1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
31 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
34 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
37 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
40 @c manuals to an info tree.
41 @dircategory Software development
43 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
50 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
51 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
52 Version @value{GDBVN}.
54 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,@*
55 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005@*
56 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
59 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
60 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
61 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
62 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
63 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
65 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
66 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
67 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
72 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
73 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
75 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
76 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
80 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
81 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
82 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
86 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
87 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
88 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
89 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
91 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
92 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
93 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
96 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
97 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
98 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
99 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
100 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
101 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
103 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
104 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
105 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} Version
120 Copyright (C) 1988-2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
124 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
127 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
128 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
129 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
130 * Stack:: Examining the stack
131 * Source:: Examining source files
132 * Data:: Examining data
133 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
134 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
135 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
137 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
139 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
140 * Altering:: Altering execution
141 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
142 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
143 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
144 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
145 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
146 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
147 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
148 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
149 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
150 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
151 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
153 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
154 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
156 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
157 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
158 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
159 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
160 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
161 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
162 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
163 how you can copy and share GDB
164 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
173 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
175 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
176 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
177 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
179 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
180 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
184 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
187 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
190 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
193 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
194 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
197 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
198 For more information, see @ref{Supported languages,,Supported languages}.
199 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
202 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
203 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
206 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
207 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
208 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
212 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
213 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
216 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
217 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
220 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
221 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
225 @unnumberedsec Free software
227 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
228 General Public License
229 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
230 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
231 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
232 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
233 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
234 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
236 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
237 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
242 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
243 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
244 include with the free software. Many of our most important
245 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
246 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
247 when an important free software package does not come with a free
248 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
251 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
252 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
253 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
254 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
255 them from the free software world.
257 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
258 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
259 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
260 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
261 contract to make it non-free.
263 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
264 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
265 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
266 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
267 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
268 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
269 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
271 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
272 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
273 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
274 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
276 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
277 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
278 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
279 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
280 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
281 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
284 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
285 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
286 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
287 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
288 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
289 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
290 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
291 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
294 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
295 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
296 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
297 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
298 manual to replace it.
300 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
301 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
302 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
303 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
304 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
305 the free software community.
307 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
308 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
309 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
310 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
311 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
312 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
313 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
314 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
315 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
317 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
318 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
319 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
320 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
321 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
322 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
323 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
324 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
326 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
327 published by other publishers, at
328 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
331 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
333 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
334 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
335 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
336 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
337 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
338 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
339 blow-by-blow account.
341 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
344 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
345 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
346 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
349 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
350 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
352 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
353 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
354 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
355 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
356 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
357 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
358 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
359 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
360 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
362 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
363 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
365 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
366 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
367 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
368 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
369 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
371 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
372 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
373 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
375 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
376 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
378 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
380 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
381 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
383 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
384 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
385 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
386 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
387 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
388 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
389 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
390 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
391 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
392 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
393 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
394 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
395 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
396 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
397 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
398 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
400 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
402 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
405 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
406 about several machine instruction sets.
408 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
409 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
410 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
411 and RDI targets, respectively.
413 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
414 command-line editing and command history.
416 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
417 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
419 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
420 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
423 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
424 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
426 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
428 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
431 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
433 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
435 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
437 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
440 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
442 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
444 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
445 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
447 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
448 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
449 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
450 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
451 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
452 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
453 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
455 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
456 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
458 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
459 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
460 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
461 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
462 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
463 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
464 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
465 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
466 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
467 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
468 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
469 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
470 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
471 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
472 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
474 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
475 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
477 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
480 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
481 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
482 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
483 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
484 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
485 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
488 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
490 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
491 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
492 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
495 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
496 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
499 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
500 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
502 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
503 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
504 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
505 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
506 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
507 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
508 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
509 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
510 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
519 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
523 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
525 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
528 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
532 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
535 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
536 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
537 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
538 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
539 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
541 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
544 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
549 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
550 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
551 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
552 that examples fit in this manual.
555 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
559 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
560 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
561 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
562 @code{break} command.
565 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
566 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
570 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
571 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
572 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
575 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
576 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
584 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
585 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
586 context where it stops.
589 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
591 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
593 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
597 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
598 the next line of the current function.
