (gdb) frame apply all -s p j
7861 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
7867 By default, @samp{frame apply}, prints the frame location
7868 information before the command output:
7872 (gdb) frame apply all p $sp
7873 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
7874 $4 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
7875 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
7876 $5 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
7881 If flag @code{-q} is given, no frame information is printed:
7884 (gdb) frame apply all -q p $sp
7885 $12 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
7886 $13 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
7894 @cindex apply a command to all frames (ignoring errors and empty output)
7895 @item faas @var{command}
7896 Shortcut for @code{frame apply all -s @var{command}}.
7897 Applies @var{command} on all frames, ignoring errors and empty output.
7899 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
7900 argument without knowing the frame where this variable or argument
7903 (@value{GDBP}) faas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
7906 Note that the command @code{tfaas @var{command}} applies @var{command}
7907 on all frames of all threads. See @xref{Threads,,Threads}.
7911 @node Frame Filter Management
7912 @section Management of Frame Filters.
7913 @cindex managing frame filters
7915 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
7916 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
7918 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
7919 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
7922 @kindex info frame-filter
7923 @item info frame-filter
7924 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
7925 their name, priority and enabled status.
7927 @kindex disable frame-filter
7928 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
7929 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7930 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7931 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7932 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7933 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7934 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
7935 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
7936 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7937 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
7938 may be enabled again later.
7940 @kindex enable frame-filter
7941 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7942 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7943 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7944 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7945 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7946 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
7947 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
7948 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7949 @var{filter-dictionary}.
7954 (gdb) info frame-filter
7956 global frame-filters:
7957 Priority Enabled Name
7958 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7961 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7962 Priority Enabled Name
7963 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7965 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7966 Priority Enabled Name
7967 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
7969 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
7970 (gdb) info frame-filter
7972 global frame-filters:
7973 Priority Enabled Name
7974 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7977 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7978 Priority Enabled Name
7979 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7981 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7982 Priority Enabled Name
7983 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7985 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7986 (gdb) info frame-filter
7988 global frame-filters:
7989 Priority Enabled Name
7990 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7993 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7994 Priority Enabled Name
7995 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7997 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7998 Priority Enabled Name
7999 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8002 @kindex set frame-filter priority
8003 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
8004 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8005 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8006 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8007 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8008 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
8010 @kindex show frame-filter priority
8011 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8012 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8013 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8014 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8015 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8021 (gdb) info frame-filter
8023 global frame-filters:
8024 Priority Enabled Name
8025 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8028 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8029 Priority Enabled Name
8030 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8032 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8033 Priority Enabled Name
8034 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8036 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
8037 (gdb) info frame-filter
8039 global frame-filters:
8040 Priority Enabled Name
8041 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8044 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8045 Priority Enabled Name
8046 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8048 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8049 Priority Enabled Name
8050 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8055 @chapter Examining Source Files
8057 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
8058 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
8059 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
8060 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
8061 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
8062 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
8063 source files by explicit command.
8065 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
8066 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
8067 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
8070 * List:: Printing source lines
8071 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
8072 * Edit:: Editing source files
8073 * Search:: Searching source files
8074 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
8075 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
8079 @section Printing Source Lines
8082 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
8083 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
8084 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
8085 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
8086 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
8088 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
8091 @item list @var{linenum}
8092 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
8093 current source file.
8095 @item list @var{function}
8096 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
8100 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
8101 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
8102 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
8103 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
8104 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
8107 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8110 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
8111 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
8112 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
8115 @kindex set listsize
8116 @item set listsize @var{count}
8117 @itemx set listsize unlimited
8118 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
8119 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
8120 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
8122 @kindex show listsize
8124 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
8127 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
8128 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
8129 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
8130 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
8131 each repetition moves up in the source file.
8133 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
8134 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
8135 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
8136 to specify some source line.
8138 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
8141 @item list @var{location}
8142 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
8144 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
8145 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
8146 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
8147 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
8148 the same source file as the first location.
8150 @item list ,@var{last}
8151 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
8153 @item list @var{first},
8154 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
8157 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
8160 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8163 As described in the preceding table.
8166 @node Specify Location
8167 @section Specifying a Location
8168 @cindex specifying location
8170 @cindex source location
8173 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
8174 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
8175 * Address Locations:: Address locations
8178 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
8179 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
8180 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
8181 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
8182 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
8184 @node Linespec Locations
8185 @subsection Linespec Locations
8186 @cindex linespec locations
8188 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
8189 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
8190 specifying a linespec:
8194 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
8197 @itemx +@var{offset}
8198 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
8199 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
8200 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
8201 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
8202 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
8203 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
8204 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
8207 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
8208 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
8209 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
8210 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
8211 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
8212 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
8213 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
8215 @item @var{function}
8216 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
8217 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
8219 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8220 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8221 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8222 means in all packages.
8224 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8225 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8226 func}} and @w{@kbd{break B::func}} set a breakpoint on both symbols.
8228 Commands that accept a linespec let you override this with the
8229 @code{-qualified} option. For example, @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8230 func}} sets a breakpoint on a free-function named @code{func} ignoring
8231 any C@t{++} class methods and namespace functions called @code{func}.
8233 @xref{Explicit Locations}.
8235 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
8236 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
8238 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
8239 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
8240 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
8241 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
8242 functions in different source files.
8245 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
8246 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
8247 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
8248 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
8250 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
8251 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
8252 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
8253 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
8254 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
8255 specifies the location of such a static probe.
8257 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
8258 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
8259 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
8260 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
8261 each one of those probes.
8264 @node Explicit Locations
8265 @subsection Explicit Locations
8266 @cindex explicit locations
8268 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
8269 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
8271 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
8272 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
8273 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
8274 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
8275 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
8277 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
8278 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
8279 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
8280 the symbol table to know.
8282 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
8286 @item -source @var{filename}
8287 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
8288 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
8289 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
8290 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
8291 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
8293 @item -function @var{function}
8294 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
8295 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
8296 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
8297 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
8299 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8300 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8301 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8302 means in all packages.
8304 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8305 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8306 -function func}} and @w{@kbd{break -function B::func}} set a
8307 breakpoint on both symbols.
8309 You can use the @kbd{-qualified} flag to override this (see below).
8313 This flag makes @value{GDBN} interpret a function name specified with
8314 @kbd{-function} as a complete fully-qualified name.
8316 For example, assuming a C@t{++} program with symbols named
8317 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, the @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8318 -function B::func}} command sets a breakpoint on @code{B::func}, only.
8320 (Note: the @kbd{-qualified} option can precede a linespec as well
8321 (@pxref{Linespec Locations}), so the particular example above could be
8322 simplified as @w{@kbd{break -qualified B::func}}.)
8324 @item -label @var{label}
8325 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
8326 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
8327 selected stack frame.
8329 @item -line @var{number}
8330 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
8331 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
8332 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
8333 relative to the current line.
8336 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
8337 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @w{@kbd{break -s main.c -li 3}}.
8339 @node Address Locations
8340 @subsection Address Locations
8341 @cindex address locations
8343 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
8344 the generalized form *@var{address}.
8346 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
8347 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
8348 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
8349 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
8352 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
8353 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
8354 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
8355 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
8356 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
8360 @item @var{expression}
8361 Any expression valid in the current working language.
8363 @item @var{funcaddr}
8364 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
8365 C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
8366 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
8367 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
8368 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
8369 (although the Pascal form also works).
8371 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
8372 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
8374 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
8375 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
8376 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
8377 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
8378 functions with identical names in different source files.
8382 @section Editing Source Files
8383 @cindex editing source files
8386 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
8387 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
8388 The editing program of your choice
8389 is invoked with the current line set to
8390 the active line in the program.
8391 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
8392 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
8395 @item edit @var{location}
8396 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
8397 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
8398 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
8399 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
8400 command most commonly used:
8403 @item edit @var{number}
8404 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
8406 @item edit @var{function}
8407 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
8412 @subsection Choosing your Editor
8413 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
8415 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
8416 following command-line syntax:
8418 ex +@var{number} file
8420 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
8421 the file where to start editing.}.
8422 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
8423 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
8424 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
8425 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
8431 or in the @code{csh} shell,
8433 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
8438 @section Searching Source Files
8439 @cindex searching source files
8441 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
8446 @kindex forward-search
8447 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
8448 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
8449 @itemx search @var{regexp}
8450 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
8451 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
8452 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
8453 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
8456 @kindex reverse-search
8457 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
8458 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
8459 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
8460 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
8461 this command as @code{rev}.
8465 @section Specifying Source Directories
8468 @cindex directories for source files
8469 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
8470 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
8471 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
8472 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
8473 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
8474 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
8475 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
8477 For example, suppose an executable references the file
8478 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
8479 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
8480 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
8481 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
8482 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
8483 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
8484 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
8485 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
8486 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
8487 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
8489 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
8490 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
8491 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
8492 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
8493 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
8494 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
8496 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
8499 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
8500 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
8501 each line is in the file.
8505 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
8506 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
8507 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
8509 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
8510 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
8512 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
8513 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
8514 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
8515 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
8516 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
8517 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
8518 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
8519 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
8520 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
8521 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
8522 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
8523 name to look up the sources.
8525 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
8526 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
8527 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
8528 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
8529 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
8530 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
8531 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
8532 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
8534 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
8535 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
8536 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
8537 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
8538 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
8539 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
8540 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
8542 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
8543 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
8544 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
8545 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
8546 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
8547 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
8548 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
8551 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
8552 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
8553 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
8554 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
8555 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
8556 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
8557 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
8559 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
8560 @cindex default source path substitution
8561 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
8562 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
8563 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
8564 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
8565 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
8566 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
8567 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
8568 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
8569 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
8573 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
8574 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
8575 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
8576 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
8577 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
8578 part of absolute file names) or
8579 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
8580 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
8584 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
8585 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
8586 @cindex compilation directory
8587 @cindex current directory
8588 @cindex working directory
8589 @cindex directory, current
8590 @cindex directory, compilation
8591 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
8592 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
8593 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
8594 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
8595 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
8596 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
8599 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
8601 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
8602 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
8604 @item set directories @var{path-list}
8605 @kindex set directories
8606 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
8607 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
8609 @item show directories
8610 @kindex show directories
8611 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
8613 @anchor{set substitute-path}
8614 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
8615 @kindex set substitute-path
8616 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
8617 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
8618 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
8620 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
8621 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
8624 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
8628 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
8629 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
8630 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
8632 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
8633 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
8634 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
8637 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
8640 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
8641 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
8645 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
8646 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
8647 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
8648 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
8651 @item unset substitute-path [path]
8652 @kindex unset substitute-path
8653 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
8654 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
8655 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
8657 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
8659 @item show substitute-path [path]
8660 @kindex show substitute-path
8661 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
8662 which would rewrite that path, if any.
8664 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
8669 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
8670 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
8671 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
8675 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
8678 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
8679 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
8680 directories in one command.
8684 @section Source and Machine Code
8685 @cindex source line and its code address
8687 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
8688 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
8689 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
8690 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
8691 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
8692 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
8693 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
8699 @itemx info line @var{location}
8700 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
8701 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
8702 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}. With no @var{location}
8703 information about the current source line is printed.
8706 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
8707 the object code for the first line of function
8708 @code{m4_changequote}:
8711 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
8712 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c <m4_changequote> and \
8713 ends at 0x6350 <m4_changequote+4>.
8717 @cindex code address and its source line
8718 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
8719 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
8721 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
8722 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 <m4_changequote+152> and \
8723 ends at 0x6404 <m4_changequote+184>.
8726 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
8727 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
8728 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
8729 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
8730 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
8731 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
8732 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
8733 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8736 @cindex info line, repeated calls
8737 After @code{info line}, using @code{info line} again without
8738 specifying a location will display information about the next source
8743 @cindex assembly instructions
8744 @cindex instructions, assembly
8745 @cindex machine instructions
8746 @cindex listing machine instructions
8748 @itemx disassemble /m
8749 @itemx disassemble /s
8750 @itemx disassemble /r
8751 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
8752 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
8753 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
8754 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
8755 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
8756 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
8757 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
8758 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
8759 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
8760 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
8763 @item @var{start},@var{end}
8764 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
8765 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
8766 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
8767 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
8771 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
8772 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
8774 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
8775 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
8777 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
8778 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
8781 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
8782 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
8785 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
8786 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
8787 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
8788 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
8789 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8790 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
8791 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
8792 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
8793 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
8794 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8795 End of assembler dump.
8798 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
8799 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
8800 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
8803 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8804 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8806 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
8807 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
8808 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
8809 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
8810 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
8812 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
8813 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
8814 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
8818 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
8819 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
8820 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
8822 End of assembler dump.
8825 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
8826 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
8827 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
8828 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
8829 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
8830 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
8831 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
8832 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
8833 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
8863 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8864 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8868 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8869 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8873 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8874 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8875 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8876 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8878 End of assembler dump.
8879 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
8880 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8884 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8888 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
8889 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
8894 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
8895 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
8896 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
8897 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
8901 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8905 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8906 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8910 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8911 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8912 End of assembler dump.
8915 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
8918 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
8919 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
8920 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
8921 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
8922 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
8923 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
8924 End of assembler dump.
8927 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
8928 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
8929 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
8930 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
8932 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
8933 mnemonics or other syntax.
8935 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
8936 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
8937 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
8938 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
8939 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
8942 @kindex set disassembler-options
8943 @cindex disassembler options
8944 @item set disassembler-options @var{option1}[,@var{option2}@dots{}]
8945 This command controls the passing of target specific information to
8946 the disassembler. For a list of valid options, please refer to the
8947 @code{-M}/@code{--disassembler-options} section of the @samp{objdump}
8948 manual and/or the output of @kbd{objdump --help}
8949 (@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils,The GNU Binary Utilities}).
8950 The default value is the empty string.
8952 If it is necessary to specify more than one disassembler option, then
8953 multiple options can be placed together into a comma separated list.
8954 Currently this command is only supported on targets ARM, MIPS, PowerPC
8957 @kindex show disassembler-options
8958 @item show disassembler-options
8959 Show the current setting of the disassembler options.
8963 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
8964 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
8965 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
8966 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
8967 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
8968 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
8970 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
8971 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
8972 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
8973 assemblers for x86-based targets.
8975 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
8976 @item show disassembly-flavor
8977 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
8981 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
8982 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
8983 @item set disassemble-next-line
8984 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
8985 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
8986 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
8987 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
8988 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
8989 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
8990 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
8991 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
8992 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
8993 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
8994 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
8995 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
8996 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
8997 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
8998 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
9004 @chapter Examining Data
9006 @cindex printing data
9007 @cindex examining data
9010 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
9011 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
9012 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
9013 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
9014 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
9015 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
9018 @item print @var{expr}
9019 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
9020 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
9021 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
9022 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
9023 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
9027 @itemx print /@var{f}
9028 @cindex reprint the last value
9029 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
9030 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
9031 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
9034 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
9035 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
9036 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9038 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
9039 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
9040 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
9043 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
9045 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
9046 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
9047 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
9048 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
9049 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
9050 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
9051 embedded in the higher level data types.
9054 @item explore @var{arg}
9055 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
9056 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
9059 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
9060 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
9070 struct ComplexStruct
9072 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
9078 followed by variable declarations as
9081 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
9082 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
9086 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
9087 @code{explore} command as follows.
9091 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
9092 the following fields:
9094 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
9095 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
9097 Enter the field number of choice:
9101 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
9102 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
9103 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
9104 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
9105 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
9106 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
9107 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
9108 field will be explored as if it were an array.
9111 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
9112 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
9113 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
9114 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
9116 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
9117 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
9119 Press enter to return to parent value:
9123 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
9124 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
9125 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
9129 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
9130 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
9132 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
9136 Press enter to return to parent value:
9139 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
9140 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
9141 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
9142 level data structure).
9144 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
9145 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
9146 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
9147 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
9148 same example as above, your can explore the type
9149 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
9150 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
9153 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
9157 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
9158 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
9159 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
9162 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
9163 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
9164 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
9165 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
9166 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
9169 @item explore value @var{expr}
9170 @cindex explore value
9171 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
9172 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
9173 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
9174 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
9175 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
9177 @item explore type @var{arg}
9178 @cindex explore type
9179 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
9180 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
9181 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
9182 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
9183 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
9184 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
9185 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
9186 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
9187 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
9191 * Expressions:: Expressions
9192 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
9193 * Variables:: Program variables
9194 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
9195 * Output Formats:: Output formats
9196 * Memory:: Examining memory
9197 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
9198 * Print Settings:: Print settings
9199 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
9200 * Value History:: Value history
9201 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
9202 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
9203 * Registers:: Registers
9204 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
9205 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
9206 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
9207 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
9208 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
9209 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
9210 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
9211 character set than GDB does
9212 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
9213 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
9214 * Value Sizes:: Managing memory allocated for values
9218 @section Expressions
9221 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
9222 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
9223 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
9224 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
9225 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
9226 you compiled your program to include this information; see
9229 @cindex arrays in expressions
9230 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
9231 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
9232 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
9233 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
9234 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
9235 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
9237 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
9238 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
9239 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
9242 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
9243 expressions regardless of your programming language.
9245 @cindex casts, in expressions
9246 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
9247 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
9248 at that address in memory.
9249 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
9251 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
9252 to programming languages:
9256 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
9257 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
9260 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
9261 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
9263 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
9264 @cindex type casting memory
9265 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
9266 @cindex casts, to view memory
9267 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
9268 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
9269 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
9270 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
9271 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
9272 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
9275 @node Ambiguous Expressions
9276 @section Ambiguous Expressions
9277 @cindex ambiguous expressions
9279 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
9280 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
9281 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
9282 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
9283 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
9284 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
9285 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
9287 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
9288 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
9289 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
9290 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
9291 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
9294 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
9295 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
9296 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
9297 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
9298 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
9299 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
9300 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
9303 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
9304 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
9305 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
9307 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
9310 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
9313 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
9314 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
9315 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
9316 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
9317 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
9318 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
9320 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
9321 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
9322 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
9323 Multiple breakpoints were set.
9324 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
9331 @kindex set multiple-symbols
9332 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
9333 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
9335 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
9338 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
9339 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
9340 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
9341 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
9342 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
9343 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
9344 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
9345 in the use of the menu.
9347 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
9348 when an ambiguity is detected.
9350 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
9351 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
9353 @kindex show multiple-symbols
9354 @item show multiple-symbols
9355 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
9359 @section Program Variables
9361 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
9364 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
9365 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
9369 global (or file-static)
9376 visible according to the scope rules of the
9377 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
9380 @noindent This means that in the function
9395 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
9396 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
9397 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
9398 the block where @code{b} is declared.
9400 @cindex variable name conflict
9401 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
9402 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
9403 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
9404 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
9405 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
9406 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
9407 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
9409 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
9411 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
9412 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
9415 @var{file}::@var{variable}
9416 @var{function}::@var{variable}
9420 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
9421 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
9422 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
9423 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
9426 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
9429 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
9430 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
9431 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
9432 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
9433 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
9442 process (a); /* Stop here */
9453 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
9454 here is what you might see
9455 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
9460 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9463 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
9466 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9470 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
9471 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
9472 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
9473 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
9474 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
9476 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
9477 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
9478 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
9482 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
9484 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
9485 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
9486 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
9490 @cindex wrong values
9491 @cindex variable values, wrong
9492 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
9493 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
9495 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
9496 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
9497 scope, and just before exit.
9499 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
9500 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
9501 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
9502 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
9503 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
9504 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
9505 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
9506 variable definitions may be gone.
9508 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
9509 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
9512 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
9513 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
9514 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
9515 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
9516 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
9517 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
9518 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
9521 No symbol "foo" in current context.
9524 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
9525 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
9526 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
9527 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
9528 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
9530 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
9531 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
9532 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
9533 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
9535 @cindex no debug info variables
9536 If you try to examine or use the value of a (global) variable for
9537 which @value{GDBN} has no type information, e.g., because the program
9538 includes no debug information, @value{GDBN} displays an error message.
9539 @xref{Symbols, unknown type}, for more about unknown types. If you
9540 cast the variable to its declared type, @value{GDBN} gets the
9541 variable's value using the cast-to type as the variable's type. For
9542 example, in a C program:
9545 (@value{GDBP}) p var
9546 'var' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
9547 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) var
9551 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
9552 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
9553 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
9554 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
9555 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
9558 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
9564 (gdb) print i@@entry
9568 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
9569 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
9570 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
9571 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
9572 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
9577 signed char var1[] = "A";
9580 You get during debugging
9585 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
9589 @section Artificial Arrays
9591 @cindex artificial array
9593 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
9594 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
9595 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
9596 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
9599 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
9600 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
9601 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
9602 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
9603 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
9604 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
9605 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
9606 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
9607 example. If a program says
9610 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
9614 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
9620 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
9621 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
9622 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
9623 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
9624 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
9626 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
9627 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
9628 The value need not be in memory:
9630 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
9631 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
9634 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
9635 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
9636 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
9638 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
9639 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
9642 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
9643 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
9644 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
9645 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
9646 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
9647 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
9648 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
9649 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
9650 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
9651 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
9661 @node Output Formats
9662 @section Output Formats
9664 @cindex formatted output
9665 @cindex output formats
9666 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
9667 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
9668 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
9669 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
9670 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
9672 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
9673 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
9674 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
9675 letters supported are:
9679 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
9683 Print as integer in signed decimal.
9686 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
9689 Print as integer in octal.
9692 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
9693 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
9694 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
9695 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
9698 @cindex unknown address, locating
9699 @cindex locate address
9700 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
9701 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
9702 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
9705 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
9706 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
9710 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
9711 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
9714 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
9715 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
9716 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
9717 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
9719 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
9720 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
9721 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
9725 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
9726 using typical floating point syntax.
9729 @cindex printing strings
9730 @cindex printing byte arrays
9731 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
9732 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
9733 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
9736 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
9737 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
9738 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
9742 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
9743 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
9744 to the size of the integer type.
9747 @cindex raw printing
9748 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
9749 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
9750 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
9751 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
9752 pretty-printer which might exist.
9755 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
9762 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
9763 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
9765 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
9766 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
9767 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
9770 @section Examining Memory
9772 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
9773 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
9775 @cindex examining memory
9777 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
9778 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
9781 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
9784 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
9785 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
9786 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
9787 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
9788 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
9791 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
9792 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
9793 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display. If a negative
9794 number is specified, memory is examined backward from @var{addr}.
9795 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
9798 @item @var{f}, the display format
9799 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
9800 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
9801 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
9802 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
9803 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
9805 @item @var{u}, the unit size
9806 The unit size is any of
9812 Halfwords (two bytes).
9814 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
9816 Giant words (eight bytes).
9819 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
9820 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
9821 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
9822 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
9823 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
9824 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
9825 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
9826 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
9827 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
9828 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
9831 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
9832 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
9833 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
9834 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
9835 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
9836 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
9837 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
9838 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
9839 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
9840 a value from memory).
9843 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
9844 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
9845 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
9846 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
9847 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
9849 You can also specify a negative repeat count to examine memory backward
9850 from the given address. For example, @samp{x/-3uh 0x54320} prints three
9851 halfwords (@code{h}) at @code{0x54314}, @code{0x54328}, and @code{0x5431c}.
9853 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
9854 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
9855 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
9856 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
9857 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
9859 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
9860 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
9861 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
9862 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
9863 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
9864 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
9865 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
9866 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
9867 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
9869 If a negative repeat count is specified for the formats @samp{s} or @samp{i},
9870 the command displays null-terminated strings or instructions before the given
9871 address as many as the absolute value of the given number. For the @samp{i}
9872 format, we use line number information in the debug info to accurately locate
9873 instruction boundaries while disassembling backward. If line info is not
9874 available, the command stops examining memory with an error message.
9876 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
9877 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
9878 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
9879 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
9880 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
9881 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
9882 for successive uses of @code{x}.
9884 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
9885 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
9888 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
9889 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
9890 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
9891 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
9892 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
9893 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
9896 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
9897 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
9898 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
9899 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
9900 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
9901 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
9902 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
9903 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
9904 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
9906 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
9907 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
9908 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
9910 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
9911 @cindex addressable memory unit
9912 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
9913 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
9914 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
9915 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
9916 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
9917 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
9918 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
9919 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
9920 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
9922 @cindex remote memory comparison
9923 @cindex target memory comparison
9924 @cindex verify remote memory image
9925 @cindex verify target memory image
9926 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
9927 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
9928 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
9929 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
9930 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
9931 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
9934 @kindex compare-sections
9935 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
9936 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
9937 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
9938 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
9939 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
9940 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
9942 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
9943 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
9944 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
9948 @section Automatic Display
9949 @cindex automatic display
9950 @cindex display of expressions
9952 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
9953 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
9954 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
9955 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
9956 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
9957 The automatic display looks like this:
9961 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
9965 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
9966 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
9967 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
9968 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
9969 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
9970 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
9974 @item display @var{expr}
9975 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
9976 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
9978 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9980 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
9981 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
9982 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
9983 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
9984 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
9986 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
9987 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
9988 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
9989 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
9990 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9993 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
9994 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
9995 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9998 @kindex delete display
10000 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
10001 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10002 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
10003 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
10004 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
10005 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
10006 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10008 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
10009 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
10011 @kindex disable display
10012 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10013 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
10014 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
10015 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
10016 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
10017 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
10018 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
10019 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10021 @kindex enable display
10022 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10023 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
10024 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
10025 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
10026 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
10027 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
10028 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10031 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
10032 done when your program stops.
10034 @kindex info display
10036 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
10037 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
10038 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
10039 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
10040 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
10043 @cindex display disabled out of scope
10044 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
10045 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
10046 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
10047 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
10048 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
10049 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
10050 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
10051 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
10052 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
10053 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
10055 @node Print Settings
10056 @section Print Settings
10058 @cindex format options
10059 @cindex print settings
10060 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
10061 and symbols are printed.
10064 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
10068 @item set print address
10069 @itemx set print address on
10070 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
10071 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
10072 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
10073 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
10074 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
10075 @code{set print address on}:
10080 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
10082 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10086 @item set print address off
10087 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
10088 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
10092 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
10094 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
10095 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10099 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
10100 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
10101 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
10102 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
10105 @item show print address
10106 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
10109 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
10110 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
10111 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
10112 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
10113 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
10114 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
10115 it prints a symbolic address:
10118 @item set print symbol-filename on
10119 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
10120 @cindex symbol, source file and line
10121 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
10122 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10124 @item set print symbol-filename off
10125 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
10128 @item show print symbol-filename
10129 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
10130 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10133 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
10134 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
10135 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
10137 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
10138 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
10141 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
10142 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
10143 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
10144 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
10145 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
10146 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
10147 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
10148 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
10150 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
10151 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
10155 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
10156 @cindex pointer, finding referent
10157 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
10158 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
10159 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
10160 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
10161 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
10162 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
10165 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
10166 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
10167 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
10171 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
10172 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
10173 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
10176 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
10177 @samp{set print symbol on}:
10180 @item set print symbol on
10181 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
10184 @item set print symbol off
10185 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
10186 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
10187 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
10189 @item show print symbol
10190 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
10194 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
10197 @item set print array
10198 @itemx set print array on
10199 @cindex pretty print arrays
10200 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
10201 but uses more space. The default is off.
10203 @item set print array off
10204 Return to compressed format for arrays.
10206 @item show print array
10207 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
10210 @cindex print array indexes
10211 @item set print array-indexes
10212 @itemx set print array-indexes on
10213 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
10214 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
10215 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
10217 @item set print array-indexes off
10218 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
10220 @item show print array-indexes
10221 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
10224 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
10225 @itemx set print elements unlimited
10226 @cindex number of array elements to print
10227 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
10228 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
10229 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
10230 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
10231 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
10232 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
10233 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
10234 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
10236 @item show print elements
10237 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
10238 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
10240 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
10241 @kindex set print frame-arguments
10242 @cindex printing frame argument values
10243 @cindex print all frame argument values
10244 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
10245 @cindex do not print frame argument values
10246 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
10247 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
10252 The values of all arguments are printed.
10255 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
10256 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
10257 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
10258 only scalar arguments are shown:
10261 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
10266 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
10267 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
10270 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
10275 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
10276 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
10277 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
10278 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
10279 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
10280 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
10281 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
10282 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
10283 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
10284 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
10286 @item show print frame-arguments
10287 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
10289 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
10290 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
10292 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
10293 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
10294 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
10295 otherwise print the value in raw form.
10296 This is the default.
10298 @item show print raw frame-arguments
10299 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
10301 @anchor{set print entry-values}
10302 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
10303 @kindex set print entry-values
10304 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
10305 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
10306 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
10307 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
10308 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
10310 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
10311 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
10312 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
10315 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10316 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
10317 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10320 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
10324 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
10328 #0 different (val=6)
10329 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
10331 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10335 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
10336 values are never printed.
10338 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10339 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10340 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10341 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10342 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10346 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
10347 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
10348 value for such parameter.
10350 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10351 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10352 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10354 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10358 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
10359 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
10363 #0 different (val=6)
10364 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10366 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10370 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
10371 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
10374 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
10375 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10376 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10377 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10378 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10382 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
10383 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
10384 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
10385 values are known and identical, print the shortened
10386 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10388 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10389 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10390 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10392 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10396 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
10397 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
10398 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
10399 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10401 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10402 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10403 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10405 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10409 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
10410 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
10412 @item show print entry-values
10413 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
10416 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
10417 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
10418 @cindex repeated array elements
10419 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
10420 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
10421 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
10422 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
10423 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
10424 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
10425 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
10428 @item show print repeats
10429 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
10432 @item set print null-stop
10433 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
10434 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
10435 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
10436 contain only short strings.
10437 The default is off.
10439 @item show print null-stop
10440 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
10441 @sc{null} character.
10443 @item set print pretty on
10444 @cindex print structures in indented form
10445 @cindex indentation in structure display
10446 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
10447 per line, like this:
10462 @item set print pretty off
10463 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
10467 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
10468 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
10473 This is the default format.
10475 @item show print pretty
10476 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
10478 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
10479 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
10480 @cindex octal escapes in strings
10481 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
10482 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
10483 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
10484 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
10485 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
10487 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
10488 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
10489 international character sets, and is the default.
10491 @item show print sevenbit-strings
10492 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
10494 @item set print union on
10495 @cindex unions in structures, printing
10496 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
10497 and other unions. This is the default setting.
10499 @item set print union off
10500 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
10501 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
10504 @item show print union
10505 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
10506 structures and other unions.
10508 For example, given the declarations
10511 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
10512 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
10513 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
10524 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
10528 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
10531 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
10535 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
10538 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
10542 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
10548 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
10551 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
10552 @item set print demangle
10553 @itemx set print demangle on
10554 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
10555 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
10556 linkage. The default is on.
10558 @item show print demangle
10559 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
10561 @item set print asm-demangle
10562 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
10563 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
10564 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
10565 The default is off.
10567 @item show print asm-demangle
10568 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
10571 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
10572 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
10573 @kindex set demangle-style
10574 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
10575 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
10576 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
10580 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
10581 This is the default.
10584 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
10587 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
10590 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
10593 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
10594 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
10595 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
10596 require further enhancement to permit that.
10599 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
10601 @item show demangle-style
10602 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
10604 @item set print object
10605 @itemx set print object on
10606 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
10607 @cindex display derived types
10608 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
10609 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
10610 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
10611 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
10612 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
10613 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
10614 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
10616 @item set print object off
10617 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
10618 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
10620 @item show print object
10621 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
10623 @item set print static-members
10624 @itemx set print static-members on
10625 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
10626 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
10628 @item set print static-members off
10629 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
10631 @item show print static-members
10632 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
10634 @item set print pascal_static-members
10635 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
10636 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
10637 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
10638 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
10640 @item set print pascal_static-members off
10641 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
10643 @item show print pascal_static-members
10644 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
10646 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
10647 @item set print vtbl
10648 @itemx set print vtbl on
10649 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
10650 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
10651 @cindex VTBL display
10652 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
10653 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
10654 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
10656 @item set print vtbl off
10657 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
10659 @item show print vtbl
10660 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
10663 @node Pretty Printing
10664 @section Pretty Printing
10666 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
10667 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
10668 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
10671 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
10672 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
10673 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
10676 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
10677 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
10679 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
10680 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
10681 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
10683 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
10684 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
10685 pretty-printers with their names.
10686 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
10687 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
10688 Each such subprinter has its own name.
10689 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
10691 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
10692 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
10693 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
10694 do anything special.
10696 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
10700 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
10704 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
10705 when debugging that program.
10706 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
10709 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
10710 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
10711 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
10714 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
10715 pretty-printers are selected,
10717 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
10720 @node Pretty-Printer Example
10721 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
10723 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
10726 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10728 static npos = 4294967295,
10730 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
10731 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
10732 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
10734 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
10735 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
10736 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
10741 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
10744 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10748 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
10749 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
10750 @cindex pretty-printer commands
10753 @kindex info pretty-printer
10754 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10755 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
10756 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
10758 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
10759 whose pretty-printers to list.
10760 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
10761 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
10762 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
10763 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
10764 looks up a printer from these three objects.
10766 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
10769 @kindex disable pretty-printer
10770 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10771 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10772 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
10774 @kindex enable pretty-printer
10775 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10776 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10781 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
10782 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
10783 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
10784 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
10787 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10794 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10799 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
10801 2 of 3 printers enabled
10802 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10809 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar;bar1
10811 1 of 3 printers enabled
10812 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10819 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
10821 0 of 3 printers enabled
10822 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10831 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
10832 as can each individual subprinter.
10834 @node Value History
10835 @section Value History
10837 @cindex value history
10838 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
10839 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
10840 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
10841 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
10842 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
10843 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
10844 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
10849 @cindex history number
10850 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
10851 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
10852 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
10853 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
10856 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
10857 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
10858 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
10859 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
10860 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
10861 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
10862 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
10864 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
10865 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
10871 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
10872 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
10879 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
10880 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
10882 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
10883 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
10891 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
10892 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
10895 @kindex show values
10897 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
10898 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
10899 values} does not change the history.
10901 @item show values @var{n}
10902 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
10904 @item show values +
10905 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
10906 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
10909 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
10910 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
10912 @node Convenience Vars
10913 @section Convenience Variables
10915 @cindex convenience variables
10916 @cindex user-defined variables
10917 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
10918 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
10919 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
10920 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
10921 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
10923 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
10924 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
10925 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10926 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
10927 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
10929 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
10930 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
10934 set $foo = *object_ptr
10938 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
10941 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
10942 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
10943 value with another assignment at any time.
10945 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
10946 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
10947 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
10948 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
10951 @kindex show convenience
10952 @cindex show all user variables and functions
10953 @item show convenience
10954 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
10955 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
10956 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
10958 @kindex init-if-undefined
10959 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
10960 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
10961 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
10962 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
10963 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
10964 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
10965 override default values used in a command script.
10967 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
10968 any side-effects do not occur.
10971 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
10972 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
10973 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
10977 print bar[$i++]->contents
10981 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
10983 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
10984 values likely to be useful.
10987 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
10989 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
10990 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
10991 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
10992 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
10993 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
10994 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
10995 to the type of @code{$__}.
10997 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
10999 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
11000 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
11001 to match the format in which the data was printed.
11004 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
11005 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
11006 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
11007 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
11010 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
11011 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
11012 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
11013 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
11015 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
11016 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
11017 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
11018 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
11019 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
11022 #include <signal.h>
11025 main (int argc, char *argv[])
11032 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
11033 or signalled would be:
11036 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
11037 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
11038 End with a line saying just ``end''.
11039 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
11040 >echo The program has exited\n
11042 >echo The program has signalled\n
11048 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
11049 The program no longer exists.
11050 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11051 The program has signalled
11054 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
11055 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
11056 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
11057 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
11060 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11061 The program has exited
11065 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
11066 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
11069 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
11070 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11073 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
11074 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
11075 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
11076 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
11077 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
11080 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
11081 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
11082 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
11083 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
11084 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
11087 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
11088 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
11089 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
11090 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
11091 @xref{General Query Packets}.
11092 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
11095 The number of the current inferior. @xref{Inferiors and
11096 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}.
11099 The thread number of the current thread. @xref{thread numbers}.
11102 The global number of the current thread. @xref{global thread numbers}.
11106 @node Convenience Funs
11107 @section Convenience Functions
11109 @cindex convenience functions
11110 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
11111 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
11112 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
11113 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
11116 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
11117 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
11121 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
11122 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
11123 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
11126 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
11127 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
11128 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
11132 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11134 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11137 Starting program: ./a.out
11138 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
11139 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11141 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11145 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
11146 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
11147 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
11148 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
11149 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
11150 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
11153 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
11154 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
11163 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
11166 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
11168 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
11170 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
11171 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
11173 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
11179 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
11180 @code{Python} support.
11184 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
11185 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
11186 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
11187 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
11188 Otherwise it returns zero.
11190 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
11191 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
11192 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
11193 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11194 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
11195 regular expression support.
11197 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
11198 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
11199 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
11200 Otherwise it returns zero.
11202 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
11203 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
11204 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
11206 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11207 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11208 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11209 Otherwise it returns zero.
11211 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11212 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11220 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
11221 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
11222 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
11223 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
11224 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
11225 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
11226 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
11227 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
11229 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
11233 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11234 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11235 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
11236 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11238 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11239 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11242 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11243 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11244 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11245 Otherwise it returns zero.
11247 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11248 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11251 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
11252 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11253 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
11254 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11256 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11257 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11258 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
11259 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11261 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11262 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11265 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
11266 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11267 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
11268 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11270 @item $_as_string(@var{value})
11271 @findex $_as_string@r{, convenience function}
11272 Return the string representation of @var{value}.
11274 This function is useful to obtain the textual label (enumerator) of an
11275 enumeration value. For example, assuming the variable @var{node} is of
11276 an enumerated type:
11279 (gdb) printf "Visiting node of type %s\n", $_as_string(node)
11280 Visiting node of type NODE_INTEGER
11285 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
11286 convenience functions.
11289 @item help function
11290 @kindex help function
11291 @cindex show all convenience functions
11292 Print a list of all convenience functions.
11299 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
11300 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
11301 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
11305 @kindex info registers
11306 @item info registers
11307 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
11308 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11310 @kindex info all-registers
11311 @cindex floating point registers
11312 @item info all-registers
11313 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
11314 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11316 @item info registers @var{reggroup} @dots{}
11317 Print the name and value of the registers in each of the specified
11318 @var{reggroup}s. The @var{reggoup} can be any of those returned by
11319 @code{maint print reggroups} (@pxref{Maintenance Commands}).
11321 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
11322 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
11323 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
11324 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
11325 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
11328 @anchor{standard registers}
11329 @cindex stack pointer register
11330 @cindex program counter register
11331 @cindex process status register
11332 @cindex frame pointer register
11333 @cindex standard registers
11334 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
11335 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
11336 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
11337 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
11338 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
11339 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
11340 register that contains the processor status. For example,
11341 you could print the program counter in hex with
11348 or print the instruction to be executed next with
11355 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
11356 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
11357 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
11358 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
11359 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
11360 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
11361 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
11367 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
11368 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
11369 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
11370 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
11371 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
11372 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
11373 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
11375 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
11376 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
11377 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
11378 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
11379 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
11380 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
11381 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
11383 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
11384 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
11385 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
11386 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
11387 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
11388 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
11389 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
11390 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
11391 prints the data in both formats.
11393 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
11394 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
11395 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
11396 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
11397 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
11398 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
11399 registers in @code{struct} notation:
11402 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
11404 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
11405 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
11406 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
11407 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
11408 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
11409 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
11410 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
11415 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
11416 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
11417 value to a @code{struct} member:
11420 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
11423 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
11424 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
11425 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
11426 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
11427 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
11428 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
11430 @cindex caller-saved registers
11431 @cindex call-clobbered registers
11432 @cindex volatile registers
11433 @cindex <not saved> values
11434 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
11435 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
11436 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
11437 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
11438 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
11439 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
11440 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
11441 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
11442 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
11443 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
11444 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
11445 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
11446 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
11447 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
11448 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
11449 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
11450 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
11451 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
11452 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
11453 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
11454 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
11455 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
11456 represent the value the register had just before the call.
11458 @node Floating Point Hardware
11459 @section Floating Point Hardware
11460 @cindex floating point
11462 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
11463 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
11468 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
11469 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
11470 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
11471 the ARM and x86 machines.
11475 @section Vector Unit
11476 @cindex vector unit
11478 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
11479 more information about the status of the vector unit.
11482 @kindex info vector
11484 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
11485 layout vary depending on the hardware.
11488 @node OS Information
11489 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
11490 @cindex OS information
11492 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
11493 you debug your program.
11495 @cindex auxiliary vector
11496 @cindex vector, auxiliary
11497 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
11498 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
11499 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
11500 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
11501 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
11502 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
11503 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
11504 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
11505 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
11506 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
11507 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
11512 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
11513 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
11514 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
11515 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
11516 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
11517 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
11518 an unrecognized tag.
11521 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
11522 information and show it to you. The types of information available
11523 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
11524 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
11525 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
11526 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
11527 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
11531 @item info os @var{infotype}
11533 Display OS information of the requested type.
11535 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
11537 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
11539 @kindex info os cpus
11541 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
11542 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
11543 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
11544 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
11545 kernel initialization.
11547 @kindex info os files
11549 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
11550 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
11551 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
11552 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
11554 @kindex info os modules
11556 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
11557 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
11558 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
11559 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
11562 @kindex info os msg
11564 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
11565 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
11566 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
11567 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
11568 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
11569 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
11570 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
11571 the message queue was last changed.
11573 @kindex info os processes
11575 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
11576 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
11577 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
11578 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
11579 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
11580 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
11582 @kindex info os procgroups
11584 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
11585 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
11586 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
11587 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
11588 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
11589 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
11590 and the process group leader is listed first.
11592 @kindex info os semaphores
11594 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
11595 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
11596 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
11597 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
11598 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
11600 @kindex info os shm
11602 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
11603 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
11604 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
11605 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
11606 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
11607 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
11608 attached to, detach from, and changed.
11610 @kindex info os sockets
11612 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
11613 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
11614 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
11615 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
11618 @kindex info os threads
11620 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
11621 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
11622 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
11623 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
11624 process is not listed.
11628 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
11629 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
11630 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
11631 types, this command will report an error.
11634 @node Memory Region Attributes
11635 @section Memory Region Attributes
11636 @cindex memory region attributes
11638 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
11639 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
11640 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
11641 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
11642 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
11643 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
11644 user can override the fetched regions.
11646 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
11647 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
11648 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
11649 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
11652 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
11653 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
11657 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
11658 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
11659 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
11660 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
11661 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
11662 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
11665 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
11666 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
11669 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11670 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
11671 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
11673 @kindex disable mem
11674 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11675 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
11676 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
11677 It may be enabled again later.
11680 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11681 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
11685 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
11689 @item Memory Region Number
11690 @item Enabled or Disabled.
11691 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
11692 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
11695 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
11698 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
11701 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
11706 @subsection Attributes
11708 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
11709 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
11710 write accesses to a memory region.
11712 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
11713 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
11714 etc.@: from accessing memory.
11718 Memory is read only.
11720 Memory is write only.
11722 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
11725 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
11726 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
11727 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
11728 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
11729 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
11733 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
11735 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
11737 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
11739 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
11742 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
11743 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11744 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
11745 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
11749 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
11750 @c @item swbreak (default)
11753 @subsubsection Data Cache
11754 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
11755 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
11756 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
11757 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
11762 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
11764 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
11767 @subsection Memory Access Checking
11768 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
11769 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
11770 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
11771 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
11774 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
11775 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
11776 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
11777 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
11778 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
11779 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
11780 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
11781 The default value is @code{on}.
11782 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
11783 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
11784 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
11788 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
11789 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11790 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
11794 @c @item noverify (default)
11797 @node Dump/Restore Files
11798 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
11799 @cindex dump/restore files
11800 @cindex append data to a file
11801 @cindex dump data to a file
11802 @cindex restore data from a file
11804 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
11805 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
11806 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
11807 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
11808 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
11809 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
11810 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
11815 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11816 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11817 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11818 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
11820 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
11827 Motorola S-record format.
11829 Tektronix Hex format.
11831 Verilog Hex format.
11834 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
11835 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
11836 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
11840 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11841 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11842 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11843 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
11844 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
11847 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
11848 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
11849 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
11850 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
11851 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
11853 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
11854 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
11855 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
11856 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
11857 from that location.
11859 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
11860 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
11861 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
11862 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
11866 @node Core File Generation
11867 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
11868 @cindex dump core from inferior
11870 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
11871 image of a running process and its process status (register values
11872 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
11873 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
11874 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
11875 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
11876 the post-mortem debugging mode.
11878 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
11879 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
11880 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
11884 @kindex generate-core-file
11885 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
11886 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
11887 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
11888 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
11889 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
11890 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
11892 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
11893 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
11895 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
11896 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
11897 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}), and by default honors the
11898 @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag for mappings where it is present in the file
11899 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} (@pxref{set dump-excluded-mappings}).
11901 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
11902 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
11903 @item set use-coredump-filter on
11904 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
11905 Enable or disable the use of the file
11906 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
11907 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
11908 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
11909 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
11911 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
11912 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
11913 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
11914 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
11915 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
11916 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
11917 about the bits that can be set in the
11918 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
11919 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
11921 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
11922 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
11923 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
11924 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
11925 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
11926 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
11927 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
11928 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
11930 @kindex set dump-excluded-mappings
11931 @anchor{set dump-excluded-mappings}
11932 @item set dump-excluded-mappings on
11933 @itemx set dump-excluded-mappings off
11934 If @code{on} is specified, @value{GDBN} will dump memory mappings
11935 marked with the @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag. This flag is represented in
11936 the file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} with the acronym @code{dd}.
11938 The default value is @code{off}.
11941 @node Character Sets
11942 @section Character Sets
11943 @cindex character sets
11945 @cindex translating between character sets
11946 @cindex host character set
11947 @cindex target character set
11949 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
11950 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
11951 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
11952 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
11953 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
11954 @dfn{target character set}.
11956 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
11957 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
11958 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
11959 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
11960 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
11961 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
11962 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
11963 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
11964 character and string literals in expressions.
11966 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
11967 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
11968 target-charset} command, described below.
11970 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
11974 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
11975 @kindex set target-charset
11976 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
11977 list of supported target character sets, type
11978 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11980 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
11981 @kindex set host-charset
11982 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
11984 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
11985 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
11986 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
11987 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
11988 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
11990 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
11991 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11992 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
11994 @item set charset @var{charset}
11995 @kindex set charset
11996 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
11997 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11998 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
11999 for both host and target.
12002 @kindex show charset
12003 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
12005 @item show host-charset
12006 @kindex show host-charset
12007 Show the name of the current host character set.
12009 @item show target-charset
12010 @kindex show target-charset
12011 Show the name of the current target character set.
12013 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
12014 @kindex set target-wide-charset
12015 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
12016 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
12017 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
12018 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
12020 @item show target-wide-charset
12021 @kindex show target-wide-charset
12022 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
12025 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
12026 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
12027 @file{charset-test.c}:
12033 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
12034 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
12035 char ibm1047_hello[]
12036 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
12037 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
12041 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12045 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
12046 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
12047 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
12049 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
12052 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
12053 $ gdb -nw charset-test
12054 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
12055 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12060 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
12061 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
12065 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12066 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
12070 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
12071 initial character set:
12073 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
12074 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12075 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
12079 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
12080 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
12081 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
12082 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
12083 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
12086 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
12087 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
12088 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
12093 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
12094 literals you use in expressions:
12097 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
12102 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
12105 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
12106 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
12107 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
12110 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
12111 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
12112 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
12117 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
12118 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
12121 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
12122 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
12123 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
12126 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
12127 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
12128 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
12129 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
12130 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
12133 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
12134 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12135 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
12136 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
12137 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
12138 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
12139 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
12141 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
12142 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
12143 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
12148 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
12149 string literals you use in expressions:
12152 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
12157 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
12160 @node Caching Target Data
12161 @section Caching Data of Targets
12162 @cindex caching data of targets
12164 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
12165 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
12166 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
12167 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
12168 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
12169 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
12170 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
12171 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
12172 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
12173 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
12175 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
12176 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
12177 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
12178 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
12179 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
12180 in the code segment.
12181 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
12182 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
12185 @kindex set remotecache
12186 @item set remotecache on
12187 @itemx set remotecache off
12188 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
12191 @kindex show remotecache
12192 @item show remotecache
12193 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
12195 @kindex set stack-cache
12196 @item set stack-cache on
12197 @itemx set stack-cache off
12198 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
12199 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
12201 @kindex show stack-cache
12202 @item show stack-cache
12203 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
12205 @kindex set code-cache
12206 @item set code-cache on
12207 @itemx set code-cache off
12208 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
12209 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
12210 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
12212 @kindex show code-cache
12213 @item show code-cache
12214 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
12217 @kindex info dcache
12218 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
12219 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
12220 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
12221 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
12222 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
12223 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
12225 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
12228 @item set dcache size @var{size}
12229 @cindex dcache size
12230 @kindex set dcache size
12231 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
12233 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
12234 @cindex dcache line-size
12235 @kindex set dcache line-size
12236 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
12237 Must be a power of 2.
12239 @item show dcache size
12240 @kindex show dcache size
12241 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
12243 @item show dcache line-size
12244 @kindex show dcache line-size
12245 Show default size of dcache lines.
12249 @node Searching Memory
12250 @section Search Memory
12251 @cindex searching memory
12253 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
12254 @code{find} command.