602 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
607 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
608 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
609 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
610 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
614 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
616 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
620 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
621 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
622 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
623 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
624 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
625 stack frame for each active subroutine.
628 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
629 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
631 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
633 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
634 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
636 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
637 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
641 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
642 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
643 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
647 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
649 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
650 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
652 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
655 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
659 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
660 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
661 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
662 (@code{print}) to see their values.
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
666 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
668 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
672 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
673 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
674 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
680 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
682 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
685 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
686 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
693 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
694 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
698 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
708 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
709 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
710 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
711 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
712 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
718 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
723 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
724 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
725 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
726 example that caused trouble initially:
732 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
739 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
740 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
741 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
745 Program exited normally.
749 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
750 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
751 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
758 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
760 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
764 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
766 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
770 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
771 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
772 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
773 * Logging output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
777 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
779 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
780 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
782 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
783 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
785 The command-line options described here are designed
786 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
787 options may effectively be unavailable.
789 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
790 specifying an executable program:
793 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
797 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
801 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
804 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
805 to debug a running process:
808 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
812 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
813 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
815 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
816 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
817 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
818 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
819 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
821 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
822 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
825 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
827 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
828 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
830 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
831 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
838 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
839 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
849 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
850 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
852 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
853 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
854 @samp{-x} option is used.
858 * File Options:: Choosing files
859 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
860 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
864 @subsection Choosing files
866 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
867 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
868 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
869 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
870 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
871 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
872 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
873 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
874 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
875 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
876 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
877 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
878 prefixing it with @file{./}, eg. @file{./12345}.
880 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
881 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
882 argument and ignore it.
884 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
885 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
886 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
887 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
888 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
890 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
891 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
895 @item -symbols @var{file}
897 @cindex @code{--symbols}
899 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
901 @item -exec @var{file}
903 @cindex @code{--exec}
905 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
906 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
910 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
913 @item -core @var{file}
915 @cindex @code{--core}
917 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
919 @item -c @var{number}
920 @item -pid @var{number}
921 @itemx -p @var{number}
924 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
925 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
926 file named @var{number}.
928 @item -command @var{file}
930 @cindex @code{--command}
932 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
933 Files,, Command files}.
935 @item -eval-command @var{command}
936 @itemx -ex @var{command}
937 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
939 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
941 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
942 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
945 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
946 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
949 @item -directory @var{directory}
950 @itemx -d @var{directory}
951 @cindex @code{--directory}
953 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
957 @cindex @code{--readnow}
959 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
960 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
961 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
966 @subsection Choosing modes
968 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
969 batch mode or quiet mode.
976 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
977 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
978 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
984 @cindex @code{--quiet}
985 @cindex @code{--silent}
987 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
988 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
991 @cindex @code{--batch}
992 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
993 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
994 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
995 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
996 in the command files.
998 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
999 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1000 make this more useful, the message
1003 Program exited normally.
1007 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1008 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1012 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1013 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1014 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1015 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1016 for an interactive session.
1018 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1019 messages, for example.
1021 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1022 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1024 @item -return-child-result
1025 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1026 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1027 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1031 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1032 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1033 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1035 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1037 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1038 the exit code will be -1.
1041 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1042 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1047 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1049 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1050 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1051 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1055 @cindex @code{--windows}
1057 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1060 @item -cd @var{directory}
1062 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1063 instead of the current directory.
1067 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1069 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1070 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1071 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1072 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1073 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1074 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1075 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1076 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1080 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1081 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1082 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1083 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1086 @item -annotate @var{level}
1087 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1088 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1089 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1090 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1091 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1092 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1093 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1094 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1095 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1097 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1101 @cindex @code{--args}
1102 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1103 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1104 This option stops option processing.
1106 @item -baud @var{bps}
1108 @cindex @code{--baud}
1110 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1111 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1113 @item -l @var{timeout}
1115 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1116 for remote debugging.