12258 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12259 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12260 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
12261 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
12262 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
12265 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
12266 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
12269 @item @var{s}, search query size
12270 The size of each search query value.
12276 halfwords (two bytes)
12280 giant words (eight bytes)
12283 All values are interpreted in the current language.
12284 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
12285 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
12286 The null terminator can be removed from searching by using casts,
12287 e.g.: @samp{@{char[5]@}"hello"}.
12289 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
12290 value's type in the current language.
12291 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
12292 pattern as a mixture of types.
12293 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
12294 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
12295 which is typically four bytes.
12297 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
12298 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
12301 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
12303 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
12304 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
12306 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
12307 number of matches found.
12309 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
12311 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
12313 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
12319 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
12320 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
12321 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
12322 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
12323 printf ("%s\n", hello);
12328 you get during debugging:
12331 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
12332 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12334 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
12335 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12336 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12338 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), @{char[5]@}"hello"
12339 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12340 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12342 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
12343 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12345 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
12346 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
12348 (gdb) print $numfound
12351 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
12355 @section Value Sizes
12357 Whenever @value{GDBN} prints a value memory will be allocated within
12358 @value{GDBN} to hold the contents of the value. It is possible in
12359 some languages with dynamic typing systems, that an invalid program
12360 may indicate a value that is incorrectly large, this in turn may cause
12361 @value{GDBN} to try and allocate an overly large ammount of memory.
12364 @kindex set max-value-size
12365 @item set max-value-size @var{bytes}
12366 @itemx set max-value-size unlimited
12367 Set the maximum size of memory that @value{GDBN} will allocate for the
12368 contents of a value to @var{bytes}, trying to display a value that
12369 requires more memory than that will result in an error.
12371 Setting this variable does not effect values that have already been
12372 allocated within @value{GDBN}, only future allocations.
12374 There's a minimum size that @code{max-value-size} can be set to in
12375 order that @value{GDBN} can still operate correctly, this minimum is
12376 currently 16 bytes.
12378 The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions as well as to
12379 complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting a simple
12380 integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
12381 @var{x.y} is dynamic and exceeds @var{bytes}. On the other hand,
12382 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A[i]}, where
12383 @var{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
12384 succeed regardless of the bounds on @var{A}, as long as the component
12385 size is less than @var{bytes}.
12387 The default value of @code{max-value-size} is currently 64k.
12389 @kindex show max-value-size
12390 @item show max-value-size
12391 Show the maximum size of memory, in bytes, that @value{GDBN} will
12392 allocate for the contents of a value.
12395 @node Optimized Code
12396 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
12397 @cindex optimized code, debugging
12398 @cindex debugging optimized code
12400 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
12401 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
12402 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
12403 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
12404 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
12405 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
12406 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
12408 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
12409 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
12410 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
12411 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
12413 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
12414 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
12415 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
12416 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
12417 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
12418 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
12420 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
12421 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
12422 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
12423 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
12424 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
12427 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
12428 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
12431 @node Inline Functions
12432 @section Inline Functions
12433 @cindex inline functions, debugging
12435 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
12436 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
12437 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
12438 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
12439 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
12440 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
12441 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
12442 @code{info frame} command.
12444 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
12445 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
12446 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
12447 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
12448 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
12449 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
12450 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
12451 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
12452 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
12453 local variables in the caller.
12455 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
12456 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
12457 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
12458 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
12459 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
12460 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
12461 instructions are executed.
12463 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
12464 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
12465 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
12466 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
12468 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
12469 function calls are the same as normal calls:
12473 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
12474 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
12475 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
12476 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
12477 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
12478 or inside the inlined function instead.
12481 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
12482 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
12483 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
12484 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
12488 @node Tail Call Frames
12489 @section Tail Call Frames
12490 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
12492 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
12493 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
12494 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
12495 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
12496 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
12498 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
12499 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
12500 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
12501 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
12502 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
12503 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
12504 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
12506 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
12507 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
12508 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
12511 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
12512 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
12516 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
12518 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
12519 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
12520 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
12521 source language c++.
12522 Arglist at unknown address.
12523 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
12526 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
12527 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
12528 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
12529 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
12530 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
12531 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
12534 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
12535 @item set debug entry-values
12536 @kindex set debug entry-values
12537 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
12538 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
12539 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
12540 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
12543 @item show debug entry-values
12544 @kindex show debug entry-values
12545 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
12546 values at function entry and tail calls.
12549 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
12550 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
12551 reference by variable @code{x}):
12554 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
12555 void (*x) (void) = c;
12556 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
12557 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
12558 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
12560 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_entry_value resolving cannot find
12561 DW_TAG_call_site 0x40039a in main
12563 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
12566 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
12569 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
12573 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
12574 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
12575 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
12576 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
12577 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
12578 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
12579 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
12580 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
12582 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
12583 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
12584 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
12587 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
12588 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
12591 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
12592 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
12594 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
12595 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
12596 @set ARROW @click{}
12597 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
12598 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
12600 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
12602 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
12603 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
12606 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
12607 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
12608 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
12610 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
12611 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
12612 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
12613 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
12614 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
12615 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
12617 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
12618 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
12619 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
12620 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
12623 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
12628 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
12629 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
12630 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
12631 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
12632 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
12633 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
12636 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
12637 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_entry_value resolving has found
12638 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
12639 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
12640 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
12643 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
12644 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
12645 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
12646 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
12647 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
12650 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
12652 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
12653 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
12654 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
12655 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
12656 where it was defined.
12658 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
12659 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
12660 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
12661 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
12663 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
12664 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
12665 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
12666 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
12667 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
12668 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
12671 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
12672 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
12673 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
12677 @kindex macro expand
12678 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
12679 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
12680 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
12681 @item macro expand @var{expression}
12682 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
12683 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
12684 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
12685 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
12686 it can be any string of tokens.
12689 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
12690 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
12691 @cindex expand macro once
12692 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
12693 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
12694 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
12695 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
12696 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
12697 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
12698 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
12699 can be any string of tokens.
12702 @cindex macro definition, showing
12703 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
12704 @cindex macros, from debug info
12705 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
12706 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
12707 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
12708 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
12709 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
12710 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
12712 @kindex info macros
12713 @item info macros @var{location}
12714 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
12715 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
12716 command-line where those definitions were established.
12718 @kindex macro define
12719 @cindex user-defined macros
12720 @cindex defining macros interactively
12721 @cindex macros, user-defined
12722 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
12723 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
12724 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
12725 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
12726 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
12727 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
12728 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
12731 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
12732 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
12733 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
12734 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
12735 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
12737 @kindex macro undef
12738 @item macro undef @var{macro}
12739 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
12740 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
12741 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
12742 in the program being debugged.
12746 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
12749 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
12750 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
12751 show our source files:
12756 #include "sample.h"
12759 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12764 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12766 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12768 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12775 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
12776 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
12777 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
12778 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
12779 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
12780 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
12784 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
12788 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
12792 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
12793 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12794 GDB is free software, @dots{}
12798 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
12799 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
12800 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
12803 (@value{GDBP}) list main
12806 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12811 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12813 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12814 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
12815 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
12816 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12817 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
12818 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
12819 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
12821 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
12822 expands to: (42 + 1)
12823 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
12824 expands to: once (M + 1)
12828 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
12829 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
12830 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
12831 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
12833 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
12834 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
12837 (@value{GDBP}) break main
12838 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
12840 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
12842 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
12843 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12847 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
12850 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12851 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
12853 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12854 expands to: 28 < 42
12855 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12860 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
12861 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
12862 thereof) in force at each point:
12865 (@value{GDBP}) next
12867 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12868 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12869 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
12870 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
12871 (@value{GDBP}) next
12873 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12874 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12875 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
12877 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12878 expands to: 1729 < 42
12879 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12884 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
12885 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
12886 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
12887 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
12890 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
12891 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
12898 @chapter Tracepoints
12899 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
12900 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
12902 @cindex tracepoints
12903 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
12904 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
12905 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
12906 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
12907 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
12908 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
12909 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
12911 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
12912 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
12913 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
12914 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
12915 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
12916 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
12917 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
12918 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
12919 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
12920 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
12921 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
12923 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
12924 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
12925 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
12926 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
12927 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
12928 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
12931 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
12932 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
12933 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
12935 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
12938 * Set Tracepoints::
12939 * Analyze Collected Data::
12940 * Tracepoint Variables::
12944 @node Set Tracepoints
12945 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
12947 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
12948 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
12949 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
12950 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
12951 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
12952 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
12953 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
12955 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
12956 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
12957 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
12958 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
12959 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
12960 tracepoint was hit.
12962 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
12963 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
12964 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
12967 @cindex fast tracepoints
12968 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
12969 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
12970 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
12972 @cindex static tracepoints
12973 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
12974 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
12975 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
12976 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
12977 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
12978 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
12979 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
12980 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
12981 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
12982 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
12983 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
12984 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
12985 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
12986 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
12987 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
12988 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
12989 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
12990 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
12991 static tracepoint marker.
12993 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
12994 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
12996 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
12997 conditions and actions.
13000 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
13001 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
13002 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
13003 * Tracepoint Conditions::
13004 * Trace State Variables::
13005 * Tracepoint Actions::
13006 * Listing Tracepoints::
13007 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
13008 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
13009 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
13012 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
13013 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
13016 @cindex set tracepoint
13018 @item trace @var{location}
13019 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
13020 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
13021 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
13022 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
13023 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
13024 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
13025 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
13027 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
13028 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
13029 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
13030 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
13031 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
13032 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
13033 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
13034 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
13035 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
13036 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
13037 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
13038 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
13040 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
13043 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
13045 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
13047 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
13049 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
13051 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
13055 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
13057 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
13058 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
13059 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
13060 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
13061 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
13062 information on tracepoint conditions.
13064 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
13065 @cindex set fast tracepoint
13066 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
13068 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
13069 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
13070 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
13071 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
13072 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
13073 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
13076 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
13079 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
13080 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
13081 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
13082 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
13083 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
13084 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
13085 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
13086 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
13089 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
13093 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
13094 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
13096 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
13097 @cindex set static tracepoint
13098 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
13099 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
13101 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
13102 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
13103 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
13104 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
13105 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
13107 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
13108 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
13109 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
13110 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
13111 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
13112 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
13113 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
13114 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
13115 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
13121 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
13126 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
13127 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
13130 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
13131 Cnt Enb ID Address What
13132 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
13138 so you may probe the marker above with:
13141 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
13144 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
13145 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
13146 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
13147 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
13148 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
13149 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
13150 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
13151 the @samp{Data:} field.
13153 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
13154 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
13155 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
13158 @cindex last tracepoint number
13159 @cindex recent tracepoint number
13160 @cindex tracepoint number
13161 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
13162 of the most recently set tracepoint.
13164 @kindex delete tracepoint
13165 @cindex tracepoint deletion
13166 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13167 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
13168 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
13169 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
13174 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
13176 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
13180 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
13183 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
13184 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
13186 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
13189 @kindex disable tracepoint
13190 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13191 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
13192 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
13193 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
13194 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
13195 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
13196 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
13197 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
13198 next trace experiment.
13200 @kindex enable tracepoint
13201 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13202 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
13203 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
13204 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
13205 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
13206 next time a trace experiment is run.
13209 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
13210 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
13214 @cindex tracepoint pass count
13215 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
13216 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
13217 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
13218 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
13219 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
13220 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
13221 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
13222 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
13228 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
13229 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
13231 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
13232 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
13233 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13234 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
13235 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
13236 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
13237 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
13238 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
13239 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
13240 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
13241 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
13245 @node Tracepoint Conditions
13246 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
13247 @cindex conditional tracepoints
13248 @cindex tracepoint conditions
13250 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
13251 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
13252 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
13253 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
13254 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
13255 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
13258 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
13259 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
13260 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
13261 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
13262 just as with breakpoints.
13264 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
13265 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
13266 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
13267 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
13268 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
13269 accesses, and so forth.
13271 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
13272 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
13273 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
13274 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
13275 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
13276 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
13280 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
13283 @node Trace State Variables
13284 @subsection Trace State Variables
13285 @cindex trace state variables
13287 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
13288 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
13289 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
13290 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
13291 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
13294 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
13295 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
13296 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
13297 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
13299 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
13300 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
13301 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
13302 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
13303 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
13304 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
13305 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
13306 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
13307 variable with the same name.
13311 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
13313 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
13314 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
13315 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
13316 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
13317 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
13318 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
13319 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
13320 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
13321 value. The default initial value is 0.
13323 @item info tvariables
13324 @kindex info tvariables
13325 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
13326 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
13329 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
13330 @kindex delete tvariable
13331 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
13336 @node Tracepoint Actions
13337 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
13341 @cindex tracepoint actions
13342 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13343 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
13344 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
13345 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
13346 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
13347 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
13348 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
13349 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
13350 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
13351 @code{while-stepping}.
13353 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
13354 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
13355 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
13357 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
13358 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
13359 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
13362 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
13364 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
13366 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
13369 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
13370 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
13371 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
13372 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
13373 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
13374 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
13375 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
13376 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
13379 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13380 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13381 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
13384 > while-stepping 12
13385 > collect $pc, arr[i]
13390 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
13391 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13392 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
13393 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
13394 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
13395 special arguments are supported:
13399 Collect all registers.
13402 Collect all function arguments.
13405 Collect all local variables.
13408 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
13411 @emph{Note:} The return address location can not always be reliably
13412 determined up front, and the wrong address / registers may end up
13413 collected instead. On some architectures the reliability is higher
13414 for tracepoints at function entry, while on others it's the opposite.
13415 When this happens, backtracing will stop because the return address is
13416 found unavailable (unless another collect rule happened to match it).
13419 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
13420 tracepoint is located.
13421 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13423 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
13424 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
13425 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
13426 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13429 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
13430 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
13431 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
13432 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
13433 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
13434 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
13435 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
13436 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
13437 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
13440 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
13441 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
13444 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
13445 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
13446 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
13450 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
13451 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
13452 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
13454 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
13455 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
13456 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
13457 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
13458 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
13459 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
13460 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
13463 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
13464 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
13466 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
13467 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13468 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
13469 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
13470 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
13471 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
13472 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
13475 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
13476 @item while-stepping @var{n}
13477 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
13478 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
13479 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
13480 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
13483 > while-stepping 12
13484 > collect $regs, myglobal
13490 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
13491 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
13492 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
13495 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13496 @kindex set default-collect
13497 @cindex default collection action
13498 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
13499 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
13500 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
13501 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
13502 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
13503 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
13505 @item show default-collect
13506 @kindex show default-collect
13507 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
13512 @node Listing Tracepoints
13513 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
13516 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
13517 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
13518 @cindex information about tracepoints
13519 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
13520 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
13521 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
13522 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
13523 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
13524 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
13526 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
13531 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
13534 the state about installed on target of each location
13538 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
13539 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
13540 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
13542 collect globfoo, $regs
13547 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
13549 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
13550 installed on target
13551 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
13552 installed on target
13553 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
13554 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
13555 not installed on target
13560 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
13563 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
13564 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
13567 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
13568 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
13569 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
13570 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
13573 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
13577 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
13580 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
13581 @item Enabled or Disabled
13582 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
13583 that are not enabled.
13585 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
13587 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
13588 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
13589 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
13590 will be left blank.
13594 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
13598 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
13599 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
13601 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
13602 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
13606 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
13607 Cnt ID Enb Address What
13608 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
13609 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
13610 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
13611 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
13617 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
13618 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
13621 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
13622 @cindex start a new trace experiment
13623 @cindex collected data discarded
13625 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
13626 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
13627 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
13628 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
13629 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
13630 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
13631 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
13632 information, and so forth.
13634 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
13635 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
13637 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
13638 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
13639 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
13640 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
13641 needs to be stopped quickly.
13643 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
13644 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
13645 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
13648 @cindex status of trace data collection
13649 @cindex trace experiment, status of
13651 This command displays the status of the current trace data
13655 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
13658 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
13659 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13660 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
13661 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
13662 > while-stepping 11
13666 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
13667 [time passes @dots{}]
13668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
13671 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
13672 @cindex disconnected tracing
13673 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
13674 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
13675 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
13676 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
13677 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
13678 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
13679 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
13680 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
13683 @item set disconnected-tracing on
13684 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
13685 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
13686 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
13687 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
13688 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
13689 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
13690 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
13692 @item show disconnected-tracing
13693 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
13694 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
13698 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
13699 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
13700 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
13701 it will continue after reconnection.
13703 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
13704 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
13705 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
13706 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
13707 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
13708 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
13709 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
13710 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
13711 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
13712 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
13714 @cindex circular trace buffer
13715 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
13716 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
13717 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
13718 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
13719 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
13720 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
13721 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
13722 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
13723 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
13724 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
13728 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
13729 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
13730 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
13731 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
13732 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
13733 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
13734 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
13736 @item show circular-trace-buffer
13737 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
13738 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
13739 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
13740 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
13741 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
13746 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
13747 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
13748 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
13749 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
13750 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
13751 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
13752 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
13753 likes. This is also the default.
13755 @item show trace-buffer-size
13756 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
13757 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
13758 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
13759 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
13760 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
13761 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
13762 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
13766 @item set trace-user @var{text}
13767 @kindex set trace-user
13769 @item show trace-user
13770 @kindex show trace-user
13772 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
13773 @kindex set trace-notes
13774 Set the trace run's notes.
13776 @item show trace-notes
13777 @kindex show trace-notes
13778 Show the trace run's notes.
13780 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
13781 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
13782 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
13783 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
13784 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
13786 @item show trace-stop-notes
13787 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
13788 Show the trace run's stop notes.
13792 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
13793 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
13795 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
13796 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
13797 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
13798 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
13799 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
13800 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
13801 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
13802 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
13808 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
13809 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
13810 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
13811 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
13812 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
13813 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
13814 cannot be collected either.
13817 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
13818 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
13819 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
13820 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
13821 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
13822 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
13823 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
13824 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
13825 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
13826 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
13829 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
13830 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
13831 in a misleading way.
13834 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
13835 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
13836 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
13837 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
13838 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
13839 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
13840 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
13844 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
13845 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
13846 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
13847 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
13848 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
13849 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
13850 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
13851 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
13852 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
13853 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
13857 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
13858 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
13859 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
13860 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
13861 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
13862 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
13863 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
13868 @node Analyze Collected Data
13869 @section Using the Collected Data
13871 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
13872 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
13873 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
13874 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
13875 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
13876 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
13877 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
13878 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
13879 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
13880 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
13881 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
13882 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
13883 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
13884 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
13885 the buffer will fail.
13888 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
13889 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
13890 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
13894 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
13897 @cindex select trace snapshot
13898 @cindex find trace snapshot
13899 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
13900 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
13901 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
13902 snapshot is selected.
13904 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
13908 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
13909 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
13912 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
13915 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
13918 No argument means find the next trace snapshot or find the first
13919 one if no trace snapshot is selected.
13922 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
13923 retracing earlier steps.
13925 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
13926 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
13927 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
13928 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
13929 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
13931 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
13932 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
13933 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
13934 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
13935 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
13937 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13938 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
13939 addresses (exclusive).
13941 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13942 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
13943 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
13945 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
13946 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
13947 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
13948 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
13949 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
13950 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
13951 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
13952 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
13955 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
13956 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
13957 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
13958 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
13959 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
13960 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
13961 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
13962 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
13963 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
13964 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
13965 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
13966 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
13967 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
13968 tracepoint as the current one.
13970 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
13971 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
13972 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
13973 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
13974 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
13977 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13978 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13979 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
13980 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
13984 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
13985 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
13986 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
13987 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
13988 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
13989 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
13990 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
13991 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
13992 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
13993 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
13994 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
13997 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
14001 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14002 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
14003 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
14013 @subsection @code{tdump}
14015 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
14016 @cindex tracepoint data, display
14018 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
14019 the current trace snapshot.
14022 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
14023 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14024 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
14025 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
14028 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
14030 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
14031 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
14033 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
14035 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
14036 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
14037 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
14041 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
14044 d7 0x380035 3670069
14045 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
14046 a1 0x3000668 50333288
14048 a3 0x322000 3284992
14049 a4 0x3000698 50333336
14050 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
14051 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
14052 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
14054 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
14058 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
14065 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
14070 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
14071 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
14072 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
14073 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
14075 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
14076 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
14077 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
14078 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
14079 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
14080 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
14081 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
14082 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
14083 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
14084 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
14086 @node save tracepoints
14087 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
14088 @kindex save tracepoints
14089 @kindex save-tracepoints
14090 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
14092 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
14093 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
14094 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
14095 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
14096 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
14097 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
14099 @node Tracepoint Variables
14100 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
14101 @cindex tracepoint variables
14102 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
14105 @vindex $trace_frame
14106 @item (int) $trace_frame
14107 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
14108 snapshot is selected.
14110 @vindex $tracepoint
14111 @item (int) $tracepoint
14112 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
14114 @vindex $trace_line
14115 @item (int) $trace_line
14116 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
14118 @vindex $trace_file
14119 @item (char []) $trace_file
14120 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
14122 @vindex $trace_func
14123 @item (char []) $trace_func
14124 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
14127 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
14128 use @code{output} instead.
14130 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
14131 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
14132 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
14133 which are managed by the target.
14136 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14138 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
14139 > output $trace_file
14140 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
14146 @section Using Trace Files
14147 @cindex trace files
14149 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
14150 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
14151 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
14152 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
14153 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
14158 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
14159 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
14160 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
14161 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
14162 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
14163 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
14164 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
14165 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
14166 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
14167 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
14168 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
14169 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save data in CTF
14170 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
14171 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
14172 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
14174 @kindex target tfile
14178 @item target tfile @var{filename}
14179 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
14180 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
14181 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
14182 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
14183 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
14184 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
14185 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
14189 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
14190 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
14191 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
14192 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
14193 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
14194 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
14198 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
14199 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
14207 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
14210 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
14211 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
14212 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
14216 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
14217 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
14218 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
14219 mapped by asking the inferior.
14220 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
14223 @node How Overlays Work
14224 @section How Overlays Work
14225 @cindex mapped overlays
14226 @cindex unmapped overlays
14227 @cindex load address, overlay's
14228 @cindex mapped address
14229 @cindex overlay area
14231 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
14232 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
14233 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
14234 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
14235 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
14237 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
14238 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
14239 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
14240 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
14241 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
14242 largest overlay as well.
14244 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
14245 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
14246 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
14249 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
14250 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
14251 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
14255 Data Instruction Larger
14256 Address Space Address Space Address Space
14257 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
14259 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
14260 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
14261 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
14262 | and heap | | | | | |
14263 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
14264 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
14265 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
14267 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
14268 address | | | | | |
14269 | overlay | <-' | | |
14270 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
14271 | | <---. | | load address
14272 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
14279 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
14283 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
14284 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
14285 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
14286 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
14287 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
14288 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
14289 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
14290 program and the overlay area.
14292 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
14293 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
14294 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
14295 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
14296 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
14297 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
14298 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
14300 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
14301 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
14302 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
14307 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
14308 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
14309 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
14310 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
14313 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
14314 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
14315 your program's performance.
14318 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
14319 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
14320 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
14321 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
14322 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
14323 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
14324 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
14327 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
14328 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
14329 instruction and data spaces.
14333 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
14334 improved in many ways:
14339 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
14340 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
14341 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
14342 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
14343 area in the usual way.
14346 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
14347 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
14350 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
14351 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
14352 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
14353 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
14354 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
14355 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
14356 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
14361 @node Overlay Commands
14362 @section Overlay Commands
14364 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
14365 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
14366 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
14367 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
14368 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
14369 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
14371 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
14372 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
14377 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
14378 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
14379 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
14380 overlay support is disabled.
14382 @item overlay manual
14383 @cindex manual overlay debugging
14384 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14385 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
14386 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
14387 commands described below.
14389 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
14390 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
14391 @cindex map an overlay
14392 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
14393 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
14394 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
14395 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
14396 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
14397 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
14399 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
14400 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
14401 @cindex unmap an overlay
14402 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
14403 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
14404 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
14405 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
14408 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14409 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
14410 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
14411 Overlay Debugging}.
14413 @item overlay load-target
14414 @itemx overlay load
14415 @cindex reloading the overlay table
14416 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
14417 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
14418 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
14419 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
14420 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
14422 @item overlay list-overlays
14423 @itemx overlay list
14424 @cindex listing mapped overlays
14425 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
14426 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
14430 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
14431 of the function the address falls in:
14434 (@value{GDBP}) print main
14435 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
14438 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
14439 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
14440 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
14441 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
14444 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
14445 No sections are mapped.
14446 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
14447 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
14450 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
14454 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
14455 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
14456 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
14457 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
14458 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
14461 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
14462 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
14463 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
14464 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
14465 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
14469 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
14470 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
14471 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
14472 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
14474 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
14475 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
14476 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
14477 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
14478 breakpoints properly.
14482 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
14483 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
14484 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
14486 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
14487 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
14488 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
14489 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
14490 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
14491 current state of the overlays.
14493 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
14494 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
14498 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
14499 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
14504 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
14507 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
14508 unsigned long size;
14510 /* The overlay's load address. */
14513 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
14515 unsigned long mapped;
14519 @item @code{_novlys}:
14520 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
14521 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
14525 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
14526 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
14527 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
14528 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
14529 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
14532 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
14533 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
14534 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
14535 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
14536 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
14537 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
14538 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
14539 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
14540 are not being executed.
14542 @node Overlay Sample Program
14543 @section Overlay Sample Program
14544 @cindex overlay example program
14546 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
14547 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
14548 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
14549 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
14550 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
14551 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
14552 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
14554 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
14555 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
14556 suite. The program consists of the following files from
14557 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
14561 The main program file.
14563 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
14568 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
14571 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
14572 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
14575 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
14576 cross-compiler like this:
14579 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
14580 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
14581 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
14582 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
14583 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
14584 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
14585 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
14586 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
14589 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
14590 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
14591 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
14595 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
14598 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
14599 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
14600 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
14601 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
14602 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
14603 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
14605 @cindex working language
14606 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
14607 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
14608 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
14609 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
14610 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
14614 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
14615 * Show:: Displaying the language
14616 * Checks:: Type and range checks
14617 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
14618 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
14622 @section Switching Between Source Languages
14624 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
14625 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
14626 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
14627 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
14628 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
14631 In addition to the working language, every source file that
14632 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
14633 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
14634 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
14635 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
14636 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
14637 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
14638 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
14639 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
14640 Displaying the Language}.
14642 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
14643 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
14644 another language. In that case, make the
14645 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
14646 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
14647 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
14650 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
14651 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
14652 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
14656 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
14658 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
14659 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
14677 C@t{++} source file
14683 Objective-C source file
14687 Fortran source file
14690 Modula-2 source file
14694 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
14695 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
14698 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
14699 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
14702 @subsection Setting the Working Language
14704 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
14705 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
14708 @kindex set language
14709 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
14710 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
14711 a language, such as
14712 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
14713 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
14715 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
14716 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
14717 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
14718 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
14719 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
14720 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
14728 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
14729 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
14730 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
14731 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
14733 @node Automatically
14734 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
14736 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
14737 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
14738 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
14739 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
14740 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
14741 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
14742 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
14743 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
14744 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
14746 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
14747 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
14748 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
14749 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
14750 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
14753 @section Displaying the Language
14755 The following commands help you find out which language is the
14756 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
14759 @item show language
14760 @anchor{show language}
14761 @kindex show language
14762 Display the current working language. This is the
14763 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
14764 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
14767 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
14768 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
14769 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
14770 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
14771 information listed here.
14774 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
14775 Display the source language of this source file.
14776 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
14777 information listed here.
14780 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
14781 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
14782 with a language explicitly:
14785 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
14786 @kindex set extension-language
14787 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
14788 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
14790 @item info extensions
14791 @kindex info extensions
14792 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
14796 @section Type and Range Checking
14798 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
14799 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
14800 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
14801 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
14802 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
14803 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
14804 errors when your program is running.
14806 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
14807 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
14808 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
14809 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
14812 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
14813 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
14816 @cindex type checking
14817 @cindex checks, type
14818 @node Type Checking
14819 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
14821 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
14822 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
14823 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
14824 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
14827 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
14829 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
14832 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
14833 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
14836 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
14837 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
14839 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14840 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
14841 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
14842 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
14843 expressions like the second example above.
14845 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
14846 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
14847 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
14848 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
14849 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
14850 little sense to evaluate anyway.
14852 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
14854 @kindex set check type
14855 @kindex show check type
14857 @item set check type on
14858 @itemx set check type off
14859 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
14860 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
14861 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
14863 @item show check type
14864 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
14865 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
14868 @cindex range checking
14869 @cindex checks, range
14870 @node Range Checking
14871 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
14873 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
14874 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
14875 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
14876 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
14877 not exceed the bounds of the array.
14879 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14880 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
14881 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
14882 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
14884 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
14885 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
14886 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
14887 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
14888 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
14889 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
14892 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
14895 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
14896 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
14897 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
14899 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
14901 @kindex set check range
14902 @kindex show check range
14904 @item set check range auto
14905 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
14906 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
14909 @item set check range on
14910 @itemx set check range off
14911 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
14912 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
14913 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
14914 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
14916 @item set check range warn
14917 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
14918 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
14919 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
14920 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
14924 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
14925 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
14928 @node Supported Languages
14929 @section Supported Languages
14931 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran,
14932 OpenCL C, Pascal, Rust, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
14933 @c This is false ...
14934 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
14935 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
14936 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
14937 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
14940 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
14941 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
14942 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
14943 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
14944 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
14945 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
14946 language reference or tutorial.
14949 * C:: C and C@t{++}
14952 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
14953 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
14954 * Fortran:: Fortran
14957 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
14962 @subsection C and C@t{++}
14964 @cindex C and C@t{++}
14965 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
14967 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
14968 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
14972 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
14973 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
14974 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
14975 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
14976 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
14977 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
14978 compiler (@code{aCC}).
14981 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
14982 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
14983 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
14984 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
14985 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
14986 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
14987 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
14988 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
14992 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
14994 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
14996 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14997 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14998 often defined on groups of types.
15000 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
15005 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
15006 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
15009 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
15010 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
15013 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
15016 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
15021 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
15022 in order of increasing precedence:
15026 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
15027 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
15028 expression being the last expression evaluated.
15031 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
15032 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
15035 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
15036 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
15037 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
15038 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
15039 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
15042 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
15043 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
15044 should be of an integral type.
15047 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15050 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15053 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15056 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15059 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15062 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
15063 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
15065 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
15066 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
15067 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
15068 and non-zero for true.
15071 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
15074 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15077 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
15080 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
15081 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
15082 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
15086 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
15087 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
15088 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
15089 operation takes place.
15092 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
15096 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
15098 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
15099 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
15100 to examine the address
15101 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
15105 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
15106 precedence as @code{++}.
15109 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
15113 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
15118 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
15119 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
15120 pointer based on the stored type information.
15121 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
15124 Dereferences of pointers to members.
15127 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
15128 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
15131 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
15134 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
15135 and @code{class} types.
15138 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
15139 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
15143 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
15144 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
15145 predefined meaning.
15148 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
15150 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
15152 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
15157 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
15158 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
15159 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
15160 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
15164 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
15165 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
15166 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
15167 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
15168 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
15169 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
15170 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
15171 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
15172 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
15176 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
15177 integral equivalents.
15180 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
15181 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
15182 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
15183 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
15184 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
15185 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
15186 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
15187 @samp{\n} for newline.
15189 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
15190 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
15191 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
15192 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15195 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
15196 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
15197 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
15198 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
15201 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
15202 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
15203 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15206 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
15207 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
15210 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
15211 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
15212 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
15213 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
15216 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
15217 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
15219 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
15220 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
15222 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
15223 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
15224 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
15225 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
15227 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
15228 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
15229 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
15230 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
15231 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
15232 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
15233 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
15234 code. @xref{Compilation}.
15239 @cindex member functions
15241 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
15244 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
15247 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
15248 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
15250 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
15251 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
15252 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
15253 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
15254 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
15256 @cindex call overloaded functions
15257 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
15258 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
15260 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
15261 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
15262 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
15263 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
15264 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
15267 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
15268 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
15269 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
15270 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
15271 number of function arguments.
15273 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
15274 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
15275 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
15277 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
15278 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
15280 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
15283 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
15284 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
15286 @cindex reference declarations
15288 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} lvalue or rvalue
15289 references; you can use them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++}
15290 source---they are automatically dereferenced.
15292 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
15293 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
15294 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
15295 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
15296 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
15299 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
15300 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
15301 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
15302 necessary, for example in an expression like
15303 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
15304 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
15305 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
15308 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
15313 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
15315 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
15317 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
15318 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
15319 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15320 selects the working language.
15322 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
15323 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
15324 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
15325 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
15326 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
15327 for further details.
15330 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
15332 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
15334 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
15335 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
15336 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
15337 constants to pointers.
15339 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
15340 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
15341 that is not itself an array.
15344 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
15346 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
15347 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
15348 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
15349 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
15351 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
15352 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
15355 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
15356 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
15358 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
15360 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
15361 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
15364 @cindex break in overloaded functions
15365 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
15366 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
15367 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
15368 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
15369 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
15371 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
15372 @item rbreak @var{regex}
15373 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
15374 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
15376 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15378 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
15380 @itemx catch rethrow
15382 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
15383 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
15385 @cindex inheritance
15386 @item ptype @var{typename}
15387 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
15389 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
15391 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
15392 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
15393 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
15394 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
15395 multiple inheritance is in use.
15397 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
15398 @item demangle @var{name}
15399 Demangle @var{name}.
15400 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
15402 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
15403 @item set print demangle
15404 @itemx show print demangle
15405 @itemx set print asm-demangle
15406 @itemx show print asm-demangle
15407 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
15408 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
15409 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15411 @item set print object
15412 @itemx show print object
15413 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
15414 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15416 @item set print vtbl
15417 @itemx show print vtbl
15418 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
15419 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15420 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
15421 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
15423 @kindex set overload-resolution
15424 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
15425 @item set overload-resolution on
15426 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
15427 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
15428 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
15429 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
15430 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
15431 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
15433 @item set overload-resolution off
15434 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
15435 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
15436 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
15437 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
15438 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
15439 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
15442 @kindex show overload-resolution
15443 @item show overload-resolution
15444 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
15446 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
15447 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
15448 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
15449 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
15450 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
15451 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
15452 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
15454 @item @r{Breakpoints in functions with ABI tags}
15456 The GNU C@t{++} compiler introduced the notion of ABI ``tags'', which
15457 correspond to changes in the ABI of a type, function, or variable that
15458 would not otherwise be reflected in a mangled name. See
15459 @url{https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2015/02/05/gcc5-and-the-c11-abi/}
15462 The ABI tags are visible in C@t{++} demangled names. For example, a
15463 function that returns a std::string:
15466 std::string function(int);
15470 when compiled for the C++11 ABI is marked with the @code{cxx11} ABI
15471 tag, and @value{GDBN} displays the symbol like this:
15474 function[abi:cxx11](int)
15477 You can set a breakpoint on such functions simply as if they had no
15481 (gdb) b function(int)
15482 Breakpoint 2 at 0x40060d: file main.cc, line 10.
15483 (gdb) info breakpoints
15484 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
15485 1 breakpoint keep y 0x0040060d in function[abi:cxx11](int)
15489 On the rare occasion you need to disambiguate between different ABI
15490 tags, you can do so by simply including the ABI tag in the function
15494 (@value{GDBP}) b ambiguous[abi:other_tag](int)
15498 @node Decimal Floating Point
15499 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
15500 @cindex decimal floating point format
15502 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
15503 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
15504 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
15505 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
15507 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
15508 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
15509 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
15512 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
15513 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
15514 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
15516 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
15517 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
15518 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
15520 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
15521 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
15522 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
15528 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
15529 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
15530 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
15535 @cindex Go (programming language)
15536 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
15537 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
15539 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
15542 @cindex current Go package
15543 @item The current Go package
15544 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
15545 specifying global variables and functions.
15547 For example, given the program:
15551 var myglob = "Shall we?"
15557 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
15561 (gdb) p main.myglob
15564 @cindex builtin Go types
15565 @item Builtin Go types
15566 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
15569 @cindex builtin Go functions
15570 @item Builtin Go functions
15571 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
15572 function and handles it internally.
15574 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
15575 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
15576 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
15577 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
15578 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
15582 @subsection Objective-C
15584 @cindex Objective-C
15585 This section provides information about some commands and command
15586 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
15587 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
15588 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
15591 * Method Names in Commands::
15592 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
15595 @node Method Names in Commands
15596 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
15598 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
15599 names as line specifications:
15601 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
15602 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
15603 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
15604 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
15605 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
15609 @item @code{info line}
15614 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
15617 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
15620 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
15621 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
15622 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
15623 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
15624 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
15625 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
15629 break -[Fruit create]
15632 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
15636 list +[NSText initialize]
15639 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
15640 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
15641 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
15642 is also possible to specify just a method name:
15648 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
15649 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
15650 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
15651 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
15654 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
15655 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
15658 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
15661 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
15662 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
15663 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
15664 @kindex print-object
15665 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
15667 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
15670 print -[@var{object} hash]
15673 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
15674 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
15676 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
15677 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
15678 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
15679 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
15680 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
15681 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
15684 @subsection OpenCL C
15687 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
15690 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
15691 * OpenCL C Expressions::
15692 * OpenCL C Operators::
15695 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
15696 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
15698 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
15699 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
15700 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
15701 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
15702 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
15704 @node OpenCL C Expressions
15705 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
15707 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
15708 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
15709 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
15710 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
15712 @node OpenCL C Operators
15713 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
15715 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
15716 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
15720 @subsection Fortran
15721 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
15723 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
15724 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
15726 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
15727 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
15728 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
15729 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
15730 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
15734 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
15735 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
15736 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
15739 @node Fortran Operators
15740 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
15742 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
15744 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15745 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
15746 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
15750 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
15754 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
15755 represent a section of array.
15758 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
15759 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
15760 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
15764 @node Fortran Defaults
15765 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
15767 @cindex Fortran Defaults
15769 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
15770 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
15771 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
15772 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
15774 @node Special Fortran Commands
15775 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
15777 @cindex Special Fortran commands
15779 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
15780 such as displaying common blocks.
15783 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
15784 @kindex info common
15785 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
15786 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
15787 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
15788 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
15795 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
15796 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
15797 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
15798 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
15801 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
15802 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
15803 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
15808 @value{GDBN} supports the @url{https://www.rust-lang.org/, Rust
15809 Programming Language}. Type- and value-printing, and expression
15810 parsing, are reasonably complete. However, there are a few
15811 peculiarities and holes to be aware of.
15815 Linespecs (@pxref{Specify Location}) are never relative to the current
15816 crate. Instead, they act as if there were a global namespace of
15817 crates, somewhat similar to the way @code{extern crate} behaves.
15819 That is, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in a function in
15820 crate @samp{A}, module @samp{B}, then @code{break B::f} will attempt
15821 to set a breakpoint in a function named @samp{f} in a crate named
15824 As a consequence of this approach, linespecs also cannot refer to
15825 items using @samp{self::} or @samp{super::}.
15828 Because @value{GDBN} implements Rust name-lookup semantics in
15829 expressions, it will sometimes prepend the current crate to a name.
15830 For example, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in the crate
15831 @samp{K}, then @code{print ::x::y} will try to find the symbol
15834 However, since it is useful to be able to refer to other crates when
15835 debugging, @value{GDBN} provides the @code{extern} extension to
15836 circumvent this. To use the extension, just put @code{extern} before
15837 a path expression to refer to the otherwise unavailable ``global''
15840 In the above example, if you wanted to refer to the symbol @samp{y} in
15841 the crate @samp{x}, you would use @code{print extern x::y}.
15844 The Rust expression evaluator does not support ``statement-like''
15845 expressions such as @code{if} or @code{match}, or lambda expressions.
15848 Tuple expressions are not implemented.
15851 The Rust expression evaluator does not currently implement the
15852 @code{Drop} trait. Objects that may be created by the evaluator will
15853 never be destroyed.
15856 @value{GDBN} does not implement type inference for generics. In order
15857 to call generic functions or otherwise refer to generic items, you
15858 will have to specify the type parameters manually.
15861 @value{GDBN} currently uses the C@t{++} demangler for Rust. In most
15862 cases this does not cause any problems. However, in an expression
15863 context, completing a generic function name will give syntactically
15864 invalid results. This happens because Rust requires the @samp{::}
15865 operator between the function name and its generic arguments. For
15866 example, @value{GDBN} might provide a completion like
15867 @code{crate::f<u32>}, where the parser would require
15868 @code{crate::f::<u32>}.
15871 As of this writing, the Rust compiler (version 1.8) has a few holes in
15872 the debugging information it generates. These holes prevent certain
15873 features from being implemented by @value{GDBN}:
15877 Method calls cannot be made via traits.
15880 Operator overloading is not implemented.
15883 When debugging in a monomorphized function, you cannot use the generic
15887 The type @code{Self} is not available.
15890 @code{use} statements are not available, so some names may not be
15891 available in the crate.
15896 @subsection Modula-2
15898 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
15900 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
15901 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
15902 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
15903 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15904 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
15907 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
15909 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
15910 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
15911 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
15912 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
15913 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
15914 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
15915 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
15916 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15917 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15921 @subsubsection Operators
15922 @cindex Modula-2 operators
15924 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15925 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
15926 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
15927 following definitions hold:
15932 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
15936 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
15939 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
15942 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
15946 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
15949 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
15952 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
15956 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
15957 increasing precedence:
15961 Function argument or array index separator.
15964 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
15968 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
15972 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
15973 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
15974 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
15976 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
15977 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
15978 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
15979 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
15983 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
15984 Same precedence as @code{<}.
15987 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15990 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15993 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15996 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
15997 and difference on set types.
16000 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
16004 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
16005 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
16008 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
16009 precedence as @code{*}.
16012 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
16015 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
16018 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
16022 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
16023 precedence as @code{^}.
16026 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
16029 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
16033 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
16037 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
16038 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
16039 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
16040 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
16044 @node Built-In Func/Proc
16045 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
16046 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
16048 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
16049 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
16054 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
16057 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
16060 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
16063 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
16064 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
16065 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
16068 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
16071 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
16077 represents a variable.
16080 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
16081 explanation of the function for details.
16084 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
16088 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
16091 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
16092 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
16095 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
16098 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
16100 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
16101 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
16104 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
16105 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
16108 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
16109 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
16111 @item HIGH(@var{a})
16112 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
16115 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
16117 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
16118 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
16121 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
16122 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
16123 there. Returns the new set.
16126 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
16129 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
16132 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
16135 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
16136 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
16137 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
16138 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
16140 @item SIZE(@var{x})
16141 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
16142 variable or a type.
16144 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
16145 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
16147 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
16148 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
16149 variable or a type.
16151 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
16152 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
16156 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
16157 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
16161 @cindex Modula-2 constants
16163 @subsubsection Constants
16165 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
16171 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
16172 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
16173 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
16174 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
16177 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
16178 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
16179 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
16180 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
16181 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
16185 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
16186 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
16187 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
16188 followed by a @samp{C}.
16191 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
16192 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
16193 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
16194 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
16198 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
16201 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
16205 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
16208 Set constants are not yet supported.
16212 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
16213 @cindex Modula-2 types
16215 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
16216 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
16217 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
16218 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
16219 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
16220 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
16222 The first example contains the following section of code:
16231 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
16232 @code{r} and @code{s}.
16235 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16237 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16239 (@value{GDBP}) print r
16241 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
16246 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
16250 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
16254 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
16257 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16258 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
16262 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
16263 expressions using the debugger.
16265 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
16266 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
16270 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
16274 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16275 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
16278 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
16279 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
16280 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
16283 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
16287 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
16288 t = [blue..yellow] ;
16296 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
16297 and value of a variable.
16300 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16302 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
16303 type = [blue..yellow]
16307 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
16308 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
16309 their @code{C} counterparts.
16313 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16319 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16320 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
16321 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16322 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16325 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
16326 pointer types as shown in this example:
16330 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16337 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
16340 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16341 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16344 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
16345 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
16356 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
16357 myrange = [-2..2] ;
16359 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
16363 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
16367 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16368 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
16371 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
16376 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
16377 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
16379 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
16380 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
16381 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
16382 selected the working language.
16384 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
16385 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
16386 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
16387 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
16390 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
16391 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
16393 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
16394 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
16398 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
16399 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
16400 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
16401 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
16402 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
16403 returned a pointer.)
16406 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
16407 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
16408 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
16409 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
16412 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
16416 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
16420 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
16421 @cindex Modula-2 checks
16424 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
16427 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
16429 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
16433 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
16434 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
16437 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
16438 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
16441 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
16442 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
16444 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
16445 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
16448 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
16450 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
16451 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
16453 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
16454 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
16457 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
16460 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
16461 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
16466 @var{module} . @var{id}
16467 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
16471 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
16472 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
16473 identifier within your program, except another module.
16475 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
16476 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
16477 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
16478 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
16480 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
16481 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
16482 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
16483 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
16484 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
16488 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
16490 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
16491 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
16492 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
16493 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
16494 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
16495 analogue in Modula-2.
16497 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
16498 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
16499 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
16500 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
16501 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
16502 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
16504 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
16505 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
16506 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
16512 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
16513 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
16514 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
16515 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
16519 @cindex expressions in Ada
16521 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
16522 and semantics supported by Ada mode
16524 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
16525 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
16526 * Overloading support for Ada:: Support for expressions involving overloaded
16528 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
16529 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
16530 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
16531 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
16532 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
16534 * Ada Settings:: New settable GDB parameters for Ada.
16535 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
16538 @node Ada Mode Intro
16539 @subsubsection Introduction
16540 @cindex Ada mode, general
16542 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
16543 syntax, with some extensions.
16544 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
16548 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
16549 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
16550 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
16551 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
16554 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
16555 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
16558 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
16561 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
16562 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
16563 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
16564 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
16565 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
16567 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
16568 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
16569 was translated from an Ada source file.
16571 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
16572 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
16573 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
16574 middle (to allow based literals).
16576 @node Omissions from Ada
16577 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
16578 @cindex Ada, omissions from
16580 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
16584 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
16588 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
16589 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
16592 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
16595 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
16601 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
16602 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
16605 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
16606 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
16614 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
16615 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
16616 not currently available.
16619 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
16620 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
16621 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
16622 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
16623 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
16624 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
16625 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
16626 indeterminate values.
16629 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
16630 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
16631 are not implemented.
16634 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
16635 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
16636 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
16637 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
16638 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
16641 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
16642 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
16643 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
16644 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
16645 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
16646 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
16650 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
16651 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
16652 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
16653 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
16654 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
16655 declared to have a type such as:
16658 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
16660 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
16664 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
16668 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
16669 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
16672 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
16673 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
16674 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
16675 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
16676 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
16677 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
16678 redundant component associations, although which component values are
16679 assigned in such cases is not defined.
16682 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
16685 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
16686 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
16687 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
16688 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
16689 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
16690 the proper resolution.
16693 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
16696 Entry calls are not implemented.
16699 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
16700 formats are not supported.
16703 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
16706 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
16707 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
16709 Should your program
16710 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
16711 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
16714 @node Additions to Ada
16715 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
16716 @cindex Ada, deviations from
16718 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
16719 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
16723 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
16724 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
16725 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
16726 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
16727 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
16728 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
16729 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
16730 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
16733 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
16734 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
16735 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
16738 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
16739 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
16742 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
16743 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
16746 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
16747 additions specific to Ada:
16751 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
16752 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
16755 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
16756 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
16760 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
16761 the value of its right-hand operand.
16762 This allows, for example,
16763 complex conditional breaks:
16766 (@value{GDBP}) break f
16767 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
16771 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
16772 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
16773 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
16774 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
16775 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
16776 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
16777 in strings. For example,
16779 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
16782 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
16786 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
16787 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
16791 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
16795 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
16796 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
16797 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
16798 of 3 might print as
16805 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
16809 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
16810 multi-character subsequence of
16811 their names (an exact match gets preference).
16812 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
16813 in place of @t{a'length}.
16816 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
16817 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
16818 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
16819 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
16820 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
16821 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
16824 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
16828 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
16829 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
16830 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
16831 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
16836 @node Overloading support for Ada
16837 @subsubsection Overloading support for Ada
16838 @cindex overloading, Ada
16840 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
16841 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
16842 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
16843 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
16844 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
16845 functions to procedures elsewhere.
16847 If, after narrowing, the set of matching definitions still contains more than
16848 one definition, @value{GDBN} will display a menu to query which one it should
16852 (@value{GDBP}) print f(1)
16853 Multiple matches for f
16855 [1] foo.f (integer) return boolean at foo.adb:23
16856 [2] foo.f (foo.new_integer) return boolean at foo.adb:28
16860 In this case, just select one menu entry either to cancel expression evaluation
16861 (type @kbd{0} and press @key{RET}) or to continue evaluation with a specific
16862 instance (type the corresponding number and press @key{RET}).
16864 Here are a couple of commands to customize @value{GDBN}'s behavior in this
16869 @kindex set ada print-signatures
16870 @item set ada print-signatures
16871 Control whether parameter types and return types are displayed in overloads
16872 selection menus. It is @code{on} by default.
16873 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
16875 @kindex show ada print-signatures
16876 @item show ada print-signatures
16877 Show the current setting for displaying parameter types and return types in
16878 overloads selection menu.