1118 @item -tty @var{device}
1119 @itemx -t @var{device}
1120 @cindex @code{--tty}
1122 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1123 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1125 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1127 @cindex @code{--tui}
1128 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1129 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1130 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1131 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1132 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1133 @samp{gdbtui}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1134 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1137 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1138 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1139 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1140 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1143 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1144 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1145 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1146 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1147 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1148 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1150 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1151 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1152 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1153 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1154 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1155 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1158 @cindex @code{--write}
1159 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1160 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1164 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1165 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1166 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1169 @cindex @code{--version}
1170 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1171 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1176 @subsection What @value{GDBN} does during startup
1177 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1179 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1183 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1184 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1188 Reads the @dfn{init file} (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1189 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1190 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1194 Processes command line options and operands.
1197 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1198 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1199 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1200 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1201 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1205 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1206 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1209 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1210 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1211 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1214 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1215 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1216 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1217 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1218 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1219 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
1221 @cindex init file name
1222 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1223 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1224 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
1225 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
1226 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
1227 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
1228 environments with special init file names:
1231 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1233 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1234 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1235 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1236 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1237 the file to the standard name.
1239 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
1241 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
1243 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
1245 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
1247 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
1249 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
1252 CISCO 68k: @file{.cisco-gdbinit}
1257 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1258 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1259 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1262 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1263 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1264 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1266 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1267 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1268 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1269 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1274 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1275 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1276 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1277 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1278 until a time when it is safe.
1280 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1281 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1282 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1284 @node Shell Commands
1285 @section Shell commands
1287 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1288 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1289 just use the @code{shell} command.
1293 @cindex shell escape
1294 @item shell @var{command string}
1295 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1296 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1297 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1298 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1301 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1302 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1307 @cindex calling make
1308 @item make @var{make-args}
1309 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1310 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1313 @node Logging output
1314 @section Logging output
1315 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1316 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1318 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1319 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1323 @item set logging on
1325 @item set logging off
1327 @cindex logging file name
1328 @item set logging file @var{file}
1329 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1330 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1331 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1332 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1333 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1334 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1335 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1336 @kindex show logging
1338 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1342 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1344 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1345 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1346 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1347 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1348 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1351 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1352 * Completion:: Command completion
1353 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1356 @node Command Syntax
1357 @section Command syntax
1359 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1360 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1361 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1362 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1363 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1364 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1366 @cindex abbreviation
1367 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1368 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1369 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1370 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1371 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1372 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1373 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1375 @cindex repeating commands
1376 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1377 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1378 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1379 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1380 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1381 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1382 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1384 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1385 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1386 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1388 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1389 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1390 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1391 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1392 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1394 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1396 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1397 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1398 Files,,Command files}).
1400 @cindex repeating command sequences
1401 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1402 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1403 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1404 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1408 @section Command completion
1411 @cindex word completion
1412 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1413 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1414 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1415 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1417 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1418 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1419 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1420 enter it). For example, if you type
1422 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1423 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1424 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1425 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1427 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1431 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1432 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1435 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1439 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1440 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1441 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1442 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1443 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1444 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1446 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1447 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1448 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1449 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1450 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1451 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1452 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1453 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1457 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1458 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1459 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1460 make_abs_section make_function_type
1461 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1462 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1463 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1464 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1468 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1469 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1472 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1473 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1474 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1475 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1476 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1478 @cindex quotes in commands
1479 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1480 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1481 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1482 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1483 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1484 @value{GDBN} commands.
1486 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1487 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1488 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1489 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1490 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1491 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1492 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1493 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1494 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1495 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1496 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1499 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1500 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1501 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1504 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1505 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1506 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1510 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1511 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1516 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1517 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1518 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1520 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1521 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1522 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1523 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1527 @section Getting help
1528 @cindex online documentation
1531 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1532 using the command @code{help}.
1535 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1538 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1539 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1543 List of classes of commands:
1545 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1546 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1547 data -- Examining data
1548 files -- Specifying and examining files
1549 internals -- Maintenance commands
1550 obscure -- Obscure features
1551 running -- Running the program
1552 stack -- Examining the stack
1553 status -- Status inquiries
1554 support -- Support facilities
1555 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1556 stopping the program
1557 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1559 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1560 commands in that class.