16879 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
16883 @node Stopping Before Main Program
16884 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
16886 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
16887 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
16888 before reaching the main procedure.
16889 As defined in the Ada Reference
16890 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
16891 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
16892 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
16893 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
16895 @node Ada Exceptions
16896 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
16898 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
16901 @kindex info exceptions
16902 @item info exceptions
16903 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
16904 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
16905 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
16906 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
16907 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
16910 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
16911 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
16915 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
16916 All defined Ada exceptions:
16917 constraint_error: 0x613da0
16918 program_error: 0x613d20
16919 storage_error: 0x613ce0
16920 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
16921 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
16922 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
16923 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
16924 constraint_error: 0x613da0
16925 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
16928 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
16929 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
16932 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
16933 @cindex Ada, tasking
16935 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
16936 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
16941 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
16948 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16949 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16950 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16951 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
16952 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
16953 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
16958 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
16959 task currently being inspected.
16963 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
16969 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
16972 The base priority of the task.
16975 Current state of the task.
16979 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
16983 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
16984 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
16987 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
16988 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
16989 terminated themselves.
16991 @item Child Activation Wait
16992 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
16994 @item Accept Statement
16995 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
16997 @item Waiting on entry call
16998 The task is waiting on an entry call.
17000 @item Async Select Wait
17001 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
17005 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
17008 @item Child Termination Wait
17009 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
17010 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
17011 waiting on a terminate Phase.
17013 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
17014 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
17015 finish terminating.
17017 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
17018 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
17022 Name of the task in the program.
17026 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
17027 @item info task @var{taskno}
17028 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
17029 the following example:
17034 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17035 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17036 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17037 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
17038 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
17039 Ada Task: 0x807c468
17042 Parent: 1 (main_task)
17048 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
17049 @cindex current Ada task ID
17050 This command prints the ID of the current task.
17056 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17057 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17058 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17059 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
17060 (@value{GDBP}) task
17061 [Current task is 2]
17064 @item task @var{taskno}
17065 @cindex Ada task switching
17066 This command is like the @code{thread @var{thread-id}}
17067 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
17068 from the current task to the given task.
17074 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17075 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17076 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17077 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
17078 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
17079 [Switching to task 1]
17080 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
17082 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
17083 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
17084 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
17085 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
17086 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
17089 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
17090 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
17091 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
17092 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
17093 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
17094 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
17095 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
17096 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
17097 in @ref{Specify Location}.
17099 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
17100 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
17101 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
17102 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
17103 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
17105 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
17106 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
17109 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
17110 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
17111 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
17119 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17120 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17121 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17122 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
17123 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
17124 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
17125 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
17126 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
17127 (@value{GDBP}) cont
17132 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
17134 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17135 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17136 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17137 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
17138 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
17139 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
17143 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
17144 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
17145 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
17147 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
17148 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
17149 the platform being used.
17150 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
17151 switching is not supported.
17153 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
17154 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
17155 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
17156 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
17157 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
17158 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
17160 @node Ravenscar Profile
17161 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
17162 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
17164 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
17165 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
17169 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
17170 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
17171 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
17172 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
17173 Profile. This is the default.
17175 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
17176 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
17177 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
17178 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
17179 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
17180 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
17181 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
17183 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
17184 @item show ravenscar task-switching
17185 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
17186 using the Ravenscar Profile.
17191 @subsubsection Ada Settings
17192 @cindex Ada settings
17195 @kindex set varsize-limit
17196 @item set varsize-limit @var{size}
17197 Prevent @value{GDBN} from attempting to evaluate objects whose size
17198 is above the given limit (@var{size}) when those sizes are computed
17199 from run-time quantities. This is typically the case when the object
17200 has a variable size, such as an array whose bounds are not known at
17201 compile time for example. Setting @var{size} to @code{unlimited}
17202 removes the size limitation. By default, the limit is about 65KB.
17204 The purpose of having such a limit is to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17205 trying to grab enormous chunks of virtual memory when asked to evaluate
17206 a quantity whose bounds have been corrupted or have not yet been fully
17207 initialized. The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions
17208 as well as to complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting
17209 a simple integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
17210 @code{x.y} is variable and exceeds @code{size}. On the other hand,
17211 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A(i)}, where
17212 @code{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
17213 succeed regardless of the bounds on @code{A}, as long as the component
17214 size is less than @var{size}.
17216 @kindex show varsize-limit
17217 @item show varsize-limit
17218 Show the limit on types whose size is determined by run-time quantities.
17222 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
17223 @cindex Ada, problems
17225 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
17226 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
17228 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
17229 and the GNU Ada compiler.
17233 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
17234 storage are invisible to the debugger.
17237 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
17238 argument lists are treated as positional).
17241 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
17244 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
17245 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
17249 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
17250 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
17251 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
17252 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
17253 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
17254 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
17255 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
17256 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
17257 you can usually resolve the confusion
17258 by qualifying the problematic names with package
17259 @code{Standard} explicitly.
17262 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
17263 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
17264 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
17265 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
17266 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
17269 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17270 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17273 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
17274 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
17275 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
17276 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
17277 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
17278 This is the default.
17280 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
17281 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
17282 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
17283 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
17284 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
17285 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
17286 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
17290 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
17291 @cindex GNAT encoding
17292 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
17293 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
17294 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
17295 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
17296 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
17297 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
17299 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
17300 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
17301 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
17302 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
17303 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
17304 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
17305 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
17306 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
17310 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
17311 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
17312 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
17313 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
17315 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17316 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17317 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
17321 @node Unsupported Languages
17322 @section Unsupported Languages
17324 @cindex unsupported languages
17325 @cindex minimal language
17326 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
17327 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
17328 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
17329 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
17330 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
17331 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
17333 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
17334 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
17338 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
17340 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
17341 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
17342 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
17343 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
17344 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
17345 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
17346 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17348 @cindex symbol names
17349 @cindex names of symbols
17350 @cindex quoting names
17351 @anchor{quoting names}
17352 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
17353 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
17354 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
17355 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
17356 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
17357 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
17358 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
17359 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
17366 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
17369 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
17370 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
17371 @kindex set case-sensitive
17372 @item set case-sensitive on
17373 @itemx set case-sensitive off
17374 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
17375 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
17376 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
17377 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
17378 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
17379 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
17380 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
17381 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
17382 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
17383 case-insensitive matches.
17385 @kindex show case-sensitive
17386 @item show case-sensitive
17387 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
17390 @kindex set print type methods
17391 @item set print type methods
17392 @itemx set print type methods on
17393 @itemx set print type methods off
17394 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
17395 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17396 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17397 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17398 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
17399 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
17401 @kindex show print type methods
17402 @item show print type methods
17403 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
17406 @kindex set print type nested-type-limit
17407 @item set print type nested-type-limit @var{limit}
17408 @itemx set print type nested-type-limit unlimited
17409 Set the limit of displayed nested types that the type printer will
17410 show. A @var{limit} of @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} will show all
17411 nested definitions. By default, the type printer will not show any nested
17412 types defined in classes.
17414 @kindex show print type nested-type-limit
17415 @item show print type nested-type-limit
17416 This command shows the current display limit of nested types when
17419 @kindex set print type typedefs
17420 @item set print type typedefs
17421 @itemx set print type typedefs on
17422 @itemx set print type typedefs off
17424 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
17425 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17426 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17427 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17428 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
17429 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
17430 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
17431 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
17434 @kindex show print type typedefs
17435 @item show print type typedefs
17436 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
17439 @kindex info address
17440 @cindex address of a symbol
17441 @item info address @var{symbol}
17442 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
17443 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
17444 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
17447 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
17448 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
17449 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
17451 @kindex info symbol
17452 @cindex symbol from address
17453 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
17454 @item info symbol @var{addr}
17455 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
17456 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
17457 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
17460 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
17461 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
17465 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
17466 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
17468 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
17469 library containing the symbol is also printed:
17472 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
17473 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
17474 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
17475 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
17480 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
17481 Demangle @var{name}.
17482 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
17483 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
17485 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
17486 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
17488 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
17489 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
17492 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
17493 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
17494 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
17495 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
17497 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
17498 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
17499 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
17501 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
17502 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
17503 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
17504 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
17505 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
17506 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
17507 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
17508 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
17509 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
17511 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
17512 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
17513 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
17514 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
17515 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
17518 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
17519 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
17520 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
17522 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
17523 Available flags are:
17527 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
17528 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
17529 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
17532 Do not print methods defined in the class.
17535 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
17536 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
17539 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
17540 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
17541 names are substituted when printing other types.
17544 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
17545 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
17548 Print the offsets and sizes of fields in a struct, similar to what the
17549 @command{pahole} tool does. This option implies the @code{/tm} flags.
17551 For example, given the following declarations:
17587 Issuing a @kbd{ptype /o struct tuv} command would print:
17590 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tuv
17591 /* offset | size */ type = struct tuv @{
17592 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
17593 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17594 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
17595 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
17597 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17601 Notice the format of the first column of comments. There, you can
17602 find two parts separated by the @samp{|} character: the @emph{offset},
17603 which indicates where the field is located inside the struct, in
17604 bytes, and the @emph{size} of the field. Another interesting line is
17605 the marker of a @emph{hole} in the struct, indicating that it may be
17606 possible to pack the struct and make it use less space by reorganizing
17609 It is also possible to print offsets inside an union:
17612 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o union qwe
17613 /* offset | size */ type = union qwe @{
17614 /* 24 */ struct tuv @{
17615 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
17616 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17617 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
17618 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
17620 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17622 /* 40 */ struct xyz @{
17623 /* 0 | 4 */ int f1;
17624 /* 4 | 1 */ char f2;
17625 /* XXX 3-byte hole */
17626 /* 8 | 8 */ void *f3;
17627 /* 16 | 24 */ struct tuv @{
17628 /* 16 | 4 */ int a1;
17629 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17630 /* 24 | 8 */ char *a2;
17631 /* 32 | 4 */ int a3;
17633 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17636 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
17639 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
17643 In this case, since @code{struct tuv} and @code{struct xyz} occupy the
17644 same space (because we are dealing with an union), the offset is not
17645 printed for them. However, you can still examine the offset of each
17646 of these structures' fields.
17648 Another useful scenario is printing the offsets of a struct containing
17652 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tyu
17653 /* offset | size */ type = struct tyu @{
17654 /* 0:31 | 4 */ int a1 : 1;
17655 /* 0:28 | 4 */ int a2 : 3;
17656 /* 0: 5 | 4 */ int a3 : 23;
17657 /* 3: 3 | 1 */ signed char a4 : 2;
17658 /* XXX 3-bit hole */
17659 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17660 /* 8 | 8 */ int64_t a5;
17661 /* 16:27 | 4 */ int a6 : 5;
17662 /* 16:56 | 8 */ int64_t a7 : 3;
17664 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17668 Note how the offset information is now extended to also include how
17669 many bits are left to be used in each bitfield.
17673 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
17674 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
17675 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
17676 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
17678 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
17679 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
17680 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
17681 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
17682 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
17683 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
17684 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
17685 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
17687 For example, for this variable declaration:
17690 typedef double real_t;
17691 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
17692 typedef struct complex complex_t;
17694 real_t *real_pointer_var;
17698 the two commands give this output:
17702 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
17704 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
17705 type = struct complex @{
17709 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
17710 type = struct complex
17711 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
17712 type = struct complex
17713 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
17714 type = struct complex @{
17718 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
17720 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
17726 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
17727 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
17729 @cindex incomplete type
17730 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
17731 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
17732 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
17733 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
17734 given these declarations:
17738 struct foo *fooptr;
17742 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
17745 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
17746 $1 = <incomplete type>
17750 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
17751 completely specified.
17753 @cindex unknown type
17754 Othertimes, information about a variable's type is completely absent
17755 from the debug information included in the program. This most often
17756 happens when the program or library where the variable is defined
17757 includes no debug information at all. @value{GDBN} knows the variable
17758 exists from inspecting the linker/loader symbol table (e.g., the ELF
17759 dynamic symbol table), but such symbols do not contain type
17760 information. Inspecting the type of a (global) variable for which
17761 @value{GDBN} has no type information shows:
17764 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
17765 type = <data variable, no debug info>
17768 @xref{Variables, no debug info variables}, for how to print the values
17772 @item info types @var{regexp}
17774 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
17775 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
17776 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
17777 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
17778 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
17779 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
17780 name is @code{value}.
17782 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
17783 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
17784 lists all source files and line numbers where a type is defined.
17786 @kindex info type-printers
17787 @item info type-printers
17788 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
17789 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
17790 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
17791 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
17794 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
17796 @kindex enable type-printer
17797 @kindex disable type-printer
17798 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
17799 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
17800 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
17803 @cindex local variables
17804 @item info scope @var{location}
17805 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
17806 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
17807 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
17808 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
17809 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
17812 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
17813 Scope for command_line_handler:
17814 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
17815 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
17816 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
17817 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
17818 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
17819 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
17820 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
17824 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
17825 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
17828 @kindex info source
17830 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
17831 the function containing the current point of execution:
17834 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
17836 the directory it was compiled in,
17838 its length, in lines,
17840 which programming language it is written in,
17842 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
17843 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
17845 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
17846 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
17848 whether the debugging information includes information about
17849 preprocessor macros.
17853 @kindex info sources
17855 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
17856 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
17857 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
17859 @kindex info functions
17860 @item info functions
17861 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
17862 Similarly to @samp{info types}, this command groups its output by source
17863 files and annotates each function definition with its source line
17866 @item info functions @var{regexp}
17867 Like @samp{info functions}, but only print the names and data types of
17868 functions whose names contain a match for regular expression
17869 @var{regexp}. Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose
17870 names include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
17871 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters that
17872 conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
17873 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
17875 @kindex info variables
17876 @item info variables
17877 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
17878 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
17879 The printed variables are grouped by source files and annotated with
17880 their respective source line numbers.
17882 @item info variables @var{regexp}
17883 Like @kbd{info variables}, but only print the names and data types of
17884 non-local variables whose names contain a match for regular expression
17887 @kindex info classes
17888 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
17890 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
17891 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
17892 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
17895 @kindex info selectors
17896 @item info selectors
17897 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
17898 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
17899 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
17903 This was never implemented.
17904 @kindex info methods
17906 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
17907 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
17908 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
17909 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
17910 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
17911 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
17912 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
17913 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
17916 @cindex opaque data types
17917 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
17918 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
17919 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
17920 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
17921 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
17922 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
17923 another source file. The default is on.
17925 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
17926 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
17928 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
17929 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
17930 is printed as follows:
17932 @{<no data fields>@}
17935 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
17936 @item show opaque-type-resolution
17937 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
17939 @kindex set print symbol-loading
17940 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
17941 @item set print symbol-loading
17942 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
17943 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
17944 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
17945 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
17946 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
17947 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
17948 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
17949 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
17951 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
17952 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
17953 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
17954 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
17956 @kindex show print symbol-loading
17957 @item show print symbol-loading
17958 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
17959 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
17961 @kindex maint print symbols
17962 @cindex symbol dump
17963 @kindex maint print psymbols
17964 @cindex partial symbol dump
17965 @kindex maint print msymbols
17966 @cindex minimal symbol dump
17967 @item maint print symbols @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17968 @itemx maint print symbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17969 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17970 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17971 @itemx maint print msymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17972 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename} or
17973 the terminal if @var{filename} is unspecified.
17974 If @code{-objfile @var{objfile}} is specified, only dump symbols for
17976 If @code{-pc @var{address}} is specified, only dump symbols for the file
17977 with code at that address. Note that @var{address} may be a symbol like
17979 If @code{-source @var{source}} is specified, only dump symbols for that
17982 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code.
17983 These commands do not modify internal @value{GDBN} state, therefore
17984 @samp{maint print symbols} will only print symbols for already expanded symbol
17986 You can use the command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are.
17987 If you use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information
17988 about symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols
17989 defined in files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely.
17990 Finally, @samp{maint print msymbols} just dumps ``minimal symbols'', e.g.,
17993 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
17994 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
17996 @kindex maint info symtabs
17997 @kindex maint info psymtabs
17998 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
17999 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18000 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18001 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18002 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18003 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18005 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
18006 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
18007 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
18008 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
18009 structure in more detail. For example:
18012 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
18013 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
18014 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
18015 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
18016 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
18019 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
18020 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
18021 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
18022 dependencies (none)
18025 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
18029 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
18030 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
18031 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
18032 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
18033 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
18036 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
18037 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
18039 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
18040 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
18041 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
18042 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
18043 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
18046 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
18047 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
18048 debugformat DWARF 2
18054 @kindex maint info line-table
18055 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal line tables
18056 @cindex line tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18057 @item maint info line-table @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18059 List the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}
18060 instances whose name matches @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
18061 given, list the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}.
18063 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
18064 @cindex symbol cache size
18065 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
18066 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
18067 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
18068 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
18069 with different sizes.
18071 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
18072 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
18073 Show the size of the symbol cache.
18075 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
18076 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
18077 @item maint print symbol-cache
18078 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
18079 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
18081 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
18082 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
18083 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
18084 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
18085 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
18087 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
18088 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
18089 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
18090 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
18091 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
18092 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
18097 @chapter Altering Execution
18099 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
18100 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
18101 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
18102 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
18105 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
18106 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
18107 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
18110 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
18111 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
18112 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
18113 * Returning:: Returning from a function
18114 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
18115 * Patching:: Patching your program
18116 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
18120 @section Assignment to Variables
18123 @cindex setting variables
18124 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
18125 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
18132 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
18133 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
18134 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
18135 information on operators in supported languages.
18137 @kindex set variable
18138 @cindex variables, setting
18139 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
18140 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
18141 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
18142 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
18143 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
18145 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
18146 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
18147 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
18148 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
18149 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
18150 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
18151 command @code{set width}:
18154 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
18156 (@value{GDBP}) p width
18158 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
18159 Invalid syntax in expression.
18163 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
18164 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
18167 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
18170 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
18171 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
18172 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
18173 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
18174 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
18175 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
18179 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
18183 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
18187 The program being debugged has been started already.
18188 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
18189 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
18190 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
18191 Invalid bfd target.
18192 (@value{GDBP}) show g
18193 The current BFD target is "=4".
18198 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
18199 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
18203 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
18206 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
18207 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
18208 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
18209 same length or shorter.
18210 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
18211 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
18213 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
18214 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
18215 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
18216 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
18217 and representation in memory), and
18220 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
18224 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
18227 @section Continuing at a Different Address
18229 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
18230 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
18231 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
18235 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
18236 @item jump @var{location}
18237 @itemx j @var{location}
18238 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
18239 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
18240 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
18241 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
18242 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
18244 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
18245 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
18246 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
18247 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
18248 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
18249 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
18250 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
18251 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
18252 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
18255 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
18256 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
18257 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
18258 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
18266 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
18267 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
18268 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
18270 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
18271 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
18272 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
18277 @section Giving your Program a Signal
18278 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
18282 @item signal @var{signal}
18283 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
18284 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
18285 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
18286 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18288 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
18289 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
18290 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18291 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
18294 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
18295 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
18296 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
18297 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
18298 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
18299 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
18300 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
18301 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
18303 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
18304 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
18305 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
18306 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
18307 passes the signal directly to your program.
18309 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
18310 after executing the command.
18312 @kindex queue-signal
18313 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
18314 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
18315 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
18316 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
18317 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18318 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
18319 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
18320 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
18321 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
18323 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
18324 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
18325 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
18326 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18327 @code{continue} command.
18329 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
18330 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
18331 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
18336 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
18337 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
18340 @section Returning from a Function
18343 @cindex returning from a function
18346 @itemx return @var{expression}
18347 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
18348 command. If you give an
18349 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
18353 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
18354 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
18355 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
18356 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
18358 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
18359 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
18360 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
18361 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
18364 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
18365 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
18366 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
18367 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
18368 selected stack frame returns naturally.
18370 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
18371 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
18372 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
18373 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
18374 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
18375 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
18376 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
18377 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
18378 assignment into the right register(s).
18380 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
18381 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
18382 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
18383 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
18384 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
18385 into a @code{long long int}:
18388 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
18390 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
18391 Make func return now? (y or n) y
18392 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
18393 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
18397 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
18398 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
18399 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
18400 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
18401 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
18402 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
18403 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
18404 an appropriate cast explicitly:
18407 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
18408 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
18409 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
18410 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
18411 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
18412 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
18413 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
18418 @section Calling Program Functions
18421 @cindex calling functions
18422 @cindex inferior functions, calling
18423 @item print @var{expr}
18424 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
18425 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
18429 @item call @var{expr}
18430 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
18433 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
18434 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
18435 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
18436 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
18437 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
18441 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
18442 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
18443 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
18444 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
18446 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
18447 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
18448 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
18449 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
18450 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
18451 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
18452 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
18453 in that case is controlled by the
18454 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
18457 @item set unwindonsignal
18458 @kindex set unwindonsignal
18459 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
18460 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
18461 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
18462 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
18463 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
18464 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
18465 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
18468 @item show unwindonsignal
18469 @kindex show unwindonsignal
18470 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
18473 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
18474 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
18475 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
18476 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
18477 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
18478 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
18479 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
18480 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
18481 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
18482 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
18484 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
18485 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
18486 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
18491 @subsection Calling functions with no debug info
18493 @cindex no debug info functions
18494 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is missing debug information.
18495 In such case, @value{GDBN} does not know the type of the function,
18496 including the types of the function's parameters. To avoid calling
18497 the inferior function incorrectly, which could result in the called
18498 function functioning erroneously and even crash, @value{GDBN} refuses
18499 to call the function unless you tell it the type of the function.
18501 For prototyped (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) functions, there are two ways
18502 to do that. The simplest is to cast the call to the function's
18503 declared return type. For example:
18506 (@value{GDBP}) p getenv ("PATH")
18507 'getenv' has unknown return type; cast the call to its declared return type
18508 (@value{GDBP}) p (char *) getenv ("PATH")
18509 $1 = 0x7fffffffe7ba "/usr/local/bin:/"...
18512 Casting the return type of a no-debug function is equivalent to
18513 casting the function to a pointer to a prototyped function that has a
18514 prototype that matches the types of the passed-in arguments, and
18515 calling that. I.e., the call above is equivalent to:
18518 (@value{GDBP}) p ((char * (*) (const char *)) getenv) ("PATH")
18522 and given this prototyped C or C++ function with float parameters:
18525 float multiply (float v1, float v2) @{ return v1 * v2; @}
18529 these calls are equivalent:
18532 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) multiply (2.0f, 3.0f)
18533 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) (float, float)) multiply) (2.0f, 3.0f)
18536 If the function you wish to call is declared as unprototyped (i.e.@:
18537 old K&R style), you must use the cast-to-function-pointer syntax, so
18538 that @value{GDBN} knows that it needs to apply default argument
18539 promotions (promote float arguments to double). @xref{ABI, float
18540 promotion}. For example, given this unprototyped C function with
18541 float parameters, and no debug info:
18545 multiply_noproto (v1, v2)
18553 you call it like this:
18556 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) ()) multiply_noproto) (2.0f, 3.0f)
18560 @section Patching Programs
18562 @cindex patching binaries
18563 @cindex writing into executables
18564 @cindex writing into corefiles
18566 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
18567 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
18568 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
18569 patching your program's binary.
18571 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
18572 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
18573 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
18579 @itemx set write off
18580 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
18581 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
18582 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
18584 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
18585 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
18586 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
18590 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
18591 as well as reading.
18594 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
18595 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
18596 @cindex injecting code
18597 @cindex writing into executables
18598 @cindex compiling code
18600 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
18601 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
18602 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
18603 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
18606 @kindex compile code
18607 @item compile code @var{source-code}
18608 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
18609 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
18610 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
18611 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
18612 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
18613 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
18614 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
18615 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
18616 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
18617 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
18618 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
18620 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
18621 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
18625 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
18628 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
18629 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
18630 from actual source code. E.g.:
18633 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
18636 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
18637 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
18638 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
18639 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
18640 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
18645 >printf ("hello\n");
18646 >printf ("world\n");
18650 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
18651 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
18652 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
18653 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
18654 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
18655 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
18656 inferior symbols otherwise.
18658 @kindex compile file
18659 @item compile file @var{filename}
18660 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
18661 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
18664 compile file /home/user/example.c
18669 @item compile print @var{expr}
18670 @itemx compile print /@var{f} @var{expr}
18671 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
18672 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
18673 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
18674 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
18675 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
18678 @item compile print
18679 @itemx compile print /@var{f}
18680 @cindex reprint the last value
18681 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
18682 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
18683 command without any text following the command. This will start the
18684 multiple-line editor.
18688 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
18691 @anchor{set debug compile}
18692 @item set debug compile
18693 @cindex compile command debugging info
18694 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
18695 injecting the code. The default is off.
18697 @item show debug compile
18698 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
18699 compiling and injecting the code.
18701 @anchor{set debug compile-cplus-types}
18702 @item set debug compile-cplus-types
18703 @cindex compile C@t{++} type conversion
18704 Turns on or off the display of C@t{++} type conversion debugging information.
18705 The default is off.
18707 @item show debug compile-cplus-types
18708 Displays the current state of displaying debugging information for
18709 C@t{++} type conversion.
18712 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
18714 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
18715 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
18716 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
18720 The options used, in increasing precedence:
18723 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
18724 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
18725 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
18726 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
18728 @item compilation options recorded in the target
18729 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
18730 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
18731 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
18732 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
18733 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
18734 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
18735 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
18737 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
18741 You can override compilation options using the following command:
18744 @item set compile-args
18745 @cindex compile command options override
18746 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
18747 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
18748 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
18751 @item show compile-args
18752 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
18753 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
18754 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
18757 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
18759 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
18760 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
18761 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
18764 @item C code examples and caveats
18765 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
18766 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
18767 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
18768 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
18769 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
18771 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
18772 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
18773 much like any other normal debugging session.
18776 void function1 (void)
18779 printf ("function 1\n");
18782 void function2 (void)
18797 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
18798 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
18799 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
18801 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
18802 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
18803 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
18804 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
18805 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
18807 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
18808 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
18809 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
18810 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
18811 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
18812 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
18813 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
18814 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
18815 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
18816 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
18819 compile code k = 3;
18823 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
18824 something else in the example program changes it, or another
18825 @code{compile} command changes it.
18827 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
18828 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
18829 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
18830 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
18831 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
18834 compile code j = 3;
18838 will result in a compilation error message.
18840 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
18841 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
18842 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
18844 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
18845 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
18846 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
18847 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
18850 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
18853 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
18854 command has completed:
18857 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
18861 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
18862 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
18863 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
18864 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
18865 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
18868 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
18871 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
18872 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
18873 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
18874 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
18875 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
18876 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
18877 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
18878 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
18881 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
18884 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
18885 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
18886 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
18887 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
18888 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
18889 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
18890 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
18892 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
18893 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
18894 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
18895 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
18896 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
18897 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
18900 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
18901 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
18902 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
18903 Compilation failed.
18904 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
18908 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
18909 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
18910 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
18911 will print to the console.
18914 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
18916 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged
18917 which may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture
18918 than where @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} on
18919 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
18920 target architecture and operating system. This search can be overriden
18921 by @code{set compile-gcc} @value{GDBN} command below. @code{PATH} is
18922 taken from shell that executed @value{GDBN}, it is not the value set by
18923 @value{GDBN} command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}.
18926 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
18927 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
18928 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
18929 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
18930 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
18931 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
18932 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
18934 On Posix hosts the compiler driver @value{GDBN} needs to find also
18935 shared library @file{libcc1.so} from the compiler. It is searched in
18936 default shared library search path (overridable with usual environment
18937 variable @code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}), unrelated to @code{PATH} or @code{set
18938 compile-gcc} settings. Contrary to it @file{libcc1plugin.so} is found
18939 according to the installation of the found compiler --- as possibly
18940 specified by the @code{set compile-gcc} command.
18943 @item set compile-gcc
18944 @cindex compile command driver filename override
18945 Set compilation command used for compiling and injecting code with the
18946 @code{compile} commands. If this option is not set (it is set to
18947 an empty string), the search described above will occur --- that is the
18950 @item show compile-gcc
18951 Displays the current compile command @value{NGCC} driver filename.
18952 If set, it is the main command @command{gcc}, found usually for example
18953 under name @file{x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc}.
18957 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
18959 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
18960 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
18961 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
18962 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
18965 * Files:: Commands to specify files
18966 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
18967 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
18968 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
18969 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
18970 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
18971 * Data Files:: GDB data files
18975 @section Commands to Specify Files
18977 @cindex symbol table
18978 @cindex core dump file
18980 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
18981 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
18982 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
18983 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
18985 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
18986 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
18987 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
18988 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
18989 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
18990 new files are useful.
18993 @cindex executable file
18995 @item file @var{filename}
18996 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
18997 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
18998 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
18999 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
19000 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
19001 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
19002 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
19003 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
19005 @cindex unlinked object files
19006 @cindex patching object files
19007 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
19008 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
19009 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
19010 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
19011 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
19012 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
19013 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
19014 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
19017 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
19018 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
19021 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
19022 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
19023 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
19024 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
19025 discard information on the executable file.
19027 @kindex symbol-file
19028 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]]}
19029 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
19030 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
19031 table and program to run from the same file.
19033 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
19034 address of each section in the symbol file. This is useful if the
19035 program is relocated at runtime, such as the Linux kernel with kASLR
19038 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
19039 program's symbol table.
19041 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
19042 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
19043 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
19044 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
19047 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
19050 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
19051 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
19052 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
19053 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
19054 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
19055 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
19058 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
19059 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
19060 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
19061 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
19062 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
19064 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
19065 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
19066 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
19067 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
19068 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
19069 Warnings and Messages}.)
19071 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
19072 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
19073 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
19074 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
19078 @cindex reading symbols immediately
19079 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
19080 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
19081 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
19082 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
19083 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
19084 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
19085 entire symbol table available.
19087 @cindex @code{-readnever}, option for symbol-file command
19088 @cindex never read symbols
19089 @cindex symbols, never read
19090 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
19091 @itemx file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
19092 You can instruct @value{GDBN} to never read the symbolic information
19093 contained in @var{filename} by using the @samp{-readnever} option.
19094 @xref{--readnever}.
19096 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
19097 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
19098 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
19099 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
19100 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
19101 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
19105 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19107 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
19108 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
19109 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
19110 executable file itself for other parts.
19112 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
19115 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
19116 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
19117 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
19118 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
19119 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
19121 @kindex add-symbol-file
19122 @cindex dynamic linking
19123 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{|} -readnever @r{]} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]} @r{[} @var{textaddress} @r{]} @r{[} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{} @r{]}
19124 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
19125 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
19126 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
19127 into the program that is running. The @var{textaddress} parameter gives
19128 the memory address at which the file's text section has been loaded.
19129 You can additionally specify the base address of other sections using
19130 an arbitrary number of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs.
19131 If a section is omitted, @value{GDBN} will use its default addresses
19132 as found in @var{filename}. Any @var{address} or @var{textaddress}
19133 can be given as an expression.
19135 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
19136 address of each section, except those for which the address was
19137 specified explicitly.
19139 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
19140 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
19141 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
19142 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
19144 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
19146 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
19147 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
19148 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
19149 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
19150 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
19151 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
19152 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
19153 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
19154 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
19158 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
19159 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
19161 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
19162 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
19164 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
19165 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
19169 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
19170 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
19171 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
19172 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
19173 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
19174 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
19175 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
19176 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
19177 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
19180 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
19182 @kindex remove-symbol-file
19183 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
19184 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
19185 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
19186 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
19187 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
19190 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
19191 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
19192 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
19194 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
19195 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
19196 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
19201 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
19203 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
19204 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
19205 @cindex load symbols from memory
19206 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
19207 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
19208 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
19209 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
19210 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
19211 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
19212 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
19213 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
19214 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
19217 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
19218 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
19219 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
19220 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
19221 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
19222 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
19223 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
19227 @kindex info target
19230 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
19231 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
19232 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
19233 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
19234 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
19237 @kindex maint info sections
19238 @item maint info sections
19239 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
19240 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
19241 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
19242 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
19243 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
19244 may be arbitrarily combined):
19248 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
19249 @item @var{sections}
19250 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
19251 @item @var{section-flags}
19252 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
19253 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
19256 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
19257 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
19259 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
19260 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
19262 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
19264 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
19266 Section contains executable code only.
19268 Section contains data only (no executable code).
19270 Section will reside in ROM.
19272 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
19274 Section is not empty.
19276 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
19277 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
19278 A notification to the linker that the section contains
19279 COFF shared library information.
19281 Section contains common symbols.
19284 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
19285 @cindex read-only sections
19286 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
19287 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
19288 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
19289 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
19290 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
19291 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
19292 enhancement to debugging performance.
19294 The default is off.
19296 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
19297 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
19298 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
19299 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
19301 @item show trust-readonly-sections
19302 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
19305 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
19306 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
19307 name and remembers it that way.
19309 @cindex shared libraries
19310 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
19311 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, SunOS,
19312 Darwin/Mach-O, SVr4, IBM RS/6000 AIX, QNX Neutrino, FDPIC (FR-V), and
19313 DSBT (TIC6X) shared libraries.
19315 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
19316 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
19318 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
19319 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
19320 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
19321 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
19322 debugging a core file).
19324 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
19325 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
19326 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
19328 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
19329 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
19330 particularly large or there are many of them.
19332 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
19336 @kindex set auto-solib-add
19337 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
19338 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
19339 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
19340 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
19341 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
19342 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
19343 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
19345 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
19346 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
19347 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
19348 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
19349 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
19350 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
19351 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
19352 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
19353 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
19355 @kindex show auto-solib-add
19356 @item show auto-solib-add
19357 Display the current autoloading mode.
19360 @cindex load shared library
19361 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
19365 @kindex info sharedlibrary
19367 @item info share @var{regex}
19368 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
19369 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
19370 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
19371 all shared libraries that are loaded.
19374 @item info dll @var{regex}
19375 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
19377 @kindex sharedlibrary
19379 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
19380 @itemx share @var{regex}
19381 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
19382 Unix regular expression.
19383 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
19384 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
19385 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
19388 @item nosharedlibrary
19389 @kindex nosharedlibrary
19390 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
19391 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
19392 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
19393 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
19397 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
19398 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
19399 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
19402 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
19403 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
19404 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
19405 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
19408 @item set stop-on-solib-events
19409 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
19410 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
19411 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
19412 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
19415 @item show stop-on-solib-events
19416 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
19417 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
19418 library events happen.
19421 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
19422 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
19423 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
19424 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
19425 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
19426 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
19427 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
19430 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
19431 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
19432 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
19433 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
19434 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
19437 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
19438 @cindex system root, alternate
19439 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
19440 @kindex set sysroot
19441 @item set sysroot @var{path}
19442 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
19443 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
19444 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
19445 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
19446 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
19447 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
19448 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
19449 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
19450 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
19451 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
19454 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
19455 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
19456 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
19457 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
19458 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
19459 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
19460 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
19461 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
19462 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
19463 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
19464 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
19465 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
19466 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
19467 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
19469 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
19470 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
19471 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
19472 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
19473 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
19476 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
19479 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
19480 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
19484 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
19487 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
19488 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
19489 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
19493 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
19496 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
19497 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
19498 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
19502 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
19503 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
19504 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
19508 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
19509 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
19510 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
19512 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
19513 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
19516 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
19519 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
19520 if you don't want or need to.
19522 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
19525 @cindex default system root
19526 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
19527 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
19528 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
19529 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
19530 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
19531 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
19534 @kindex show sysroot
19536 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
19538 @kindex set solib-search-path
19539 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
19540 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
19541 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
19542 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
19543 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
19544 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
19545 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
19546 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
19547 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
19548 of shared library symbols.
19550 @kindex show solib-search-path
19551 @item show solib-search-path
19552 Display the current shared library search path.
19554 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
19555 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
19556 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
19557 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
19558 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
19560 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
19561 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
19562 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
19563 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
19564 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
19565 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
19566 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
19567 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
19568 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
19569 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
19570 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
19571 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
19572 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
19573 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
19574 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
19575 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
19576 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
19577 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
19578 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
19579 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
19580 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
19581 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
19585 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
19586 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
19587 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
19591 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
19592 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
19593 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
19594 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
19595 considered directory separators.
19598 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
19599 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
19600 This is the default.
19604 @cindex file name canonicalization
19605 @cindex base name differences
19606 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
19607 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
19608 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
19609 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
19610 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
19611 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
19612 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
19613 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
19614 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
19615 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
19616 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
19617 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
19618 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
19619 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
19620 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
19623 @item set basenames-may-differ
19624 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
19625 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
19627 @item show basenames-may-differ
19628 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
19629 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
19633 @section File Caching
19634 @cindex caching of opened files
19635 @cindex caching of bfd objects
19637 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
19638 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
19639 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
19640 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
19643 @kindex maint info bfds
19644 @item maint info bfds
19645 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
19648 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
19649 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
19650 @kindex bfd caching
19651 @item maint set bfd-sharing
19652 @item maint show bfd-sharing
19653 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
19654 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
19655 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
19656 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
19657 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
19658 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
19659 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
19661 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
19662 @kindex bfd caching
19663 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
19664 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
19666 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
19667 @kindex bfd caching
19668 @item show debug bfd-cache
19669 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
19672 @node Separate Debug Files
19673 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
19674 @cindex separate debugging information files
19675 @cindex debugging information in separate files
19676 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
19677 @cindex debugging information directory, global
19678 @cindex global debugging information directories
19679 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
19680 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
19682 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
19683 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
19684 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
19685 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
19686 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
19687 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
19688 install only when they need to debug a problem.
19690 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
19695 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
19696 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
19697 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
19698 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
19699 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
19700 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
19701 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
19702 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
19705 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
19706 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
19707 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
19708 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
19709 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
19710 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld,
19711 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
19712 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
19716 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
19717 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
19721 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
19722 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
19723 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
19724 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
19725 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
19728 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
19729 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
19730 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
19731 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
19732 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
19733 hex characters, not 10.)
19736 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
19737 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
19738 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
19739 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
19740 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
19741 debug information files, in the indicated order:
19745 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
19747 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
19749 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
19751 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
19754 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
19755 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
19756 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
19757 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
19758 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
19762 @kindex set debug-file-directory
19763 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
19764 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
19765 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
19766 concatenating them by a path separator.
19768 @kindex show debug-file-directory
19769 @item show debug-file-directory
19770 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
19775 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
19776 @cindex debug link sections
19777 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
19778 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
19782 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
19785 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
19786 boundary within the section, and
19788 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
19789 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
19790 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
19791 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
19794 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
19795 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
19798 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
19799 @cindex build ID sections
19800 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
19801 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
19802 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
19803 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
19804 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
19805 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
19806 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
19807 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
19808 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
19810 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
19811 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
19812 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
19813 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
19814 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
19815 in an ordinary executable.
19817 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
19818 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
19819 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
19820 following commands:
19823 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
19828 These commands remove the debugging
19829 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
19830 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
19835 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
19836 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
19839 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
19842 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
19843 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
19844 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
19845 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
19848 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
19849 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
19850 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
19851 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
19856 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
19857 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
19858 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
19860 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
19861 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
19862 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
19867 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
19868 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
19874 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
19875 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
19879 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
19880 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
19881 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
19882 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
19885 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
19886 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
19887 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
19888 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
19889 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
19891 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
19892 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
19893 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
19894 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
19897 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
19900 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
19901 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
19903 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
19905 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
19906 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
19907 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
19908 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
19909 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
19910 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
19911 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
19912 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
19913 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
19914 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
19915 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
19916 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
19917 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
19918 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
19919 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
19920 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
19921 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
19922 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
19923 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
19924 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
19925 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
19926 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
19927 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
19928 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
19929 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
19930 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
19931 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
19932 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
19933 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
19934 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
19935 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
19936 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
19937 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
19938 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
19939 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
19940 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
19941 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
19942 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
19943 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
19944 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
19945 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
19946 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
19947 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
19948 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
19949 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
19950 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
19951 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
19952 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
19953 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
19954 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
19955 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
19958 unsigned char *end;
19960 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
19961 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
19962 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
19963 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
19968 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
19970 @node MiniDebugInfo
19971 @section Debugging information in a special section
19972 @cindex separate debug sections
19973 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
19975 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
19976 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
19977 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
19978 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
19980 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
19981 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
19982 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
19983 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
19984 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
19985 debugging information might be included in the section.
19987 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
19988 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
19989 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
19991 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
19992 standard utilities:
19995 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
19996 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
19997 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
19998 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
20000 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
20001 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
20002 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
20003 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
20004 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
20007 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
20009 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
20011 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
20012 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
20014 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
20015 # removing some unnecessary sections.
20016 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
20017 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
20019 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
20020 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
20022 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
20025 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
20029 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
20030 @cindex index files
20031 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
20033 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
20034 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
20035 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
20036 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
20037 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
20040 For convenience, @value{GDBN} comes with a program,
20041 @command{gdb-add-index}, which can be used to add the index to a
20042 symbol file. It takes the symbol file as its only argument:
20045 $ gdb-add-index symfile
20048 @xref{gdb-add-index}.
20050 It is also possible to do the work manually. Here is what
20051 @command{gdb-add-index} does behind the curtains.
20053 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
20054 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
20055 using @command{objcopy}.
20057 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
20060 @item save gdb-index [-dwarf-5] @var{directory}
20061 @kindex save gdb-index
20062 Create index files for all symbol files currently known by
20063 @value{GDBN}. For each known @var{symbol-file}, this command by
20064 default creates it produces a single file
20065 @file{@var{symbol-file}.gdb-index}. If you invoke this command with
20066 the @option{-dwarf-5} option, it produces 2 files:
20067 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_names} and
20068 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_str}. The files are created in the
20069 given @var{directory}.
20072 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
20073 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
20076 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
20077 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
20080 Or for @code{-dwarf-5}:
20083 $ objcopy --dump-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile
20084 $ cat symfile.debug_str >>symfile.debug_str.new
20085 $ objcopy --add-section .debug_names=symfile.gdb-index \
20086 --set-section-flags .debug_names=readonly \
20087 --update-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile symfile
20090 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
20091 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
20092 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
20093 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
20094 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
20095 The default is @code{off}.
20096 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
20097 @xref{Index Section Format}.
20099 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
20100 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
20103 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
20106 Instead you must do, for example,
20109 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
20112 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
20113 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
20114 currently work for programs using Ada.
20116 @subsection Automatic symbol index cache
20118 It is possible for @value{GDBN} to automatically save a copy of this index in a
20119 cache on disk and retrieve it from there when loading the same binary in the
20120 future. This feature can be turned on with @kbd{set index-cache on}. The
20121 following commands can be used to tweak the behavior of the index cache.
20125 @item set index-cache on
20126 @itemx set index-cache off
20127 Enable or disable the use of the symbol index cache.
20129 @item set index-cache directory @var{directory}
20130 @itemx show index-cache directory
20131 Set/show the directory where index files will be saved.
20133 The default value for this directory depends on the host platform. On
20134 most systems, the index is cached in the @file{gdb} subdirectory of
20135 the directory pointed to by the @env{XDG_CACHE_HOME} environment
20136 variable, if it is defined, else in the @file{.cache/gdb} subdirectory
20137 of your home directory. However, on some systems, the default may
20138 differ according to local convention.
20140 There is no limit on the disk space used by index cache. It is perfectly safe
20141 to delete the content of that directory to free up disk space.
20143 @item show index-cache stats
20144 Print the number of cache hits and misses since the launch of @value{GDBN}.
20148 @node Symbol Errors
20149 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
20151 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
20152 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
20153 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
20154 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
20155 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
20156 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
20157 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
20158 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
20159 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
20160 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
20163 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
20166 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
20168 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
20169 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
20170 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
20171 in its outer scope blocks.
20173 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
20174 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
20175 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
20178 @item block at @var{address} out of order
20180 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
20181 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
20184 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
20185 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
20186 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
20187 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
20190 @item bad block start address patched
20192 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
20193 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
20194 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
20196 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
20197 starting on the previous source line.
20199 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
20202 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
20203 larger than the size of the string table.
20205 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
20206 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
20209 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
20211 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
20212 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
20213 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
20215 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
20216 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
20217 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
20218 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
20219 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
20220 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
20222 @item stub type has NULL name
20224 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
20226 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
20227 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
20228 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
20231 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
20233 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
20238 @section GDB Data Files
20240 @cindex prefix for data files
20241 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
20242 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
20244 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
20245 is currently using.
20248 @kindex set data-directory
20249 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
20250 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
20251 to @var{directory}.
20253 @kindex show data-directory
20254 @item show data-directory
20255 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
20258 @cindex default data directory
20259 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
20260 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
20261 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
20262 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
20263 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
20264 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
20267 The data directory may also be specified with the
20268 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
20269 @xref{Mode Options}.
20272 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
20274 @cindex debugging target
20275 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
20277 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
20278 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
20279 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
20280 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
20281 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
20282 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
20283 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
20284 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
20286 @cindex target architecture
20287 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
20288 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
20289 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
20293 @kindex set architecture
20294 @kindex show architecture
20295 @item set architecture @var{arch}
20296 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
20297 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
20298 supported architectures.
20300 @item show architecture
20301 Show the current target architecture.
20303 @item set processor
20305 @kindex set processor
20306 @kindex show processor
20307 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
20308 and @code{show architecture}.
20312 * Active Targets:: Active targets
20313 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
20314 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
20317 @node Active Targets
20318 @section Active Targets
20320 @cindex stacking targets
20321 @cindex active targets
20322 @cindex multiple targets
20324 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
20325 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
20326 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
20327 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
20328 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
20329 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
20330 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
20331 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
20332 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
20334 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
20335 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
20336 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
20337 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
20339 @node Target Commands
20340 @section Commands for Managing Targets
20343 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
20344 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
20345 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
20346 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
20347 protocol of the target machine.
20349 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
20350 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
20351 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
20353 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
20354 after executing the command.
20356 @kindex help target
20358 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
20359 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
20360 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
20362 @item help target @var{name}
20363 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
20366 @kindex set gnutarget
20367 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
20368 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
20369 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
20370 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
20371 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
20372 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
20375 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
20376 you must know the actual BFD name.
20380 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
20382 @kindex show gnutarget
20383 @item show gnutarget
20384 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
20385 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
20386 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
20387 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
20390 @cindex common targets
20391 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
20396 @item target exec @var{program}
20397 @cindex executable file target
20398 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
20399 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
20401 @item target core @var{filename}
20402 @cindex core dump file target
20403 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
20404 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
20406 @item target remote @var{medium}
20407 @cindex remote target
20408 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
20409 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
20410 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
20412 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
20413 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
20416 target remote /dev/ttya
20419 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
20420 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
20421 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
20422 clobbered by the download.
20424 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20425 @cindex built-in simulator target
20426 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
20434 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
20435 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
20436 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
20437 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
20440 @item target native
20441 @cindex native target
20442 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
20443 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
20444 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
20445 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
20449 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
20450 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
20452 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
20453 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
20454 various aspects of this process.
20459 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
20460 @cindex hash mark while downloading
20461 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
20462 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
20463 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
20467 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
20468 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
20470 @item set debug monitor
20471 @kindex set debug monitor
20472 @cindex display remote monitor communications
20473 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
20474 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
20476 @item show debug monitor
20477 @kindex show debug monitor
20478 Show the current status of displaying communications between
20479 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
20484 @kindex load @var{filename} @var{offset}
20485 @item load @var{filename} @var{offset}
20487 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
20488 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
20489 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
20490 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
20491 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
20492 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
20494 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
20495 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
20496 target is @dots{}}''
20498 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
20499 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
20500 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
20501 specifies a fixed address.
20502 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
20504 It is also possible to tell @value{GDBN} to load the executable file at a
20505 specific offset described by the optional argument @var{offset}. When
20506 @var{offset} is provided, @var{filename} must also be provided.
20508 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
20509 load programs into flash memory.
20511 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
20516 @kindex flash-erase
20518 @anchor{flash-erase}
20520 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
20525 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
20527 @cindex choosing target byte order
20528 @cindex target byte order
20530 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
20531 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
20532 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
20533 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
20534 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
20535 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
20539 @item set endian big
20540 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
20542 @item set endian little
20543 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
20545 @item set endian auto
20546 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
20550 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
20554 If the @code{set endian auto} mode is in effect and no executable has
20555 been selected, then the endianness used is the last one chosen either
20556 by one of the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little}
20557 commands or by inferring from the last executable used. If no
20558 endianness has been previously chosen, then the default for this mode
20559 is inferred from the target @value{GDBN} has been built for, and is
20560 @code{little} if the name of the target CPU has an @code{el} suffix
20561 and @code{big} otherwise.
20563 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
20564 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
20568 @node Remote Debugging
20569 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
20570 @cindex remote debugging
20572 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
20573 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
20574 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
20575 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
20576 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
20578 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
20579 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
20580 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
20581 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
20582 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
20583 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
20585 Other remote targets may be available in your
20586 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
20589 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
20590 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
20591 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
20592 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
20593 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
20597 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
20598 @cindex remote debugging, connecting
20599 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, connecting
20600 @cindex remote debugging, types of connections
20601 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, types of connections
20602 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target remote} mode
20603 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target extended-remote} mode
20605 This section describes how to connect to a remote target, including the
20606 types of connections and their differences, how to set up executable and
20607 symbol files on the host and target, and the commands used for
20608 connecting to and disconnecting from the remote target.
20610 @subsection Types of Remote Connections
20612 @value{GDBN} supports two types of remote connections, @code{target remote}
20613 mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode. Note that many remote targets
20614 support only @code{target remote} mode. There are several major
20615 differences between the two types of connections, enumerated here:
20619 @cindex remote debugging, detach and program exit
20620 @item Result of detach or program exit
20621 @strong{With target remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or you
20622 detach from it, @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target. When using
20623 @code{gdbserver}, @code{gdbserver} will exit.
20625 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or
20626 you detach from it, @value{GDBN} remains connected to the target, even
20627 though no program is running. You can rerun the program, attach to a
20628 running program, or use @code{monitor} commands specific to the target.
20630 When using @code{gdbserver} in this case, it does not exit unless it was
20631 invoked using the @option{--once} option. If the @option{--once} option
20632 was not used, you can ask @code{gdbserver} to exit using the
20633 @code{monitor exit} command (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
20635 @item Specifying the program to debug
20636 For both connection types you use the @code{file} command to specify the
20637 program on the host system. If you are using @code{gdbserver} there are
20638 some differences in how to specify the location of the program on the
20641 @strong{With target remote mode:} You must either specify the program to debug
20642 on the @code{gdbserver} command line or use the @option{--attach} option
20643 (@pxref{Attaching to a program,,Attaching to a Running Program}).
20645 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
20646 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} You may specify the program to debug
20647 on the @code{gdbserver} command line, or you can load the program or attach
20648 to it using @value{GDBN} commands after connecting to @code{gdbserver}.
20650 @anchor{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}
20651 You can start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
20652 or process ID to attach. To do this, use the @option{--multi} command line
20653 option. Then you can connect using @code{target extended-remote} and start
20654 the program you want to debug (see below for details on using the
20655 @code{run} command in this scenario). Note that the conditions under which
20656 @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN} connects to it
20657 (@code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}). The
20658 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
20660 @item The @code{run} command
20661 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @code{run} command is not
20662 supported. Once a connection has been established, you can use all
20663 the usual @value{GDBN} commands to examine and change data. The
20664 remote program is already running, so you can use commands like
20665 @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}.
20667 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} The @code{run} command is
20668 supported. The @code{run} command uses the value set by
20669 @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set remote exec-file}) to select
20670 the program to run. Command line arguments are supported, except for
20671 wildcard expansion and I/O redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
20673 If you specify the program to debug on the command line, then the
20674 @code{run} command is not required to start execution, and you can
20675 resume using commands like @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue} as with
20676 @code{target remote} mode.
20678 @anchor{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}
20680 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @value{GDBN} command @code{attach} is
20681 not supported. To attach to a running program using @code{gdbserver}, you
20682 must use the @option{--attach} option (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
20684 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} To attach to a running program,
20685 you may use the @code{attach} command after the connection has been
20686 established. If you are using @code{gdbserver}, you may also invoke
20687 @code{gdbserver} using the @option{--attach} option
20688 (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
20692 @anchor{Host and target files}
20693 @subsection Host and Target Files
20694 @cindex remote debugging, symbol files
20695 @cindex symbol files, remote debugging
20697 @value{GDBN}, running on the host, needs access to symbol and debugging
20698 information for your program running on the target. This requires
20699 access to an unstripped copy of your program, and possibly any associated
20700 symbol files. Note that this section applies equally to both @code{target
20701 remote} mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode.
20703 Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}, and
20704 @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow @value{GDBN} to access program files over
20705 the same connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a
20706 target, if the remote program is unstripped, the only command you need is
20707 @code{target remote} (or @code{target extended-remote}).
20709 If the remote program is stripped, or the target does not support remote
20710 program file access, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
20711 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
20712 @code{file} command. Use @code{set sysroot} to specify the location (on
20713 the host) of target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN} was compiled with
20714 the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}). Alternatively, you
20715 may use @code{set solib-search-path} to specify how @value{GDBN} locates
20718 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
20719 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
20720 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
20721 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
20722 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
20723 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
20726 @subsection Remote Connection Commands
20727 @cindex remote connection commands
20728 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
20729 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
20730 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
20731 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
20732 @code{target remote} and @code{target extended-remote} commands
20733 establish a connection to the target. Both commands accept the same
20734 arguments, which indicate the medium to use:
20738 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
20739 @itemx target extended-remote @var{serial-device}
20740 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
20741 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
20742 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
20745 target remote /dev/ttyb
20748 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
20749 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
20750 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
20751 @code{target} command.
20753 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
20754 @itemx target remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20755 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20756 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20757 @itemx target remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20758 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20759 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20760 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
20761 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20762 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20763 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20764 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20765 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20766 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20767 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
20768 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
20769 The @var{host} may be either a host name, a numeric @acronym{IPv4}
20770 address, or a numeric @acronym{IPv6} address (with or without the
20771 square brackets to separate the address from the port); @var{port}
20772 must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be the target machine
20773 itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or it might be a
20774 terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the target.
20776 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
20780 target remote manyfarms:2828
20783 To connect to port 2828 on a terminal server whose address is
20784 @code{2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334}, you can either use the
20785 square bracket syntax:
20788 target remote [2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334]:2828
20792 or explicitly specify the @acronym{IPv6} protocol:
20795 target remote tcp6:2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334:2828
20798 This last example may be confusing to the reader, because there is no
20799 visible separation between the hostname and the port number.
20800 Therefore, we recommend the user to provide @acronym{IPv6} addresses
20801 using square brackets for clarity. However, it is important to
20802 mention that for @value{GDBN} there is no ambiguity: the number after
20803 the last colon is considered to be the port number.
20805 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
20806 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
20807 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
20808 port 1234 on your local machine:
20811 target remote :1234
20815 Note that the colon is still required here.
20817 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20818 @itemx target remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20819 @itemx target remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20820 @itemx target remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20821 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20822 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20823 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20824 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20825 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20826 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
20827 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
20828 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
20829 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
20832 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
20835 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
20836 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
20837 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
20838 cause havoc with your debugging session.
20840 @item target remote | @var{command}
20841 @itemx target extended-remote | @var{command}
20842 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
20843 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
20844 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
20845 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
20846 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
20847 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
20848 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
20849 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
20851 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
20852 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
20853 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
20857 @cindex interrupting remote programs
20858 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
20859 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
20860 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
20861 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
20862 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
20863 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
20866 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
20867 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
20870 In @code{target remote} mode, if you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons
20871 the remote debugging session. (If you decide you want to try again later,
20872 you can use @kbd{target remote} again to connect once more.) If you type
20873 @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN} goes back to waiting.
20875 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, typing @kbd{n} will leave
20876 @value{GDBN} connected to the target.
20879 @kindex detach (remote)
20881 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
20882 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
20883 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
20884 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
20885 command in @code{target remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to
20886 another target. In @code{target extended-remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is
20887 still connected to the target.
20891 The @code{disconnect} command closes the connection to the target, and
20892 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
20893 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
20894 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
20897 @cindex send command to remote monitor
20898 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
20899 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
20901 @item monitor @var{cmd}
20902 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
20903 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
20904 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
20905 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
20909 @node File Transfer
20910 @section Sending files to a remote system
20911 @cindex remote target, file transfer
20912 @cindex file transfer
20913 @cindex sending files to remote systems
20915 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
20916 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
20917 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
20918 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
20919 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
20920 the only way to upload or download files.
20922 Not all remote targets support these commands.
20926 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
20927 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
20928 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
20931 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
20932 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
20933 on the host system.
20935 @kindex remote delete
20936 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
20937 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
20942 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
20945 @cindex remote connection without stubs
20946 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
20947 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
20948 @code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}---but without
20949 linking in the usual debugging stub.
20951 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
20952 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
20953 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
20954 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
20955 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
20956 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
20957 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
20958 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
20959 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
20960 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
20961 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
20962 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
20963 choice for debugging.
20965 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
20966 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
20970 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
20971 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
20972 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
20973 target system with the same privileges as the user running
20977 @anchor{Running gdbserver}
20978 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
20979 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
20980 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
20982 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
20983 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
20984 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
20985 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
20986 system does all the symbol handling.
20988 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
20989 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
20993 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
20996 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
20997 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
20998 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
20999 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
21000 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
21004 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
21007 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
21010 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
21013 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
21016 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
21017 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
21018 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
21019 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
21020 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
21021 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
21022 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
21023 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
21024 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
21025 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
21026 @code{target remote} command.
21028 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
21032 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
21035 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
21036 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
21037 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
21038 You could elide it if you want to.
21040 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
21041 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
21042 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
21043 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
21045 @anchor{Attaching to a program}
21046 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
21047 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
21048 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
21050 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
21051 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
21054 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
21057 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
21058 necessary to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
21060 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, you can also attach using the
21061 @value{GDBN} attach command
21062 (@pxref{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}).
21065 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
21066 @code{pidof} utility:
21069 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
21072 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
21073 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
21074 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
21076 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
21078 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP
21081 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
21082 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
21083 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
21084 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
21085 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
21086 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
21087 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
21088 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
21090 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
21091 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
21092 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
21094 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
21095 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
21096 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
21097 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
21098 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
21099 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
21100 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
21101 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
21102 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
21103 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
21104 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
21105 instance closes its port after the first connection.
21107 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
21108 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
21110 You can use the @option{--multi} option to start @code{gdbserver} without
21111 specifying a program to debug or a process to attach to. Then you can
21112 attach in @code{target extended-remote} mode and run or attach to a
21113 program. For more information,
21114 @pxref{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}.
21116 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
21117 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
21118 status information about the debugging process.
21119 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
21120 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
21121 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
21122 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
21124 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
21125 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
21126 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
21127 Possible options are:
21131 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
21133 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
21135 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
21138 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
21139 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
21141 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
21142 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
21143 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
21144 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
21145 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
21147 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
21148 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
21149 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
21150 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
21152 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
21153 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
21154 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
21155 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
21157 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
21158 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
21162 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
21165 @cindex @option{--selftest}
21166 The @option{--selftest} option runs the self tests in @code{gdbserver}:
21169 $ gdbserver --selftest
21170 Ran 2 unit tests, 0 failed
21173 These tests are disabled in release.
21174 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
21176 The basic procedure for connecting to the remote target is:
21180 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
21183 Make sure you have the necessary symbol files
21184 (@pxref{Host and target files}).
21185 Load symbols for your application using the @code{file} command before you
21186 connect. Use @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your
21187 @value{GDBN} was compiled with the correct sysroot using
21188 @code{--with-sysroot}).
21191 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
21192 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
21193 the @code{target} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
21194 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
21195 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
21196 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{target remote} mode, since the
21197 program is already on the target.
21201 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
21202 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
21203 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
21205 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
21206 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
21207 Here are the available commands.
21211 List the available monitor commands.
21213 @item monitor set debug 0
21214 @itemx monitor set debug 1
21215 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
21217 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
21218 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
21219 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
21220 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
21222 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
21223 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
21224 Possible options are:
21228 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
21230 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
21232 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
21235 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
21236 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
21238 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
21239 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
21240 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
21241 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
21242 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
21243 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
21245 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
21246 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
21249 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
21250 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
21251 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
21252 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
21253 of a multi-process mode debug session.
21257 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
21258 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
21260 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
21261 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
21263 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
21264 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
21265 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
21266 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
21267 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
21268 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
21269 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
21270 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
21271 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
21272 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
21273 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
21274 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
21276 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
21279 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
21281 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
21282 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
21283 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
21285 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
21287 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
21288 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
21289 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
21290 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
21291 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
21292 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
21294 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
21296 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
21297 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
21298 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
21299 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
21300 command for that. For example:
21303 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
21306 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
21307 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
21310 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
21311 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
21312 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
21313 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
21314 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
21315 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
21316 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
21317 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
21318 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
21319 @code{gdbserver} like so:
21322 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
21325 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
21329 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
21330 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
21331 (@value{GDBP}) b main
21332 (@value{GDBP}) continue
21335 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
21336 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
21337 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
21338 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
21339 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
21342 @node Remote Configuration
21343 @section Remote Configuration
21346 @kindex show remote
21347 This section documents the configuration options available when
21348 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
21349 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
21350 system-call-allowed}.
21353 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
21354 @cindex address size for remote targets
21355 @cindex bits in remote address
21356 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
21357 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
21358 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
21359 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
21361 @item show remoteaddresssize
21362 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
21364 @item set serial baud @var{n}
21365 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
21366 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
21367 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
21370 @item show serial baud
21371 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
21373 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
21374 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
21375 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
21377 @item show serial parity
21378 Show the current parity of the serial port.
21380 @item set remotebreak
21381 @cindex interrupt remote programs
21382 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
21383 @anchor{set remotebreak}
21384 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
21385 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
21386 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
21387 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
21388 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
21390 @item show remotebreak
21391 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
21392 interrupt the remote program.
21394 @item set remoteflow on
21395 @itemx set remoteflow off
21396 @kindex set remoteflow
21397 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
21398 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
21400 @item show remoteflow
21401 @kindex show remoteflow
21402 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
21404 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
21405 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
21406 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
21407 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
21410 @item show remotelogbase
21411 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
21414 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
21415 @cindex record serial communications on file
21416 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
21417 default is not to record at all.
21419 @item show remotelogfile.
21420 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
21421 serial communications.
21423 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
21424 @cindex timeout for serial communications
21425 @cindex remote timeout
21426 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
21427 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
21429 @item show remotetimeout
21430 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
21433 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
21434 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
21435 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
21436 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
21437 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
21438 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
21439 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware watchpoints
21440 or breakpoints. The @var{limit} can be set to 0 to disable hardware
21441 watchpoints or breakpoints, and @code{unlimited} for unlimited
21442 watchpoints or breakpoints.
21444 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-limit
21445 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-limit
21446 Show the current limit for the number of hardware watchpoints or
21447 breakpoints that @value{GDBN} can use.
21449 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
21450 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
21451 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
21452 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
21453 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum
21454 length of a remote hardware watchpoint. A @var{limit} of 0 disables
21455 hardware watchpoints and @code{unlimited} allows watchpoints of any
21458 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
21459 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
21460 a remote hardware watchpoint.
21462 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
21463 @itemx show remote exec-file
21464 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
21465 @cindex executable file, for remote target
21466 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
21467 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
21468 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
21469 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
21471 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
21472 @cindex interrupt remote programs
21473 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
21474 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
21475 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
21476 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
21477 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
21478 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
21479 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
21480 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
21482 @item show interrupt-sequence
21483 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
21484 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
21485 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
21486 also known as Magic SysRq g.
21488 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
21489 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
21490 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
21491 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
21492 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
21493 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
21495 @item show interrupt-on-connect
21496 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
21497 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
21501 @item set tcp auto-retry on
21502 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
21503 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
21504 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
21505 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
21506 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
21507 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
21508 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
21509 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
21511 @item set tcp auto-retry off
21512 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
21514 @item show tcp auto-retry
21515 Show the current auto-retry setting.
21517 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
21518 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
21519 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
21520 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
21521 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
21522 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
21523 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
21524 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
21525 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
21526 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
21527 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
21529 @item show tcp connect-timeout
21530 Show the current connection timeout setting.
21533 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
21534 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
21535 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
21536 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
21537 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
21538 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
21539 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
21540 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
21541 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
21543 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
21544 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
21545 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
21546 @value{GDBN} developers.
21548 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
21549 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
21552 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
21555 @tab Related Features
21557 @item @code{fetch-register}
21559 @tab @code{info registers}
21561 @item @code{set-register}
21565 @item @code{binary-download}
21567 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
21569 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
21570 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
21571 @tab @code{info auxv}
21573 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
21574 @tab @code{qSymbol}
21575 @tab Detecting multiple threads
21577 @item @code{attach}
21578 @tab @code{vAttach}
21581 @item @code{verbose-resume}
21583 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
21589 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
21593 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
21597 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
21601 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
21605 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
21609 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
21610 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
21611 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
21613 @item @code{target-features}
21614 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
21615 @tab @code{set architecture}
21617 @item @code{library-info}
21618 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
21619 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
21621 @item @code{memory-map}
21622 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
21623 @tab @code{info mem}
21625 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
21626 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
21627 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
21629 @item @code{read-spu-object}
21630 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
21631 @tab @code{info spu}
21633 @item @code{write-spu-object}
21634 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
21635 @tab @code{info spu}
21637 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
21638 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
21639 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
21641 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
21642 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
21643 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
21645 @item @code{threads}
21646 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
21647 @tab @code{info threads}
21649 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
21650 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
21651 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
21653 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
21654 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
21655 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
21657 @item @code{search-memory}
21658 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
21661 @item @code{supported-packets}
21662 @tab @code{qSupported}
21663 @tab Remote communications parameters
21665 @item @code{catch-syscalls}
21666 @tab @code{QCatchSyscalls}
21667 @tab @code{catch syscall}
21669 @item @code{pass-signals}
21670 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
21671 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
21673 @item @code{program-signals}
21674 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
21675 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
21677 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
21678 @tab @code{vFile:close}
21679 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21681 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
21682 @tab @code{vFile:open}
21683 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21685 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
21686 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
21687 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21689 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
21690 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
21691 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21693 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
21694 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
21695 @tab @code{remote delete}
21697 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
21698 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
21701 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
21702 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
21705 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
21706 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
21709 @item @code{noack-packet}
21710 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
21711 @tab Packet acknowledgment
21713 @item @code{osdata}
21714 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
21715 @tab @code{info os}
21717 @item @code{query-attached}
21718 @tab @code{qAttached}
21719 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
21721 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
21722 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
21723 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
21725 @item @code{trace-status}
21726 @tab @code{qTStatus}
21727 @tab @code{tstatus}
21729 @item @code{traceframe-info}
21730 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
21731 @tab Traceframe info
21733 @item @code{install-in-trace}
21734 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
21735 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
21737 @item @code{disable-randomization}
21738 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
21739 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
21741 @item @code{startup-with-shell}
21742 @tab @code{QStartupWithShell}
21743 @tab @code{set startup-with-shell}
21745 @item @code{environment-hex-encoded}
21746 @tab @code{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
21747 @tab @code{set environment}
21749 @item @code{environment-unset}
21750 @tab @code{QEnvironmentUnset}
21751 @tab @code{unset environment}
21753 @item @code{environment-reset}
21754 @tab @code{QEnvironmentReset}
21755 @tab @code{Reset the inferior environment (i.e., unset user-set variables)}
21757 @item @code{set-working-dir}
21758 @tab @code{QSetWorkingDir}
21759 @tab @code{set cwd}
21761 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
21762 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
21763 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
21765 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
21766 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
21767 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
21769 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
21770 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
21773 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
21774 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
21777 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
21778 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
21781 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
21782 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
21785 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
21786 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
21789 @item @code{thread-events}
21790 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
21791 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
21793 @item @code{no-resumed-stop-reply}
21794 @tab @code{no resumed thread left stop reply}
21795 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
21800 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
21802 @cindex debugging stub, example
21803 @cindex remote stub, example
21804 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
21805 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
21806 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
21807 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
21808 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
21809 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
21810 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
21811 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
21813 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
21814 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
21815 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
21816 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
21821 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
21822 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
21823 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
21826 A C subroutine library to support your program's
21827 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
21830 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
21831 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
21832 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
21836 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
21837 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
21838 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
21842 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
21843 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
21844 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
21846 @item On the target,
21847 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
21848 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
21849 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
21851 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
21852 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
21853 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
21856 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
21857 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
21860 @cindex remote serial stub list
21861 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
21866 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
21869 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
21872 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
21873 @cindex Motorola 680x0
21875 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
21878 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
21881 For Renesas SH architectures.
21884 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
21886 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
21888 @item sparcl-stub.c
21889 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
21892 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
21896 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
21897 recently added stubs.
21900 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
21901 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
21902 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
21905 @node Stub Contents
21906 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
21908 @cindex remote serial stub
21909 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
21913 @item set_debug_traps
21914 @findex set_debug_traps
21915 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
21916 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
21917 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
21918 program's startup code.
21920 @item handle_exception
21921 @findex handle_exception
21922 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
21923 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
21924 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
21925 run when a trap is triggered.
21927 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
21928 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
21929 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
21930 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
21931 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
21932 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
21933 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
21934 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
21935 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
21939 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
21940 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
21941 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
21942 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
21943 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
21944 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
21945 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
21946 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
21947 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
21948 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
21949 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
21951 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
21952 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
21953 start of your debugging session.
21956 @node Bootstrapping
21957 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
21959 @cindex remote stub, support routines
21960 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
21961 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
21962 debugging target machine.
21964 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
21968 @item int getDebugChar()
21969 @findex getDebugChar
21970 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
21971 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
21972 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
21974 @item void putDebugChar(int)
21975 @findex putDebugChar
21976 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
21977 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
21978 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
21981 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
21982 @cindex interrupting remote targets
21983 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
21984 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
21985 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
21986 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
21987 remote system to stop.
21989 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
21990 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
21991 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
21992 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
21994 Other routines you need to supply are:
21997 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
21998 @findex exceptionHandler
21999 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
22000 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
22001 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
22002 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
22003 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
22004 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
22005 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
22006 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
22007 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
22008 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
22009 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
22010 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
22011 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
22013 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
22014 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
22015 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
22016 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
22017 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
22019 @item void flush_i_cache()
22020 @findex flush_i_cache
22021 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
22022 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
22023 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
22025 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
22026 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
22030 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
22033 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
22035 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
22036 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
22037 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
22038 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
22041 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
22042 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
22043 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
22044 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
22047 @node Debug Session
22048 @subsection Putting it All Together
22050 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
22051 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
22056 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
22057 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
22059 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
22060 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
22064 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
22065 procedure is called:
22072 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
22073 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
22074 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
22075 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
22076 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
22077 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
22081 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
22082 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
22085 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
22089 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
22090 function in your program, that function is called when
22091 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
22092 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
22093 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
22096 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
22097 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
22100 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
22101 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
22104 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
22105 @c document that. FIXME.
22106 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
22107 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
22110 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
22111 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
22115 @node Configurations
22116 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
22118 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
22119 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
22120 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
22122 There are three major categories of configurations: native
22123 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
22124 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
22125 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
22126 are quite different from each other.
22131 * Embedded Processors::
22138 This section describes details specific to particular native
22142 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
22143 * Process Information:: Process information
22144 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
22145 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
22146 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
22147 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
22150 @node BSD libkvm Interface
22151 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
22154 @cindex kernel memory image
22155 @cindex kernel crash dump
22157 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
22158 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
22159 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
22160 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
22161 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
22162 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
22163 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
22167 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
22170 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
22174 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
22177 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
22183 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
22186 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
22187 modern FreeBSD systems.
22190 @node Process Information
22191 @subsection Process Information
22193 @cindex examine process image
22194 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
22196 Some operating systems provide interfaces to fetch additional
22197 information about running processes beyond memory and per-thread
22198 register state. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system
22199 with a supported interface, the command @code{info proc} is available
22200 to report information about the process running your program, or about
22201 any process running on your system.
22203 One supported interface is a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
22204 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
22205 subroutines. This facility is supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris
22208 On FreeBSD systems, system control nodes are used to query process
22211 In addition, some systems may provide additional process information
22212 in core files. Note that a core file may include a subset of the
22213 information available from a live process. Process information is
22214 currently avaiable from cores created on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD
22221 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
22222 Summarize available information about a process. If a
22223 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
22224 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
22225 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
22226 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
22227 executable file's absolute file name.
22229 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
22230 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
22231 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
22232 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
22233 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
22234 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
22236 @item info proc cmdline
22237 @cindex info proc cmdline
22238 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
22239 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22241 @item info proc cwd
22242 @cindex info proc cwd
22243 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
22244 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22246 @item info proc exe
22247 @cindex info proc exe
22248 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is supported
22249 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22251 @item info proc files
22252 @cindex info proc files
22253 Show the file descriptors open by the process. For each open file
22254 descriptor, @value{GDBN} shows its number, type (file, directory,
22255 character device, socket), file pointer offset, and the name of the
22256 resource open on the descriptor. The resource name can be a file name
22257 (for files, directories, and devices) or a protocol followed by socket
22258 address (for network connections). This command is supported on
22261 This example shows the open file descriptors for a process using a
22262 tty for standard input and output as well as two network sockets:
22265 (gdb) info proc files 22136
22269 FD Type Offset Flags Name
22270 text file - r-------- /usr/bin/ssh
22271 ctty chr - rw------- /dev/pts/20
22272 cwd dir - r-------- /usr/home/john
22273 root dir - r-------- /
22274 0 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22275 1 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22276 2 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22277 3 socket 0x0 rw----n-- tcp4 10.0.1.2:53014 -> 10.0.1.10:22
22278 4 socket 0x0 rw------- unix stream:/tmp/ssh-FIt89oAzOn5f/agent.2456
22281 @item info proc mappings
22282 @cindex memory address space mappings
22283 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in a process. On
22284 Solaris and FreeBSD systems, each memory range includes information on
22285 whether the process has read, write, or execute access rights to each
22286 range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD systems, each memory range
22287 includes the object file which is mapped to that range.
22289 @item info proc stat
22290 @itemx info proc status
22291 @cindex process detailed status information
22292 Show additional process-related information, including the user ID and
22293 group ID; virtual memory usage; the signals that are pending, blocked,
22294 and ignored; its TTY; its consumption of system and user time; its
22295 stack size; its @samp{nice} value; etc. These commands are supported
22296 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22298 For @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, see the @samp{proc} man page for more
22299 information (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
22301 For FreeBSD systems, @code{info proc stat} is an alias for @code{info
22304 @item info proc all
22305 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
22306 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
22309 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
22310 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
22311 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
22312 @kindex info proc times
22313 @item info proc times
22314 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
22317 @kindex info proc id
22319 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
22320 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
22323 @item set procfs-trace
22324 @kindex set procfs-trace
22325 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
22326 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
22328 @item show procfs-trace
22329 @kindex show procfs-trace
22330 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
22332 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
22333 @kindex set procfs-file
22334 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
22335 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
22336 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
22339 @item show procfs-file
22340 @kindex show procfs-file
22341 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
22343 @item proc-trace-entry
22344 @itemx proc-trace-exit
22345 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
22346 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
22347 @kindex proc-trace-entry
22348 @kindex proc-trace-exit
22349 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
22350 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
22351 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
22352 from the @code{syscall} interface.
22355 @kindex info pidlist
22356 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
22357 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
22358 processes and all the threads within each process.
22361 @kindex info meminfo
22362 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
22363 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
22367 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
22368 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
22369 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
22370 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
22373 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
22374 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
22375 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
22376 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
22378 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
22379 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
22380 subsection describes those commands.
22385 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
22386 information about the target system and important OS structures.
22389 @cindex MS-DOS system info
22390 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
22391 @item info dos sysinfo
22392 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
22393 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
22394 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
22399 @cindex segment descriptor tables
22400 @cindex descriptor tables display
22402 @itemx info dos ldt
22403 @itemx info dos idt
22404 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
22405 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
22406 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
22407 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
22408 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
22409 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
22412 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
22413 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
22414 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
22415 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
22416 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
22418 @cindex garbled pointers
22419 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
22420 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
22421 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
22422 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
22423 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
22424 debugged program's data segment:
22427 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
22428 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
22432 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
22433 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
22435 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
22437 @itemx info dos pte
22438 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
22439 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
22440 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
22441 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
22442 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
22443 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
22444 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
22445 that is currently in use.
22447 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
22448 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
22449 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
22450 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
22451 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
22452 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
22453 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
22455 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
22456 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
22457 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
22460 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
22462 @cindex physical address from linear address
22463 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
22464 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
22465 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
22466 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
22467 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
22468 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
22469 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
22472 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
22473 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
22474 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
22478 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
22479 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
22480 attributes of that page.
22482 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
22483 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
22484 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
22485 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
22486 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
22487 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
22489 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
22493 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
22494 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
22495 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
22499 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
22500 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
22501 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
22502 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
22503 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
22505 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
22508 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
22509 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
22510 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
22511 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
22514 @kindex set com1base
22515 @kindex set com1irq
22516 @kindex set com2base
22517 @kindex set com2irq
22518 @kindex set com3base
22519 @kindex set com3irq
22520 @kindex set com4base
22521 @kindex set com4irq
22522 @item set com1base @var{addr}
22523 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
22526 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
22527 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
22528 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
22530 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
22531 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
22534 @kindex show com1base
22535 @kindex show com1irq
22536 @kindex show com2base
22537 @kindex show com2irq
22538 @kindex show com3base
22539 @kindex show com3irq
22540 @kindex show com4base
22541 @kindex show com4irq
22542 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
22543 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
22544 lines used by the COM ports.
22547 @kindex info serial
22548 @cindex DOS serial port status
22549 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
22550 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
22551 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
22552 counts of various errors encountered so far.
22556 @node Cygwin Native
22557 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
22558 @cindex MS Windows debugging
22559 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
22560 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
22562 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
22563 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
22565 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
22566 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
22567 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
22568 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
22569 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
22570 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
22571 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
22574 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
22575 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
22576 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
22581 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
22582 information about the target system and important OS structures.
22584 @item info w32 selector
22585 This command displays information returned by
22586 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
22587 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
22588 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
22589 Without argument, this command displays information
22590 about the six segment registers.
22592 @item info w32 thread-information-block
22593 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
22594 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
22595 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
22597 @kindex signal-event
22598 @item signal-event @var{id}
22599 This command signals an event with user-provided @var{id}. Used to resume
22600 crashing process when attached to it using MS-Windows JIT debugging (AeDebug).
22602 To use it, create or edit the following keys in
22603 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug} and/or
22604 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug}
22605 (for x86_64 versions):
22609 @code{Debugger} (REG_SZ) --- a command to launch the debugger.
22610 Suggested command is: @code{@var{fully-qualified-path-to-gdb.exe} -ex
22611 "attach %ld" -ex "signal-event %ld" -ex "continue"}.
22613 The first @code{%ld} will be replaced by the process ID of the
22614 crashing process, the second @code{%ld} will be replaced by the ID of
22615 the event that blocks the crashing process, waiting for @value{GDBN}
22619 @code{Auto} (REG_SZ) --- either @code{1} or @code{0}. @code{1} will
22620 make the system run debugger specified by the Debugger key
22621 automatically, @code{0} will cause a dialog box with ``OK'' and
22622 ``Cancel'' buttons to appear, which allows the user to either
22623 terminate the crashing process (OK) or debug it (Cancel).
22626 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
22627 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
22628 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
22629 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
22630 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
22631 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
22632 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
22633 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
22634 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
22635 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
22636 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
22638 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
22639 @item show cygwin-exceptions
22640 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
22641 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
22643 @kindex set new-console
22644 @item set new-console @var{mode}
22645 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
22646 be started in a new console on next start.
22647 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
22648 be started in the same console as the debugger.
22650 @kindex show new-console
22651 @item show new-console
22652 Displays whether a new console is used
22653 when the debuggee is started.
22655 @kindex set new-group
22656 @item set new-group @var{mode}
22657 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
22658 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
22659 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
22662 @kindex show new-group
22663 @item show new-group
22664 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
22666 @kindex set debugevents
22667 @item set debugevents
22668 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
22669 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
22670 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
22671 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
22672 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
22674 @kindex set debugexec
22675 @item set debugexec
22676 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
22677 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
22679 @kindex set debugexceptions
22680 @item set debugexceptions
22681 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
22682 debuggee seen by the debugger.
22684 @kindex set debugmemory
22685 @item set debugmemory
22686 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
22687 and writes by the debugger.
22691 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
22692 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
22696 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
22701 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
22704 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
22705 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
22706 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
22707 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
22709 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
22710 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
22711 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
22712 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
22713 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
22714 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
22715 ``minimal symbols''.
22717 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
22718 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
22719 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
22720 program run once to completion.
22722 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
22724 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
22725 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
22726 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
22727 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
22728 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
22729 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
22730 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
22731 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
22732 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
22734 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
22735 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
22736 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
22737 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
22738 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
22739 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
22742 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
22743 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
22745 Non-debugging symbols:
22746 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
22747 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
22751 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
22752 All functions matching regular expression "!":
22754 Non-debugging symbols:
22755 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
22756 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
22757 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
22761 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
22763 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
22764 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
22765 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
22766 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
22767 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
22768 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
22769 a function within a DLL without a running program.
22771 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
22772 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
22773 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
22774 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
22778 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
22779 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
22783 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
22784 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
22787 And two possible solutions:
22790 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
22791 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
22795 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
22796 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
22797 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
22798 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
22799 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
22800 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
22803 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
22804 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
22805 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
22806 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
22807 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
22810 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
22811 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
22814 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
22815 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
22819 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
22820 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
22822 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
22823 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
22828 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
22829 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
22830 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
22831 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
22832 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
22837 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
22838 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
22839 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
22841 @item set signal-thread
22842 @itemx set sigthread
22843 @kindex set signal-thread
22844 @kindex set sigthread
22845 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
22846 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
22847 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
22850 @item show signal-thread
22851 @itemx show sigthread
22852 @kindex show signal-thread
22853 @kindex show sigthread
22854 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
22855 delivered a signal.
22858 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
22859 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
22860 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
22861 continued by delivering a signal to it.
22864 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
22865 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
22868 @item set exceptions
22869 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
22870 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
22871 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
22872 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
22875 @item show exceptions
22876 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
22877 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
22879 @item set task pause
22880 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
22881 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22882 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22883 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
22884 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
22885 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
22886 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
22887 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
22888 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
22890 @item show task pause
22891 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
22892 Show the current state of task suspension.
22894 @item set task detach-suspend-count
22895 @cindex task suspend count
22896 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22897 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
22898 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
22900 @item show task detach-suspend-count
22901 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
22903 @item set task exception-port
22904 @itemx set task excp
22905 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22906 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
22907 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
22908 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
22910 @item set noninvasive
22911 @cindex noninvasive task options
22912 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
22913 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
22914 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
22915 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
22917 @item info send-rights
22918 @itemx info receive-rights
22919 @itemx info port-rights
22920 @itemx info port-sets
22921 @itemx info dead-names
22924 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22925 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22926 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22927 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22928 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22929 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
22930 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
22931 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
22932 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
22934 @item set thread pause
22935 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
22936 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22937 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22938 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
22939 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
22940 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
22941 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
22942 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
22943 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
22944 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
22945 only the current thread.
22947 @item show thread pause
22948 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
22949 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
22951 @item set thread run
22952 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
22954 @item show thread run
22955 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
22957 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
22958 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22959 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22960 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
22961 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
22962 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
22963 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
22965 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
22966 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
22969 @item set thread exception-port
22970 @itemx set thread excp
22971 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
22972 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
22973 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
22975 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
22976 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
22977 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
22978 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
22980 @item set thread default
22981 @itemx show thread default
22982 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22983 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
22984 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
22985 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
22986 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
22987 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
22988 the non-default commands.
22995 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
22998 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
22999 @kindex set debug darwin
23000 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
23001 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
23003 @item show debug darwin
23004 @kindex show debug darwin
23005 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
23007 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
23008 @kindex set debug mach-o
23009 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
23010 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
23011 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
23012 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
23013 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
23016 @item show debug mach-o
23017 @kindex show debug mach-o
23018 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
23020 @item set mach-exceptions on
23021 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
23022 @kindex set mach-exceptions
23023 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
23024 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
23025 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
23026 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
23028 @item show mach-exceptions
23029 @kindex show mach-exceptions
23030 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
23035 @section Embedded Operating Systems
23037 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
23038 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
23041 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
23042 various real-time operating systems.
23044 @node Embedded Processors
23045 @section Embedded Processors
23047 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
23050 @cindex send command to simulator
23051 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
23052 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
23055 @item sim @var{command}
23056 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
23057 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
23058 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
23059 acceptable commands.
23064 * ARC:: Synopsys ARC
23066 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
23067 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
23068 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
23069 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRISC 1000 (or1k)
23070 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
23073 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
23077 @subsection Synopsys ARC
23078 @cindex Synopsys ARC
23079 @cindex ARC specific commands
23085 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARC-specific commands:
23088 @item set debug arc
23089 @kindex set debug arc
23090 Control the level of ARC specific debug messages. Use 0 for no messages (the
23091 default), 1 for debug messages, and 2 for even more debug messages.
23093 @item show debug arc
23094 @kindex show debug arc
23095 Show the level of ARC specific debugging in operation.
23097 @item maint print arc arc-instruction @var{address}
23098 @kindex maint print arc arc-instruction
23099 Print internal disassembler information about instruction at a given address.
23106 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
23109 @item set arm disassembler
23111 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
23112 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
23114 @item show arm disassembler
23116 Show the current disassembly style.
23118 @item set arm apcs32
23119 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
23120 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
23122 @item show arm apcs32
23123 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
23125 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
23126 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
23127 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
23131 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
23133 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
23136 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
23138 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
23144 Show the current type of the FPU.
23147 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
23150 Show the currently used ABI.
23152 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
23153 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
23154 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
23155 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
23156 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
23157 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
23160 @item show arm fallback-mode
23161 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
23163 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
23164 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
23165 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
23166 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
23167 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
23169 @item show arm force-mode
23170 Show the current forced instruction mode.
23172 @item set debug arm
23173 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
23174 target support subsystem.
23176 @item show debug arm
23177 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
23181 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
23182 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
23185 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
23186 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
23187 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
23188 The default value is @code{all}.
23203 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
23206 @subsection MicroBlaze
23207 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
23208 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
23210 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
23211 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
23212 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
23213 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
23214 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
23215 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
23216 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
23217 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
23218 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
23219 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
23220 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
23222 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
23225 @item target remote :1234
23226 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
23227 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
23229 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
23230 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
23231 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
23234 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
23236 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
23237 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
23239 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
23240 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
23243 @node MIPS Embedded
23244 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
23247 @value{GDBN} supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
23250 @item set mipsfpu double
23251 @itemx set mipsfpu single
23252 @itemx set mipsfpu none
23253 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
23254 @itemx show mipsfpu
23255 @kindex set mipsfpu
23256 @kindex show mipsfpu
23257 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
23258 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
23259 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
23260 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
23261 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
23262 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
23263 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
23264 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
23265 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
23266 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
23267 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
23268 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
23269 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
23271 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
23272 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
23273 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
23275 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
23276 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
23279 @node OpenRISC 1000
23280 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
23281 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
23284 The OpenRISC 1000 provides a free RISC instruction set architecture. It is
23285 mainly provided as a soft-core which can run on Xilinx, Altera and other
23288 @value{GDBN} for OpenRISC supports the below commands when connecting to
23296 Runs the builtin CPU simulator which can run very basic
23297 programs but does not support most hardware functions like MMU.
23298 For more complex use cases the user is advised to run an external
23299 target, and connect using @samp{target remote}.
23301 Example: @code{target sim}
23303 @item set debug or1k
23304 Toggle whether to display OpenRISC-specific debugging messages from the
23305 OpenRISC target support subsystem.
23307 @item show debug or1k
23308 Show whether OpenRISC-specific debugging messages are enabled.
23311 @node PowerPC Embedded
23312 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
23314 @cindex DVC register
23315 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
23316 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
23319 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
23320 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
23323 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
23324 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
23325 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
23326 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
23327 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
23330 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
23331 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
23332 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
23333 watching variables of scalar types.
23335 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
23336 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
23339 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
23340 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
23343 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
23344 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
23346 @cindex ranged breakpoint
23347 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
23348 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
23349 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
23350 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
23351 use the @code{break-range} command.
23353 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
23356 @kindex break-range
23357 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
23358 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
23359 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
23360 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
23361 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
23362 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
23363 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
23364 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
23365 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
23367 @kindex set powerpc
23368 @item set powerpc soft-float
23369 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
23370 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
23371 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
23372 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
23374 @item set powerpc vector-abi
23375 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
23376 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
23377 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
23378 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
23379 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
23380 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
23381 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
23383 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
23384 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
23385 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
23386 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
23387 address of its first byte.
23392 @subsection Atmel AVR
23395 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
23396 following AVR-specific commands:
23399 @item info io_registers
23400 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
23401 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
23402 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
23403 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
23410 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
23411 following CRIS-specific commands:
23414 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
23415 @cindex CRIS version
23416 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
23417 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
23418 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
23420 @item show cris-version
23421 Show the current CRIS version.
23423 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
23424 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
23425 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
23426 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
23429 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
23430 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
23432 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
23434 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
23435 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
23436 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
23438 @item show cris-mode
23439 Show the current CRIS mode.
23443 @subsection Renesas Super-H
23446 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
23450 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
23451 @kindex set sh calling-convention
23452 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
23453 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
23454 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
23455 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
23456 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
23457 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
23458 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
23459 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
23460 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
23461 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
23463 @item show sh calling-convention
23464 @kindex show sh calling-convention
23465 Show the current calling convention setting.
23470 @node Architectures
23471 @section Architectures
23473 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
23474 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
23481 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
23482 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
23489 @subsection AArch64
23490 @cindex AArch64 support
23492 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
23493 following special commands:
23496 @item set debug aarch64
23497 @kindex set debug aarch64
23498 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
23499 messages are to be displayed.
23501 @item show debug aarch64
23502 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
23506 @subsubsection AArch64 SVE.
23507 @cindex AArch64 SVE.
23509 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, if the Scalable Vector
23510 Extension (SVE) is present, then @value{GDBN} will provide the vector registers
23511 @code{$z0} through @code{$z31}, vector predicate registers @code{$p0} through
23512 @code{$p15}, and the @code{$ffr} register. In addition, the pseudo register
23513 @code{$vg} will be provided. This is the vector granule for the current thread
23514 and represents the number of 64-bit chunks in an SVE @code{z} register.
23516 If the vector length changes, then the @code{$vg} register will be updated,
23517 but the lengths of the @code{z} and @code{p} registers will not change. This
23518 is a known limitation of @value{GDBN} and does not affect the execution of the
23523 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
23526 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
23527 @kindex set struct-convention
23528 @cindex struct return convention
23529 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
23530 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
23531 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
23532 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
23533 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
23534 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
23535 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
23536 be returned in a register.
23538 @item show struct-convention
23539 @kindex show struct-convention
23540 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
23545 @subsubsection Intel @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
23546 @cindex Intel Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
23548 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
23549 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
23550 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
23551 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
23552 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
23553 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
23554 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
23556 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
23557 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
23558 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
23559 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
23560 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
23561 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
23563 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
23564 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
23565 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
23568 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
23569 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
23572 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
23573 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
23574 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
23575 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
23578 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
23579 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
23580 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
23581 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
23582 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
23585 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
23586 @kindex show mpx bound
23587 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
23589 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
23590 @kindex set mpx bound
23591 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
23592 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
23593 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
23594 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
23597 When you call an inferior function on an Intel MPX enabled program,
23598 GDB sets the inferior's bound registers to the init (disabled) state
23599 before calling the function. As a consequence, bounds checks for the
23600 pointer arguments passed to the function will always pass.
23602 This is necessary because when you call an inferior function, the
23603 program is usually in the middle of the execution of other function.
23604 Since at that point bound registers are in an arbitrary state, not
23605 clearing them would lead to random bound violations in the called
23608 You can still examine the influence of the bound registers on the
23609 execution of the called function by stopping the execution of the
23610 called function at its prologue, setting bound registers, and
23611 continuing the execution. For example:
23615 Breakpoint 2 at 0x4009de: file i386-mpx-call.c, line 47.
23616 $ print upper (a, b, c, d, 1)
23617 Breakpoint 2, upper (a=0x0, b=0x6e0000005b, c=0x0, d=0x0, len=48)....
23619 @{lbound = 0x0, ubound = ffffffff@} : size -1
23622 At this last step the value of bnd0 can be changed for investigation of bound
23623 violations caused along the execution of the call. In order to know how to
23624 set the bound registers or bound table for the call consult the ABI.
23629 See the following section.
23632 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
23634 @cindex stack on Alpha
23635 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
23636 @cindex Alpha stack
23637 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
23638 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
23639 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
23640 find the beginning of a function.
23642 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
23643 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
23644 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
23645 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
23649 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
23650 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
23651 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
23652 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
23653 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
23654 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
23655 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
23656 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
23658 @item show heuristic-fence-post
23659 Display the current limit.
23663 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
23664 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
23666 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
23670 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
23671 @kindex set mips abi
23672 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
23673 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
23674 values of @var{arg} are:
23678 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
23688 @item show mips abi
23689 @kindex show mips abi
23690 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
23692 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
23693 @kindex set mips compression
23694 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
23695 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
23696 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
23697 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
23698 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
23699 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
23700 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
23701 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
23702 provided by the executable.
23704 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
23705 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
23706 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
23707 identified as such.
23709 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
23710 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
23711 implicitly from an executable.
23713 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
23714 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
23715 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
23716 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
23717 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
23719 @item show mips compression
23720 @kindex show mips compression
23721 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
23722 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
23725 @itemx show mipsfpu
23726 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
23728 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
23729 @kindex set mips mask-address
23730 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
23731 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
23732 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
23733 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
23734 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
23736 @item show mips mask-address
23737 @kindex show mips mask-address
23738 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
23741 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23742 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23743 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
23744 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
23745 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
23746 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
23748 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23749 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23750 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
23752 @item set debug mips
23753 @kindex set debug mips
23754 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
23755 target code in @value{GDBN}.
23757 @item show debug mips
23758 @kindex show debug mips
23759 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
23765 @cindex HPPA support
23767 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
23768 following special commands:
23771 @item set debug hppa
23772 @kindex set debug hppa
23773 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
23774 messages are to be displayed.
23776 @item show debug hppa
23777 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
23779 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
23780 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
23781 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
23782 given @var{address}.
23788 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
23789 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
23792 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
23793 it provides the following special commands:
23796 @item info spu event
23798 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
23799 and pending event status.
23801 @item info spu signal
23802 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
23803 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
23804 notification channels.
23806 @item info spu mailbox
23807 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
23808 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
23809 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
23812 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
23813 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
23814 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
23816 @item info spu proxydma
23817 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
23818 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
23819 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
23823 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
23824 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
23828 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
23830 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
23831 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
23832 function. The default is @code{off}.
23834 @item show spu stop-on-load
23836 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
23838 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
23839 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
23840 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
23841 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
23842 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
23843 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
23845 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
23846 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
23851 @subsection PowerPC
23852 @cindex PowerPC architecture
23854 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
23855 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
23856 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
23857 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
23858 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
23860 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
23861 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
23862 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
23864 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
23865 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
23868 @subsection Nios II
23869 @cindex Nios II architecture
23871 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
23872 it provides the following special commands:
23876 @item set debug nios2
23877 @kindex set debug nios2
23878 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
23879 target code in @value{GDBN}.
23881 @item show debug nios2
23882 @kindex show debug nios2
23883 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
23887 @subsection Sparc64
23888 @cindex Sparc64 support
23889 @cindex Application Data Integrity
23890 @subsubsection ADI Support
23892 The M7 processor supports an Application Data Integrity (ADI) feature that
23893 detects invalid data accesses. When software allocates memory and enables
23894 ADI on the allocated memory, it chooses a 4-bit version number, sets the
23895 version in the upper 4 bits of the 64-bit pointer to that data, and stores
23896 the 4-bit version in every cacheline of that data. Hardware saves the latter
23897 in spare bits in the cache and memory hierarchy. On each load and store,
23898 the processor compares the upper 4 VA (virtual address) bits to the
23899 cacheline's version. If there is a mismatch, the processor generates a
23900 version mismatch trap which can be either precise or disrupting. The trap
23901 is an error condition which the kernel delivers to the process as a SIGSEGV
23904 Note that only 64-bit applications can use ADI and need to be built with
23907 Values of the ADI version tags, which are in granularity of a
23908 cacheline (64 bytes), can be viewed or modified.
23912 @kindex adi examine
23913 @item adi (examine | x) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr}
23915 The @code{adi examine} command displays the value of one ADI version tag per
23918 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes; the default
23919 is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the ratio of 1:ADI
23920 block size, to display.
23922 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
23923 to begin displaying the ADI version tags.
23925 Below is an example of displaying ADI versions of variable "shmaddr".
23928 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
23929 0xfff800010002c000: 0 0
23933 @item adi (assign | a) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr} = @var{tag}
23935 The @code{adi assign} command is used to assign new ADI version tag
23938 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes;
23939 the default is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the
23940 ratio of 1:ADI block size, to modify.
23942 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
23943 to begin modifying the ADI version tags.
23945 @var{tag} is the new ADI version tag.
23947 For example, do the following to modify then verify ADI versions of
23948 variable "shmaddr":
23951 (@value{GDBP}) adi a/100 shmaddr = 7
23952 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
23953 0xfff800010002c000: 7 7
23958 @node Controlling GDB
23959 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
23961 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
23962 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
23963 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
23968 * Editing:: Command editing
23969 * Command History:: Command history
23970 * Screen Size:: Screen size
23971 * Numbers:: Numbers
23972 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
23973 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
23974 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
23975 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
23976 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
23984 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
23985 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
23986 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
23987 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
23988 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
23989 which one you are talking to.
23991 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
23992 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
23993 or a prompt that does not.
23997 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
23998 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
24000 @kindex show prompt
24002 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
24005 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
24006 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
24010 @kindex set extended-prompt
24011 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
24012 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
24013 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
24014 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
24015 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
24021 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
24024 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
24025 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
24027 @kindex show extended-prompt
24028 @item show extended-prompt
24029 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
24030 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
24031 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
24035 @section Command Editing
24037 @cindex command line editing
24039 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
24040 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
24041 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
24042 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
24043 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
24044 debugging sessions.
24046 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
24047 command @code{set}.