1561 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1563 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1566 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1568 @item help @var{class}
1569 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1570 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1571 help display for the class @code{status}:
1574 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1579 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1580 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1581 info -- Generic command for showing things
1582 about the program being debugged
1583 show -- Generic command for showing things
1586 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1588 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1592 @item help @var{command}
1593 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1594 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1597 @item apropos @var{args}
1598 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1599 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1600 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1611 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1612 multiple times in one run
1613 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1614 multiple times in one run
1619 @item complete @var{args}
1620 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1621 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1622 command you want completed. For example:
1628 @noindent results in:
1639 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1642 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1643 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1644 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1645 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1646 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1647 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1652 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1654 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1655 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1656 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1657 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1658 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1659 @w{@code{help info}}.
1663 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1664 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1665 @code{set prompt $}.
1669 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1670 @value{GDBN} itself.
1671 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1672 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1673 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1674 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1677 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1678 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1679 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1680 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1681 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1682 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1686 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1687 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1690 @kindex show version
1691 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1693 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1694 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1695 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1696 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1697 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1698 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1699 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1700 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1703 @kindex show copying
1704 @kindex info copying
1705 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1708 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1710 @kindex show warranty
1711 @kindex info warranty
1713 @itemx info warranty
1714 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1715 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1720 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1722 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1723 debugging information when you compile it.
1725 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1726 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1727 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1728 kill a child process.
1731 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1732 * Starting:: Starting your program
1733 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1734 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1736 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1737 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1738 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1739 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1741 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1742 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1746 @section Compiling for debugging
1748 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1749 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1750 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1751 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1752 and addresses in the executable code.
1754 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1757 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1758 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, many
1759 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1760 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1761 executables containing debugging information.
1763 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1764 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1765 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1766 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1767 in pushing your luck.
1769 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1770 @cindex debugging optimized code
1771 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1772 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1773 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1774 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1775 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1776 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1778 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1779 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1780 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1781 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1782 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
1784 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1785 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1786 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1788 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1789 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1790 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1791 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1792 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1793 provides macro information if you specify the options
1794 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1795 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1796 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1797 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1802 @section Starting your program
1808 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1811 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1812 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1813 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1814 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1815 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1819 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1820 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1821 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1822 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1824 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1825 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1826 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1827 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1828 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1829 divided into four categories:
1832 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1833 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1834 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1835 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1836 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1838 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1839 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1840 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1842 @item The @emph{environment.}
1843 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1844 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1845 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1846 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1848 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1849 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1850 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1851 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1853 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1854 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1855 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1856 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1857 set a different device for your program.
1858 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1861 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1862 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1863 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1867 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1868 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1869 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1870 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1871 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1873 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1874 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1875 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1876 your current breakpoints.
1881 @cindex run to main procedure
1882 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1883 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1884 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1885 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1886 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1887 procedure, depending on the language used.
1889 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1890 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1891 the @samp{run} command.
1893 @cindex elaboration phase
1894 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1895 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1896 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1897 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1898 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1899 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1900 will remain to halt execution.
1902 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1903 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1904 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1905 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1906 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1908 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1909 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1910 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1911 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1912 elaboration code before running your program.
1916 @section Your program's arguments
1918 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1919 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1921 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1922 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1923 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1924 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1925 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1927 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1928 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1929 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1930 the program, not by the shell.
1932 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1933 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1938 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1939 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1940 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1941 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1942 it again without arguments.
1946 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1950 @section Your program's environment
1952 @cindex environment (of your program)
1953 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1954 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1955 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1956 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1957 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1958 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1959 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1963 @item path @var{directory}
1964 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1965 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1966 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1967 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1968 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1969 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1970 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1972 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1973 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1974 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1975 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1976 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1977 @var{directory} to the search path.
1978 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1979 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1983 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1984 environment variable).
1986 @kindex show environment
1987 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1988 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1989 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1990 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1991 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1993 @kindex set environment
1994 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1995 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1996 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1997 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1998 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1999 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2001 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2002 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2004 For example, this command:
2011 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2012 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2013 are not actually required.)
2015 @kindex unset environment
2016 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2017 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2018 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2019 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2020 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2023 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2025 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2026 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2027 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2028 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2029 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2030 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2033 @node Working Directory
2034 @section Your program's working directory
2036 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2037 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2038 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2039 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2040 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2041 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2043 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2044 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2049 @cindex change working directory
2050 @item cd @var{directory}
2051 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2055 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2058 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2059 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2060 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2061 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2062 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2063 current working directory of the debuggee.