24050 @kindex set editing
24053 @itemx set editing on
24054 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
24056 @item set editing off
24057 Disable command line editing.
24059 @kindex show editing
24061 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
24064 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24065 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
24067 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24068 @xref{Command Line Editing},
24070 for more details about the Readline
24071 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
24072 encouraged to read that chapter.
24074 @node Command History
24075 @section Command History
24076 @cindex command history
24078 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
24079 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
24080 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
24083 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
24084 package, to provide the history facility.
24085 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24086 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
24088 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24089 @xref{Using History Interactively},
24091 for the detailed description of the History library.
24093 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
24094 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
24095 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
24096 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
24097 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
24098 pressed on a line by itself.
24100 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
24101 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
24102 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
24103 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
24105 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
24109 @cindex history substitution
24110 @cindex history file
24111 @kindex set history filename
24112 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
24113 @item set history filename @var{fname}
24114 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
24115 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
24116 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
24117 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
24118 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
24119 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
24120 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
24123 @cindex save command history
24124 @kindex set history save
24125 @item set history save
24126 @itemx set history save on
24127 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
24128 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
24130 @item set history save off
24131 Stop recording command history in a file.
24133 @cindex history size
24134 @kindex set history size
24135 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
24136 @item set history size @var{size}
24137 @itemx set history size unlimited
24138 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
24139 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
24140 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
24141 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
24142 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
24143 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
24145 @cindex remove duplicate history
24146 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
24147 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
24148 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
24149 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
24150 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
24151 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
24152 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
24153 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
24154 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
24156 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
24157 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
24161 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
24162 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24163 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
24165 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24166 @xref{Event Designators},
24170 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
24171 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
24172 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
24173 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
24174 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
24175 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
24176 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
24177 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
24179 The commands to control history expansion are:
24182 @item set history expansion on
24183 @itemx set history expansion
24184 @kindex set history expansion
24185 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
24187 @item set history expansion off
24188 Disable history expansion.
24191 @kindex show history
24193 @itemx show history filename
24194 @itemx show history save
24195 @itemx show history size
24196 @itemx show history expansion
24197 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
24198 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
24203 @kindex show commands
24204 @cindex show last commands
24205 @cindex display command history
24206 @item show commands
24207 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
24209 @item show commands @var{n}
24210 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
24212 @item show commands +
24213 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
24217 @section Screen Size
24218 @cindex size of screen
24219 @cindex screen size
24222 @cindex pauses in output
24224 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
24225 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
24226 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
24227 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to see one more page of output,
24228 @kbd{q} to discard the remaining output, or @kbd{c} to continue
24229 without paging for the rest of the current command. Also, the screen
24230 width setting determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
24231 what is being printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a
24232 readable place, rather than simply letting it overflow onto the
24235 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
24236 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
24237 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
24238 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
24239 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
24246 @kindex show height
24247 @item set height @var{lpp}
24248 @itemx set height unlimited
24250 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
24251 @itemx set width unlimited
24253 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
24254 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
24255 commands display the current settings.
24257 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
24258 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
24259 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
24262 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
24263 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
24265 @item set pagination on
24266 @itemx set pagination off
24267 @kindex set pagination
24268 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
24269 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
24270 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
24271 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
24273 @item show pagination
24274 @kindex show pagination
24275 Show the current pagination mode.
24280 @cindex number representation
24281 @cindex entering numbers
24283 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
24284 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
24285 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
24286 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
24287 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
24288 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
24289 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
24290 both input and output with the commands described below.
24293 @kindex set input-radix
24294 @item set input-radix @var{base}
24295 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
24296 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
24297 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
24301 set input-radix 012
24302 set input-radix 10.
24303 set input-radix 0xa
24307 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
24308 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
24309 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
24310 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
24311 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
24314 @kindex set output-radix
24315 @item set output-radix @var{base}
24316 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
24317 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
24318 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
24320 @kindex show input-radix
24321 @item show input-radix
24322 Display the current default base for numeric input.
24324 @kindex show output-radix
24325 @item show output-radix
24326 Display the current default base for numeric display.
24328 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
24332 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
24333 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
24334 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
24335 default value of 10.
24340 @section Configuring the Current ABI
24342 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
24343 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
24344 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
24350 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
24352 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
24353 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
24354 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
24355 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
24356 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
24357 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
24358 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
24361 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
24362 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
24363 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
24364 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
24368 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
24371 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
24373 @item set osabi @var{abi}
24374 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
24377 @cindex float promotion
24379 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
24380 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
24381 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
24382 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
24383 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
24384 @code{double} and then passed.
24386 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
24387 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
24388 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
24391 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
24392 @item set coerce-float-to-double
24393 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
24394 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
24395 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
24397 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
24398 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
24401 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
24402 @item show coerce-float-to-double
24403 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
24407 @kindex show cp-abi
24408 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
24409 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
24410 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
24411 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
24412 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
24413 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
24414 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
24415 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
24416 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
24417 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
24422 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
24425 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
24427 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
24428 @itemx set cp-abi auto
24429 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
24433 @section Automatically loading associated files
24434 @cindex auto-loading
24436 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
24437 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
24438 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
24439 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
24440 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
24444 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
24445 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
24447 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
24448 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
24451 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
24452 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
24453 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
24455 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
24456 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
24457 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24459 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
24460 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
24463 @anchor{set auto-load off}
24464 @kindex set auto-load off
24465 @item set auto-load off
24466 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
24467 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
24468 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
24470 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
24473 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
24474 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
24475 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
24476 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
24477 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
24478 @code{set auto-load no}.
24480 @anchor{show auto-load}
24481 @kindex show auto-load
24482 @item show auto-load
24483 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
24487 (gdb) show auto-load
24488 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
24489 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
24490 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
24492 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
24493 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
24494 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
24495 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
24496 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
24499 @anchor{info auto-load}
24500 @kindex info auto-load
24501 @item info auto-load
24502 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
24506 (gdb) info auto-load
24509 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
24510 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
24511 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
24515 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
24519 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
24521 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
24522 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
24523 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
24524 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
24525 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
24526 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
24527 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
24528 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24529 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24530 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24531 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24532 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24533 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24534 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
24535 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24536 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
24537 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24538 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
24539 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24540 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
24541 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24542 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
24543 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24544 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
24545 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24546 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
24547 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24548 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
24549 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24550 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
24551 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
24552 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24553 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
24554 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24555 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
24556 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24557 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
24558 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
24559 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
24560 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
24561 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
24562 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
24563 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
24564 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
24565 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
24566 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
24567 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
24568 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
24569 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
24572 @node Init File in the Current Directory
24573 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
24574 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
24576 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
24577 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
24578 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
24580 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
24581 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24584 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
24585 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
24586 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
24587 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
24588 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
24590 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
24591 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
24592 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
24593 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
24594 current directory is enabled or disabled.
24596 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
24597 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
24598 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
24599 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
24600 current directory have been auto-loaded.
24603 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
24604 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
24605 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
24607 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
24609 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
24610 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
24612 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
24613 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
24614 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
24615 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
24616 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
24619 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
24620 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24623 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
24624 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
24625 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
24626 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
24628 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
24629 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
24630 @item show auto-load libthread-db
24631 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
24632 enabled or disabled.
24634 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
24635 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
24636 @item info auto-load libthread-db
24637 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
24638 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
24641 @node Auto-loading safe path
24642 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
24643 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
24645 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
24646 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
24647 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
24648 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
24649 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
24651 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
24656 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
24657 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
24658 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
24659 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
24660 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
24661 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
24662 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
24666 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
24667 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
24670 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
24673 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
24676 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
24677 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
24678 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
24679 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
24680 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
24681 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
24682 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
24683 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
24684 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
24685 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
24687 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
24688 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
24689 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
24691 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
24692 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
24693 @item show auto-load safe-path
24694 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
24697 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
24698 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
24699 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
24700 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
24701 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
24702 by the host platform path separator in use.
24705 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
24706 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
24707 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
24708 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
24709 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
24711 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
24712 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
24713 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
24714 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
24715 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
24716 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
24717 init file in the current directory
24718 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
24720 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
24721 example, you could use one of the following ways:
24724 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
24725 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
24726 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
24727 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
24729 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
24730 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
24731 @value{GDBN} session.
24733 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
24734 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
24735 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
24736 from trusted sources.
24738 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
24739 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
24740 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
24744 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
24745 also suppresses any such warning messages:
24748 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
24749 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
24751 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
24752 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
24753 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
24754 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
24757 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
24758 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
24759 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
24760 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
24761 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
24762 recommended to be entered.
24764 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
24765 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
24766 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
24768 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
24769 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
24770 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
24771 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
24774 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
24775 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
24776 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
24779 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
24780 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
24781 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
24782 for objfile "/tmp/true".
24783 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
24784 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
24785 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
24786 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
24787 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
24791 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
24792 @kindex set debug auto-load
24793 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
24794 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
24796 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
24797 @kindex show debug auto-load
24798 @item show debug auto-load
24799 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
24803 @node Messages/Warnings
24804 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
24806 @cindex verbose operation
24807 @cindex optional warnings
24808 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
24809 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
24810 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
24811 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
24813 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
24814 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
24815 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24818 @kindex set verbose
24819 @item set verbose on
24820 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
24822 @item set verbose off
24823 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
24825 @kindex show verbose
24827 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
24830 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
24831 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
24832 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
24837 @kindex set complaints
24838 @item set complaints @var{limit}
24839 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
24840 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
24841 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
24842 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
24844 @kindex show complaints
24845 @item show complaints
24846 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
24850 @anchor{confirmation requests}
24851 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
24852 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
24853 you try to run a program which is already running:
24857 The program being debugged has been started already.
24858 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
24861 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
24862 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
24866 @kindex set confirm
24868 @cindex confirmation
24869 @cindex stupid questions
24870 @item set confirm off
24871 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
24872 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
24873 automatically disables confirmation requests.
24875 @item set confirm on
24876 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
24878 @kindex show confirm
24880 Displays state of confirmation requests.
24884 @cindex command tracing
24885 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
24886 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
24887 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
24888 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
24891 @kindex set trace-commands
24892 @cindex command scripts, debugging
24893 @item set trace-commands on
24894 Enable command tracing.
24895 @item set trace-commands off
24896 Disable command tracing.
24897 @item show trace-commands
24898 Display the current state of command tracing.
24901 @node Debugging Output
24902 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
24903 @cindex optional debugging messages
24905 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
24906 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
24907 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
24908 section documents those commands.
24911 @kindex set exec-done-display
24912 @item set exec-done-display
24913 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
24914 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
24915 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
24916 @kindex show exec-done-display
24917 @item show exec-done-display
24918 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
24921 @cindex ARM AArch64
24922 @item set debug aarch64
24923 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
24924 The default is off.
24926 @item show debug aarch64
24927 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
24929 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
24930 @cindex architecture debugging info
24931 @item set debug arch
24932 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
24933 @item show debug arch
24934 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
24935 @item set debug aix-solib
24936 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
24937 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
24938 support module. The default is off.
24939 @item show debug aix-thread
24940 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
24941 @item set debug aix-thread
24942 @cindex AIX threads
24943 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
24945 @item show debug aix-thread
24946 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
24947 @item set debug check-physname
24949 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
24950 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
24951 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
24952 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
24953 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
24954 both ways and display any discrepancies.
24955 @item show debug check-physname
24956 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
24957 @item set debug coff-pe-read
24958 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
24959 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
24960 exported symbols. The default is off.
24961 @item show debug coff-pe-read
24962 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
24963 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
24964 @item set debug dwarf-die
24966 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
24967 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
24968 A value of zero turns off the display.
24969 @item show debug dwarf-die
24970 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
24971 @item set debug dwarf-line
24972 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
24973 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
24974 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
24975 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24976 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24977 @item show debug dwarf-line
24978 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
24979 @item set debug dwarf-read
24980 @cindex DWARF Reading
24981 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
24982 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
24983 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24984 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24985 @item show debug dwarf-read
24986 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
24987 @item set debug displaced
24988 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
24989 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
24990 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
24991 @item show debug displaced
24992 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
24993 related to displaced stepping.
24994 @item set debug event
24995 @cindex event debugging info
24996 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
24998 @item show debug event
24999 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
25001 @item set debug expression
25002 @cindex expression debugging info
25003 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
25004 expression parsing. The default is off.
25005 @item show debug expression
25006 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
25007 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
25008 @item set debug fbsd-lwp
25009 @cindex FreeBSD LWP debug messages
25010 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD LWP debug support.
25011 @item show debug fbsd-lwp
25012 Show the current state of FreeBSD LWP debugging messages.
25013 @item set debug fbsd-nat
25014 @cindex FreeBSD native target debug messages
25015 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD native target.
25016 @item show debug fbsd-nat
25017 Show the current state of FreeBSD native target debugging messages.
25018 @item set debug frame
25019 @cindex frame debugging info
25020 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
25022 @item show debug frame
25023 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
25025 @item set debug gnu-nat
25026 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
25027 Turn on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
25028 @item show debug gnu-nat
25029 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
25030 @item set debug infrun
25031 @cindex inferior debugging info
25032 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
25033 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
25034 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
25035 @item show debug infrun
25036 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
25037 @item set debug jit
25038 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
25039 Turn on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
25040 @item show debug jit
25041 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
25042 @item set debug lin-lwp
25043 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
25044 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
25045 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
25046 @item show debug lin-lwp
25047 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
25048 @item set debug linux-namespaces
25049 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
25050 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
25051 @item show debug linux-namespaces
25052 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
25053 @item set debug mach-o
25054 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
25055 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
25056 processing. The default is off.
25057 @item show debug mach-o
25058 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
25059 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
25060 @item set debug notification
25061 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
25062 Turn on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
25063 The default is off.
25064 @item show debug notification
25065 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
25066 @item set debug observer
25067 @cindex observer debugging info
25068 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
25069 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
25070 @item show debug observer
25071 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
25072 @item set debug overload
25073 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
25074 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
25075 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
25077 @item show debug overload
25078 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
25080 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
25081 @cindex debug expression parser
25082 @item set debug parser
25083 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
25084 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
25085 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
25086 details. The default is off.
25087 @item show debug parser
25088 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
25089 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
25090 @cindex serial connections, debugging
25091 @cindex debug remote protocol
25092 @cindex remote protocol debugging
25093 @cindex display remote packets
25094 @item set debug remote
25095 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
25096 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
25097 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
25098 @item show debug remote
25099 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
25101 @item set debug separate-debug-file
25102 Turns on or off display of debug output about separate debug file search.
25103 @item show debug separate-debug-file
25104 Displays the state of separate debug file search debug output.
25106 @item set debug serial
25107 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
25109 @item show debug serial
25110 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
25112 @item set debug solib-frv
25113 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
25114 Turn on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
25115 @item show debug solib-frv
25116 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
25118 @item set debug symbol-lookup
25119 @cindex symbol lookup
25120 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
25121 The default is 0 (off).
25122 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25123 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25124 @item show debug symbol-lookup
25125 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
25126 @item set debug symfile
25127 @cindex symbol file functions
25128 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
25129 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
25130 @item show debug symfile
25131 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
25132 @item set debug symtab-create
25133 @cindex symbol table creation
25134 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
25135 The default is 0 (off).
25136 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25137 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25138 @item show debug symtab-create
25139 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
25140 @item set debug target
25141 @cindex target debugging info
25142 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
25143 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
25144 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
25145 value of large memory transfers.
25146 @item show debug target
25147 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
25149 @item set debug timestamp
25150 @cindex timestampping debugging info
25151 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
25152 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
25154 @item show debug timestamp
25155 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
25157 @item set debug varobj
25158 @cindex variable object debugging info
25159 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
25160 info. The default is off.
25161 @item show debug varobj
25162 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
25164 @item set debug xml
25165 @cindex XML parser debugging
25166 Turn on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
25167 @item show debug xml
25168 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
25171 @node Other Misc Settings
25172 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
25173 @cindex miscellaneous settings
25176 @kindex set interactive-mode
25177 @item set interactive-mode
25178 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
25179 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
25180 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
25181 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
25182 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
25183 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
25184 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
25185 is, non-interactively otherwise.
25187 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
25188 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
25189 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
25190 inside a cygwin window.
25192 @kindex show interactive-mode
25193 @item show interactive-mode
25194 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
25197 @node Extending GDB
25198 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
25199 @cindex extending GDB
25201 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
25202 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
25203 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
25204 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
25208 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
25209 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
25210 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
25211 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
25212 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
25213 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
25216 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
25217 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
25218 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
25219 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
25220 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
25221 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
25223 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
25227 @kindex set script-extension
25228 @kindex show script-extension
25229 @item set script-extension off
25230 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
25232 @item set script-extension soft
25233 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
25234 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
25235 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
25236 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
25238 @item set script-extension strict
25239 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
25240 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
25241 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
25243 @item show script-extension
25244 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
25249 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
25251 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
25252 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
25253 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
25257 * Define:: How to define your own commands
25258 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
25259 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
25260 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
25261 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
25265 @subsection User-defined Commands
25267 @cindex user-defined command
25268 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
25269 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
25270 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
25271 @code{define} command. User commands may accept an unlimited number of arguments
25272 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
25273 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$argN}. A trivial example:
25277 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
25282 To execute the command use:
25289 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
25290 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
25291 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
25294 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
25295 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
25296 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
25302 print $arg0 + $arg1
25305 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
25310 Combining with the @code{eval} command (@pxref{eval}) makes it easier
25311 to process a variable number of arguments:
25318 eval "set $sum = $sum + $arg%d", $i
25328 @item define @var{commandname}
25329 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
25330 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
25331 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
25332 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
25333 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
25334 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
25336 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
25337 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
25338 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
25341 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
25342 @item document @var{commandname}
25343 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
25344 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
25345 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
25346 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
25347 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
25348 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
25350 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
25351 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
25352 does not change the documentation.
25354 @kindex dont-repeat
25355 @cindex don't repeat command
25357 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
25358 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
25359 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
25361 @kindex help user-defined
25362 @item help user-defined
25363 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
25364 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
25369 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
25370 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
25371 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
25372 definitions for all user-defined commands.
25373 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
25375 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
25376 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
25377 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
25378 @item show max-user-call-depth
25379 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
25380 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
25381 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
25382 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
25383 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
25386 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
25387 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
25389 When user-defined commands are executed, the
25390 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
25391 stops execution of the user-defined command.
25393 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
25394 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
25395 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
25396 messages when used in a user-defined command.
25399 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
25400 @cindex command hooks
25401 @cindex hooks, for commands
25402 @cindex hooks, pre-command
25405 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
25406 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
25407 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
25408 before that command.
25410 @cindex hooks, post-command
25412 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
25413 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
25414 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
25415 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
25416 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
25418 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
25419 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
25421 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
25422 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
25424 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
25425 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
25426 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
25427 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
25428 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
25430 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
25431 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
25436 handle SIGALRM nopass
25440 handle SIGALRM pass
25443 define hook-continue
25444 handle SIGALRM pass
25448 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
25449 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
25457 define hookpost-echo
25461 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
25462 <<<---Hello World--->>>
25467 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
25468 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
25469 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
25470 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
25472 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
25473 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
25474 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
25476 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
25477 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
25478 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
25480 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
25481 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
25483 @node Command Files
25484 @subsection Command Files
25486 @cindex command files
25487 @cindex scripting commands
25488 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
25489 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
25490 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
25491 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
25494 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
25495 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
25496 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
25497 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
25498 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
25502 @cindex execute commands from a file
25503 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
25504 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
25507 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
25508 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
25509 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
25510 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
25511 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
25513 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
25514 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
25515 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
25516 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
25517 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
25518 is not relevant to scripts.
25520 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
25521 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
25522 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
25523 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
25524 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
25525 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
25526 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
25527 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
25528 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
25529 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
25530 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
25531 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
25532 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
25533 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
25535 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
25536 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
25537 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
25539 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
25540 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
25541 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
25542 when called from command files.
25544 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
25545 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
25546 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
25547 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
25551 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
25554 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
25555 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
25556 would be directed to @file{log}.
25558 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
25559 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
25560 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
25561 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
25562 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
25563 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
25564 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
25565 conditionally, etc.
25572 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
25573 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
25574 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
25575 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
25576 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
25577 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
25578 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
25582 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
25583 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
25584 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
25585 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
25586 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
25587 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
25591 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
25592 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
25595 @kindex loop_continue
25596 @item loop_continue
25597 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
25598 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
25599 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
25600 the controlling expression.
25602 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
25604 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
25605 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
25610 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
25612 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
25613 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
25614 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
25615 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
25620 @item echo @var{text}
25621 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
25622 @c because it is not in ANSI.
25623 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
25624 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
25625 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
25626 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
25627 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
25628 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
25629 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
25630 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
25631 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
25633 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
25634 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
25637 echo This is some text\n\
25638 which is continued\n\
25639 onto several lines.\n
25642 produces the same output as
25645 echo This is some text\n
25646 echo which is continued\n
25647 echo onto several lines.\n
25651 @item output @var{expression}
25652 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
25653 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
25654 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
25657 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
25658 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
25659 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
25660 Formats}, for more information.
25663 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
25664 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
25665 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
25666 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
25667 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
25668 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
25669 executing the code below:
25672 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
25675 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
25676 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
25677 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
25678 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
25679 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
25682 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
25685 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
25688 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
25689 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
25690 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
25694 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
25697 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
25701 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
25702 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
25705 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
25709 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
25712 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
25716 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
25717 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
25718 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
25719 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
25721 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
25722 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
25723 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
25724 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
25727 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
25728 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
25729 together with a floating point specifier.
25734 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
25737 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
25740 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
25743 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
25744 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
25745 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
25747 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
25748 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
25750 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
25752 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
25757 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
25758 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
25759 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
25763 @node Auto-loading sequences
25764 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
25765 @cindex native script auto-loading
25767 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25768 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25769 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
25770 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
25772 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25773 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25776 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
25777 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
25778 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
25779 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
25781 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
25782 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
25783 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
25784 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
25787 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
25788 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
25789 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
25790 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25791 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
25795 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
25796 matching names are printed.
25798 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
25799 @include python.texi
25801 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
25802 @include guile.texi
25804 @node Auto-loading extensions
25805 @section Auto-loading extensions
25806 @cindex auto-loading extensions
25808 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
25809 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25810 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
25811 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
25812 section of modern file formats like ELF.
25815 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
25816 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25817 * Which flavor to choose?::
25820 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25821 debugging commands and features.
25823 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25824 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25825 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
25826 for more information.
25827 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
25828 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
25830 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25831 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25833 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
25834 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
25835 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
25836 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25837 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
25839 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
25840 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25841 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
25842 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
25845 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
25846 GDB's own command language
25847 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25849 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
25853 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
25854 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
25855 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
25856 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
25857 script in the specified extension language.
25859 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25860 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25862 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
25863 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25865 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
25866 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
25867 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
25868 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
25869 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
25870 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
25873 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25874 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25875 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25876 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25877 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25878 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25880 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25881 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25883 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25884 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25885 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25886 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25888 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25889 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25890 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25891 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25892 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25893 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25896 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25897 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25898 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25900 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25901 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25902 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25903 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25905 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
25906 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
25907 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
25908 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
25909 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
25912 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25913 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25914 @var{objfile} is opened.
25915 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25916 is evaluated more than once.
25918 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25919 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25920 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25922 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25923 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25924 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25925 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
25926 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
25927 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
25928 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25930 The following entries are supported:
25933 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
25934 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
25935 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
25936 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
25939 @subsubsection Script File Entries
25941 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
25942 in the current directory and then along the source search path
25943 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25944 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25945 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25947 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25948 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
25951 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25952 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25954 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25955 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
25956 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25962 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
25963 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25966 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25969 The script name may include directories if desired.
25971 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25972 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25974 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
25975 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
25976 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
25977 will remove duplicates.
25979 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
25981 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
25982 itself instead of loading it from a file.
25983 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
25984 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
25985 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
25986 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
25987 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
25988 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
25991 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
25995 #include "symcat.h"
25996 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
25998 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
25999 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
26000 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
26001 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
26002 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
26003 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
26004 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
26005 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
26006 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
26007 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
26013 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
26014 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26015 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
26016 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
26018 @node Which flavor to choose?
26019 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
26021 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
26022 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26025 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
26029 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26032 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26034 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26035 in the source search path.
26036 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26037 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26040 Doesn't require source code additions.
26044 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26048 Works with static linking.
26050 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
26051 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26052 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26053 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
26054 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
26057 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26059 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26060 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
26063 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26065 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26066 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26067 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26068 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26069 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26070 top of the source tree to the source search path.
26073 @node Multiple Extension Languages
26074 @section Multiple Extension Languages
26076 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
26077 and generally do not interfere with each other.
26078 There are some things to be aware of, however.
26080 @subsection Python comes first
26082 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
26083 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
26084 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
26085 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
26086 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
26087 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
26088 pretty-printed form of a value).
26089 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
26090 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
26091 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
26094 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26095 @cindex aliases for commands
26097 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26098 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26099 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26100 that involves less typing.
26102 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26103 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26104 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26106 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26107 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26108 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26110 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26115 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26119 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26120 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26123 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26124 that is being aliased.
26126 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26127 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26128 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26130 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26131 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26133 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26134 of a command so that there is less to type.
26135 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26136 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26137 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26138 The following will accomplish this.
26141 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26144 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26145 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26146 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26147 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26149 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26150 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26151 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26155 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26156 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26157 (gdb) set p elms 20
26159 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26162 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26163 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26164 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26166 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26167 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26170 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26173 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26174 alias for a more complex command.
26175 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26178 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26183 @chapter Command Interpreters
26184 @cindex command interpreters
26186 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26187 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26188 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26190 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26191 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26192 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26193 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26195 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26196 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26197 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26198 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26202 @cindex console interpreter
26203 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26204 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26205 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26208 @cindex mi interpreter
26209 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26210 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26211 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26215 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26216 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26219 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26220 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26224 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26226 @kindex interpreter-exec
26227 You may execute commands in any interpreter from the current
26228 interpreter using the appropriate command. If you are running the
26229 console interpreter, simply use the @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26232 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26235 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26236 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26238 Note that @code{interpreter-exec} only changes the interpreter for the
26239 duration of the specified command. It does not change the interpreter
26242 @cindex start a new independent interpreter
26244 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, it is
26245 possible to run an independent interpreter on a specified input/output
26246 device (usually a tty).
26248 For example, consider a debugger GUI or IDE that wants to provide a
26249 @value{GDBN} console view. It may do so by embedding a terminal
26250 emulator widget in its GUI, starting @value{GDBN} in the traditional
26251 command-line mode with stdin/stdout/stderr redirected to that
26252 terminal, and then creating an MI interpreter running on a specified
26253 input/output device. The console interpreter created by @value{GDBN}
26254 at startup handles commands the user types in the terminal widget,
26255 while the GUI controls and synchronizes state with @value{GDBN} using
26256 the separate MI interpreter.
26258 To start a new secondary @dfn{user interface} running MI, use the
26259 @code{new-ui} command:
26262 @cindex new user interface
26264 new-ui @var{interpreter} @var{tty}
26267 The @var{interpreter} parameter specifies the interpreter to run.
26268 This accepts the same values as the @code{interpreter-exec} command.
26269 For example, @samp{console}, @samp{mi}, @samp{mi2}, etc. The
26270 @var{tty} parameter specifies the name of the bidirectional file the
26271 interpreter uses for input/output, usually the name of a
26272 pseudoterminal slave on Unix systems. For example:
26275 (@value{GDBP}) new-ui mi /dev/pts/9
26279 runs an MI interpreter on @file{/dev/pts/9}.
26282 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26284 @cindex Text User Interface
26287 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26288 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26289 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26290 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26291 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26294 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26295 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26296 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26297 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26298 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26301 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26302 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26303 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26304 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
26305 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
26306 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26309 @section TUI Overview
26311 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26315 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26316 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26317 managed using readline.
26320 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26321 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26324 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26327 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26328 when their values change.
26331 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26332 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26333 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26334 indicates the breakpoint type:
26338 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26341 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26344 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26347 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26350 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26354 Breakpoint is enabled.
26357 Breakpoint is disabled.
26360 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26361 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26364 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26365 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26376 source and assembly,
26379 source and registers, or
26382 assembly and registers.
26385 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26389 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26390 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26393 Gives the current process or thread number.
26394 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26397 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26398 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26399 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26400 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26403 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26404 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26407 Indicates the current program counter address.
26411 @section TUI Key Bindings
26412 @cindex TUI key bindings
26414 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26415 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26416 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26418 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26419 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26421 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26422 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26431 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26432 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26433 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26434 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26435 The screen is then refreshed.
26439 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26440 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26441 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26443 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26447 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26448 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26449 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26450 previous layout and the new one.
26452 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26456 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26457 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26458 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26460 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26464 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26465 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26468 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26473 Scroll the active window one page up.
26477 Scroll the active window one page down.
26481 Scroll the active window one line up.
26485 Scroll the active window one line down.
26489 Scroll the active window one column left.
26493 Scroll the active window one column right.
26497 Refresh the screen.
26500 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26501 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26502 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26503 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26504 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26506 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26507 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26508 @cindex TUI single key mode
26510 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26511 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26512 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26515 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26519 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26523 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26527 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26531 @kindex o @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26533 nexti. The shortcut letter @samp{o} stands for ``step Over''.
26535 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26537 exit the SingleKey mode.
26539 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26543 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26547 @kindex i @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26549 stepi. The shortcut letter @samp{i} stands for ``step Into''.
26551 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26555 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26559 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26564 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26565 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26566 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26567 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26568 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26569 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26573 @section TUI-specific Commands
26574 @cindex TUI commands
26576 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26577 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26578 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26579 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26581 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26582 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26583 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26584 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26585 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26590 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
26591 TUI mode has prevsiouly been used in the current debugging session,
26592 otherwise a default layout is used.
26595 @kindex tui disable
26596 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
26600 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26602 @item layout @var{name}
26604 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
26605 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
26606 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
26610 Display the next layout.
26613 Display the previous layout.
26616 Display the source and command windows.
26619 Display the assembly and command windows.
26622 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
26625 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
26626 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
26627 register, assembler, and command windows.
26630 @item focus @var{name}
26632 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
26633 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
26637 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26640 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26643 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26646 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26649 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26652 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26657 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26659 @item tui reg @var{group}
26661 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
26662 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
26663 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
26664 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
26665 following groups are available on most targets:
26668 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
26669 through all of the available register groups.
26672 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
26673 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
26677 Display the general registers.
26679 Display the floating point registers.
26681 Display the system registers.
26683 Display the vector registers.
26685 Display all registers.
26690 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26692 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26693 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26695 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26696 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26697 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
26698 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
26699 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
26701 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26703 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
26704 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
26708 @node TUI Configuration
26709 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26710 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26712 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26715 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26716 @kindex set tui border-kind
26717 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26718 The possible values are the following:
26721 Use a space character to draw the border.
26724 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26727 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26728 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26731 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26732 @kindex set tui border-mode
26733 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26734 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26735 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26736 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26739 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26745 Use reverse video mode.
26748 Use half bright mode.
26750 @item half-standout
26751 Use half bright and standout mode.
26754 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26756 @item bold-standout
26757 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26762 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26765 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26766 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26767 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26770 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26771 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26772 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26773 created Emacs buffer.
26774 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26776 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26781 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26784 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26785 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26787 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26788 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26791 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26792 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26793 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26797 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26799 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26800 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26801 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26802 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26805 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26806 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26809 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26810 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26811 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26812 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26814 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26815 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26816 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26817 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26818 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26819 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26820 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26821 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26822 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26824 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26825 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26826 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26827 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26829 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26830 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26831 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26832 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26835 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26836 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26840 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26843 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26844 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26847 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26848 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26849 to show the current file and location.
26852 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26853 display window accordingly.
26856 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26857 @code{finish} command.
26860 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26864 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26865 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26866 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26869 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26870 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26873 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26874 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26876 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26877 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26878 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26879 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26880 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26881 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26882 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26884 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26885 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26886 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26887 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26890 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26891 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26892 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26893 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26894 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26895 to correspond properly with the code.
26897 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26898 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26902 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26904 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26906 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26907 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26908 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26909 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26910 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26911 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26913 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26914 in the form of a reference manual.
26916 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26917 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26918 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26920 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26922 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26923 This chapter uses the following notation:
26927 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26930 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26931 it may or may not be given.
26934 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26935 may repeat zero or more times.
26938 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26939 may repeat one or more times.
26942 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26946 @heading Dependencies
26950 * GDB/MI General Design::
26951 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26952 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26953 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26954 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26955 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26956 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26957 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26958 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26959 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26960 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26961 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26962 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26963 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26964 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26965 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26966 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26967 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26968 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26970 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26971 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26972 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26974 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26975 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26976 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
26977 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
26978 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26981 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26982 @node GDB/MI General Design
26983 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26984 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26986 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26987 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26988 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26989 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26990 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26991 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26992 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26993 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26994 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26995 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26997 The important examples of notifications are:
27001 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27002 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27003 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27004 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27005 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27006 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27007 command itself was successfully executed.
27010 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27011 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27012 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27013 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27014 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27015 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27018 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27019 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27020 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27021 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27022 orthogonal frontend design.
27026 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27027 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27028 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27029 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27030 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27031 the user interface.
27035 * Context management::
27036 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27040 @node Context management
27041 @subsection Context management
27043 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
27045 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27046 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27047 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27048 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27049 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27050 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27051 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27052 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27053 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27055 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27056 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27057 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27058 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27059 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27060 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27061 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27062 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27063 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27064 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} global
27065 identifier for thread and frame to operate on.
27067 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27068 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27069 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27070 current thread or frame be changed. For example, when stopping on a
27071 breakpoint it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is
27072 hit. For another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} or
27073 @samp{frame} commands via the frontend, it is desirable to change the
27074 frontend's selection to the one specified by user. @value{GDBN}
27075 communicates the suggestion to change current thread and frame using the
27076 @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27078 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27079 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27080 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27081 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27082 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27083 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27084 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27085 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27086 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27087 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27088 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27089 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27090 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27091 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27092 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27093 @samp{--frame} options.
27095 @subsubsection Language
27097 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
27098 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
27099 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
27100 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
27101 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
27105 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
27110 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
27111 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
27112 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
27114 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27115 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27117 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27118 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27119 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27120 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27121 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27122 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27123 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27124 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27125 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27128 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
27129 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
27130 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
27132 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
27133 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
27134 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
27136 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
27137 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
27138 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
27139 MI commands even while the target is running.
27141 @item -gdb-show mi-async
27142 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
27145 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
27146 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
27147 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
27148 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
27149 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
27150 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
27152 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27153 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27154 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27155 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27156 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27159 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27160 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27161 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27162 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27163 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27164 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27165 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27166 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27167 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27168 @samp{--thread} option).
27170 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27171 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27172 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27173 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27175 @node Thread groups
27176 @subsection Thread groups
27177 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27178 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27179 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27180 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27181 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27183 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27184 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27185 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27186 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27187 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27188 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27189 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27192 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27193 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27194 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27195 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27196 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27197 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27198 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27199 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27200 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27201 the members of specific thread group.
27203 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27204 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27205 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27206 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27207 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27208 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27209 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27210 after attaching to that thread group.
27212 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27213 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27214 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27215 such thread groups.
27217 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27218 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27219 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27222 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27223 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27226 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27227 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27229 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27230 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27232 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27233 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27235 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27236 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27237 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27239 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27240 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27241 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27243 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27244 "any sequence of digits"
27246 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27247 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27249 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27250 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27252 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27253 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27255 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27256 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27257 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27259 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27260 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27262 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27271 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27272 output is described below.
27275 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27279 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27280 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27281 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27282 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27283 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27290 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27293 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27296 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27297 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27299 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27300 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27301 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27302 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27303 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27304 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27306 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27307 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27311 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27312 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27314 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27315 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27317 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27318 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27320 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27321 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27323 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27324 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
27326 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27327 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
27329 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27330 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
27332 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27333 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
27335 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27336 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27338 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27339 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27340 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27342 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27343 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27345 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27346 @code{ @var{string} }
27348 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27349 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27351 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27352 @code{@var{c-string}}
27354 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27355 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27357 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27358 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27359 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27361 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27362 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27364 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27365 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
27367 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27368 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
27370 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27371 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
27373 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27376 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27377 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27385 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27388 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27389 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27390 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27391 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27392 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27393 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27397 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27398 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27399 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27400 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27403 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27404 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27405 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27409 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27410 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27411 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27412 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27415 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27416 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27417 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27418 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27421 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27422 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27423 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27426 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27427 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27428 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27429 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27432 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27433 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27439 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27440 details about the various output records.
27442 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27443 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27444 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27446 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27447 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27449 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27450 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27451 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27452 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27453 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27454 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27456 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27457 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27458 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27460 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27461 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27462 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27463 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27465 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27466 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27468 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27469 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27470 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27471 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27474 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27475 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27476 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27477 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27481 New MI commands may be added.
27484 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27487 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27488 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27490 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27491 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27493 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27494 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27497 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27498 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27499 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27500 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27501 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27503 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27506 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27507 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27508 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27509 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27510 @cindex mailing lists
27512 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27513 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27514 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27517 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27518 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27519 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27520 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
27521 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27522 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27523 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27526 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27527 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27529 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27530 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27531 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27532 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27536 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27537 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27542 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27543 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27544 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27545 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27546 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27547 which threads are resumed.
27551 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27553 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
27555 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
27556 the corresponding error message.
27558 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
27559 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
27560 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
27563 @item "undefined-command"
27564 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
27569 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27573 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27574 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27576 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27577 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27578 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27579 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27580 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27582 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27583 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27584 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27585 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27586 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27589 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27590 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27591 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27593 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27594 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27595 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27596 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27598 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27599 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27603 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27604 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27606 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27607 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27608 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27609 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27610 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27611 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27613 The following is the list of possible async records:
27617 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27618 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field can be the global
27619 thread ID of the the thread that is now running, and it can be
27620 @samp{all} if all threads are running. The frontend should assume
27621 that no interaction with a running thread is possible after this
27622 notification is produced. The frontend should not assume that this
27623 notification is output only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may
27624 emit this notification several times, either for different threads,
27625 because it cannot resume all threads together, or even for a single
27626 thread, if the thread must be stepped though some code before letting
27629 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27630 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27634 @item breakpoint-hit
27635 A breakpoint was reached.
27636 @item watchpoint-trigger
27637 A watchpoint was triggered.
27638 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27639 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27640 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27641 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27642 @item function-finished
27643 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27644 @item location-reached
27645 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27646 @item watchpoint-scope
27647 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27648 @item end-stepping-range
27649 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27650 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27651 @item exited-signalled
27652 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27654 The inferior exited.
27655 @item exited-normally
27656 The inferior exited normally.
27657 @item signal-received
27658 A signal was received by the inferior.
27660 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27661 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27662 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27663 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27665 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27666 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27668 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27669 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27670 @item syscall-entry
27671 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27672 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27673 @item syscall-return
27674 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27675 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27677 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27678 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27681 The @var{id} field identifies the global thread ID of the thread
27682 that directly caused the stop -- for example by hitting a breakpoint.
27683 Depending on whether all-stop
27684 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27685 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27686 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27687 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27688 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27689 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27690 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27691 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27692 if such information is not available.
27694 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27695 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27696 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27697 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27698 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27699 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27700 cannot be used in any way.
27702 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27703 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27704 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27705 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27706 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27707 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27709 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27710 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27711 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27712 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27713 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27714 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27716 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27717 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27718 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27719 contains the global @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27720 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27722 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"[,frame="@var{frame}"]
27723 Informs that the selected thread or frame were changed. This notification
27724 is not emitted as result of the @code{-thread-select} or
27725 @code{-stack-select-frame} commands, but is emitted whenever an MI command
27726 that is not documented to change the selected thread and frame actually
27727 changes them. In particular, invoking, directly or indirectly
27728 (via user-defined command), the CLI @code{thread} or @code{frame} commands,
27729 will generate this notification. Changing the thread or frame from another
27730 user interface (see @ref{Interpreters}) will also generate this notification.
27732 The @var{frame} field is only present if the newly selected thread is
27733 stopped. See @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information} for the format of its value.
27735 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27736 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27739 @item =library-loaded,...
27740 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27741 notification has 5 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27742 @var{host-name}, @var{symbols-loaded} and @var{ranges}. The @var{id} field is an
27743 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27744 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27745 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27746 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27747 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27748 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27749 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27750 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27751 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27752 thread groups. The @var{ranges} field specifies the ranges of addresses belonging
27755 @item =library-unloaded,...
27756 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27757 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27758 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27759 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27760 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27761 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27764 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
27765 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
27766 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
27767 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
27768 frame is @var{tpnum}.
27770 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
27771 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
27772 initial value @var{initial}.
27774 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
27775 @itemx =tsv-deleted
27776 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
27777 trace state variables are deleted.
27779 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
27780 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
27781 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
27782 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
27783 value of trace state variable is known.
27785 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27786 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27787 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27788 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27789 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27792 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27793 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27794 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27796 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27797 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27799 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}",method="@var{method}"[,format="@var{format}"]
27800 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
27801 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
27802 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
27803 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
27805 The @var{method} field indicates the method used to record execution. If the
27806 method in use supports multiple recording formats, @var{format} will be present
27807 and contain the currently used format. @xref{Process Record and Replay},
27808 for existing method and format values.
27810 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
27811 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
27812 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
27813 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
27814 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
27815 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
27817 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
27818 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
27819 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
27820 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
27821 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
27825 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
27826 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
27828 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
27829 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
27834 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
27835 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
27839 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
27840 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
27843 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
27844 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
27847 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
27848 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
27849 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
27852 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
27853 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
27854 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
27857 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
27858 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
27859 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
27860 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
27861 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
27864 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
27865 If not known, this field is not present.
27868 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
27869 If not known, this field is not present.
27872 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
27873 known. If not known, this field is not present.
27876 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
27877 If not known, this field is not present.
27880 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
27881 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
27885 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
27886 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
27889 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
27893 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
27894 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
27897 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
27898 field will hold the task identifier.
27901 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
27904 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
27907 The enable count of the breakpoint.
27909 @item traceframe-usage
27912 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
27913 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
27916 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
27919 A tracepoint's pass count.
27921 @item original-location
27922 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
27923 This field is optional.
27926 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
27929 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
27930 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
27934 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
27938 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
27939 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
27942 -> -break-insert main
27943 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27944 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27945 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
27950 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27951 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27953 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27954 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27959 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27960 zero. This field is always present.
27963 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27964 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27967 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27970 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27971 address. This field may be absent.
27974 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27978 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27979 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27983 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27984 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27986 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27987 uses a tuple with the following fields. The fields are always present unless
27992 The global numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}.
27995 The target-specific string identifying the thread.
27998 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27999 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28000 frontend. This field is optional.
28003 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28004 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28005 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28006 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28010 The execution state of the thread, either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running},
28011 depending on whether the thread is presently running.
28014 The stack frame currently executing in the thread. This field is only present
28015 if the thread is stopped. Its format is documented in
28016 @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information}.
28019 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28020 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28023 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28024 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28026 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28027 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28028 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28029 the @code{exception-name} field. Also, for exceptions that were raised
28030 with an exception message, @value{GDBN} provides that message via
28031 the @code{exception-message} field.
28033 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28034 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28035 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28036 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28038 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28039 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28040 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28041 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28043 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28044 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28046 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28048 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28049 information of the breakpoint.
28052 -> -break-insert main
28053 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28054 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28055 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28060 @subheading Program Execution
28062 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
28063 reason that execution stopped.
28069 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28070 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
28071 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
28072 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",
28073 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28078 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28082 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
28084 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
28092 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
28093 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
28094 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
28095 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
28096 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
28097 fails to exit in reasonable time.
28099 @subheading A Bad Command
28101 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
28105 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
28110 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28111 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
28112 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
28114 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
28115 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
28117 @subheading Motivation
28119 The motivation for this collection of commands.
28121 @subheading Introduction
28123 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
28125 @subheading Commands
28127 For each command in the block, the following is described:
28129 @subsubheading Synopsis
28132 -command @var{args}@dots{}
28135 @subsubheading Result
28137 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28139 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
28141 @subsubheading Example
28143 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
28144 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
28147 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28148 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
28149 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
28151 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
28152 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
28153 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28156 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
28157 @findex -break-after
28159 @subsubheading Synopsis
28162 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
28165 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
28166 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
28167 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
28168 @samp{-break-list} command below.
28170 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28172 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
28174 @subsubheading Example
28179 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28180 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28181 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28189 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28190 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28191 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28192 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28193 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28194 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28195 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28196 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28197 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28198 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28203 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
28204 @findex -break-catch
28207 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
28208 @findex -break-commands
28210 @subsubheading Synopsis
28213 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
28216 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
28217 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
28218 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
28219 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
28220 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
28221 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
28223 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28225 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
28227 @subsubheading Example
28232 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28233 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28234 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28237 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
28242 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
28243 @findex -break-condition
28245 @subsubheading Synopsis
28248 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
28251 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
28252 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
28253 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
28256 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28258 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
28260 @subsubheading Example
28264 -break-condition 1 1
28268 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28269 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28270 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28271 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28272 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28273 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28274 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28275 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28276 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28277 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28281 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
28282 @findex -break-delete
28284 @subsubheading Synopsis
28287 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28290 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
28291 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
28293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28295 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
28297 @subsubheading Example
28305 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28306 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28307 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28308 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28309 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28310 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28311 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28316 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28317 @findex -break-disable
28319 @subsubheading Synopsis
28322 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28325 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28326 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28332 @subsubheading Example
28340 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28341 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28342 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28343 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28344 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28345 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28346 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28347 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28348 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28349 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28353 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28354 @findex -break-enable
28356 @subsubheading Synopsis
28359 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28362 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28364 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28366 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28368 @subsubheading Example
28376 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28377 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28378 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28379 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28380 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28381 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28382 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28383 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28384 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28385 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28389 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28390 @findex -break-info
28392 @subsubheading Synopsis
28395 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28399 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28401 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28402 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28405 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28407 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28409 @subsubheading Example
28412 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28413 @findex -break-insert
28414 @anchor{-break-insert}
28416 @subsubheading Synopsis
28419 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28420 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28421 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28425 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28428 @item linespec location
28429 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
28431 @item explicit location
28432 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
28433 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
28434 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
28437 @item --source @var{filename}
28438 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
28439 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
28441 @item --function @var{function}
28442 The name of a function or method.
28444 @item --label @var{label}
28445 The name of a label.
28447 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
28448 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
28451 @item address location
28452 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
28456 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28460 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28462 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28464 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28465 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28466 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28467 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28470 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28472 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28473 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28474 @item -c @var{condition}
28475 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28476 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28477 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28478 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28479 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
28483 @subsubheading Result
28485 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28486 resulting breakpoint.
28488 Note: this format is open to change.
28489 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28494 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28496 @subsubheading Example
28501 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28502 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28505 -break-insert -t foo
28506 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28507 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28511 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28512 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28513 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28514 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28515 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28516 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28517 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28518 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28519 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28520 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28522 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28523 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28524 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28527 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28528 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28529 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28530 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28535 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
28536 @findex -dprintf-insert
28538 @subsubheading Synopsis
28541 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
28542 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28543 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
28548 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
28549 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
28551 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28555 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28557 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
28558 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28559 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28560 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28563 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28564 @item -c @var{condition}
28565 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28566 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28567 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
28568 to @var{ignore-count}.
28569 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28570 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
28574 @subsubheading Result
28576 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28577 resulting breakpoint.
28579 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
28585 @subsubheading Example
28589 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
28590 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28591 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
28592 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
28593 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
28594 original-location="foo"@}
28596 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
28597 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28598 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
28599 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
28600 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
28601 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
28605 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28606 @findex -break-list
28608 @subsubheading Synopsis
28614 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28618 number of the breakpoint
28620 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28622 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28625 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28627 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28629 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28631 @item Thread-groups
28632 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
28634 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28637 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28638 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28640 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28642 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28644 @subsubheading Example
28649 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28650 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28651 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28652 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28653 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28654 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28655 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28656 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28657 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28659 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28660 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28661 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28665 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28670 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28671 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28672 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28673 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28674 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28675 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28676 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28681 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28682 @findex -break-passcount
28684 @subsubheading Synopsis
28687 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28690 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28691 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28692 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28693 command @samp{passcount}.
28695 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28696 @findex -break-watch
28698 @subsubheading Synopsis
28701 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28704 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28705 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28706 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28707 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28708 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28709 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28710 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28711 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28713 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28714 breakpoints inserted.
28716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28721 @subsubheading Example
28723 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28728 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28733 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28734 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28735 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28736 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28740 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28741 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28742 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28747 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28752 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28753 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28754 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28755 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28756 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
28757 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28762 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28763 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28764 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28765 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28766 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
28767 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28771 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28772 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28778 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28781 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28782 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28783 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28784 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28785 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28786 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28787 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28788 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28789 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28790 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28791 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28793 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28794 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28799 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28800 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28801 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28802 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28803 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
28804 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28807 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28808 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28809 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28810 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28811 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28812 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28813 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28814 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28815 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28816 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28817 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28819 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28820 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
28824 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28825 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28826 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28827 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28828 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
28829 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
28832 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28833 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28834 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28835 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28836 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28837 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28838 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28839 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28840 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28841 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28842 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28843 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
28848 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28849 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28850 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
28852 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28856 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28857 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28860 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28861 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
28863 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
28864 @findex -catch-load
28866 @subsubheading Synopsis
28869 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28872 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
28873 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28874 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
28875 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28876 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
28879 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28881 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
28883 @subsubheading Example
28886 -catch-load -t foo.so
28887 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28888 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
28893 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
28894 @findex -catch-unload
28896 @subsubheading Synopsis
28899 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28902 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
28903 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28904 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
28905 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28906 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
28908 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28910 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
28912 @subsubheading Example
28915 -catch-unload -d bar.so
28916 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28917 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
28921 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28922 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
28924 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
28925 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
28927 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
28928 @findex -catch-assert
28930 @subsubheading Synopsis
28933 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
28936 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
28938 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
28941 @item -c @var{condition}
28942 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28944 Create a disabled catchpoint.