2066 @section Your program's input and output
2071 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2072 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2073 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2074 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2075 running your program.
2078 @kindex info terminal
2080 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2084 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2085 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2092 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2095 @cindex controlling terminal
2096 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2097 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2098 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2099 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2100 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2107 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2108 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2109 that as their controlling terminal.
2111 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2112 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2115 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2116 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2117 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2118 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2120 @cindex inferior tty
2121 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2122 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2123 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2127 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2128 @kindex set inferior-tty
2129 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2131 @item show inferior-tty
2132 @kindex show inferior-tty
2133 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2137 @section Debugging an already-running process
2142 @item attach @var{process-id}
2143 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2144 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2145 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2146 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2147 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2149 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2150 executing the command.
2153 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2154 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2155 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2156 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2158 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2159 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2160 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2161 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
2162 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2165 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2166 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2167 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2168 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2169 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2170 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2171 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2176 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2177 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2178 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2179 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2180 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2181 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2182 executing the command.
2185 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2186 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2187 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2188 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2189 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2193 @section Killing the child process
2198 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2201 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2202 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2205 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2206 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2207 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2208 outside the debugger.
2210 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2211 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2212 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2213 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2214 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2215 breakpoint settings).
2218 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2220 @cindex threads of execution
2221 @cindex multiple threads
2222 @cindex switching threads
2223 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2224 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2225 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2226 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2227 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2228 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2229 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2231 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2235 @item automatic notification of new threads
2236 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2237 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2238 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2239 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2240 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2244 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2245 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2246 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2247 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2248 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2252 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2253 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2254 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2255 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2257 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2258 @c doesn't support threads"?
2261 @cindex focus of debugging
2262 @cindex current thread
2263 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2264 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2265 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2266 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2267 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2269 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2270 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2271 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2272 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2273 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2274 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2275 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2276 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2277 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2278 LynxOS, you might see
2281 [New process 35 thread 27]
2285 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2286 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2289 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2290 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2291 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2293 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2294 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2295 @c threads ab initio?
2297 @cindex thread number
2298 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2299 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2300 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2303 @kindex info threads
2305 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2306 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2310 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2313 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2316 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2320 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2321 indicates the current thread.
2325 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2328 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2329 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2330 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2331 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2337 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2338 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2339 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2340 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2341 thread in your program.
2343 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2344 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2345 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2346 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2347 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2348 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2349 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2350 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2351 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2355 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2359 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2362 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2364 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2365 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2368 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2370 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2372 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2376 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2377 indicates the current thread.
2381 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2384 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2385 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2387 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2388 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2389 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2390 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2393 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2394 Solaris-specific command:
2397 @item maint info sol-threads
2398 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2399 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2400 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2404 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2405 @item thread @var{threadno}
2406 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2407 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2408 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2409 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2410 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2413 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2414 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2415 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2416 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2420 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2421 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2424 @kindex thread apply
2425 @cindex apply command to several threads
2426 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2427 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2428 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2429 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2430 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2431 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2432 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2435 @cindex automatic thread selection
2436 @cindex switching threads automatically
2437 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2438 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2439 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2440 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2441 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2444 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2445 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2446 programs with multiple threads.
2448 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2449 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2452 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2454 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2455 @cindex multiple processes
2456 @cindex processes, multiple
2457 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2458 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2459 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2460 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2461 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2462 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2463 will cause it to terminate.
2465 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2466 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2467 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2468 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2469 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2470 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2471 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2472 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2473 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2474 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2476 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2477 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2478 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2479 only?) and GNU/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2481 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2482 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2484 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2485 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2488 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2489 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2490 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2491 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2492 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2496 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2497 unimpeded. This is the default.
2500 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2505 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2506 @item show follow-fork-mode
2507 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2510 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2511 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2512 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2513 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2514 the child process's @code{main}.
2516 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2517 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2519 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2520 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2521 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2524 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2525 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2526 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2529 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2531 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2532 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2533 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2535 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2536 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2537 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2538 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2539 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2540 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2541 explicitly request this information at any time.
2544 @kindex info program
2546 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2547 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2551 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2552 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2554 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2558 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2561 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2562 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2563 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2564 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2565 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2566 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2569 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
2570 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
2571 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
2572 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
2573 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
2577 @cindex memory tracing
2578 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2579 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2580 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2581 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2582 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2583 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2584 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2585 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2587 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2588 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2592 @cindex breakpoint on events
2593 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2594 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2595 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2596 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2597 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2598 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2599 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2601 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2602 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2603 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2604 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2605 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2606 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2607 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2608 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2611 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2612 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2613 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2614 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2615 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2616 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2617 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2620 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2621 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2622 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2623 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2624 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2625 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2626 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2627 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2628 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2629 * Breakpoint related warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
2633 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2635 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2636 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2638 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2641 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2642 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2643 @cindex latest breakpoint
2644 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2645 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2646 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2647 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2648 convenience variables.
2650 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2653 @item break @var{function}
2654 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2655 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2656 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2657 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2659 @item break +@var{offset}
2660 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2661 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2662 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2663 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2665 @item break @var{linenum}
2666 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2667 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2668 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2671 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2672 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2674 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2675 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2676 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2677 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2680 @item break *@var{address}
2681 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2682 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2683 information or source files.
2686 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2687 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2688 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2689 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2690 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2691 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2692 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2693 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2694 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2697 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2698 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2699 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2700 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2701 existed when your program stopped.
2703 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2704 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2705 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2706 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2707 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2708 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2709 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2712 @item tbreak @var{args}
2713 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2714 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2715 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2716 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2719 @cindex hardware breakpoints
2720 @item hbreak @var{args}
2721 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2722 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2723 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2724 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2725 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2726 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2727 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
2728 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2729 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2730 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2731 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2732 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2733 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2734 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2735 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
2736 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
2737 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
2741 @item thbreak @var{args}
2742 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2743 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2744 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2745 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2746 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2747 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2748 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2749 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2752 @cindex regular expression
2753 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
2754 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
2755 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2756 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2757 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2758 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2759 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2760 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2761 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2763 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2764 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2765 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2766 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2767 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2768 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2770 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
2771 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2772 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2775 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
2776 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
2777 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
2780 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
2783 @kindex info breakpoints
2784 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2785 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2786 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2787 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2788 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2789 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2792 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2794 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2796 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2797 @item Enabled or Disabled
2798 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2799 that are not enabled.
2801 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. If the
2802 breakpoint is pending (see below for details) on a future load of a shared library, the address
2803 will be listed as @samp{<PENDING>}.
2805 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2806 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
2807 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
2808 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
2812 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2813 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2814 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
2815 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
2816 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
2820 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2821 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2822 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2823 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2824 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2827 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2828 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2829 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2830 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2831 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2832 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2835 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2836 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2837 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2838 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2840 @cindex pending breakpoints
2841 If a specified breakpoint location cannot be found, it may be due to the fact
2842 that the location is in a shared library that is yet to be loaded. In such
2843 a case, you may want @value{GDBN} to create a special breakpoint (known as
2844 a @dfn{pending breakpoint}) that
2845 attempts to resolve itself in the future when an appropriate shared library
2848 Pending breakpoints are useful to set at the start of your
2849 @value{GDBN} session for locations that you know will be dynamically loaded
2850 later by the program being debugged. When shared libraries are loaded,
2851 a check is made to see if the load resolves any pending breakpoint locations.
2852 If a pending breakpoint location gets resolved,
2853 a regular breakpoint is created and the original pending breakpoint is removed.
2855 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling pending
2858 @kindex set breakpoint pending
2859 @kindex show breakpoint pending
2861 @item set breakpoint pending auto
2862 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
2863 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
2865 @item set breakpoint pending on
2866 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
2867 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
2869 @item set breakpoint pending off
2870 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
2871 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
2872 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
2874 @item show breakpoint pending
2875 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
2878 @cindex operations allowed on pending breakpoints
2879 Normal breakpoint operations apply to pending breakpoints as well. You may
2880 specify a condition for a pending breakpoint and/or commands to run when the
2881 breakpoint is reached. You can also enable or disable
2882 the pending breakpoint. When you specify a condition for a pending breakpoint,
2883 the parsing of the condition will be deferred until the point where the
2884 pending breakpoint location is resolved. Disabling a pending breakpoint
2885 tells @value{GDBN} to not attempt to resolve the breakpoint on any subsequent
2886 shared library load. When a pending breakpoint is re-enabled,
2887 @value{GDBN} checks to see if the location is already resolved.