28946 Create a temporary catchpoint.
28949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28951 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
28953 @subsubheading Example
28957 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28958 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
28959 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
28960 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
28964 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
28965 @findex -catch-exception
28967 @subsubheading Synopsis
28970 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
28974 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
28975 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
28976 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
28977 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
28980 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
28983 @item -c @var{condition}
28984 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28986 Create a disabled catchpoint.
28987 @item -e @var{exception-name}
28988 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
28989 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
28991 Create a temporary catchpoint.
28993 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
28994 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
28997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
29000 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
29002 @subsubheading Example
29005 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
29006 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29007 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
29008 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
29009 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
29013 @subheading The @code{-catch-handlers} Command
29014 @findex -catch-handlers
29016 @subsubheading Synopsis
29019 -catch-handlers [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
29023 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are handled.
29024 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
29025 gets handled. But it is also possible, by using some of the
29026 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
29029 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
29032 @item -c @var{condition}
29033 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29035 Create a disabled catchpoint.
29036 @item -e @var{exception-name}
29037 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is handled.
29039 Create a temporary catchpoint.
29042 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29044 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch handlers}.
29046 @subsubheading Example
29049 -catch-handlers -e Constraint_Error
29050 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29051 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000402f68",
29052 what="`Constraint_Error' Ada exception handlers",thread-groups=["i1"],
29053 times="0",original-location="__gnat_begin_handler"@}
29057 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29058 @node GDB/MI Program Context
29059 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
29061 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
29062 @findex -exec-arguments
29065 @subsubheading Synopsis
29068 -exec-arguments @var{args}
29071 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
29074 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29076 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
29078 @subsubheading Example
29082 -exec-arguments -v word
29089 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
29090 @findex -exec-show-arguments
29092 @subsubheading Synopsis
29095 -exec-show-arguments
29098 Print the arguments of the program.
29100 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29102 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
29104 @subsubheading Example
29109 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
29110 @findex -environment-cd
29112 @subsubheading Synopsis
29115 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
29118 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
29120 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29122 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
29124 @subsubheading Example
29128 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29134 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
29135 @findex -environment-directory
29137 @subsubheading Synopsis
29140 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29143 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
29144 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
29145 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
29146 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29148 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29149 multiple directories in a single command
29150 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29151 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29152 If blanks are needed as
29153 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29154 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29155 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29156 character must not be used
29157 in any directory name.
29158 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
29160 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29162 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
29164 @subsubheading Example
29168 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29169 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29171 -environment-directory ""
29172 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29174 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
29175 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
29177 -environment-directory -r
29178 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
29183 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
29184 @findex -environment-path
29186 @subsubheading Synopsis
29189 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29192 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
29193 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
29194 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
29195 supplied in addition to the
29196 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29198 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29199 multiple directories in a single command
29200 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29201 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29202 If blanks are needed as
29203 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29204 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29205 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29206 character must not be used
29207 in any directory name.
29208 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
29211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29213 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
29215 @subsubheading Example
29220 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
29222 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
29223 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
29225 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
29226 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
29231 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
29232 @findex -environment-pwd
29234 @subsubheading Synopsis
29240 Show the current working directory.
29242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29244 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
29246 @subsubheading Example
29251 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
29255 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29256 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
29257 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
29260 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
29261 @findex -thread-info
29263 @subsubheading Synopsis
29266 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
29269 Reports information about either a specific thread, if the
29270 @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all threads.
29271 @var{thread-id} is the thread's global thread ID. When printing
29272 information about all threads, also reports the global ID of the
29275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29277 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
29280 @subsubheading Result
29282 The result contains the following attributes:
29286 A list of threads. The format of the elements of the list is described in
29287 @ref{GDB/MI Thread Information}.
29289 @item current-thread-id
29290 The global id of the currently selected thread. This field is omitted if there
29291 is no selected thread (for example, when the selected inferior is not running,
29292 and therefore has no threads) or if a @var{thread-id} argument was passed to
29297 @subsubheading Example
29302 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29303 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
29304 args=[]@},state="running"@},
29305 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29306 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
29307 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29308 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},
29309 state="running"@}],
29310 current-thread-id="1"
29314 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
29315 @findex -thread-list-ids
29317 @subsubheading Synopsis
29323 Produces a list of the currently known global @value{GDBN} thread ids.
29324 At the end of the list it also prints the total number of such
29327 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29328 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29330 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29332 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29334 @subsubheading Example
29339 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29340 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29345 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29346 @findex -thread-select
29348 @subsubheading Synopsis
29351 -thread-select @var{thread-id}
29354 Make thread with global thread number @var{thread-id} the current
29355 thread. It prints the number of the new current thread, and the
29356 topmost frame for that thread.
29358 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29359 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
29361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29365 @subsubheading Example
29372 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29373 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29377 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29378 number-of-threads="3"
29381 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
29382 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29383 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29384 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29388 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29389 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29390 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29392 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29393 @findex -ada-task-info
29395 @subsubheading Synopsis
29398 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29401 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29402 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29404 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29406 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29407 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29409 @subsubheading Result
29411 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29412 defined for each Ada task:
29416 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29419 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29422 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29425 The global thread identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada
29428 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29429 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29430 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29433 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29434 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29437 The base priority of the task.
29440 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29441 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29444 The name of the task.
29448 @subsubheading Example
29452 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29453 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29454 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29455 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29456 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29457 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29458 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29459 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29460 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29461 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29462 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29466 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29467 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
29468 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29470 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29471 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29472 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29475 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29476 @findex -exec-continue
29478 @subsubheading Synopsis
29481 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29484 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29485 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29486 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29487 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29490 breakpoints or watchpoints
29492 signals or exceptions
29494 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29496 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29498 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29499 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29500 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29501 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29502 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29503 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29505 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29507 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29509 @subsubheading Example
29516 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29517 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29518 line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29523 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29524 @findex -exec-finish
29526 @subsubheading Synopsis
29529 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29532 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29533 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29534 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29535 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29536 function was called.
29538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29540 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29542 @subsubheading Example
29544 Function returning @code{void}.
29551 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29552 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29556 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29557 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29564 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29565 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29566 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
29567 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
29568 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29573 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29574 @findex -exec-interrupt
29576 @subsubheading Synopsis
29579 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29582 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29583 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29584 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29585 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29586 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29588 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29589 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29590 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29591 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29593 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29594 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29595 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29596 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29598 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29600 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29602 @subsubheading Example
29613 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29614 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29615 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29620 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29624 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29627 @subsubheading Synopsis
29630 -exec-jump @var{location}
29633 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29634 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29635 different forms of @var{location}.
29637 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29639 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29641 @subsubheading Example
29644 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29645 *running,thread-id="all"
29650 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29653 @subsubheading Synopsis
29656 -exec-next [--reverse]
29659 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29660 of the next source line is reached.
29662 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29663 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29664 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29665 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29666 source line where the function was called.
29669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29671 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29673 @subsubheading Example
29679 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29684 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29685 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29687 @subsubheading Synopsis
29690 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29693 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29694 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29695 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29698 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29699 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29700 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29701 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29702 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29704 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29706 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29708 @subsubheading Example
29712 -exec-next-instruction
29716 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29717 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29722 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29723 @findex -exec-return
29725 @subsubheading Synopsis
29731 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29732 Displays the new current frame.
29734 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29736 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29738 @subsubheading Example
29742 200-break-insert callee4
29743 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29744 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29749 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29750 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29751 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29752 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
29753 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29759 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29760 args=[@{name="strarg",
29761 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29762 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29763 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
29764 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29769 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29772 @subsubheading Synopsis
29775 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
29778 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29779 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29780 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29781 the program has exited exceptionally.
29783 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
29784 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29785 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29786 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29787 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29789 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
29790 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
29791 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
29792 (@pxref{Starting}).
29794 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29796 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29798 @subsubheading Examples
29803 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29808 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29809 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29810 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29815 Program exited normally:
29823 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29828 Program exited exceptionally:
29836 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29840 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29841 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29845 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29846 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29850 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29853 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29856 @subsubheading Synopsis
29859 -exec-step [--reverse]
29862 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29863 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29864 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29865 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29866 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29867 previously executed source line.
29869 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29871 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29873 @subsubheading Example
29875 Stepping into a function:
29881 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29882 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29883 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29884 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29894 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29899 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29900 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29902 @subsubheading Synopsis
29905 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29908 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29909 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29910 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29911 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29912 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29913 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29916 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29918 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29920 @subsubheading Example
29924 -exec-step-instruction
29928 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29929 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29930 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29932 -exec-step-instruction
29936 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29937 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29938 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29943 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29944 @findex -exec-until
29946 @subsubheading Synopsis
29949 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29952 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29953 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29954 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29955 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29957 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29959 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29961 @subsubheading Example
29965 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29969 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29970 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6",
29971 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29976 @subheading -file-clear
29977 Is this going away????
29980 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29981 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29982 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29984 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
29985 @findex -enable-frame-filters
29988 -enable-frame-filters
29991 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
29992 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
29993 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29994 request that this functionality be enabled.
29996 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29998 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29999 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30001 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
30002 @findex -stack-info-frame
30004 @subsubheading Synopsis
30010 Get info on the selected frame.
30012 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30014 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
30015 (without arguments).
30017 @subsubheading Example
30022 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30023 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30024 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
30025 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30029 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
30030 @findex -stack-info-depth
30032 @subsubheading Synopsis
30035 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
30038 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
30039 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
30041 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30043 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30045 @subsubheading Example
30047 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
30054 -stack-info-depth 4
30057 -stack-info-depth 12
30060 -stack-info-depth 11
30063 -stack-info-depth 13
30068 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
30069 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
30070 @findex -stack-list-arguments
30072 @subsubheading Synopsis
30075 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
30076 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30079 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
30080 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
30081 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
30082 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
30083 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
30084 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
30085 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
30086 which case only existing frames will be returned.
30088 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30089 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30090 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30091 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30092 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
30093 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
30095 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
30096 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
30097 are still displayed, however.
30099 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
30100 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30104 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
30105 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
30106 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
30108 @subsubheading Example
30115 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30116 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30117 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30118 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30119 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30120 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30121 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
30122 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30123 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
30124 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30125 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22",
30126 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30127 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
30128 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30129 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27",
30130 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30131 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
30132 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30133 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32",
30134 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
30136 -stack-list-arguments 0
30139 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30140 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
30141 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
30142 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
30143 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30145 -stack-list-arguments 1
30148 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30150 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30151 frame=@{level="2",args=[
30152 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30153 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30154 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
30155 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30156 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
30157 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
30158 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30160 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
30161 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
30163 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
30164 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
30165 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30166 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
30170 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
30173 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
30174 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
30175 @findex -stack-list-frames
30177 @subsubheading Synopsis
30180 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30183 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
30188 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
30190 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
30194 File name of the source file where the function lives.
30195 @item @var{fullname}
30196 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
30198 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
30200 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
30201 if the frame's function is not known.
30203 Frame's architecture.
30206 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
30207 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
30208 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
30209 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
30210 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
30211 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
30212 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
30213 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
30214 Python frame filters will not be executed.
30216 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30218 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
30220 @subsubheading Example
30222 Full stack backtrace:
30228 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
30229 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",
30230 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30231 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30232 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30233 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30234 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30235 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30236 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30237 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30238 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30239 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30240 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30241 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30242 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30243 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30244 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30245 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30246 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30247 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30248 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30249 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30250 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30251 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30252 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30253 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30254 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30255 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30256 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30257 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30258 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30259 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30260 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30261 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
30262 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",
30263 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
30267 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
30271 -stack-list-frames 3 5
30273 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30274 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30275 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30276 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30277 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30278 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30279 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30280 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30281 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
30285 Show a single frame:
30289 -stack-list-frames 3 3
30291 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30292 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30293 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
30298 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
30299 @findex -stack-list-locals
30300 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
30302 @subsubheading Synopsis
30305 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
30308 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
30309 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30310 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30311 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30312 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30313 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
30314 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
30315 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
30316 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
30317 Python frame filters will not be executed.
30319 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
30320 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
30321 variables are still displayed, however.
30323 This command is deprecated in favor of the
30324 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30326 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30328 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
30330 @subsubheading Example
30334 -stack-list-locals 0
30335 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
30337 -stack-list-locals --all-values
30338 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
30339 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
30340 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
30341 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
30342 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
30346 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
30347 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
30348 @findex -stack-list-variables
30350 @subsubheading Synopsis
30353 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
30356 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30357 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30358 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30359 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30360 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30361 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
30362 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
30364 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
30365 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
30366 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
30368 @subsubheading Example
30372 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30373 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30378 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30379 @findex -stack-select-frame
30381 @subsubheading Synopsis
30384 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30387 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30390 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30391 option to every command.
30393 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30395 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30396 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30398 @subsubheading Example
30402 -stack-select-frame 2
30407 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30408 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30409 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30413 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30415 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30416 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30417 used by @code{Insight}.
30419 The two main reasons for that are:
30423 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30426 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30430 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30431 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30432 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30433 hints about their use.
30435 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30436 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30437 least, the following operations:
30440 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30441 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30442 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30443 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30448 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30450 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30452 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30453 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30454 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30455 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30456 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30457 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30458 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30459 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30460 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30461 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30462 object, or to change display format.
30464 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30465 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30466 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30467 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30468 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30469 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30470 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30471 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30472 child will be created.
30474 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30475 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30476 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30477 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30478 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30480 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30481 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30482 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30483 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30484 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30485 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30486 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30487 variables that frontend has created.
30489 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30490 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30491 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30492 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30493 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30494 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30495 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30496 implicitly updated.
30498 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30499 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30500 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30501 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30502 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30503 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30504 frame. Consider this example:
30509 struct work_state state;
30516 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30517 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30518 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30519 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30520 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30522 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30523 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30524 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30525 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30526 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30527 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30529 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30530 access this functionality:
30532 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30533 @item @strong{Operation}
30534 @tab @strong{Description}
30536 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30537 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30538 @item @code{-var-create}
30539 @tab create a variable object
30540 @item @code{-var-delete}
30541 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30542 @item @code{-var-set-format}
30543 @tab set the display format of this variable
30544 @item @code{-var-show-format}
30545 @tab show the display format of this variable
30546 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30547 @tab tells how many children this object has
30548 @item @code{-var-list-children}
30549 @tab return a list of the object's children
30550 @item @code{-var-info-type}
30551 @tab show the type of this variable object
30552 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
30553 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30554 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30555 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30556 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30557 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30558 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30559 @tab get the value of this variable
30560 @item @code{-var-assign}
30561 @tab set the value of this variable
30562 @item @code{-var-update}
30563 @tab update the variable and its children
30564 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30565 @tab set frozeness attribute
30566 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30567 @tab set range of children to display on update
30570 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30571 how it can be used.
30573 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30575 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30576 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
30579 -enable-pretty-printing
30582 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30583 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30584 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30585 request that this functionality be enabled.
30587 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30589 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30590 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30592 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30593 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30595 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30596 @findex -var-create
30598 @subsubheading Synopsis
30601 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30602 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30605 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30606 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30609 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30610 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30611 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30612 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30613 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30615 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30616 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30617 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30618 object must be created.
30620 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30621 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30625 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30628 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30631 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30634 @cindex dynamic varobj
30635 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30636 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30637 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30638 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30639 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30640 compatibility for existing clients.
30642 @subsubheading Result
30644 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30649 The name of the varobj.
30652 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30653 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30654 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30657 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30658 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30659 will not be interesting.
30662 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30663 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30664 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30665 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30666 @emph{declared} one.
30669 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30670 thread's global identifier.
30673 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30674 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30677 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30678 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30679 then this attribute will not be present.
30682 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30683 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30684 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30687 Typical output will look like this:
30690 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30691 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30695 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30696 @findex -var-delete
30698 @subsubheading Synopsis
30701 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30704 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30705 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30707 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30710 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30711 @findex -var-set-format
30713 @subsubheading Synopsis
30716 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30719 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30722 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30723 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30726 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30727 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural | zero-hexadecimal@}
30730 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30731 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30732 for pointers, etc.).
30734 The zero-hexadecimal format has a representation similar to hexadecimal
30735 but with padding zeroes to the left of the value. For example, a 32-bit
30736 hexadecimal value of 0x1234 would be represented as 0x00001234 in the
30737 zero-hexadecimal format.
30739 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30740 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30742 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30743 @findex -var-show-format
30745 @subsubheading Synopsis
30748 -var-show-format @var{name}
30751 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30754 @var{format} @expansion{}
30759 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30760 @findex -var-info-num-children
30762 @subsubheading Synopsis
30765 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30768 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30774 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30775 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30779 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30780 @findex -var-list-children
30782 @subsubheading Synopsis
30785 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30787 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30789 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30790 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30791 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30792 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30793 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30794 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30795 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30798 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30799 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30800 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30801 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30804 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30805 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30806 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30807 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30808 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30809 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30810 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30811 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30814 For each child the following results are returned:
30819 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30822 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30823 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30825 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30826 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30828 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30829 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30830 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30831 type and value are not present.
30833 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30834 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30835 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30838 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30842 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30843 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30844 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30845 @emph{declared} one.
30848 If values were requested, this is the value.
30851 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the
30852 thread's global thread id. Otherwise this result is not present.
30855 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30858 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30859 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30860 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30863 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30864 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30865 then this attribute will not be present.
30869 The result may have its own attributes:
30873 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30874 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30875 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30878 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30879 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30882 @subsubheading Example
30886 -var-list-children n
30887 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30888 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30890 -var-list-children --all-values n
30891 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30892 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30896 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30897 @findex -var-info-type
30899 @subsubheading Synopsis
30902 -var-info-type @var{name}
30905 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30906 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30910 type=@var{typename}
30914 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30915 @findex -var-info-expression
30917 @subsubheading Synopsis
30920 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30923 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30924 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30925 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30927 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30928 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30931 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30932 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30936 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
30937 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
30939 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30940 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30943 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30944 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30946 @subsubheading Synopsis
30949 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30952 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30953 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30954 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30955 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30956 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30957 watchpoint from a variable object.
30959 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30960 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30962 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30963 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30964 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30965 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30966 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30968 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30969 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30972 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30973 @findex -var-show-attributes
30975 @subsubheading Synopsis
30978 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30981 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30984 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30988 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30990 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30991 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30993 @subsubheading Synopsis
30996 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30999 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31000 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31001 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31002 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31003 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31004 the current display format will be used. The current display format
31005 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
31011 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
31012 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
31014 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
31015 @findex -var-assign
31017 @subsubheading Synopsis
31020 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
31023 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
31024 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
31025 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
31026 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
31028 @subsubheading Example
31036 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
31040 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
31041 @findex -var-update
31043 @subsubheading Synopsis
31046 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
31049 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
31050 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
31051 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
31052 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
31053 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
31054 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
31055 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
31056 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
31057 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
31058 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
31059 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
31060 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
31061 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
31063 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
31064 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
31067 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
31068 only the selected range of children will be reported.
31070 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
31073 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
31077 The name of the varobj.
31080 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
31081 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
31084 @anchor{-var-update}
31085 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
31089 The variable object's current value is valid.
31092 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
31093 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
31097 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
31098 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
31099 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
31100 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
31104 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
31105 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
31108 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
31109 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
31112 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
31113 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
31114 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
31115 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
31119 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
31122 @item new_num_children
31123 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
31124 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
31126 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
31127 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
31128 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
31129 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
31130 children which may be available.
31132 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
31133 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
31134 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
31135 only happen at the end of the update range).
31138 The display hint, if any.
31141 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
31142 available outside the varobj's update range.
31145 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31146 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31147 then this attribute will not be present.
31150 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
31151 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
31152 be listed in this attribute.
31155 @subsubheading Example
31162 -var-update --all-values var1
31163 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
31164 type_changed="false"@}]
31168 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
31169 @findex -var-set-frozen
31170 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
31172 @subsubheading Synopsis
31175 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
31178 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
31179 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
31180 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
31181 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
31182 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
31183 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
31184 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
31185 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
31186 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
31187 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
31188 @code{-var-update} does.
31190 @subsubheading Example
31194 -var-set-frozen V 1
31199 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
31200 @findex -var-set-update-range
31201 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
31203 @subsubheading Synopsis
31206 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
31209 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
31210 @code{-var-update}.
31212 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
31213 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
31214 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
31215 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
31217 @subsubheading Example
31221 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
31225 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
31226 @findex -var-set-visualizer
31227 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
31229 @subsubheading Synopsis
31232 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
31235 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
31237 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
31238 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
31240 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
31241 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
31242 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
31243 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
31244 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
31245 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
31246 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
31248 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
31249 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
31250 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
31251 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
31253 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
31254 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
31255 can be used to check this.
31257 @subsubheading Example
31259 Resetting the visualizer:
31263 -var-set-visualizer V None
31267 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
31271 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
31275 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
31276 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
31280 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
31284 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31285 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
31286 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
31288 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
31289 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
31290 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
31291 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
31293 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
31294 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
31296 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
31297 @c @subheading -data-assign
31298 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
31299 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
31301 @c @subsubheading Example
31304 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
31305 @findex -data-disassemble
31307 @subsubheading Synopsis
31311 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
31312 | [ -a @var{addr} ]
31313 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
31321 @item @var{start-addr}
31322 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
31323 @item @var{end-addr}
31326 is an address anywhere within (or the name of) the function to
31327 disassemble. If an address is specified, the whole function
31328 surrounding that address will be disassembled. If a name is
31329 specified, the whole function with that name will be disassembled.
31330 @item @var{filename}
31331 is the name of the file to disassemble
31332 @item @var{linenum}
31333 is the line number to disassemble around
31335 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
31336 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
31337 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
31338 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
31339 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
31340 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
31341 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
31346 @item 0 disassembly only
31347 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
31348 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
31349 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
31350 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
31351 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
31354 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
31355 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
31356 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
31357 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
31360 @subsubheading Result
31362 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31363 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31364 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31366 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31371 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31374 The name of the function this instruction is within.
31377 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31380 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31383 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
31384 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31388 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31389 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31393 The line number within @samp{file}.
31396 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31397 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31401 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31402 using the source file search path
31403 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31404 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31406 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31407 present in the debug information.
31409 @item line_asm_insn
31410 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31411 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31412 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31413 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31418 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31419 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31422 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31424 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31426 @subsubheading Example
31428 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31432 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31435 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31436 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31437 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31438 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31439 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31440 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31441 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31442 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31443 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31444 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31448 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31452 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31454 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31455 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31456 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31457 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31458 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31459 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31461 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31462 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31466 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31470 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31472 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31473 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31474 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31475 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31476 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31477 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31481 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31485 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31487 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31488 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31489 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31490 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31491 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31492 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31493 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31494 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31495 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31496 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31497 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31498 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31503 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31504 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
31506 @subsubheading Synopsis
31509 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31512 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31513 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31514 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31516 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31518 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31519 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31520 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
31522 @subsubheading Example
31524 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31525 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31526 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31530 211-data-evaluate-expression A
31533 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31534 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31536 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31539 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31545 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31546 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
31548 @subsubheading Synopsis
31551 -data-list-changed-registers
31554 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31556 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31558 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31559 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31561 @subsubheading Example
31563 On a PPC MBX board:
31571 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31572 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31573 line="5",arch="powerpc"@}
31575 -data-list-changed-registers
31576 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31577 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31578 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31583 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31584 @findex -data-list-register-names
31586 @subsubheading Synopsis
31589 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31592 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31593 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31594 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31595 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31596 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31597 include empty register names.
31599 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31601 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31602 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31603 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31605 @subsubheading Example
31607 For the PPC MBX board:
31610 -data-list-register-names
31611 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31612 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31613 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31614 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31615 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31616 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31617 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31619 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31620 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31624 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31625 @findex -data-list-register-values
31627 @subsubheading Synopsis
31630 -data-list-register-values
31631 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31634 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
31635 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
31636 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
31637 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
31638 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
31639 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
31641 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31658 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31660 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31661 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31663 @subsubheading Example
31665 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31666 don't appear in the actual output):
31670 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
31671 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31672 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31674 -data-list-register-values x
31675 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31676 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31677 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31678 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31679 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31680 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31681 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31682 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31683 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31684 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31685 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31686 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31687 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31688 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31689 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31690 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31691 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31692 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31693 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31694 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31695 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31696 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31697 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31698 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31699 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31700 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31701 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31702 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31703 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31704 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31705 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31706 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31707 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31708 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31709 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31710 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31715 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31716 @findex -data-read-memory
31718 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31720 @subsubheading Synopsis
31723 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31724 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31725 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31732 @item @var{address}
31733 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31734 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31735 quoted using the C convention.
31737 @item @var{word-format}
31738 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31739 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31742 @item @var{word-size}
31743 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31745 @item @var{nr-rows}
31746 The number of rows in the output table.
31748 @item @var{nr-cols}
31749 The number of columns in the output table.
31752 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31753 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31754 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31755 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31757 @item @var{byte-offset}
31758 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31761 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31762 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31763 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31764 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31765 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31766 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31767 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31770 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31771 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31774 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31776 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31777 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31779 @subsubheading Example
31781 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31782 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31783 word. Display each word in hex.
31787 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31788 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31789 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31790 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31791 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31792 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31793 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31797 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31798 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31802 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31803 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31804 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31805 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31806 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31810 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31811 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31812 used as the non-printable character.
31816 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31817 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31818 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31819 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31820 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31821 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31822 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31823 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31824 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31825 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31826 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31827 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31831 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31832 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31834 @subsubheading Synopsis
31837 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
31838 @var{address} @var{count}
31845 @item @var{address}
31846 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
31847 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31848 quoted using the C convention.
31851 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
31855 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
31856 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
31857 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
31858 arithmetics itself.
31862 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31863 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31864 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31865 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31866 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31867 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31869 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
31870 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
31871 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31872 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
31873 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31874 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31875 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31876 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31878 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31879 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31880 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31881 and has the following fields:
31885 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31888 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31891 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31892 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31895 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31901 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31903 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31905 @subsubheading Example
31909 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31910 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31912 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31917 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31918 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31920 @subsubheading Synopsis
31923 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31924 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
31931 @item @var{address}
31932 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
31933 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
31934 be quoted using the C convention.
31936 @item @var{contents}
31937 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
31938 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
31941 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
31942 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
31943 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
31944 @var{count} memory units.
31948 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31950 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31952 @subsubheading Example
31956 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31963 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
31968 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31969 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31970 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31972 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31973 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31975 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31976 @findex -trace-find
31978 @subsubheading Synopsis
31981 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31984 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31985 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31986 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31991 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31994 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31997 @item tracepoint-number
31998 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31999 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32002 An address is required as parameter. Finds
32003 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32006 @item pc-inside-range
32007 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32008 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32009 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32011 @item pc-outside-range
32012 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32013 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32014 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32017 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32018 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32019 the specified location.
32023 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32024 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32028 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32029 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32032 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32033 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32036 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
32037 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32040 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
32041 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
32042 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
32046 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32048 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
32050 @subheading -trace-define-variable
32051 @findex -trace-define-variable
32053 @subsubheading Synopsis
32056 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
32059 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
32060 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
32061 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
32062 with the @samp{$} character.
32064 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32066 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
32068 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
32069 @findex -trace-frame-collected
32071 @subsubheading Synopsis
32074 -trace-frame-collected
32075 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
32076 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
32077 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
32078 [--memory-contents]
32081 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
32082 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
32083 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
32084 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
32085 See the output description table below for more details.
32087 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
32088 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
32089 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
32090 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
32091 memory range and which is a computed expression.
32093 For instance, if the actions were
32095 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
32096 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
32100 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
32101 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
32102 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
32103 objects would be computed expressions.
32105 An example output would be:
32109 -trace-frame-collected
32111 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
32112 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
32113 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
32114 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
32115 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
32116 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
32117 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
32118 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
32119 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
32121 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
32122 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
32123 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
32124 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
32131 @item explicit-variables
32132 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
32133 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
32134 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
32135 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
32136 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
32137 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
32138 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
32139 arrays, structures and unions.
32141 @item computed-expressions
32142 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
32143 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
32144 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
32145 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
32148 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
32149 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
32150 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
32151 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
32152 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
32155 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
32156 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
32157 current value are returned.
32160 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
32161 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
32162 collected memory range and has the following fields:
32166 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
32169 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
32172 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
32173 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
32179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32181 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32183 @subsubheading Example
32185 @subheading -trace-list-variables
32186 @findex -trace-list-variables
32188 @subsubheading Synopsis
32191 -trace-list-variables
32194 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
32195 table has the following fields:
32199 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
32202 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
32203 field is always present.
32206 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
32207 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
32208 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
32213 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32215 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
32217 @subsubheading Example
32221 -trace-list-variables
32222 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
32223 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
32224 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
32225 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
32226 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
32227 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
32231 @subheading -trace-save
32232 @findex -trace-save
32234 @subsubheading Synopsis
32237 -trace-save [ -r ] [ -ctf ] @var{filename}
32240 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
32241 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
32242 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
32243 to perform the save.
32245 By default, this command will save the trace in the tfile format. You can
32246 supply the optional @samp{-ctf} argument to save it the CTF format. See
32247 @ref{Trace Files} for more information about CTF.
32249 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32251 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
32254 @subheading -trace-start
32255 @findex -trace-start
32257 @subsubheading Synopsis
32263 Starts a tracing experiment. The result of this command does not
32266 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32268 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
32270 @subheading -trace-status
32271 @findex -trace-status
32273 @subsubheading Synopsis
32279 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
32280 the following fields:
32285 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
32286 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
32287 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
32288 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
32289 started. This field is always present.
32292 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
32293 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
32294 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32297 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
32298 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
32299 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
32300 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
32301 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
32302 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
32303 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
32304 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
32305 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32307 @item stopping-tracepoint
32308 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
32309 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
32313 @itemx frames-created
32314 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
32315 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
32316 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
32317 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
32321 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
32322 remaining space. These fields are optional.
32325 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32326 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32327 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32331 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32332 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32333 that the trace run will stop.
32336 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
32337 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
32341 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32343 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
32345 @subheading -trace-stop
32346 @findex -trace-stop
32348 @subsubheading Synopsis
32354 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
32355 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
32356 @samp{running} fields are not output.
32358 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32360 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32363 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32364 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32365 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32369 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32370 @findex -symbol-info-address
32372 @subsubheading Synopsis
32375 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32378 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32380 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32382 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32384 @subsubheading Example
32388 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32389 @findex -symbol-info-file
32391 @subsubheading Synopsis
32397 Show the file for the symbol.
32399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32401 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32402 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
32404 @subsubheading Example
32408 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32409 @findex -symbol-info-function
32411 @subsubheading Synopsis
32414 -symbol-info-function
32417 Show which function the symbol lives in.
32419 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32421 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32423 @subsubheading Example
32427 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32428 @findex -symbol-info-line
32430 @subsubheading Synopsis
32436 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32440 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32441 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32443 @subsubheading Example
32447 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32448 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
32450 @subsubheading Synopsis
32453 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32456 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32458 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32460 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32462 @subsubheading Example
32466 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32467 @findex -symbol-list-functions
32469 @subsubheading Synopsis
32472 -symbol-list-functions
32475 List the functions in the executable.
32477 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32479 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32480 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32482 @subsubheading Example
32487 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32488 @findex -symbol-list-lines
32490 @subsubheading Synopsis
32493 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32496 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32497 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32498 ascending PC order.
32500 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32502 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32504 @subsubheading Example
32507 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
32508 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32514 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32515 @findex -symbol-list-types
32517 @subsubheading Synopsis
32523 List all the type names.
32525 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32527 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32528 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32530 @subsubheading Example
32534 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32535 @findex -symbol-list-variables
32537 @subsubheading Synopsis
32540 -symbol-list-variables
32543 List all the global and static variable names.
32545 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32547 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32549 @subsubheading Example
32553 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32554 @findex -symbol-locate
32556 @subsubheading Synopsis
32562 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32564 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32566 @subsubheading Example
32570 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32571 @findex -symbol-type
32573 @subsubheading Synopsis
32576 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32579 Show type of @var{variable}.
32581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32584 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32586 @subsubheading Example
32591 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32592 @node GDB/MI File Commands
32593 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32595 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32596 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32598 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32599 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32601 @subsubheading Synopsis
32604 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32607 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32608 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32609 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32610 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32611 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32614 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32616 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32618 @subsubheading Example
32622 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32628 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32629 @findex -file-exec-file
32631 @subsubheading Synopsis
32634 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32637 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32638 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32639 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32640 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32643 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32645 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32647 @subsubheading Example
32651 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32658 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32659 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
32661 @subsubheading Synopsis
32664 -file-list-exec-sections
32667 List the sections of the current executable file.
32669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32671 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32672 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32673 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
32675 @subsubheading Example
32680 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32681 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32683 @subsubheading Synopsis
32686 -file-list-exec-source-file
32689 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32690 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32691 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32692 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32694 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32696 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32698 @subsubheading Example
32702 123-file-list-exec-source-file
32703 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32708 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32709 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32711 @subsubheading Synopsis
32714 -file-list-exec-source-files
32717 List the source files for the current executable.
32719 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32720 name) of a source file.
32722 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32724 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32725 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32727 @subsubheading Example
32730 -file-list-exec-source-files
32732 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32733 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32734 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32738 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32739 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32741 @subsubheading Synopsis
32744 -file-list-shared-libraries [ @var{regexp} ]
32747 List the shared libraries in the program.
32748 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those libraries whose
32749 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
32751 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32753 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}. The fields
32754 have a similar meaning to the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
32755 The @code{ranges} field specifies the multiple segments belonging to this
32756 library. Each range has the following fields:
32760 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the segment.
32762 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the segment.
32765 @subsubheading Example
32768 -file-list-exec-source-files
32769 ^done,shared-libraries=[
32770 @{id="/lib/libfoo.so",target-name="/lib/libfoo.so",host-name="/lib/libfoo.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x72815989",to="0x728162c0"@}]@},
32771 @{id="/lib/libbar.so",target-name="/lib/libbar.so",host-name="/lib/libbar.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x76ee48c0",to="0x76ee9160"@}]@}]
32777 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32778 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
32780 @subsubheading Synopsis
32783 -file-list-symbol-files
32788 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32790 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32792 @subsubheading Example
32797 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32798 @findex -file-symbol-file
32800 @subsubheading Synopsis
32803 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32806 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32807 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32808 produced, except for a completion notification.
32810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32814 @subsubheading Example
32818 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32824 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32825 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32826 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32828 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32830 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
32832 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32834 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32836 @c @subheading -overlay-map
32838 @c @subheading -overlay-off
32840 @c @subheading -overlay-on
32842 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32844 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32845 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32846 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32848 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32850 @c @subheading -signal-handle
32852 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32854 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32858 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32859 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32860 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32863 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32864 @findex -target-attach
32866 @subsubheading Synopsis
32869 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32872 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32873 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32874 group, the id previously returned by
32875 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32877 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32879 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32881 @subsubheading Example
32885 =thread-created,id="1"
32886 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32892 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32893 @findex -target-compare-sections
32895 @subsubheading Synopsis
32898 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32901 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32902 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32904 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32906 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32908 @subsubheading Example
32913 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32914 @findex -target-detach
32916 @subsubheading Synopsis
32919 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32922 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32923 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32924 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32926 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32928 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32930 @subsubheading Example
32940 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32941 @findex -target-disconnect
32943 @subsubheading Synopsis
32949 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32950 generally not resumed.
32952 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32954 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32956 @subsubheading Example
32966 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32967 @findex -target-download
32969 @subsubheading Synopsis
32975 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32976 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32980 The name of the section.
32982 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32984 The size of the section.
32986 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32988 The size of the overall executable to download.
32992 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32993 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32995 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32996 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
33000 The name of the section.
33002 The size of the section.
33004 The size of the overall executable to download.
33008 At the end, a summary is printed.
33010 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33012 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33014 @subsubheading Example
33016 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33017 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33022 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33023 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33024 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33025 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33026 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33027 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33028 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33029 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33030 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33031 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33032 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33033 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33034 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33035 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33036 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33037 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33038 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33039 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33040 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33041 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33042 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33043 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33044 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33045 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33046 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33047 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33048 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33049 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33050 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33051 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33052 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33053 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33054 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33055 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33056 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33057 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33058 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33059 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33060 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33061 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
33062 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
33063 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
33064 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
33071 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
33072 @findex -target-exec-status
33074 @subsubheading Synopsis
33077 -target-exec-status
33080 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
33081 not, for instance).
33083 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33085 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
33087 @subsubheading Example
33091 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
33092 @findex -target-list-available-targets
33094 @subsubheading Synopsis
33097 -target-list-available-targets
33100 List the possible targets to connect to.
33102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
33106 @subsubheading Example
33110 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
33111 @findex -target-list-current-targets
33113 @subsubheading Synopsis
33116 -target-list-current-targets
33119 Describe the current target.
33121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33123 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
33126 @subsubheading Example
33130 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
33131 @findex -target-list-parameters
33133 @subsubheading Synopsis
33136 -target-list-parameters
33142 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33146 @subsubheading Example
33149 @subheading The @code{-target-flash-erase} Command
33150 @findex -target-flash-erase
33152 @subsubheading Synopsis
33155 -target-flash-erase
33158 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
33160 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{flash-erase}.
33162 The output is a list of flash regions that have been erased, with starting
33163 addresses and memory region sizes.
33167 -target-flash-erase
33168 ^done,erased-regions=@{address="0x0",size="0x40000"@}
33172 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
33173 @findex -target-select
33175 @subsubheading Synopsis
33178 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
33181 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
33185 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
33186 @item @var{parameters}
33187 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
33188 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
33191 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
33192 which the target program is, in the following form:
33195 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
33196 args=[@var{arg list}]
33199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33201 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
33203 @subsubheading Example
33207 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
33208 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
33212 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33213 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
33214 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
33217 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
33218 @findex -target-file-put
33220 @subsubheading Synopsis
33223 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
33226 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
33227 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
33229 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33231 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
33233 @subsubheading Example
33237 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
33243 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
33244 @findex -target-file-get
33246 @subsubheading Synopsis
33249 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
33252 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
33253 on the host system.
33255 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33257 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
33259 @subsubheading Example
33263 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
33269 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
33270 @findex -target-file-delete
33272 @subsubheading Synopsis
33275 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
33278 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
33280 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33282 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
33284 @subsubheading Example
33288 -target-file-delete remotefile
33294 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33295 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
33296 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33298 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
33299 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
33301 @subsubheading Synopsis
33304 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
33307 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
33308 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
33309 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
33311 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33313 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
33315 @subsubheading Result
33317 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
33318 defined for each exception:
33322 The name of the exception.
33325 The address of the exception.
33329 @subsubheading Example
33332 -info-ada-exceptions aint
33333 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
33334 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33335 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
33336 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
33337 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
33340 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
33342 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
33343 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
33344 Catchpoint Commands}.
33347 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33348 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
33349 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
33351 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
33352 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
33353 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
33354 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
33356 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
33357 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
33358 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
33360 @subsubheading Synopsis
33363 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
33366 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
33368 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
33369 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
33370 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
33371 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
33374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33376 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33378 @subsubheading Result
33380 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
33384 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
33385 @code{"false"} otherwise.
33389 @subsubheading Example
33391 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
33394 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
33395 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
33399 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
33403 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
33404 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
33407 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33408 @findex -list-features
33409 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
33411 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33412 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33413 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33414 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33415 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33418 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33419 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33420 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33426 (gdb) -list-features
33427 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33430 The current list of features is:
33433 @item frozen-varobjs
33434 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33435 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33436 of @code{-varobj-create}.
33437 @item pending-breakpoints
33438 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33441 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33442 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33443 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33445 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33446 @item data-read-memory-bytes
33447 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33448 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33449 @item breakpoint-notifications
33450 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33451 CLI will be announced via async records.
33452 @item ada-task-info
33453 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33454 @item language-option
33455 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
33456 option (@pxref{Context management}).
33457 @item info-gdb-mi-command
33458 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
33459 @item undefined-command-error-code
33460 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
33461 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
33462 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
33463 @item exec-run-start-option
33464 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
33465 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
33466 @item data-disassemble-a-option
33467 Indicates that the @code{-data-disassemble} command supports the @option{-a}
33468 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Data Manipulation}).
33471 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33472 @findex -list-target-features
33474 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33475 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33476 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33477 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33478 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33479 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33480 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33484 (gdb) -list-target-features
33485 ^done,result=["async"]
33488 The current list of features is:
33492 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33493 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33494 while the target is running.
33497 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33498 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33502 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33503 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
33504 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33506 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
33508 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
33511 @subsubheading Synopsis
33517 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
33519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33521 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
33523 @subsubheading Example
33533 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33534 @findex -exec-abort
33536 @subsubheading Synopsis
33542 Kill the inferior running program.
33544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33546 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33548 @subsubheading Example
33553 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33556 @subsubheading Synopsis
33562 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33563 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33569 @subsubheading Example
33579 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33582 @subsubheading Synopsis
33588 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33590 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33592 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33594 @subsubheading Example
33603 @c @subheading -gdb-source
33606 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33607 @findex -gdb-version
33609 @subsubheading Synopsis
33615 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33617 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33619 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33620 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33622 @subsubheading Example
33624 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33630 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33631 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33632 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33633 ~ certain conditions.
33634 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33635 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33637 ~This GDB was configured as
33638 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33643 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33644 @findex -list-thread-groups
33646 @subheading Synopsis
33649 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33652 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33653 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33654 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33655 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33656 top-level thread groups.
33658 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33659 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33660 available on the target.
33662 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33663 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33664 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33665 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33666 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33667 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33668 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33669 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33671 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33672 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33673 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33674 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33675 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33676 @samp{threads} field.
33678 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33679 the following caveats:
33683 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33684 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33685 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33688 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33689 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33690 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33691 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33692 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33693 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33697 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33698 have the following fields:
33702 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33703 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33704 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33707 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33711 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33712 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33715 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
33716 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
33717 only if the process is not running.
33720 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33721 absent for an available thread group.
33724 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33725 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33726 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33729 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33730 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33731 such information is not available.
33734 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33735 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33736 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33740 @subheading Example
33744 -list-thread-groups
33745 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33746 -list-thread-groups 17
33747 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33748 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33749 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33750 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33751 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},state="running"@}]]
33752 -list-thread-groups --available
33753 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33754 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33755 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33756 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33757 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33758 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33759 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33760 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33761 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33764 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33767 @subsubheading Synopsis
33770 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
33773 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33774 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33775 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33776 of data of that type.
33778 The types of information available depend on the target operating
33781 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33785 @subsubheading Example
33787 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33793 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
33794 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33795 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33796 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33797 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
33799 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33800 col2="File descriptors"@},
33801 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33802 col2="Kernel modules"@},
33803 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33804 col2="Message queues"@},
33805 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33806 col2="Processes"@},
33807 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33808 col2="Process groups"@},
33809 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33810 col2="Semaphores"@},
33811 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33812 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33813 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33815 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33819 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33820 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33821 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33822 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33823 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33824 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33825 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33826 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33828 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33829 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33833 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33834 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33835 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33836 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33837 @code{info os} omits it.)
33839 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33840 @findex -add-inferior
33842 @subheading Synopsis
33848 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33849 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33850 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33851 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33852 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
33853 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33855 @subheading Example
33860 ^done,inferior="i3"
33863 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33864 @findex -interpreter-exec
33866 @subheading Synopsis
33869 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33871 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33873 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33875 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33877 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33879 @subheading Example
33883 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
33884 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33885 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33886 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33891 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33892 @findex -inferior-tty-set
33894 @subheading Synopsis
33897 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33900 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33902 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33904 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33906 @subheading Example
33910 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33915 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33916 @findex -inferior-tty-show
33918 @subheading Synopsis
33924 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33926 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33928 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33930 @subheading Example
33934 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33938 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33942 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33943 @findex -enable-timings
33945 @subheading Synopsis
33948 -enable-timings [yes | no]
33951 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33952 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33953 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33954 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33956 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33960 @subheading Example
33968 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33969 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33970 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33972 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33980 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33981 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33982 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33983 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
33988 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33990 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33991 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33992 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33993 relatively high level.
33995 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33999 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
34003 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
34004 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
34005 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
34006 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
34007 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
34008 * Annotations for Running::
34009 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
34010 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
34013 @node Annotations Overview
34014 @section What is an Annotation?
34015 @cindex annotations
34017 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
34018 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
34019 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
34020 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
34021 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
34022 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
34023 cannot contain newline characters.
34025 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
34026 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
34027 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
34028 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
34029 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
34030 means those three characters as output.
34032 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
34033 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
34034 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
34035 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
34036 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
34037 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
34038 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
34039 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
34040 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
34043 @kindex set annotate
34044 @item set annotate @var{level}
34045 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
34046 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
34048 @item show annotate
34049 @kindex show annotate
34050 Show the current annotation level.
34053 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
34055 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
34058 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
34060 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34061 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
34062 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
34063 under certain conditions.
34064 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34065 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
34067 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
34078 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
34079 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
34080 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
34081 output from @value{GDBN}.
34083 @node Server Prefix
34084 @section The Server Prefix
34085 @cindex server prefix
34087 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
34088 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
34089 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
34090 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
34091 a transparent manner.
34093 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
34094 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
34095 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
34096 @code{print} command.
34098 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
34099 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
34102 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
34104 @cindex annotations for prompts
34105 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
34106 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
34109 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
34110 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
34111 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
34112 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
34113 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
34114 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
34115 features the following annotations:
34123 The input types are
34126 @findex pre-prompt annotation
34127 @findex prompt annotation
34128 @findex post-prompt annotation
34130 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
34132 @findex pre-commands annotation
34133 @findex commands annotation
34134 @findex post-commands annotation
34136 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
34137 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
34139 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
34140 @findex overload-choice annotation
34141 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
34142 @item overload-choice
34143 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
34145 @findex pre-query annotation
34146 @findex query annotation
34147 @findex post-query annotation
34149 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
34151 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
34152 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
34153 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
34154 @item prompt-for-continue
34155 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
34156 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
34157 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
34158 presence of annotations.
34163 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
34165 @findex quit annotation
34170 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
34172 @findex error annotation
34177 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
34179 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
34180 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
34181 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
34182 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
34183 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
34184 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
34187 @findex error-begin annotation
34188 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34194 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34197 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34198 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34199 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34202 @section Invalidation Notices
34204 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34205 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34209 @findex frames-invalid annotation
34210 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
34212 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
34215 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
34216 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
34218 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
34219 deleted a breakpoint.
34222 @node Annotations for Running
34223 @section Running the Program
34224 @cindex annotations for running programs
34226 @findex starting annotation
34227 @findex stopping annotation
34228 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
34229 @code{step} or @code{continue},
34235 is output. When the program stops,
34241 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
34242 annotations describe how the program stopped.
34245 @findex exited annotation
34246 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
34247 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
34248 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
34250 @findex signalled annotation
34251 @findex signal-name annotation
34252 @findex signal-name-end annotation
34253 @findex signal-string annotation
34254 @findex signal-string-end annotation
34255 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
34256 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
34257 annotation continues:
34263 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
34267 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
34272 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
34273 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
34274 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
34275 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
34276 user's benefit and have no particular format.
34278 @findex signal annotation
34280 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
34281 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
34282 terminated with it.
34284 @findex breakpoint annotation
34285 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
34286 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
34288 @findex watchpoint annotation
34289 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
34290 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
34293 @node Source Annotations
34294 @section Displaying Source
34295 @cindex annotations for source display
34297 @findex source annotation
34298 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
34301 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
34304 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
34305 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
34306 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
34307 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
34308 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
34309 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
34310 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
34311 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
34312 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
34313 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
34314 depend on the language).
34316 @node JIT Interface
34317 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
34318 @cindex just-in-time compilation
34319 @cindex JIT compilation interface
34321 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
34322 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
34323 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
34324 performance while maintaining platform independence.
34326 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
34327 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
34328 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
34329 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
34330 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
34331 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
34333 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
34334 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
34335 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
34336 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
34339 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
34340 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
34341 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
34342 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
34343 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
34344 out about additional code.
34347 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
34348 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
34349 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
34350 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
34354 @section JIT Declarations
34356 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
34357 implement the interface:
34367 struct jit_code_entry
34369 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
34370 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
34371 const char *symfile_addr;
34372 uint64_t symfile_size;
34375 struct jit_descriptor
34378 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
34379 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
34380 uint32_t action_flag;
34381 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
34382 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
34385 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
34386 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
34388 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
34389 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
34390 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
34393 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
34394 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
34395 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
34397 @node Registering Code
34398 @section Registering Code
34400 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
34404 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
34405 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
34408 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
34412 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
34415 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
34418 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
34419 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34422 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
34423 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
34424 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
34425 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
34427 @node Unregistering Code
34428 @section Unregistering Code
34430 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
34434 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
34437 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
34440 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
34441 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34444 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
34445 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
34447 @node Custom Debug Info
34448 @section Custom Debug Info
34449 @cindex custom JIT debug info
34450 @cindex JIT debug info reader
34452 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
34453 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
34454 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34455 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34456 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34457 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34458 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34459 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34460 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34462 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34463 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34464 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34465 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34466 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34467 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34471 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34472 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34475 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34476 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34477 @kindex jit-reader-load
34478 @kindex jit-reader-unload
34480 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34481 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34484 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34485 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
34486 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34487 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34488 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34489 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34490 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
34492 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34493 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34494 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34495 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34496 @code{jit-reader-load}.