2888 This is done because any number of shared library loads could have
2889 occurred since the time the breakpoint was disabled and one or more
2890 of these loads could resolve the location.
2892 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2893 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2894 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
2895 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
2896 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
2897 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2898 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2899 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
2902 @node Set Watchpoints
2903 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2905 @cindex setting watchpoints
2906 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2907 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
2910 @cindex software watchpoints
2911 @cindex hardware watchpoints
2912 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
2913 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
2914 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
2915 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
2916 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
2919 On some systems, such as HP-UX, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
2920 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
2921 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
2925 @item watch @var{expr}
2926 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2927 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2930 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2931 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
2935 @item awatch @var{expr}
2936 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
2937 or written into by the program.
2939 @kindex info watchpoints
2940 @item info watchpoints
2941 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
2942 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
2945 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
2946 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
2947 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
2948 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
2949 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
2950 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
2952 @cindex use only software watchpoints
2953 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
2954 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
2955 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
2956 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
2957 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
2958 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
2959 mechanism of watching expressiion values.)
2962 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
2963 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
2964 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
2966 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
2967 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
2968 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
2971 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
2972 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
2973 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
2975 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
2978 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
2982 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
2984 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
2985 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
2986 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
2987 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
2988 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
2989 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
2990 will print a message like this:
2993 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
2996 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
2997 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
2998 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
2999 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3000 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3001 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3002 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3003 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3005 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3006 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3007 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3008 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3009 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3010 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3013 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3017 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3019 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
3020 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
3021 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
3022 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
3023 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
3024 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
3025 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
3026 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
3027 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
3028 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
3030 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3031 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3032 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3034 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3035 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3036 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3037 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3038 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3039 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3040 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3041 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3042 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3045 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3046 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3047 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
3048 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
3049 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
3050 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
3051 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
3052 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
3053 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
3056 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
3057 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
3058 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3059 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3060 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3061 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3062 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3063 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3064 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3065 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3068 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3070 @node Set Catchpoints
3071 @subsection Setting catchpoints
3072 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3073 @cindex exception handlers
3074 @cindex event handling
3076 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3077 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3078 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3082 @item catch @var{event}
3083 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3086 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3087 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3090 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3093 @cindex break on fork/exec
3094 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3097 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3100 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3103 @itemx load @var{libname}
3104 @cindex break on load/unload of shared library
3105 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
3106 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3109 @itemx unload @var{libname}
3110 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
3111 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3114 @item tcatch @var{event}
3115 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3116 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3120 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3122 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3123 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3127 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3128 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3129 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3130 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3131 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3132 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3133 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3134 disabled within interactive calls.
3137 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3140 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3143 @cindex raise exceptions
3144 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3145 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3146 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3147 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3148 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3149 out where the exception was raised.
3151 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3152 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3153 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3154 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3157 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3158 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3159 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3163 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3164 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3165 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
3167 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
3168 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3169 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3170 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3175 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
3177 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3178 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3179 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3180 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3181 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3182 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3184 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3185 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3186 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3187 their breakpoint numbers.
3189 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3190 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3191 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3196 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3197 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
3198 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3199 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3201 @item clear @var{function}
3202 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3203 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3205 @item clear @var{linenum}
3206 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3207 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3208 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3210 @cindex delete breakpoints
3212 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3213 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3214 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3215 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3216 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3217 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3221 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
3223 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3224 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3225 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3226 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3227 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3229 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3230 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3231 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3232 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3233 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3235 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3236 states of enablement:
3240 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3241 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3243 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3245 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3248 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3249 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3250 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3253 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3254 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3258 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3259 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3260 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3261 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3262 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3263 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3264 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3267 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3268 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3269 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3271 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3272 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3273 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3275 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3276 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3277 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3278 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3281 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3282 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3283 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3284 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3285 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3286 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3287 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3288 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3292 @subsection Break conditions
3293 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3294 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3296 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3297 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3298 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3299 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3300 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3301 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3302 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3303 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3305 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3306 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3307 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3308 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3309 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3311 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3312 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3313 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3314 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3317 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3318 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3319 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3320 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3321 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3322 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3323 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3324 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3326 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3327 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3329 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3330 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3331 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3332 with the @code{condition} command.