34498 @item jit-reader-unload
34499 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34503 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34504 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34505 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34507 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34508 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34510 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34511 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34512 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34513 the system include directory.
34515 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34516 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34517 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34519 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34520 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34522 @findex gdb_init_reader
34524 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34527 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34529 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34530 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34531 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34532 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34533 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34534 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34537 struct gdb_reader_funcs
34539 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34540 int reader_version;
34542 /* For use by the reader. */
34545 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34546 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34547 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34548 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34552 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34553 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34555 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34556 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34557 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34558 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34559 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34560 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34561 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34562 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34563 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34564 target's address space.
34566 @node In-Process Agent
34567 @chapter In-Process Agent
34568 @cindex debugging agent
34569 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34570 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34571 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34572 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34573 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34574 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34575 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34576 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34577 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34578 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34579 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34580 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34581 behavior without interrupting it.
34583 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34584 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34585 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34586 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34587 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34588 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34589 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34590 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34591 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34593 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34594 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34595 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34596 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34598 @anchor{Control Agent}
34599 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34600 debugging with the following commands:
34603 @kindex set agent on
34605 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34606 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34607 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34608 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34609 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34610 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34612 @kindex set agent off
34613 @item set agent off
34614 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34615 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34619 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34620 the in-process agent.
34624 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
34627 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
34628 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
34629 @cindex in-process agent protocol
34631 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34632 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34633 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34634 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34635 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34636 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34637 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34638 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34639 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34642 * IPA Protocol Objects::
34643 * IPA Protocol Commands::
34646 @node IPA Protocol Objects
34647 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34648 @cindex ipa protocol objects
34650 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34651 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34653 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34654 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34655 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34656 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34660 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34661 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34663 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34664 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34668 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34672 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34673 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34674 @anchor{agent expression object}
34676 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34677 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34678 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34679 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
34681 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34682 @anchor{tracepoint object}
34686 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34689 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34690 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34691 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34692 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34693 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34694 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34695 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34696 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34697 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34698 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34699 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34700 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34701 memory address for collecting.
34702 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34703 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34704 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34705 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34706 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34707 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34708 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34709 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34710 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34711 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34712 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34713 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34714 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34715 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34716 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34717 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34718 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34719 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34720 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34721 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34722 @ref{agent expression object}
34723 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34724 @ref{agent expression object}
34725 @item actions @tab variable
34726 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34729 @node IPA Protocol Commands
34730 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34731 @cindex ipa protocol commands
34733 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34734 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34738 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34739 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34740 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34741 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34746 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34747 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34748 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34749 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34750 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34751 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34758 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34759 is about to kill inferiors.
34767 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34768 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34775 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34776 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34780 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34781 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34782 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34784 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34786 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34787 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34788 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34789 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34791 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34792 information that enables us to fix the bug.
34795 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34796 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34800 @section Have You Found a Bug?
34801 @cindex bug criteria
34803 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34806 @cindex fatal signal
34807 @cindex debugger crash
34808 @cindex crash of debugger
34810 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34811 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34813 @cindex error on valid input
34815 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34816 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34817 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34819 @cindex invalid input
34821 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34822 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34823 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34824 for traditional practice''.
34827 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34828 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34831 @node Bug Reporting
34832 @section How to Report Bugs
34833 @cindex bug reports
34834 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34836 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34837 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34838 contact that organization first.
34840 You can find contact information for many support companies and
34841 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34843 @c should add a web page ref...
34846 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34847 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34848 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34849 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34850 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34853 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34854 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34855 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34858 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34859 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34860 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34861 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34862 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34863 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34864 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34865 bug reports to the mailing list.
34867 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34868 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34869 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34873 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34874 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34875 fact or leave it out, state it!
34877 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34878 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34879 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34880 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34881 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34882 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34883 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34884 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34885 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34887 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34888 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34889 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34892 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34893 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34894 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34897 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34901 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34902 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34905 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34906 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34909 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34913 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
34914 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
34915 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
34916 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
34919 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34920 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34923 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34924 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34925 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34926 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34930 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34931 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34932 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34933 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34935 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34936 and then we might not encounter the bug.
34939 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34943 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34944 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34946 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34947 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34948 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34949 a chance to make a mistake.
34951 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34952 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34953 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34954 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34955 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34956 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34957 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34958 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34961 @cindex recording a session script
34962 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34963 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34964 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34965 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34967 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34968 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34971 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34972 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34973 it by context, not by line number.
34975 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34976 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34980 Here are some things that are not necessary:
34984 A description of the envelope of the bug.
34986 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34987 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34988 changes will not affect it.
34990 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34991 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34992 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34993 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34995 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34996 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34997 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34998 less time, and so on.
35000 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
35001 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
35004 A patch for the bug.
35006 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
35007 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
35008 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
35009 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
35011 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
35012 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
35013 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
35014 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
35016 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
35017 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
35018 help us to understand.
35021 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
35023 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
35024 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
35027 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
35028 @c and consists of the two following files:
35031 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
35032 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
35033 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
35034 @include rluser.texi
35035 @include hsuser.texi
35039 @appendix In Memoriam
35041 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
35046 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
35047 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
35048 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
35050 @item Michael Snyder
35051 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
35052 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
35053 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
35054 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
35057 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
35058 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
35060 @node Formatting Documentation
35061 @appendix Formatting Documentation
35063 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
35064 @cindex reference card
35065 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
35066 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
35067 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
35068 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
35069 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
35070 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
35072 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
35073 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
35079 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
35080 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
35081 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
35082 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
35083 your @sc{dvi} output program.
35085 @cindex documentation
35087 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
35088 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
35089 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
35090 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
35091 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
35092 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
35094 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
35095 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
35096 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
35097 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
35098 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
35099 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
35100 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
35101 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
35103 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
35104 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
35107 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
35108 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
35109 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
35116 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
35117 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
35118 Texinfo definitions file.
35120 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
35121 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
35122 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
35123 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
35124 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
35125 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
35126 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
35128 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
35129 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
35130 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
35131 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
35132 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
35135 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
35136 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
35137 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
35138 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
35144 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
35146 @node Installing GDB
35147 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
35148 @cindex installation
35151 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
35152 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
35153 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
35154 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
35155 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
35156 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
35160 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
35161 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
35163 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
35164 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
35166 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
35168 @item ISO C90 compiler
35169 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
35170 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
35174 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
35178 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
35179 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
35180 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
35181 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
35182 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
35183 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
35189 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35191 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35193 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35194 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35196 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35198 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35200 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
35201 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
35206 @value{GDBN} can use the GNU MPFR multiple-precision floating-point
35207 library. This library may be included with your operating system
35208 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35209 @url{http://www.mpfr.org}. The @file{configure} script will search
35210 for this library in several standard locations; if it is installed
35211 in an unusual path, you can use the @option{--with-libmpfr-prefix}
35212 option to specify its location.
35214 GNU MPFR is used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during
35215 expression evaluation when the target uses different floating-point
35216 formats than the host. If GNU MPFR it is not available, @value{GDBN}
35217 will fall back to using host floating-point arithmetic.
35220 @cindex compressed debug sections
35221 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35222 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
35223 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
35224 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
35225 information in such binaries.
35227 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
35228 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35229 @url{http://zlib.net}.
35232 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
35233 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
35234 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
35235 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
35237 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
35238 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
35239 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
35240 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
35242 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
35243 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
35244 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
35246 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
35247 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
35248 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
35249 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
35250 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
35251 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
35252 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
35253 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
35256 @node Running Configure
35257 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
35258 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
35259 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
35260 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
35261 build the @code{gdb} program.
35263 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
35264 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
35265 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
35266 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
35269 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
35270 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
35271 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
35273 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
35274 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
35277 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
35278 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
35280 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
35281 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
35283 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
35284 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
35286 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
35287 @sc{gnu} include files
35289 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
35290 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
35292 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
35293 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
35295 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
35296 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
35298 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
35299 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
35301 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
35302 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
35305 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
35306 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
35307 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
35309 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
35310 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
35311 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
35317 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35318 ./configure @var{host}
35323 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
35324 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
35325 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
35326 correct value by examining your system.)
35328 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
35329 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
35330 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
35331 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
35334 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
35335 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
35336 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
35339 sh configure @var{host}
35342 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
35343 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
35344 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
35346 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
35347 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
35349 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
35350 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
35351 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
35352 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
35353 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
35354 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
35355 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
35356 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
35357 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35359 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
35360 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
35361 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
35362 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
35363 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
35365 @node Separate Objdir
35366 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
35368 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
35369 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
35370 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
35371 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
35372 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
35373 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
35374 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
35375 program specified there.
35377 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
35378 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
35379 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
35380 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
35381 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
35382 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
35384 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
35385 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
35389 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35392 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
35397 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
35398 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
35399 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
35400 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
35401 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
35402 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
35404 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
35405 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
35406 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
35407 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
35408 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35410 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
35411 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
35412 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
35413 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
35414 You specify a cross-debugging target by
35415 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
35417 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
35418 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
35419 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
35421 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
35422 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
35423 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
35424 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
35425 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
35427 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
35428 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
35429 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
35433 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
35435 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
35436 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
35437 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
35438 of information in the following pattern:
35441 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
35444 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
35445 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
35446 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
35448 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
35449 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
35450 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
35451 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
35452 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
35453 abbreviations---for example:
35456 % sh config.sub i386-linux
35458 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
35459 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
35460 % sh config.sub hp9k700
35462 % sh config.sub sun4
35463 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
35464 % sh config.sub sun3
35465 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
35466 % sh config.sub i986v
35467 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
35471 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
35472 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
35474 @node Configure Options
35475 @section @file{configure} Options
35477 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
35478 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35479 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35480 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35483 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35484 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35485 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35486 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35487 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35488 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35493 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35494 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35499 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35501 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
35502 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35505 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35506 Configure the source to install programs under directory
35509 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35511 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35512 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35513 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35514 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35515 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35516 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35517 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35518 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35519 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35520 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35523 @item --norecursion
35524 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35525 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35527 @item --target=@var{target}
35528 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35529 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35530 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35532 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35534 @item @var{host} @dots{}
35535 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35537 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35540 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35541 needed for special purposes only.
35543 @node System-wide configuration
35544 @section System-wide configuration and settings
35545 @cindex system-wide init file
35547 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35548 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35549 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35551 Here is the corresponding configure option:
35554 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35555 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35559 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35560 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35564 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35565 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35566 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35567 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35568 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35569 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35572 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35573 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35574 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35575 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35576 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35579 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35580 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35581 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35582 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35583 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35584 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35585 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35586 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35587 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35591 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
35594 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
35595 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
35596 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
35598 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
35599 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
35600 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
35601 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
35602 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
35603 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
35605 The following scripts are currently available:
35608 @item @file{elinos.py}
35610 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
35611 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
35612 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
35613 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
35614 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
35615 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
35617 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
35618 @pindex wrs-linux.py
35619 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
35620 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
35621 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
35622 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
35626 @node Maintenance Commands
35627 @appendix Maintenance Commands
35628 @cindex maintenance commands
35629 @cindex internal commands
35631 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35632 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35633 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35634 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35635 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35638 @kindex maint agent
35639 @kindex maint agent-eval
35640 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35641 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35642 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35643 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35644 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35645 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35646 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35647 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35648 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35649 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35650 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35651 addition and return the sum.
35652 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35653 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35655 @kindex maint agent-printf
35656 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35657 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35658 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35659 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35660 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
35662 @kindex maint info breakpoints
35663 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35664 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35665 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35666 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35667 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35672 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35675 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35678 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35679 @code{longjmp} calls.
35681 @item longjmp resume
35682 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35685 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35688 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35691 Shared library events.
35695 @kindex maint info btrace
35696 @item maint info btrace
35697 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
35699 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
35700 @item maint btrace packet-history
35701 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
35702 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
35703 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
35708 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
35709 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
35713 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
35714 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
35715 @item Highest @samp{PC}
35719 For the Intel Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
35720 Intel Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
35721 information is printed:
35724 @item Packet number
35725 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
35727 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
35728 @item Packet opcode and payload
35732 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
35733 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
35734 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
35735 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
35738 @kindex maint btrace clear
35739 @item maint btrace clear
35740 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
35741 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
35743 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
35744 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
35745 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
35748 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
35749 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
35750 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
35751 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
35752 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
35755 @kindex set displaced-stepping
35756 @kindex show displaced-stepping
35757 @cindex displaced stepping support
35758 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35759 @item set displaced-stepping
35760 @itemx show displaced-stepping
35761 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35762 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35763 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35764 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35765 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35768 @item set displaced-stepping on
35769 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35770 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35772 @item set displaced-stepping off
35773 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35774 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35776 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35777 @item set displaced-stepping auto
35778 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35779 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35780 architecture supports displaced stepping.
35783 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
35784 @item maint check-psymtabs
35785 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
35786 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
35788 @kindex maint check-symtabs
35789 @item maint check-symtabs
35790 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
35792 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
35793 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
35794 Expand symbol tables.
35795 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
35796 names matching @var{regexp}.
35798 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
35799 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
35800 @cindex demangler crashes
35801 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
35802 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
35803 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
35804 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
35805 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
35806 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
35807 option to terminate the current session.
35809 @kindex maint cplus first_component
35810 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35811 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35813 @kindex maint cplus namespace
35814 @item maint cplus namespace
35815 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35817 @kindex maint deprecate
35818 @kindex maint undeprecate
35819 @cindex deprecated commands
35820 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35821 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35822 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35823 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35824 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35825 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35826 the replacement as part of the warning.
35828 @kindex maint dump-me
35829 @item maint dump-me
35830 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35831 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35832 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35833 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35835 @kindex maint internal-error
35836 @kindex maint internal-warning
35837 @kindex maint demangler-warning
35838 @cindex demangler crashes
35839 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35840 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35841 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35843 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
35844 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
35845 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
35846 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
35847 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
35848 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
35849 @value{GDBN} session.
35851 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35852 used as the text of the error or warning message.
35854 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35857 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35858 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35859 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35860 debugging may prove unreliable.
35861 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35862 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35866 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35867 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35868 @cindex demangler crashes
35870 @kindex maint set internal-error
35871 @kindex maint show internal-error
35872 @kindex maint set internal-warning
35873 @kindex maint show internal-warning
35874 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
35875 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
35876 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35877 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35878 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35879 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35880 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35881 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
35882 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35883 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35884 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35885 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35886 described in the table below.
35890 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35891 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35894 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35895 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
35896 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
35897 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
35901 @kindex maint packet
35902 @item maint packet @var{text}
35903 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35904 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35905 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35906 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35909 @kindex maint print architecture
35910 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35911 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35912 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35914 @kindex maint print c-tdesc @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35915 @item maint print c-tdesc
35916 Print the target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35917 a C source file. By default, the target description is for the current
35918 target, but if the optional argument @var{file} is provided, that file
35919 is used to produce the description. The @var{file} should be an XML
35920 document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description Format}.
35921 The created source file is built into @value{GDBN} when @value{GDBN} is
35922 built again. This command is used by developers after they add or
35923 modify XML target descriptions.
35925 @kindex maint check xml-descriptions
35926 @item maint check xml-descriptions @var{dir}
35927 Check that the target descriptions dynamically created by @value{GDBN}
35928 equal the descriptions created from XML files found in @var{dir}.
35930 @anchor{maint check libthread-db}
35931 @kindex maint check libthread-db
35932 @item maint check libthread-db
35933 Run integrity checks on the current inferior's thread debugging
35934 library. This exercises all @code{libthread_db} functionality used by
35935 @value{GDBN} on GNU/Linux systems, and by extension also exercises the
35936 @code{proc_service} functions provided by @value{GDBN} that
35937 @code{libthread_db} uses. Note that parts of the test may be skipped
35938 on some platforms when debugging core files.
35940 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
35941 @item maint print dummy-frames
35942 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35945 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35947 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35948 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
35950 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35952 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
35953 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
35957 Takes an optional file parameter.
35959 @kindex maint print registers
35960 @kindex maint print raw-registers
35961 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
35962 @kindex maint print register-groups
35963 @kindex maint print remote-registers
35964 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35965 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35966 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35967 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35968 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35969 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35971 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35972 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35973 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35974 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35975 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35976 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35977 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35978 and offsets in the `G' packets.
35980 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35981 write the information.
35983 @kindex maint print reggroups
35984 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35985 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35986 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35989 The register groups info looks like this:
35992 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
36005 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
36007 @kindex maint print objfiles
36008 @cindex info for known object files
36009 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
36010 Print a dump of all known object files.
36011 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
36012 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
36013 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
36015 @kindex maint print user-registers
36016 @cindex user registers
36017 @item maint print user-registers
36018 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
36019 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
36020 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
36021 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
36022 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
36023 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
36024 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
36026 @kindex maint print section-scripts
36027 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
36028 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
36029 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
36030 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
36031 matching @var{regexp}.
36032 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
36033 and the full path if known.
36034 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
36036 @kindex maint print statistics
36037 @cindex bcache statistics
36038 @item maint print statistics
36039 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
36040 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
36041 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
36042 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
36043 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
36044 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
36045 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
36046 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
36047 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
36048 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
36051 @kindex maint print target-stack
36052 @cindex target stack description
36053 @item maint print target-stack
36054 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
36055 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
36056 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
36057 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
36058 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
36061 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
36062 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
36064 @kindex maint print type
36065 @cindex type chain of a data type
36066 @item maint print type @var{expr}
36067 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
36068 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
36069 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
36070 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
36071 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
36073 @kindex maint selftest
36075 @item maint selftest @r{[}@var{filter}@r{]}
36076 Run any self tests that were compiled in to @value{GDBN}. This will
36077 print a message showing how many tests were run, and how many failed.
36078 If a @var{filter} is passed, only the tests with @var{filter} in their
36081 @kindex "maint info selftests"
36083 @item maint info selftests
36084 List the selftests compiled in to @value{GDBN}.
36086 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
36087 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
36088 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
36089 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
36090 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
36093 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
36094 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
36095 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
36096 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
36097 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
36098 always see the disassembly form.
36100 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
36103 (gdb) info addr argc
36104 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
36108 For more information on these expressions, see
36109 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
36111 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
36112 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
36113 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
36114 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
36115 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
36117 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
36118 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
36119 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
36120 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
36121 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
36122 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
36123 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
36124 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
36125 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
36127 @kindex maint set dwarf unwinders
36128 @kindex maint show dwarf unwinders
36129 @item maint set dwarf unwinders
36130 @itemx maint show dwarf unwinders
36131 Control use of the DWARF frame unwinders.
36133 @cindex DWARF frame unwinders
36134 Many targets that support DWARF debugging use @value{GDBN}'s DWARF
36135 frame unwinders to build the backtrace. Many of these targets will
36136 also have a second mechanism for building the backtrace for use in
36137 cases where DWARF information is not available, this second mechanism
36138 is often an analysis of a function's prologue.
36140 In order to extend testing coverage of the second level stack
36141 unwinding mechanisms it is helpful to be able to disable the DWARF
36142 stack unwinders, this can be done with this switch.
36144 In normal use of @value{GDBN} disabling the DWARF unwinders is not
36145 advisable, there are cases that are better handled through DWARF than
36146 prologue analysis, and the debug experience is likely to be better
36147 with the DWARF frame unwinders enabled.
36149 If DWARF frame unwinders are not supported for a particular target
36150 architecture, then enabling this flag does not cause them to be used.
36151 @kindex maint set profile
36152 @kindex maint show profile
36153 @cindex profiling GDB
36154 @item maint set profile
36155 @itemx maint show profile
36156 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
36158 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
36159 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
36160 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
36161 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
36162 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
36163 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
36164 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
36166 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
36167 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
36169 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
36170 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
36171 @cindex hardware debug registers
36172 @item maint set show-debug-regs
36173 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
36174 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
36175 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
36176 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
36177 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
36178 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
36180 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
36181 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
36182 @item maint set show-all-tib
36183 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
36184 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
36185 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
36188 @kindex maint set target-async
36189 @kindex maint show target-async
36190 @item maint set target-async
36191 @itemx maint show target-async
36192 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
36193 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
36194 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
36195 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
36197 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
36198 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
36199 @item maint set target-non-stop
36200 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
36202 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
36203 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
36204 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
36205 if supported by the target.
36208 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
36209 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
36210 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
36212 @item maint set target-non-stop on
36213 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
36214 does not indicate support.
36216 @item maint set target-non-stop off
36217 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
36218 target supports it.
36221 @kindex maint set per-command
36222 @kindex maint show per-command
36223 @item maint set per-command
36224 @itemx maint show per-command
36225 @cindex resources used by commands
36227 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
36228 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
36231 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
36232 @itemx maint show per-command space
36233 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
36234 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
36235 took, following the command's own output.
36236 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36237 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36239 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
36240 @itemx maint show per-command time
36241 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
36243 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
36244 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
36245 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
36246 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
36247 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
36248 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
36249 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
36250 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
36251 spent by the program been debugged.
36252 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36253 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36255 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
36256 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
36257 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
36259 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
36263 number of symbol tables
36265 number of primary symbol tables
36267 number of blocks in the blockvector
36271 @kindex maint set check-libthread-db
36272 @kindex maint show check-libthread-db
36273 @item maint set check-libthread-db [on|off]
36274 @itemx maint show check-libthread-db
36275 Control whether @value{GDBN} should run integrity checks on inferior
36276 specific thread debugging libraries as they are loaded. The default
36277 is not to perform such checks. If any check fails @value{GDBN} will
36278 unload the library and continue searching for a suitable candidate as
36279 described in @ref{set libthread-db-search-path}. For more information
36280 about the tests, see @ref{maint check libthread-db}.
36282 @kindex maint space
36283 @cindex memory used by commands
36284 @item maint space @var{value}
36285 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
36286 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36289 @cindex time of command execution
36290 @item maint time @var{value}
36291 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
36292 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36294 @kindex maint translate-address
36295 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
36296 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
36297 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
36298 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
36299 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
36300 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
36301 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
36303 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
36304 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
36305 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
36309 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
36310 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
36313 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
36314 @kindex set watchdog
36315 @cindex watchdog timer
36316 @cindex timeout for commands
36317 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
36318 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
36319 reports and error and the command is aborted.
36321 @item show watchdog
36322 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
36325 @node Remote Protocol
36326 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
36331 * Stop Reply Packets::
36332 * General Query Packets::
36333 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
36334 * Tracepoint Packets::
36335 * Host I/O Packets::
36337 * Notification Packets::
36338 * Remote Non-Stop::
36339 * Packet Acknowledgment::
36341 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
36342 * Library List Format::
36343 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
36344 * Memory Map Format::
36345 * Thread List Format::
36346 * Traceframe Info Format::
36347 * Branch Trace Format::
36348 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
36354 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
36355 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
36356 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
36357 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
36359 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
36360 transmitted and received data, respectively.
36362 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
36363 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
36364 @cindex remote serial protocol
36365 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
36366 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
36367 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
36368 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
36369 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
36372 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36376 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
36378 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
36379 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
36380 eight bit unsigned checksum).
36382 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
36383 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
36386 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36389 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
36391 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
36392 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
36393 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
36395 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
36396 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36397 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
36401 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36406 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
36407 once a connection is established.
36408 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
36410 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
36411 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
36412 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
36413 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
36414 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
36415 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
36416 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
36418 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
36419 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
36422 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
36423 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
36424 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
36425 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
36427 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
36428 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
36429 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
36431 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
36432 @anchor{Binary Data}
36433 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
36434 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36435 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36436 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36437 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36440 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36441 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36442 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36443 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36444 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36445 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36446 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36447 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36448 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36451 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36452 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36453 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36454 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36455 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36456 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36457 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36458 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36459 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36460 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36461 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
36464 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36465 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36466 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36467 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36470 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36471 error number. That number is not well defined.
36473 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36474 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36475 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36476 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
36479 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
36480 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
36481 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
36482 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
36483 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
36484 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
36489 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
36490 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
36491 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
36492 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
36494 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
36495 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
36496 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
36497 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
36498 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
36499 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
36500 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
36501 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
36502 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
36505 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
36506 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
36507 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
36508 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
36509 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
36510 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
36513 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
36514 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
36515 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
36516 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
36517 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
36518 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36519 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36520 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36521 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36522 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36523 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36524 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36525 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36527 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36528 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36529 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36532 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36533 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36535 Here are the packet descriptions.
36540 @cindex @samp{!} packet
36541 @anchor{extended mode}
36542 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36543 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36549 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36553 @cindex @samp{?} packet
36555 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36556 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36557 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36560 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36562 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36563 @cindex @samp{A} packet
36564 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36565 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36566 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36571 The arguments were set.
36577 @cindex @samp{b} packet
36578 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36579 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36581 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36582 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36583 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
36585 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
36586 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
36587 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
36588 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
36589 of view, nothing actually happened.}
36591 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
36592 @cindex @samp{B} packet
36593 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
36594 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
36596 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
36597 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
36599 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
36602 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
36603 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36606 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36608 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
36611 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
36612 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36615 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36617 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36618 @cindex @samp{c} packet
36619 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
36620 is omitted, resume at current address.
36622 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36626 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36628 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36629 @cindex @samp{C} packet
36630 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
36631 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
36633 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36637 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36640 @cindex @samp{d} packet
36643 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
36644 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
36648 @cindex @samp{D} packet
36649 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
36650 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
36651 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
36653 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
36654 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
36655 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
36656 big-endian hex string.
36666 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
36667 @cindex @samp{F} packet
36668 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
36669 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
36670 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
36673 @anchor{read registers packet}
36674 @cindex @samp{g} packet
36675 Read general registers.
36679 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36680 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
36681 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
36682 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
36683 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
36684 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}.
36686 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
36687 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
36688 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
36689 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
36690 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
36691 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
36692 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
36693 have been collected, and both have zero value:
36697 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
36704 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
36705 @cindex @samp{G} packet
36706 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
36707 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
36717 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
36718 @cindex @samp{H} packet
36719 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
36720 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
36721 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
36722 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
36723 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
36724 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
36725 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36736 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
36737 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
36738 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
36739 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
36740 @c described. For example:
36742 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36743 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
36744 @c otherwise returns current registers.
36746 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36747 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
36748 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
36750 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36751 @anchor{cycle step packet}
36752 @cindex @samp{i} packet
36753 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36754 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36755 step starting at that address.
36758 @cindex @samp{I} packet
36759 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36763 @cindex @samp{k} packet
36766 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
36768 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
36769 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
36771 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
36773 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
36774 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
36775 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
36777 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
36778 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
36779 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
36781 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
36782 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
36783 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
36784 (@pxref{? packet}).
36786 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36787 @cindex @samp{m} packet
36788 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
36789 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
36790 any particular boundary.
36792 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36793 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36794 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36795 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36796 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36797 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36798 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
36799 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36803 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36804 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
36805 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
36806 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36811 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36812 @cindex @samp{M} packet
36813 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
36814 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
36815 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
36822 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36827 @cindex @samp{p} packet
36828 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36829 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36830 register value is encoded.
36834 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36835 the register's value
36839 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36842 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36843 @anchor{write register packet}
36844 @cindex @samp{P} packet
36845 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36846 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36847 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36857 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36858 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36859 @cindex @samp{q} packet
36860 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
36861 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36862 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36865 @cindex @samp{r} packet
36866 Reset the entire system.
36868 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36871 @cindex @samp{R} packet
36872 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36873 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36875 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36877 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36878 @cindex @samp{s} packet
36879 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
36880 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36882 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36886 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36888 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36889 @anchor{step with signal packet}
36890 @cindex @samp{S} packet
36891 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36892 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36894 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36898 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36900 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36901 @cindex @samp{t} packet
36902 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36903 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
36904 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
36906 @item T @var{thread-id}
36907 @cindex @samp{T} packet
36908 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36913 thread is still alive
36919 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36920 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36922 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
36923 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36924 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36925 The process ID is a
36926 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36927 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36928 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36930 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36931 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36932 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36933 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36934 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36935 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36936 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36937 @c stopping or restarting threads.
36939 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36945 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36946 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36948 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36951 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36952 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36953 @anchor{vCont packet}
36954 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36956 For each inferior thread, the leftmost action with a matching
36957 @var{thread-id} is applied. Threads that don't match any action
36958 remain in their current state. Thread IDs are specified using the
36959 syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}. If multiprocess
36960 extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}) are supported, actions
36961 can be specified to match all threads in a process by using the
36962 @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the @var{thread-id}. An action with no
36963 @var{thread-id} matches all threads. Specifying no actions is an
36966 Currently supported actions are:
36972 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36976 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36979 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
36980 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
36981 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
36982 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
36983 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
36984 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
36986 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
36987 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
36988 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
36989 jumps to @var{start}).
36991 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
36992 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
36993 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
36997 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36998 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36999 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
37001 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
37002 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
37003 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
37004 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
37005 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
37006 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
37007 as an implementation detail.
37009 The server must ignore @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, @samp{S}, and
37010 @samp{r} actions for threads that are already running. Conversely,
37011 the server must ignore @samp{t} actions for threads that are already
37014 @emph{Note:} In non-stop mode, a thread is considered running until
37015 @value{GDBN} acknowleges an asynchronous stop notification for it with
37016 the @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}).
37018 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
37019 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}).
37022 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37025 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
37026 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
37030 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
37031 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
37032 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
37034 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
37037 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
37039 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
37040 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
37041 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
37042 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
37043 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
37044 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
37055 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
37056 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
37057 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
37058 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
37060 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
37061 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
37062 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
37063 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
37064 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
37065 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
37066 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
37067 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
37068 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37069 packet is received.
37079 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37080 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
37081 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
37082 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
37083 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
37084 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
37085 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
37086 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
37087 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
37088 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
37089 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
37090 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
37098 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
37104 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
37105 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
37106 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
37107 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
37108 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
37109 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37110 request is completed.
37112 @item vKill;@var{pid}
37113 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
37114 @anchor{vKill packet}
37115 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
37116 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
37117 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
37118 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37128 @item vMustReplyEmpty
37129 @cindex @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} packet
37130 The correct reply to an unknown @samp{v} packet is to return the empty
37131 string, however, some older versions of @command{gdbserver} would
37132 incorrectly return @samp{OK} for unknown @samp{v} packets.
37134 The @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} is used as a feature test to check how
37135 @command{gdbserver} handles unknown packets, it is important that this
37136 packet be handled in the same way as other unknown @samp{v} packets.
37137 If this packet is handled differently to other unknown @samp{v}
37138 packets then it is possile that @value{GDBN} may run into problems in
37139 other areas, specifically around use of @samp{vFile:setfs:}.
37141 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
37142 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
37143 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
37144 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
37145 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
37146 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
37149 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
37151 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37157 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37158 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37162 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
37163 @xref{Notification Packets}.
37165 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37167 @cindex @samp{X} packet
37168 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
37169 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
37170 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
37171 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37181 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37182 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37183 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
37184 @cindex @samp{z} packet
37185 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
37186 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
37187 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
37189 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
37192 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
37193 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
37194 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
37195 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
37196 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
37197 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
37199 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37200 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37201 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
37202 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
37203 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a software breakpoint at address
37204 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
37206 A software breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
37207 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
37208 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of the
37209 breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm} and
37210 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
37211 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind}
37212 (@pxref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}); if no
37213 architecture-specific value is being used, it should be @samp{0}.
37214 @var{kind} is hex-encoded. @var{cond_list} is an optional list of
37215 conditional expressions in bytecode form that should be evaluated on
37216 the target's side. These are the conditions that should be taken into
37217 consideration when deciding if the breakpoint trigger should be
37218 reported back to @value{GDBN}.
37220 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
37221 for how to best report a software breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
37223 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
37224 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
37228 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37229 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37230 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37234 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
37235 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
37236 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
37237 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
37238 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
37239 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
37240 separators. Each expression has the following form:
37244 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37245 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37246 actual commands expression in bytecode form.
37250 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
37251 code that contains software breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
37252 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
37253 target, is not defined.}
37265 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37266 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37267 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
37268 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
37269 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
37270 address @var{addr}.
37272 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
37273 dependent on being able to modify the target's memory. The
37274 @var{kind}, @var{cond_list}, and @var{cmd_list} arguments have the
37275 same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
37277 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
37290 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37291 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37292 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
37293 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
37294 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37295 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
37307 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37308 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37309 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
37310 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
37311 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37312 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
37324 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37325 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37326 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
37327 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
37328 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37329 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
37343 @node Stop Reply Packets
37344 @section Stop Reply Packets
37345 @cindex stop reply packets
37347 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
37348 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
37349 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
37350 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
37351 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
37352 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
37353 @value{GDBN} source code.
37355 In non-stop mode, the server will simply reply @samp{OK} to commands
37356 such as @samp{vCont}; any stop will be the subject of a future
37357 notification. @xref{Remote Non-Stop}.
37359 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
37360 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
37361 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
37367 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37368 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
37369 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
37371 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
37372 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
37373 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37374 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
37375 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
37376 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
37377 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
37378 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
37382 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
37383 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
37384 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
37385 two-digit hex number.
37388 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
37389 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37392 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
37393 the core on which the stop event was detected.
37396 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
37397 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
37398 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
37399 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
37402 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
37403 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
37407 The currently defined stop reasons are:
37413 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
37416 @item syscall_entry
37417 @itemx syscall_return
37418 The packet indicates a syscall entry or return, and @var{r} is the
37419 syscall number, in hex.
37421 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
37423 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
37424 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
37425 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
37427 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
37429 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
37430 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
37431 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
37432 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
37433 for more information.
37436 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
37437 The packet indicates a software breakpoint instruction was executed,
37438 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
37439 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
37440 part must be left empty.
37442 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
37443 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
37444 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
37445 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
37448 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37449 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37450 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37451 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37452 indicating support.
37454 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
37457 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
37458 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
37460 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
37463 @cindex fork events, remote reply
37465 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
37466 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
37467 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37468 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
37471 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37472 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37473 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37474 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37475 indicating support.
37477 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
37479 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
37480 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
37481 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37482 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
37485 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37486 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37487 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37488 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37489 indicating support.
37491 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
37493 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
37494 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
37495 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
37496 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
37497 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
37499 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37500 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37501 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37502 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37503 indicating support.
37505 @cindex exec events, remote reply
37507 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
37508 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
37509 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
37511 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37512 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37513 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37514 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37515 indicating support.
37517 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
37518 @anchor{thread create event}
37520 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
37521 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
37522 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
37523 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
37524 also the @samp{w} (@pxref{thread exit event}) remote reply below. The
37525 @var{r} part is ignored.
37530 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37531 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
37532 applicable to certain targets.
37534 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37535 exited process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37536 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37537 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
37541 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37542 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
37544 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37545 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37546 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37547 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
37550 @anchor{thread exit event}
37551 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
37552 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
37554 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
37555 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
37556 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
37557 @var{AA} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37560 There are no resumed threads left in the target. In other words, even
37561 though the process is alive, the last resumed thread has exited. For
37562 example, say the target process has two threads: thread 1 and thread
37563 2. The client leaves thread 1 stopped, and resumes thread 2, which
37564 subsequently exits. At this point, even though the process is still
37565 alive, and thus no @samp{W} stop reply is sent, no thread is actually
37566 executing either. The @samp{N} stop reply thus informs the client
37567 that it can stop waiting for stop replies. This packet should not be
37568 sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions did not support it.
37569 @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an appropriate
37570 @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The remote stub must
37571 also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature indicating
37574 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
37575 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
37576 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
37577 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
37578 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
37580 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
37581 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
37582 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
37583 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
37584 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
37587 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
37588 this very system call.
37590 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
37591 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
37592 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
37593 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37594 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
37595 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
37599 @node General Query Packets
37600 @section General Query Packets
37601 @cindex remote query requests
37603 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
37604 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
37605 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
37606 sending information to and from the stub.
37608 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
37609 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
37610 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
37611 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
37616 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
37618 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
37621 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
37622 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
37623 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
37624 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
37627 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
37628 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
37629 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
37630 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
37631 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
37632 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
37633 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
37634 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
37635 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
37636 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
37639 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
37640 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
37641 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
37642 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37643 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37645 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37651 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37652 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37654 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37655 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37656 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37657 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37658 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37659 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37660 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37661 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37662 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37663 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37664 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37667 @cindex current thread, remote request
37668 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
37669 Return the current thread ID.
37673 @item QC @var{thread-id}
37674 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37675 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37676 @item @r{(anything else)}
37677 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37680 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37681 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37682 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37683 @anchor{qCRC packet}
37684 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37685 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
37686 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
37687 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
37689 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
37690 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
37691 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
37692 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
37693 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
37694 detect trailing zeros.
37699 An error (such as memory fault)
37700 @item C @var{crc32}
37701 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
37704 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
37705 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
37706 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
37707 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
37708 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
37709 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
37710 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
37711 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
37712 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
37713 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
37716 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37721 The request succeeded.
37724 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37727 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37731 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37732 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37733 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37734 address space randomization.
37736 @item QStartupWithShell:@var{value}
37737 @cindex startup with shell, remote request
37738 @cindex @samp{QStartupWithShell} packet
37739 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to start the inferior using a
37740 shell program. This is the default behavior on both @value{GDBN} and
37741 @command{gdbserver} (@pxref{set startup-with-shell}). This packet is
37742 used to inform @command{gdbserver} whether it should start the
37743 inferior using a shell or not.
37745 If @var{value} is @samp{0}, @command{gdbserver} will not use a shell
37746 to start the inferior. If @var{value} is @samp{1},
37747 @command{gdbserver} will use a shell to start the inferior. All other
37748 values are considered an error.
37750 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37756 The request succeeded.
37759 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37762 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37763 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37764 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37765 actually support starting the inferior using a shell.
37767 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set startup-with-shell}
37768 command; @pxref{set startup-with-shell}.
37770 @item QEnvironmentHexEncoded:@var{hex-value}
37771 @anchor{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
37772 @cindex set environment variable, remote request
37773 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded} packet
37774 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to set environment variables that
37775 will be passed to the inferior during the startup process. This
37776 packet is used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment
37777 variable that has been defined by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{set
37780 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
37781 representation of the @var{name=value} format representing an
37782 environment variable. The name of the environment variable is
37783 represented by @var{name}, and the value to be assigned to the
37784 environment variable is represented by @var{value}. If the variable
37785 has no value (i.e., the value is @code{null}), then @var{value} will
37788 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37794 The request succeeded.
37797 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37798 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37799 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37800 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37803 This packet is related to the @code{set environment} command;
37804 @pxref{set environment}.
37806 @item QEnvironmentUnset:@var{hex-value}
37807 @anchor{QEnvironmentUnset}
37808 @cindex unset environment variable, remote request
37809 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentUnset} packet
37810 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to unset environment variables
37811 before starting the inferior in the remote target. This packet is
37812 used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment variable that has
37813 been unset by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{unset environment}).
37815 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
37816 representation of the name of the environment variable to be unset.
37818 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37824 The request succeeded.
37827 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37828 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37829 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37830 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37833 This packet is related to the @code{unset environment} command;
37834 @pxref{unset environment}.
37836 @item QEnvironmentReset
37837 @anchor{QEnvironmentReset}
37838 @cindex reset environment, remote request
37839 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentReset} packet
37840 On UNIX-like targets, this packet is used to reset the state of
37841 environment variables in the remote target before starting the
37842 inferior. In this context, reset means unsetting all environment
37843 variables that were previously set by the user (i.e., were not
37844 initially present in the environment). It is sent to
37845 @command{gdbserver} before the @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
37846 (@pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}) and the @samp{QEnvironmentUnset}
37847 (@pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}) packets.
37849 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37855 The request succeeded.
37858 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37859 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37860 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37861 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37864 @item QSetWorkingDir:@r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
37865 @anchor{QSetWorkingDir packet}
37866 @cindex set working directory, remote request
37867 @cindex @samp{QSetWorkingDir} packet
37868 This packet is used to inform the remote server of the intended
37869 current working directory for programs that are going to be executed.
37871 The packet is composed by @var{directory}, an hex encoded
37872 representation of the directory that the remote inferior will use as
37873 its current working directory. If @var{directory} is an empty string,
37874 the remote server should reset the inferior's current working
37875 directory to its original, empty value.
37877 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37883 The request succeeded.
37887 @itemx qsThreadInfo
37888 @cindex list active threads, remote request
37889 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37890 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37891 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37892 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37893 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37894 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37895 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37896 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37898 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37902 @item m @var{thread-id}
37904 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37905 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37907 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37910 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37911 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37912 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37913 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37914 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37915 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37918 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
37919 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
37920 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
37921 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
37922 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
37924 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37925 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37926 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37927 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37928 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37930 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37931 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37933 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37934 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37935 information associated with the variable.)
37937 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37938 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37939 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37940 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37941 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37942 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37946 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37947 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
37948 local storage requested.
37951 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37954 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37957 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
37958 @cindex get thread information block address
37959 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
37960 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
37962 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
37966 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37967 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
37968 thread information block.
37971 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
37972 address could not be retrieved.
37975 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37978 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
37979 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
37980 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
37981 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
37982 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
37983 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
37984 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
37986 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
37990 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
37991 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
37992 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
37993 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
37994 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
37995 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
37996 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
38000 @cindex section offsets, remote request
38001 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
38002 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
38007 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
38008 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
38009 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
38010 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
38011 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
38012 segments by the supplied offsets.
38014 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
38015 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
38016 to the @code{Bss} section.}
38018 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
38019 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
38020 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
38021 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
38022 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
38023 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
38024 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
38025 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
38026 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
38029 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
38030 @cindex thread information, remote request
38031 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
38032 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
38033 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
38034 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
38036 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
38039 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
38043 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
38044 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
38046 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
38047 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
38052 The request succeeded.
38055 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38058 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
38062 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38063 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38064 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
38065 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
38067 @item QCatchSyscalls:1 @r{[};@var{sysno}@r{]}@dots{}
38068 @itemx QCatchSyscalls:0
38069 @cindex catch syscalls from inferior, remote request
38070 @cindex @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
38071 @anchor{QCatchSyscalls}
38072 Enable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}) or disable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:0})
38073 catching syscalls from the inferior process.
38075 For @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}, each listed syscall @var{sysno} (encoded
38076 in hex) should be reported to @value{GDBN}. If no syscall @var{sysno}
38077 is listed, every system call should be reported.
38079 Note that if a syscall not in the list is reported, @value{GDBN} will
38080 still filter the event according to its own list from all corresponding
38081 @code{catch syscall} commands. However, it is more efficient to only
38082 report the requested syscalls.
38084 Multiple @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} packets do not combine; any earlier
38085 @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38087 If the inferior process execs, the state of @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is
38088 kept for the new process too. On targets where exec may affect syscall
38089 numbers, for example with exec between 32 and 64-bit processes, the
38090 client should send a new packet with the new syscall list.
38095 The request succeeded.
38098 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38101 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is not supported by
38105 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote catch-syscalls}
38106 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote catch-syscalls}).
38107 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38108 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38110 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38111 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
38112 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38113 @anchor{QPassSignals}
38114 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
38115 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38116 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38117 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
38118 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
38119 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
38120 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
38121 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
38122 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
38127 The request succeeded.
38130 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38133 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
38137 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
38138 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
38139 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38140 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38142 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38143 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
38144 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
38145 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
38146 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
38147 Others should be silently discarded.
38149 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
38150 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
38151 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
38152 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
38153 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
38154 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
38157 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
38158 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
38160 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38161 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38162 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
38163 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
38164 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38169 The request succeeded.
38172 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38175 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
38179 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
38180 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
38181 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38182 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38184 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
38185 @item QThreadEvents:1
38186 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
38187 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
38188 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
38190 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
38191 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
38192 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
38193 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
38194 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
38195 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
38196 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
38197 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
38198 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
38199 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38204 The request succeeded.
38207 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38210 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
38214 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
38215 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
38217 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
38218 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
38219 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
38220 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
38221 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
38222 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
38223 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
38224 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
38225 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
38230 A command response with no output.
38232 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
38234 Indicate a badly formed request.
38236 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
38239 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
38240 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38241 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38244 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
38245 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
38247 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
38249 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
38250 @anchor{qSearch memory}
38251 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
38252 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
38253 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
38258 The pattern was not found.
38260 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
38262 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
38264 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
38267 @item QStartNoAckMode
38268 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
38269 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
38270 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
38271 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
38276 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
38277 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
38278 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
38279 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
38281 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
38284 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
38285 @cindex supported packets, remote query
38286 @cindex features of the remote protocol
38287 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
38288 @anchor{qSupported}
38289 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
38290 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
38291 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
38292 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
38293 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
38294 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
38295 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
38296 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
38297 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
38298 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
38299 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
38300 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
38301 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
38302 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
38306 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
38307 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
38308 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
38311 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
38312 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
38315 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
38316 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
38320 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
38321 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
38322 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
38323 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
38325 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
38326 need an associated value.
38328 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
38330 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
38331 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
38332 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
38333 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
38336 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
38337 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
38338 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
38339 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
38340 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
38342 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
38347 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
38348 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38349 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38350 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38351 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
38354 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
38355 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
38356 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
38360 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
38361 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38362 instruction reply packet}).
38365 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
38366 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
38369 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
38370 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
38373 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
38374 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38375 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38376 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38379 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
38380 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38381 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38382 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38385 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
38386 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38387 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38388 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38390 @item vContSupported
38391 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
38392 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
38395 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38396 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38397 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38398 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38399 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38400 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38401 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38402 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38403 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38404 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38405 all the features it supports.
38407 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38408 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38410 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38411 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38412 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38415 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38416 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38417 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38418 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38420 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38421 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38422 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38423 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38424 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38426 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38428 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38429 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38430 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38432 @tab Value Required
38436 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38441 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38446 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38451 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
38456 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
38461 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38466 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38471 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
38476 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
38481 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38486 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38491 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38496 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38501 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38506 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38511 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38516 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38521 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38526 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38531 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38536 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38541 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
38546 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
38551 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
38556 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38561 @item @samp{QCatchSyscalls}
38566 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38571 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38576 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38581 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38586 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38591 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
38596 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
38601 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
38606 @item @samp{QAgent}
38611 @item @samp{QAllow}
38616 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
38621 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
38626 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
38631 @item @samp{tracenz}
38636 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
38641 @item @samp{swbreak}
38646 @item @samp{hwbreak}
38651 @item @samp{fork-events}
38656 @item @samp{vfork-events}
38661 @item @samp{exec-events}
38666 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
38671 @item @samp{no-resumed}
38678 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
38681 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
38682 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
38683 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
38684 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
38685 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
38686 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
38687 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
38688 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
38689 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
38690 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
38692 @item qXfer:auxv:read
38693 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
38694 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
38696 @item qXfer:btrace:read
38697 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38698 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
38700 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
38701 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
38702 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
38704 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
38705 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
38706 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
38708 @item qXfer:features:read
38709 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
38710 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
38712 @item qXfer:libraries:read
38713 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
38714 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
38716 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
38717 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38718 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38720 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
38721 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
38722 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38723 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38725 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
38726 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
38727 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
38729 @item qXfer:sdata:read
38730 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
38731 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
38733 @item qXfer:spu:read
38734 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
38735 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
38737 @item qXfer:spu:write
38738 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
38739 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
38741 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
38742 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
38743 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
38745 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
38746 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
38747 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
38749 @item qXfer:threads:read
38750 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38751 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
38753 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
38754 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38755 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
38757 @item qXfer:uib:read
38758 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38759 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
38761 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
38762 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38763 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
38766 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
38767 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
38769 @item QCatchSyscalls
38770 The remote stub understands the @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
38771 (@pxref{QCatchSyscalls}).
38774 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38775 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
38777 @item QStartNoAckMode
38778 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
38779 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
38782 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
38783 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
38784 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
38785 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
38786 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
38787 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
38788 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
38789 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
38790 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
38791 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
38792 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
38794 @item qXfer:osdata:read
38795 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
38796 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
38798 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
38799 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
38800 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
38801 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
38803 @item ConditionalTracepoints
38804 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
38805 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
38807 @item ReverseContinue
38808 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
38812 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
38815 @item TracepointSource
38816 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
38817 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
38820 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
38823 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
38825 @item QDisableRandomization
38826 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
38828 @item StaticTracepoint
38829 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
38830 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
38832 @item InstallInTrace
38833 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
38834 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
38836 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
38837 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
38838 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
38839 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
38841 @item QTBuffer:size
38842 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
38843 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
38846 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
38847 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
38848 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
38850 @item BreakpointCommands
38851 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
38852 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
38853 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
38856 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
38859 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
38862 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
38864 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
38865 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
38867 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
38868 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
38871 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
38875 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
38879 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
38882 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
38883 and vforkdone events.
38886 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
38888 @item vContSupported
38889 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
38890 @samp{vCont?} packet.
38892 @item QThreadEvents
38893 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
38896 The remote stub reports the @samp{N} stop reply.
38901 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
38902 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
38903 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
38904 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
38909 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38910 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38911 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
38912 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
38913 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
38917 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
38918 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
38920 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
38921 target has previously requested.
38923 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
38924 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
38930 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38931 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38932 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
38933 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
38934 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
38939 @itemx QTDisconnected
38946 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
38948 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38950 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
38951 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
38952 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
38953 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
38954 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
38955 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
38956 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
38957 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
38958 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
38959 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
38960 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
38964 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38965 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
38966 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
38967 the thread's attributes.
38970 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
38971 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38972 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38991 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38993 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38994 @cindex read special object, remote request
38995 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
38996 @anchor{qXfer read}
38997 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
38998 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
38999 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
39000 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
39001 additional details about what data to access.
39006 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
39007 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
39008 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
39009 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
39010 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
39014 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
39015 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
39016 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
39019 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
39020 There is no more data to be read.
39023 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39026 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
39027 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39030 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
39031 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
39034 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
39035 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39036 formats, listed above.
39039 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39040 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
39041 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
39042 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
39044 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39045 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39047 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39048 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
39050 Return a description of the current branch trace.
39051 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
39052 packet may have one of the following values:
39056 Returns all available branch trace.
39059 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
39060 the last read request.
39063 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
39064 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
39065 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
39066 used to stitch traces together.
39068 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
39071 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
39072 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39074 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39075 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
39077 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
39078 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
39080 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
39081 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39083 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39084 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
39085 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
39086 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
39087 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
39088 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
39089 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
39091 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39092 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39094 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39095 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
39096 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
39097 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
39098 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
39100 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39101 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39103 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39104 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
39105 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
39106 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39107 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39109 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
39110 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
39111 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
39113 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39114 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39116 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39117 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
39118 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
39119 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
39120 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
39121 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
39122 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39123 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
39125 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
39126 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
39128 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39129 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39131 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
39132 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
39133 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
39134 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
39137 @item start=@var{address}
39138 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39139 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
39140 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
39141 chosen as the starting point.
39143 @item prev=@var{address}
39144 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39145 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
39146 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
39147 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
39148 exists prior to the starting point.
39152 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
39155 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39156 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
39157 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
39158 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39159 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39161 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39162 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39164 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39165 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
39167 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
39168 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
39169 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
39172 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39173 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39174 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39176 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39177 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
39178 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
39179 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39180 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39182 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39183 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39184 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39186 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39187 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
39188 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39189 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
39190 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39191 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39192 in that context to be accessed.
39194 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39195 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39196 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39198 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39199 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
39200 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
39201 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39202 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39204 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39205 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39207 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39208 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
39210 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
39211 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
39212 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39214 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39215 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39217 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39218 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
39220 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
39221 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
39223 This packet is not probed by default.
39225 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39226 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
39227 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
39228 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
39229 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
39231 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39232 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39234 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39235 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
39236 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
39237 @xref{Operating System Information}.
39241 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39242 @cindex write data into object, remote request
39243 @anchor{qXfer write}
39244 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
39245 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
39246 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
39247 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
39248 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
39254 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
39255 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
39258 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39261 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
39262 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39265 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
39266 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
39269 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
39270 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39271 formats, listed above.
39274 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39275 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
39276 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
39277 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39278 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
39280 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39281 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39282 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39284 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39285 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
39286 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39287 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
39288 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39289 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39290 in that context to be accessed.
39292 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39293 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39296 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
39297 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
39298 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
39299 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
39300 must respond with an empty packet.
39302 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
39303 @cindex query attached, remote request
39304 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
39305 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
39306 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
39307 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
39308 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
39309 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
39310 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
39312 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
39313 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
39314 the @code{quit} command.
39319 The remote server attached to an existing process.
39321 The remote server created a new process.
39323 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39327 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
39332 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39334 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39338 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel Processor Trace.
39343 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39345 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39349 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
39354 Branch tracing has been disabled.
39356 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39359 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
39360 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
39361 btrace recording method in bts format.
39366 The ring buffer size has been set.
39368 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39371 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
39372 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
39373 btrace recording method in pt format.
39378 The ring buffer size has been set.
39380 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39385 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39386 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39388 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39389 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39390 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39393 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39394 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39397 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39398 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39401 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39404 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39405 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39406 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39408 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39413 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39416 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39419 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39423 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39424 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39427 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39428 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39431 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39432 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39433 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39435 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39436 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39437 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39438 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39439 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39440 most-significant -- least-significant.
39445 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39446 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39447 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39450 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39451 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39456 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39457 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39458 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39460 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39465 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39468 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39471 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39474 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39478 @node Tracepoint Packets
39479 @section Tracepoint Packets
39480 @cindex tracepoint packets
39481 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39483 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39484 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39488 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39489 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39490 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39491 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39492 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
39493 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39494 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39495 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39496 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39497 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39498 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39499 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39500 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39506 The packet was understood and carried out.
39508 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39510 The packet was not recognized.
39513 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39514 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
39515 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39516 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39517 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39518 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39519 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39521 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39522 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39523 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39524 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39525 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39526 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39527 tracepoint actions.
39529 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39530 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39536 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
39537 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39538 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39539 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39540 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39542 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39543 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39544 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39545 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39546 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39547 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39548 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39550 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39551 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39552 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
39553 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39554 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39555 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39560 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39561 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39562 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39563 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39564 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39565 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39566 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39567 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39572 The packet was understood and carried out.
39574 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39576 The packet was not recognized.
39579 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39580 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39581 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39582 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39583 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
39584 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39585 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39586 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39588 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39589 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39590 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39591 fit in a single packet.
39592 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39593 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39595 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39596 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39597 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39598 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39600 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39601 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39604 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39605 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39606 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39607 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39608 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39609 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39610 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39613 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
39614 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39615 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39616 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39617 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39618 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39619 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39620 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39621 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
39622 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
39623 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
39624 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
39625 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
39628 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39629 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39630 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39631 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39632 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39634 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39635 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39636 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39637 one of the following forms:
39641 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39642 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39643 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39646 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39647 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39651 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39652 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39653 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39654 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39656 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39657 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39658 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39659 is a hexadecimal number.
39661 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39662 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39663 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39664 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39667 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39668 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39669 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39672 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39673 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39674 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39675 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39676 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39677 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39678 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39685 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39687 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
39688 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
39689 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
39690 regardless of size.
39692 An error has occurred.
39694 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39698 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39699 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39700 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39701 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39702 instruction reply packet}).
39705 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39706 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39708 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39710 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39711 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39712 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39713 of data from it will resume.
39715 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39717 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39718 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39719 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39720 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39723 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39724 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39726 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39727 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39728 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39729 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39730 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39732 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39733 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39734 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39735 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39737 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39738 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39739 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39740 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39741 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39742 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39745 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
39746 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
39748 The reply has the form:
39752 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
39753 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
39754 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
39755 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
39759 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
39760 explanations as one of the optional fields:
39765 No trace has been run yet.
39767 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
39768 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
39769 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
39770 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
39771 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
39774 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
39776 @item tdisconnected:0
39777 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
39779 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
39780 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
39782 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
39783 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
39784 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
39785 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
39789 The trace stopped for some other reason.
39793 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
39794 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
39795 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
39796 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
39801 @item tframes:@var{n}
39802 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
39804 @item tcreated:@var{n}
39805 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
39806 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
39808 @item tsize:@var{n}
39809 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
39811 @item tfree:@var{n}
39812 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
39814 @item circular:@var{n}
39815 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
39816 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
39817 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
39820 @item disconn:@var{n}
39821 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
39822 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
39823 that the trace run will stop.
39827 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
39828 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
39829 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
39830 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
39831 address @var{addr}.
39835 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
39836 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
39837 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
39838 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
39839 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
39843 @item qTV:@var{var}
39844 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
39845 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
39846 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
39851 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
39852 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
39853 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
39854 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
39855 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
39856 program is running.
39859 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
39860 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
39865 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
39867 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
39868 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
39869 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
39870 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
39871 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
39872 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
39875 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
39877 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
39878 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
39879 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
39880 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
39881 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
39882 trace state variables.
39888 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
39889 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
39890 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
39891 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
39892 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
39893 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
39897 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
39899 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
39900 a comma-separated list of markers
39902 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39904 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39906 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
39910 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
39911 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
39913 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39914 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
39915 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
39916 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
39919 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
39921 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
39922 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
39923 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
39924 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
39925 tracepoint markers.
39927 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
39928 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
39929 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
39930 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
39931 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
39932 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
39934 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
39935 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
39936 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
39937 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
39938 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
39939 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
39940 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
39941 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
39944 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
39945 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
39946 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
39948 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
39949 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
39950 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
39951 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
39952 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
39953 use whatever size it prefers.
39955 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
39956 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
39957 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
39958 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
39959 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
39963 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
39964 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
39965 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
39966 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
39967 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
39968 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
39969 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
39970 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
39971 it had executed in the original location.
39973 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
39974 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
39975 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
39976 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
39977 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
39978 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
39979 format of the request is:
39982 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
39984 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
39985 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
39986 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
39987 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
39988 memory starting at @var{to}.
39993 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
39994 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
39995 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
39997 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
39998 relocating the instruction.
40001 @node Host I/O Packets
40002 @section Host I/O Packets
40003 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
40004 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
40006 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
40007 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
40008 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
40009 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
40010 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
40011 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
40012 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
40013 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
40014 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
40015 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
40017 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
40018 its arguments. They have this format:
40022 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
40023 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
40024 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
40025 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
40026 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
40027 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
40028 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
40029 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
40030 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
40034 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
40038 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
40039 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
40040 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
40041 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
40042 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
40043 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
40044 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
40045 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
40046 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
40050 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
40054 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
40057 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
40058 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
40059 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
40060 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
40061 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
40062 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
40063 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
40065 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
40066 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
40067 -1 if an error occurs.
40069 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
40070 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
40071 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
40072 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
40073 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
40074 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
40075 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
40076 @var{count} was zero.
40078 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40079 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40080 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40081 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40082 some characters were escaped.
40084 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
40085 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
40086 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
40087 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
40088 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
40089 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
40090 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
40093 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
40094 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
40095 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
40096 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
40097 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
40098 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
40100 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
40101 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
40102 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
40104 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
40105 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
40106 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
40108 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40109 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40110 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40111 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40112 some characters were escaped.
40114 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
40115 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
40116 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
40117 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
40118 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
40121 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
40122 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
40123 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
40124 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
40125 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
40131 @section Interrupts
40132 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
40133 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
40135 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
40136 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
40137 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
40138 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
40140 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
40141 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
40142 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
40143 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
40144 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
40146 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
40147 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
40148 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
40149 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
40150 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
40151 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
40152 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
40153 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
40155 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
40156 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
40157 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
40159 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
40160 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
40161 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
40162 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
40163 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
40166 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
40167 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
40168 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
40169 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
40170 currently-executing threads and processes.
40171 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
40172 running program, it should send one of the stop
40173 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
40174 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
40175 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
40176 Interrupts received while the
40177 program is stopped are queued and the program will be interrupted when
40178 it is resumed next time.
40180 @node Notification Packets
40181 @section Notification Packets
40182 @cindex notification packets
40183 @cindex packets, notification
40185 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
40186 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
40187 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
40188 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
40189 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
40190 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
40193 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
40194 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
40195 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
40196 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
40197 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
40198 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
40199 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
40201 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
40202 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
40204 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
40205 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
40206 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
40207 not they understand it.
40209 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
40210 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
40211 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
40212 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
40215 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
40216 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
40217 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
40218 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
40219 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
40221 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
40223 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
40224 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
40225 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
40226 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
40227 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
40229 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
40230 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
40233 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
40234 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
40236 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
40237 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
40238 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
40239 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
40240 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
40241 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
40242 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
40243 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
40244 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
40245 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
40247 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
40248 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
40249 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
40250 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
40251 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
40252 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
40254 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
40255 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
40256 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
40257 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
40258 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
40260 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
40261 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
40262 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
40263 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
40264 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
40267 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
40268 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
40269 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
40270 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
40271 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
40272 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
40273 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
40274 the process shall be repeated.
40276 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
40279 <- @code{%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
40282 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
40284 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
40289 The following notifications are defined:
40290 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
40299 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
40300 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
40301 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
40303 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
40307 @node Remote Non-Stop
40308 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
40310 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
40311 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
40312 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
40313 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40315 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
40316 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
40317 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
40318 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
40319 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
40320 probe the target state after a mode change.
40322 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
40323 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
40324 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
40325 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
40326 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
40327 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
40328 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
40329 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
40330 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
40331 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
40332 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
40334 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
40335 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
40336 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
40337 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
40338 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
40339 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
40340 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
40341 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
40342 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
40343 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
40344 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
40347 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
40348 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
40349 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
40350 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
40351 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
40352 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
40353 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
40354 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
40355 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
40356 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
40357 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
40358 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
40359 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
40361 @node Packet Acknowledgment
40362 @section Packet Acknowledgment
40364 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40365 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40366 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
40367 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
40368 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
40369 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
40370 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
40372 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
40373 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
40374 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
40375 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
40376 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
40378 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
40379 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
40380 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
40381 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
40383 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
40384 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
40385 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
40386 @pxref{qSupported}.
40387 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40388 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40389 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40390 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40391 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40392 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40393 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40395 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40396 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40397 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40399 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40400 new connection is established,
40401 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40402 for the current connection, once disabled.
40407 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40408 does not get any direct output:
40413 @emph{target restarts}
40416 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40420 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40423 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40428 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40432 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40436 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40437 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40438 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40441 * File-I/O Overview::
40442 * Protocol Basics::
40443 * The F Request Packet::
40444 * The F Reply Packet::
40445 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40447 * List of Supported Calls::
40448 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40450 * File-I/O Examples::
40453 @node File-I/O Overview
40454 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40455 @cindex file-i/o overview
40457 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40458 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40459 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40460 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40461 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40462 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40464 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40465 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40466 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40467 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40468 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40470 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40471 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40472 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40473 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40474 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40475 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40476 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40478 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40479 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40480 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40481 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40482 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40485 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40486 <- target requests 'system call X'
40487 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40488 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40489 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40490 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40493 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40494 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40495 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40496 system are not supported by this protocol.
40498 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40500 @node Protocol Basics
40501 @subsection Protocol Basics
40502 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40504 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40505 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40506 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40507 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40508 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40509 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40510 to call the appropriate host system call:
40514 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40517 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40518 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40519 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40520 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40524 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40528 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40529 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40530 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40531 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40535 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40536 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40539 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40542 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40545 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40546 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40547 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40548 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40553 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40554 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40561 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40568 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40569 the latest continue or step action.
40571 @node The F Request Packet
40572 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40573 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40574 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40576 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40579 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40581 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40582 This is just the name of the function.
40584 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40585 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40586 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40587 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40588 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40589 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40590 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40596 @node The F Reply Packet
40597 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40598 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40599 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40601 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40605 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40607 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40609 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40611 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40613 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40614 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40615 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40622 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40629 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40634 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40635 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40636 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40638 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40639 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40640 the target should behave as if it had
40641 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40642 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40643 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40646 It's important for the target to know in which
40647 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40651 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40654 The system call on the host has been finished.
40658 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40659 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40660 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40661 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40662 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40663 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40665 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40666 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40667 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40668 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40669 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40670 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40671 or the full action has been completed.
40674 @subsection Console I/O
40675 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40677 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40678 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40679 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40680 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40681 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40682 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40687 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40689 system call is treated as finished.
40692 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40696 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40697 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40701 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40702 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40703 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40704 is stopped at the user's request.
40707 @node List of Supported Calls
40708 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40709 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40726 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40727 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40732 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40733 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40737 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40740 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40744 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40745 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40749 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40750 an error and open() fails.
40753 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40754 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40755 truncated to zero length.
40758 The file is opened in append mode.
40761 The file is opened for reading only.
40764 The file is opened for writing only.
40767 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40771 Other bits are silently ignored.
40775 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40779 User has read permission.
40782 User has write permission.
40785 Group has read permission.
40788 Group has write permission.
40791 Others have read permission.
40794 Others have write permission.
40798 Other bits are silently ignored.
40801 @item Return value:
40802 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
40809 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
40812 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
40815 The requested access is not allowed.
40818 @var{pathname} was too long.
40821 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40824 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
40827 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
40828 write access was requested.
40831 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
40834 No space on device to create the file.
40837 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
40840 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
40844 The call was interrupted by the user.
40850 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
40851 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
40860 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
40862 @item Return value:
40863 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
40869 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
40872 The call was interrupted by the user.
40878 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
40879 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
40884 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
40888 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40890 @item Return value:
40891 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
40892 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
40893 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
40899 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40903 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40906 The call was interrupted by the user.
40912 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
40913 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
40918 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
40922 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40924 @item Return value:
40925 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
40926 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
40933 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40937 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40940 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
40941 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
40944 No space on device to write the data.
40947 The call was interrupted by the user.
40953 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
40954 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
40959 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
40963 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
40965 @var{flag} is one of:
40969 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
40972 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
40976 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
40980 @item Return value:
40981 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
40982 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
40983 value of -1 is returned.
40989 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
40992 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
40995 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
40998 The call was interrupted by the user.
41004 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
41005 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
41010 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
41014 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
41016 @item Return value:
41017 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41023 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
41027 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
41030 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
41034 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
41038 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
41039 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
41040 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
41043 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
41046 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41050 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
41053 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
41056 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
41059 The device containing the file has no room for the new
41063 The call was interrupted by the user.
41069 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
41070 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
41075 int unlink(const char *pathname);
41079 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
41081 @item Return value:
41082 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41088 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41091 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
41094 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
41095 being used by another process.
41098 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41101 @var{pathname} was too long.
41104 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
41107 A component of the path is not a directory.
41110 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
41113 The call was interrupted by the user.
41119 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
41120 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
41121 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
41126 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
41127 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
41131 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
41132 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
41134 @item Return value:
41135 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41141 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
41144 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
41145 path is an empty string.
41148 A component of the path is not a directory.
41151 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41154 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41157 @var{pathname} was too long.
41160 The call was interrupted by the user.
41166 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
41167 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
41172 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
41176 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
41178 @item Return value:
41179 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
41185 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
41188 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41194 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
41195 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
41200 int isatty(int fd);
41204 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
41206 @item Return value:
41207 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
41213 The call was interrupted by the user.
41218 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
41219 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
41220 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
41221 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
41226 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
41227 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
41232 int system(const char *command);
41236 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
41238 @item Return value:
41239 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
41240 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
41241 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
41242 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
41243 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
41244 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
41245 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
41251 The call was interrupted by the user.
41256 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
41257 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
41258 the host is simplified before it's returned
41259 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
41260 is discarded, and the return value consists
41261 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
41263 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
41264 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
41265 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
41268 @item set remote system-call-allowed
41269 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
41270 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
41271 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
41273 @item show remote system-call-allowed
41274 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
41275 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
41279 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41280 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41281 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41284 * Integral Datatypes::
41286 * Memory Transfer::
41291 @node Integral Datatypes
41292 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
41293 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41295 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
41296 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
41297 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
41299 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
41300 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
41302 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
41304 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
41305 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
41307 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
41309 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
41310 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
41313 @node Pointer Values
41314 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
41315 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
41317 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
41318 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
41319 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
41320 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
41327 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
41328 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
41329 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
41330 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
41336 @node Memory Transfer
41337 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
41338 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
41340 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
41341 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
41342 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
41343 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
41344 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
41345 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
41346 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
41350 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
41351 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
41353 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
41354 is defined as follows:
41358 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
41359 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
41360 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
41361 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
41362 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
41363 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
41364 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
41365 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
41366 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
41367 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
41368 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
41369 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
41370 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
41374 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41375 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41376 structure is of size 64 bytes.
41378 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
41384 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
41387 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41390 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41391 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41396 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41401 These values have a host and file system dependent
41402 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41403 support exact timing values.
41406 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41407 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41410 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41411 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41412 get truncated on the target.
41414 @node struct timeval
41415 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41416 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41418 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41419 is defined as follows:
41423 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41424 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41428 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41429 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41430 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41433 @subsection Constants
41434 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41436 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41437 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41438 values before and after the call as needed.
41449 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41450 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41452 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41464 @node mode_t Values
41465 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41466 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41468 All values are given in octal representation.
41485 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41486 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41488 All values are given in decimal representation.
41513 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41514 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41517 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41518 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41527 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41528 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41530 All values are given in decimal representation.
41533 INT_MIN -2147483648
41535 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41536 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41537 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41538 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41541 @node File-I/O Examples
41542 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41543 @cindex file-i/o examples
41545 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41546 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41549 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41550 @emph{request memory read from target}
41553 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41557 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41558 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41561 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41562 @emph{request memory write to target}
41563 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41564 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41568 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41569 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41572 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41576 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41580 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41585 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41589 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41590 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41594 @node Library List Format
41595 @section Library List Format
41596 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41598 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41599 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41600 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41601 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41602 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41603 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41604 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41605 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41606 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41609 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41610 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41611 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41612 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41614 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41615 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41616 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41617 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41618 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41619 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41621 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41622 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41624 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41625 offset, looks like this:
41629 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41630 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41635 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41636 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41640 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41641 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41642 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41643 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41648 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41651 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41652 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41653 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41654 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41655 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41656 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41657 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41658 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41659 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41662 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41663 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41664 section for each library.
41666 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41667 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41668 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41670 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41671 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41672 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41673 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41675 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41676 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41677 target, the following parameters are reported:
41681 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41682 @code{struct link_map}.
41684 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41685 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41687 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41688 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41689 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41690 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41692 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41695 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41696 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41697 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41699 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41700 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41702 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41706 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41707 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41709 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41711 </library-list-svr>
41714 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41717 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41718 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41719 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41720 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41721 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41722 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41723 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41724 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41725 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41728 @node Memory Map Format
41729 @section Memory Map Format
41730 @cindex memory map format
41732 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41733 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41736 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41737 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41738 lists memory regions.
41740 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41741 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41743 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41746 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41747 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41748 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41749 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41755 Each region can be either:
41760 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41764 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41769 A region of read-only memory:
41772 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41777 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41781 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41782 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41788 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
41789 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
41790 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
41792 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
41795 <!-- ................................................... -->
41796 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
41797 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
41798 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
41799 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
41800 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
41801 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory)*>
41802 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
41803 <!ELEMENT memory (property)*>
41804 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
41805 and its type, or device. -->
41806 <!ATTLIST memory type (ram|rom|flash) #REQUIRED
41807 start CDATA #REQUIRED
41808 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41809 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
41810 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
41811 <!ATTLIST property name (blocksize) #REQUIRED>
41814 @node Thread List Format
41815 @section Thread List Format
41816 @cindex thread list format
41818 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
41819 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
41820 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
41821 the following structure:
41824 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41826 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
41827 ... description ...
41832 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
41833 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
41834 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
41835 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
41836 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
41837 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
41838 auxiliary information. The @samp{handle} attribute, if present,
41839 is a hex encoded representation of the thread handle.
41842 @node Traceframe Info Format
41843 @section Traceframe Info Format
41844 @cindex traceframe info format
41846 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
41847 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
41848 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
41849 collected in a traceframe.
41851 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
41852 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
41854 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41855 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41857 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41860 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41861 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
41862 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41863 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
41869 Each traceframe block can be either:
41874 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
41875 @var{length} bytes from there:
41878 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41882 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
41886 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
41891 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
41894 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
41895 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41897 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
41898 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
41899 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41901 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
41904 @node Branch Trace Format
41905 @section Branch Trace Format
41906 @cindex branch trace format
41908 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
41909 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
41910 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
41911 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
41913 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
41914 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
41916 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41917 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41919 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41922 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41924 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
41925 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
41934 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
41935 and ending at @var{end}:
41938 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
41943 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
41946 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
41947 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41949 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
41950 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
41951 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
41953 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
41955 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
41957 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
41958 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
41959 family CDATA #REQUIRED
41960 model CDATA #REQUIRED
41961 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
41963 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
41966 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
41967 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
41968 @cindex branch trace configuration format
41970 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
41971 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
41972 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
41974 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
41975 settings for that format. The following information is described:
41979 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
41982 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
41985 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel
41989 The size of the @acronym{Intel PT} ring buffer in bytes.
41993 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41994 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41996 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
41999 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
42000 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
42002 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
42003 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
42005 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
42006 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
42009 @include agentexpr.texi
42011 @node Target Descriptions
42012 @appendix Target Descriptions
42013 @cindex target descriptions
42015 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
42016 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
42017 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
42018 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
42019 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
42020 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
42021 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
42025 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
42026 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
42028 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
42029 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
42030 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
42032 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
42033 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
42034 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
42037 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
42038 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
42039 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
42040 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
42041 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
42043 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42044 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
42047 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
42048 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
42049 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
42051 * Enum Target Types:: How to define enum target types.
42052 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
42055 @node Retrieving Descriptions
42056 @section Retrieving Descriptions
42058 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
42059 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
42060 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
42061 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
42062 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
42063 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
42064 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
42067 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
42068 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
42069 specify a file are:
42072 @cindex set tdesc filename
42073 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
42074 Read the target description from @var{path}.
42076 @cindex unset tdesc filename
42077 @item unset tdesc filename
42078 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
42079 will use the description supplied by the current target.
42081 @cindex show tdesc filename
42082 @item show tdesc filename
42083 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
42087 @node Target Description Format
42088 @section Target Description Format
42089 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
42091 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
42092 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
42093 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
42094 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
42095 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
42096 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
42097 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
42099 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
42100 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
42101 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
42102 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
42103 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
42105 Here is a simple target description:
42108 <target version="1.0">
42109 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
42114 This minimal description only says that the target uses
42115 the x86-64 architecture.
42117 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
42118 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
42119 are explained further below.
42122 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42123 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
42124 <target version="1.0">
42125 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
42126 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
42127 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
42128 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
42133 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
42134 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
42135 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
42136 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
42137 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
42138 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
42139 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
42140 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
42141 the version mismatch.
42143 @subsection Inclusion
42144 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
42147 @cindex <xi:include>
42150 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
42151 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
42152 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
42153 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
42154 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
42157 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
42161 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
42162 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
42163 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
42164 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
42165 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
42166 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
42167 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
42168 original description.
42170 @subsection Architecture
42171 @cindex <architecture>
42173 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
42176 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
42179 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42180 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42183 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
42185 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42186 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42188 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
42191 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
42194 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
42195 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
42197 @subsection Compatible Architecture
42198 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
42200 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42201 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42203 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
42206 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
42209 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42210 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42212 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
42213 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
42214 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
42215 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
42216 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
42217 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
42218 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
42221 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
42222 <compatible>spu</compatible>
42225 @subsection Features
42228 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
42229 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
42230 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
42234 <feature name="@var{name}">
42235 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
42241 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
42242 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
42243 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
42244 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
42248 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
42249 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
42250 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
42251 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
42252 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite
42255 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
42256 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
42257 Types must be defined before they are used.
42260 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
42261 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
42262 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
42266 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
42270 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
42271 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
42272 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
42273 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
42276 <union id="@var{id}">
42277 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42284 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
42285 it with either a structure type or a flags type.
42286 A flags type may only contain bitfields.
42287 A structure type may either contain only bitfields or contain no bitfields.
42288 If the value contains only bitfields, its total size in bytes must be
42291 Non-bitfield values have a @var{name} and @var{type}.
42294 <struct id="@var{id}">
42295 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42300 Both @var{name} and @var{type} values are required.
42301 No implicit padding is added.
42303 Bitfield values have a @var{name}, @var{start}, @var{end} and @var{type}.
42306 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42307 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
42313 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42314 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
42319 The @var{name} value is required.
42320 Bitfield values may be named with the empty string, @samp{""},
42321 in which case the field is ``filler'' and its value is not printed.
42322 Not all bits need to be specified, so ``filler'' fields are optional.
42324 The @var{start} and @var{end} values are required, and @var{type}
42326 The field's @var{start} must be less than or equal to its @var{end},
42327 and zero represents the least significant bit.
42329 The default value of @var{type} is @code{bool} for single bit fields,
42330 and an unsigned integer otherwise.
42332 Which to choose? Structures or flags?
42334 Registers defined with @samp{flags} have these advantages over
42335 defining them with @samp{struct}:
42339 Arithmetic may be performed on them as if they were integers.
42341 They are printed in a more readable fashion.
42344 Registers defined with @samp{struct} have one advantage over
42345 defining them with @samp{flags}:
42349 One can fetch individual fields like in @samp{C}.
42352 (gdb) print $my_struct_reg.field3
42358 @subsection Registers
42361 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
42364 <reg name="@var{name}"
42365 bitsize="@var{size}"
42366 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
42367 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
42368 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
42369 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
42373 The components are as follows:
42378 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
42381 The register's size, in bits.
42384 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
42385 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
42386 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
42387 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
42388 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
42389 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
42390 in order of increasing register number.
42393 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
42394 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
42395 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
42396 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
42400 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
42401 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
42402 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
42403 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
42404 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
42405 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
42408 The register group to which this register belongs. It can be one of the
42409 standard register groups @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{vector} or an
42410 arbitrary string. Group names should be limited to alphanumeric characters.
42411 If a group name is made up of multiple words the words may be separated by
42412 hyphens; e.g.@: @code{special-group} or @code{ultra-special-group}. If no
42413 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register in
42414 @code{info registers}.
42418 @node Predefined Target Types
42419 @section Predefined Target Types
42420 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
42422 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
42423 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
42424 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
42425 types. The currently supported types are:
42430 Boolean type, occupying a single bit.
42438 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42446 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42450 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42451 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42452 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42453 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42454 may be marked as data pointers.
42457 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42460 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42463 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42466 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42469 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42472 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42476 @node Enum Target Types
42477 @section Enum Target Types
42478 @cindex target descriptions, enum types
42480 Enum target types are useful in @samp{struct} and @samp{flags}
42481 register descriptions. @xref{Target Description Format}.
42483 Enum types have a name, size and a list of name/value pairs.
42486 <enum id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42487 <evalue name="@var{name}" value="@var{value}"/>
42492 Enums must be defined before they are used.
42495 <enum id="levels_type" size="4">
42496 <evalue name="low" value="0"/>
42497 <evalue name="high" value="1"/>
42499 <flags id="flags_type" size="4">
42500 <field name="X" start="0"/>
42501 <field name="LEVEL" start="1" end="1" type="levels_type"/>
42503 <reg name="flags" bitsize="32" type="flags_type"/>
42506 Given that description, a value of 3 for the @samp{flags} register
42507 would be printed as:
42510 (gdb) info register flags
42511 flags 0x3 [ X LEVEL=high ]
42514 @node Standard Target Features
42515 @section Standard Target Features
42516 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42518 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42519 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42520 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42521 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42522 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42523 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42524 can recognize them.
42526 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42527 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42528 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42529 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42530 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42531 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42532 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42533 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42535 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42536 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42537 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42539 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42540 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42541 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42542 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42544 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42545 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42546 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42549 * AArch64 Features::
42553 * MicroBlaze Features::
42557 * Nios II Features::
42558 * OpenRISC 1000 Features::
42559 * PowerPC Features::
42560 * S/390 and System z Features::
42566 @node AArch64 Features
42567 @subsection AArch64 Features
42568 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42570 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42571 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42572 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42574 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42575 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42578 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.sve} feature is optional. If present,
42579 it should contain registers @samp{z0} through @samp{z31}, @samp{p0}
42580 through @samp{p15}, @samp{ffr} and @samp{vg}.
42583 @subsection ARC Features
42584 @cindex target descriptions, ARC Features
42586 ARC processors are highly configurable, so even core registers and their number
42587 are not completely predetermined. In addition flags and PC registers which are
42588 important to @value{GDBN} are not ``core'' registers in ARC. It is required
42589 that one of the core registers features is present.
42590 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is mandatory.
42592 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and ARC HS
42593 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
42594 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
42595 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain register @samp{ilink}
42596 and any of extension core registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
42597 @samp{ilink} and extension core registers are not available to read/write, when
42598 debugging GNU/Linux applications, thus @samp{ilink} is made optional.
42600 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core-reduced.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and
42601 ARC HS targets with a reduced register file. It should contain registers
42602 @samp{r0} through @samp{r3}, @samp{r10} through @samp{r15}, @samp{gp},
42603 @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink}, @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}.
42604 This feature may contain register @samp{ilink} and any of extension core
42605 registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
42607 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.arcompact} feature is required for ARCompact
42608 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
42609 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
42610 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain registers
42611 @samp{ilink1}, @samp{ilink2} and any of extension core registers @samp{r32}
42612 through @samp{r59/acch}. @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} and extension core
42613 registers are not available when debugging GNU/Linux applications. The only
42614 difference with @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is in the names of
42615 @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} registers and that @samp{r30} is mandatory in
42616 ARC v2, but @samp{ilink2} is optional on ARCompact.
42618 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is required for all ARC
42619 targets. It should contain registers @samp{pc} and @samp{status32}.
42622 @subsection ARM Features
42623 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42625 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42627 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42628 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42630 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42631 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42632 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42635 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42636 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42638 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42639 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42640 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42641 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42643 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42644 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42645 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42646 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42647 halves of the double-precision registers.
42649 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42650 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42651 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42652 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42653 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42654 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42656 @node i386 Features
42657 @subsection i386 Features
42658 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42660 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42661 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42665 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42667 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42669 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42670 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42672 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42674 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42675 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42678 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42680 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42681 describe registers:
42685 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42687 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42692 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42693 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42694 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42698 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42700 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42703 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel
42704 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
42708 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
42710 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
42713 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42714 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42716 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.segments} feature is optional. It should
42717 describe two system registers: @samp{fs_base} and @samp{gs_base}.
42719 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
42720 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
42721 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
42725 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42728 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
42732 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42736 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
42740 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
42742 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
42746 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
42750 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42753 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.pkeys} feature is optional. It should
42754 describe a single register, @samp{pkru}. It is a 32-bit register
42755 valid for i386 and amd64.
42757 @node MicroBlaze Features
42758 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
42759 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
42761 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
42762 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42763 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
42764 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
42765 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
42767 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
42768 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
42770 @node MIPS Features
42771 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42772 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42774 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42775 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42776 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42779 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42780 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42781 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42783 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42784 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42785 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42786 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42788 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42789 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42790 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42791 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42793 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42794 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42795 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42797 @node M68K Features
42798 @subsection M68K Features
42799 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42802 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42803 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42804 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42805 One of those features must be always present.
42806 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42807 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42808 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42809 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42811 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42812 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42813 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42817 @node NDS32 Features
42818 @subsection NDS32 Features
42819 @cindex target descriptions, NDS32 features
42821 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.core} feature is required for NDS32
42822 targets. It should contain at least registers @samp{r0} through
42823 @samp{r10}, @samp{r15}, @samp{fp}, @samp{gp}, @samp{lp}, @samp{sp},
42826 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42827 it should contain 64-bit double-precision floating-point registers
42828 @samp{fd0} through @emph{fdN}, which should be @samp{fd3}, @samp{fd7},
42829 @samp{fd15}, or @samp{fd31} based on the FPU configuration implemented.
42831 @emph{Note:} The first sixteen 64-bit double-precision floating-point
42832 registers are overlapped with the thirty-two 32-bit single-precision
42833 floating-point registers. The 32-bit single-precision registers, if
42834 not being listed explicitly, will be synthesized from halves of the
42835 overlapping 64-bit double-precision registers. Listing 32-bit
42836 single-precision registers explicitly is deprecated, and the
42837 support to it could be totally removed some day.
42839 @node Nios II Features
42840 @subsection Nios II Features
42841 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42843 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42844 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42845 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42846 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42849 @node OpenRISC 1000 Features
42850 @subsection Openrisc 1000 Features
42851 @cindex target descriptions, OpenRISC 1000 features
42853 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.or1k.group0} feature is required for OpenRISC 1000
42854 targets. It should contain the 32 general purpose registers (@samp{r0}
42855 through @samp{r31}), @samp{ppc}, @samp{npc} and @samp{sr}.
42857 @node PowerPC Features
42858 @subsection PowerPC Features
42859 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42861 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42862 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42863 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42864 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42866 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42867 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42869 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42870 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42873 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42874 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42875 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42876 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42877 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42878 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42880 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42881 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42882 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42883 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42884 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42885 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42888 @node S/390 and System z Features
42889 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
42890 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
42891 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
42893 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
42894 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
42895 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
42896 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
42897 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
42898 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
42899 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
42900 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
42901 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
42903 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
42904 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
42907 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
42908 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
42910 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
42911 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
42912 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
42913 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
42914 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
42917 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
42918 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
42919 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
42921 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
42922 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
42923 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
42924 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
42925 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
42926 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
42929 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gs} feature is optional. It should contain
42930 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage-control registers @samp{gsd},
42931 @samp{gssm}, and @samp{gsepla}.
42933 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gsbc} feature is optional. It should contain
42934 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage broadcast control registers
42935 @samp{bc_gsd}, @samp{bc_gssm}, and @samp{bc_gsepla}.
42937 @node Sparc Features
42938 @subsection Sparc Features
42939 @cindex target descriptions, sparc32 features
42940 @cindex target descriptions, sparc64 features
42941 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42942 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42946 @samp{g0} through @samp{g7}
42948 @samp{o0} through @samp{o7}
42950 @samp{l0} through @samp{l7}
42952 @samp{i0} through @samp{i7}
42955 They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42957 Also the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.fpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42958 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42962 @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}
42964 @samp{f32} through @samp{f62} for sparc64
42967 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cp0} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42968 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42972 @samp{y}, @samp{psr}, @samp{wim}, @samp{tbr}, @samp{pc}, @samp{npc},
42973 @samp{fsr}, and @samp{csr} for sparc32
42975 @samp{pc}, @samp{npc}, @samp{state}, @samp{fsr}, @samp{fprs}, and @samp{y}
42979 @node TIC6x Features
42980 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42981 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42982 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42983 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42984 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42985 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42987 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42988 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42989 through @samp{B31}.
42991 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42992 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42994 @node Operating System Information
42995 @appendix Operating System Information
42996 @cindex operating system information
43002 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
43003 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
43004 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
43005 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
43006 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
43007 on a different aspect of target.
43009 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
43010 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
43011 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
43012 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
43015 @appendixsection Process list
43016 @cindex operating system information, process list
43018 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
43019 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
43020 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
43021 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
43023 An example document is:
43026 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43027 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
43028 <osdata type="processes">
43030 <column name="pid">1</column>
43031 <column name="user">root</column>
43032 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
43033 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
43038 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
43039 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
43040 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
43041 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
43042 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
43043 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
43044 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
43046 @node Trace File Format
43047 @appendix Trace File Format
43048 @cindex trace file format
43050 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
43051 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
43053 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
43054 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
43055 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
43058 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
43059 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
43060 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
43061 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
43062 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
43067 Specifies the size of a register block in bytes. This is equal to the
43068 size of a @code{g} packet payload in the remote protocol. @var{size}
43069 is an ascii decimal number. There should be only one such line in
43070 a single trace file.
43072 @item status @var{status}
43073 Trace status. @var{status} has the same format as a @code{qTStatus}
43074 remote packet reply. There should be only one such line in a single trace
43077 @item tp @var{payload}
43078 Tracepoint definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
43079 @code{qTfP}/@code{qTsP} remote packet reply payload. A single tracepoint
43080 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
43083 @item tsv @var{payload}
43084 Trace state variable definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
43085 @code{qTfV}/@code{qTsV} remote packet reply payload. A single variable
43086 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
43089 @item tdesc @var{payload}
43090 Target description in XML format. The @var{payload} is a single line of
43091 the XML file. All such lines should be concatenated together to get
43092 the original XML file. This file is in the same format as @code{qXfer}
43093 @code{features} payload, and corresponds to the main @code{target.xml}
43094 file. Includes are not allowed.
43098 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
43099 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
43100 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
43101 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
43102 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
43103 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
43104 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
43107 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
43110 @item R @var{bytes}
43111 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
43112 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
43113 actual bytes, in target order, not a hexadecimal encoding.
43115 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
43116 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
43117 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
43118 @var{length} bytes.
43120 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
43121 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
43122 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
43126 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
43129 @node Index Section Format
43130 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
43131 @cindex .gdb_index section format
43132 @cindex index section format
43134 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
43135 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
43136 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
43139 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
43140 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
43141 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
43142 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
43143 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
43144 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
43146 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
43150 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
43151 unless otherwise noted:
43155 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
43156 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
43157 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
43158 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
43159 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
43160 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
43161 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
43163 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
43164 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
43165 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
43166 currently not flagged as deprecated.
43169 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
43172 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
43173 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
43174 to the next offset.
43177 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
43180 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
43183 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
43187 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
43188 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
43189 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
43190 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
43191 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
43192 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
43193 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
43197 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
43198 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
43199 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
43200 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
43203 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
43204 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
43208 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
43211 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
43212 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
43215 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
43219 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
43220 the hash table is always a power of 2.
43222 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
43223 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
43224 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
43227 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
43228 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
43229 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
43231 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
43232 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
43233 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
43234 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
43239 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
43241 @item Versions 5 to 7
43242 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
43245 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
43247 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
43248 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
43249 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
43250 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
43253 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
43254 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
43255 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
43259 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
43260 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
43263 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
43264 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
43265 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
43266 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
43267 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
43268 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
43270 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
43273 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
43274 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
43275 CU index+attributes value for each use.
43277 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
43283 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
43285 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
43287 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
43291 This value is reserved and should not be used.
43292 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
43293 with previous versions of the index.
43295 The symbol is a type.
43297 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
43299 The symbol is a function.
43301 Any other kind of symbol.
43303 These values are reserved.
43307 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
43309 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
43310 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
43311 @value{GDBN} sources.
43315 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
43316 global/static attributes in the index.
43319 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
43320 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
43323 case DW_TAG_typedef:
43324 case DW_TAG_base_type:
43325 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
43329 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
43331 is_static = language != CPLUS;
43333 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
43335 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
43337 case DW_TAG_constant:
43339 is_static = ! is_external;
43341 case DW_TAG_variable:
43343 is_static = ! is_external;
43345 case DW_TAG_namespace:
43349 case DW_TAG_class_type:
43350 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
43351 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
43352 case DW_TAG_union_type:
43353 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
43355 is_static = language != CPLUS;
43363 @appendix Manual pages
43367 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
43368 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
43369 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
43370 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
43371 * gdb-add-index man:: Add index files to speed up GDB
43377 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
43379 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
43380 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
43381 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
43382 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
43383 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
43384 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
43385 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
43386 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
43387 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
43390 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
43391 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
43392 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
43393 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
43395 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
43396 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
43400 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
43403 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
43406 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
43409 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
43410 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
43413 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
43416 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
43417 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
43418 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
43419 by using the command @code{help}.
43421 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
43422 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
43423 executable program as the argument:
43429 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
43435 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
43436 to debug a running process:
43444 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
43445 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
43446 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
43448 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
43450 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
43452 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43453 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
43455 @item run [@var{arglist}]
43456 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
43459 Backtrace: display the program stack.
43461 @item print @var{expr}
43462 Display the value of an expression.
43465 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
43468 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
43469 function calls in the line.
43471 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43472 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
43474 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43475 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
43478 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
43479 function calls in the line.
43481 @item help [@var{name}]
43482 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
43483 about using @value{GDBN}.
43486 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
43490 For full details on @value{GDBN},
43491 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43492 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
43493 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
43497 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
43498 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
43499 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
43500 encountered with no
43501 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
43502 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
43504 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
43505 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
43506 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
43507 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
43508 more usual convention.)
43510 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
43511 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
43517 List all options, with brief explanations.
43519 @item -symbols=@var{file}
43520 @itemx -s @var{file}
43521 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
43524 Enable writing into executable and core files.
43526 @item -exec=@var{file}
43527 @itemx -e @var{file}
43528 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
43529 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
43532 @item -se=@var{file}
43533 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
43536 @item -core=@var{file}
43537 @itemx -c @var{file}
43538 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
43540 @item -command=@var{file}
43541 @itemx -x @var{file}
43542 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
43544 @item -ex @var{command}
43545 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
43547 @item -directory=@var{directory}
43548 @itemx -d @var{directory}
43549 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
43552 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
43556 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
43560 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
43561 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
43564 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
43565 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
43566 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
43567 commands in the command files.
43569 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
43570 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
43571 more useful, the message
43574 Program exited normally.
43578 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
43579 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
43581 @item -cd=@var{directory}
43582 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
43583 instead of the current directory.
43587 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
43588 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
43589 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
43590 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
43591 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
43592 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
43593 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
43594 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
43597 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
43598 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
43600 @item -tty=@var{device}
43601 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
43605 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
43607 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43608 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43609 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43616 should give you access to the complete manual.
43618 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43619 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43623 @node gdbserver man
43624 @heading gdbserver man
43626 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
43628 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
43629 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43631 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43633 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43637 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
43638 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
43639 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
43642 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
43645 Usage (server (target) side):
43648 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
43649 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
43650 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
43651 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
43653 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
43654 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
43655 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
43658 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
43661 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
43665 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
43666 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
43669 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
43673 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
43674 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
43675 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
43677 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
43680 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
43683 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
43684 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
43685 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
43686 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
43687 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
43688 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
43689 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
43690 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
43691 print an error message and exit.
43693 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
43694 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
43697 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43700 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43701 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43703 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43704 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
43705 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
43706 the program you want to debug.
43709 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43713 @subheading Usage (host side)
43719 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
43720 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
43721 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
43722 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
43723 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
43724 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
43725 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
43726 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
43727 descriptor. For example:
43731 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
43732 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
43735 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43740 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43743 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43747 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43748 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43749 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43750 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43751 `Connection refused'.
43753 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43756 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43757 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43760 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43762 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43765 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43768 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43772 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43773 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43778 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43781 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43784 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43785 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43786 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43787 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43788 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43789 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43790 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43793 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43797 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43800 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43801 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43802 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43803 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43806 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43809 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43812 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43813 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43814 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43815 debug several processes in the same session.
43818 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43823 List all options, with brief explanations.
43826 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43829 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43832 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43835 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43836 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43839 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43840 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43841 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43842 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43845 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43849 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43851 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43854 @item --remote-debug
43855 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43856 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43859 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
43860 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
43861 of debugging output.
43862 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
43865 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43866 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43867 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43868 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43871 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43872 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43873 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43874 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43876 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43878 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43879 @c QDisableRandomization.
43884 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43886 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43887 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43888 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43894 should give you access to the complete manual.
43896 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43897 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43904 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43907 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43908 gcore [-a] [-o @var{prefix}] @var{pid1} [@var{pid2}...@var{pidN}]
43912 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43913 Generate core dumps of one or more running programs with process IDs
43914 @var{pid1}, @var{pid2}, etc. A core file produced by @command{gcore}
43915 is equivalent to one produced by the kernel when the process crashes
43916 (and when @kbd{ulimit -c} was used to set up an appropriate core dump
43917 limit). However, unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} finishes
43918 its job the program remains running without any change.
43921 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43924 Dump all memory mappings. The actual effect of this option depends on
43925 the Operating System. On @sc{gnu}/Linux, it will disable
43926 @code{use-coredump-filter} (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}) and
43927 enable @code{dump-excluded-mappings} (@pxref{set
43928 dump-excluded-mappings}).
43930 @item -o @var{prefix}
43931 The optional argument @var{prefix} specifies the prefix to be used
43932 when composing the file names of the core dumps. The file name is
43933 composed as @file{@var{prefix}.@var{pid}}, where @var{pid} is the
43934 process ID of the running program being analyzed by @command{gcore}.
43935 If not specified, @var{prefix} defaults to @var{gcore}.
43939 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43941 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43942 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43943 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43950 should give you access to the complete manual.
43952 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43953 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43960 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43963 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43964 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43965 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43974 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43975 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43976 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43979 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43980 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43986 Please read more in
43988 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43989 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43996 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43997 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43999 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
44000 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
44002 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
44003 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
44006 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
44007 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
44010 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
44014 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
44015 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
44018 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
44019 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
44022 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
44023 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
44026 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
44031 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
44033 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
44035 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
44036 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
44037 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
44043 should give you access to the complete manual.
44045 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
44046 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
44050 @node gdb-add-index man
44051 @heading gdb-add-index
44052 @pindex gdb-add-index
44053 @anchor{gdb-add-index}
44055 @c man title gdb-add-index Add index files to speed up GDB
44057 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb-add-index
44058 gdb-add-index @var{filename}
44061 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb-add-index
44062 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
44063 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
44064 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly--at the cost of a delay early on.
44065 For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so @value{GDBN}
44066 provides a way to build an index, which speeds up startup.
44068 To determine whether a file contains such an index, use the command
44069 @kbd{readelf -S filename}: the index is stored in a section named
44070 @code{.gdb_index}. The index file can only be produced on systems
44071 which use ELF binaries and DWARF debug information (i.e., sections
44072 named @code{.debug_*}).
44074 @command{gdb-add-index} uses @value{GDBN} and @command{objdump} found
44075 in the @env{PATH} environment variable. If you want to use different
44076 versions of these programs, you can specify them through the
44077 @env{GDB} and @env{OBJDUMP} environment variables.
44081 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Index Files}
44082 -- shell command @kbd{info -f gdb -n "Index Files"}.
44089 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb-add-index
44091 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
44092 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
44093 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
44099 should give you access to the complete manual.
44101 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
44102 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
44108 @node GNU Free Documentation License
44109 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
44112 @node Concept Index
44113 @unnumbered Concept Index
44117 @node Command and Variable Index
44118 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
44123 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
44125 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
44126 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
44127 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
44128 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
44129 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
44130 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
44131 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
44132 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
44133 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
44135 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.