3334 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3335 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3336 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3341 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3342 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3343 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3344 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3345 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3346 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3347 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3348 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3349 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3350 prints an error message:
3353 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3358 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3359 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3360 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3362 @item condition @var{bnum}
3363 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3364 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3367 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3368 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3369 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3370 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3371 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3372 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3373 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3374 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3375 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3376 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3377 your program reaches it.
3381 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3382 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3383 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3384 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3387 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3390 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3391 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3392 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3393 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3395 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3396 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3397 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3399 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3400 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3401 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3405 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3408 @node Break Commands
3409 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3411 @cindex breakpoint commands
3412 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3413 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3414 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3415 enable other breakpoints.
3420 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3421 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3423 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3424 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3425 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3427 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3428 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3430 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3431 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3432 recently encountered).
3435 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3436 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3438 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3439 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3440 that resumes execution.
3442 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3443 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3444 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3445 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3446 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3449 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3450 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3451 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3452 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3453 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3454 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3456 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3457 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3458 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3460 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3461 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3467 printf "x is %d\n",x
3472 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3473 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3474 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3475 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3476 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3477 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3478 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3489 @node Breakpoint Menus
3490 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3492 @cindex symbol overloading
3494 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit a
3495 single function name
3496 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3497 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3498 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3499 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3500 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3501 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3502 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3503 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3504 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3505 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3506 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3509 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3510 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3511 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3513 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3516 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3519 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3520 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3521 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3522 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3523 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3524 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3526 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3527 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3528 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3529 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3530 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3536 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3537 @node Error in Breakpoints
3538 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3540 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3542 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3543 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3544 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3545 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3548 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3549 The same program may be running in another process.
3552 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3556 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3559 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3560 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3561 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3562 Then start your program again.
3565 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3566 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3567 to nonsharable executables.
3571 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3572 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3574 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3575 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3577 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3578 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3582 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3583 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3584 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3586 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3587 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3589 @node Breakpoint related warnings
3590 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3591 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
3593 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
3594 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
3595 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
3596 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
3598 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
3599 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
3600 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
3601 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
3602 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
3603 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
3604 first in the bundle.
3606 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
3607 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
3608 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
3609 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
3610 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
3611 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
3614 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
3615 that's been subject to address adjustment:
3618 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
3621 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
3622 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
3623 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
3624 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
3625 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
3626 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
3627 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
3628 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
3630 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
3631 adjusted breakpoints:
3634 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
3638 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
3639 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
3640 frequently than expected.
3642 @node Continuing and Stepping
3643 @section Continuing and stepping
3647 @cindex resuming execution
3648 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3649 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3650 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3651 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3652 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3653 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3654 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3655 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3659 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3660 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3661 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3662 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3663 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3664 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3665 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3666 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3667 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3668 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3670 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3671 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3672 @code{continue} is ignored.
3674 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3675 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3676 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3680 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3681 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3682 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3683 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3685 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3686 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3687 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3688 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3689 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3690 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3694 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3696 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3697 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3698 abbreviated @code{s}.
3701 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3702 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3703 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3704 @c distinction here.
3705 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3706 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3707 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3708 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3709 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3710 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3714 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3715 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3716 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3717 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3718 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3719 called within the line.
3721 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3722 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3723 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3724 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3725 was any debugging information about the routine.
3727 @item step @var{count}
3728 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3729 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3730 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3733 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3734 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3735 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3736 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3737 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3738 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3739 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3740 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3742 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3745 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3746 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3748 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3749 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3750 @c function are executed without stopping.
3752 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3753 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3754 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3756 @kindex set step-mode
3758 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3759 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3760 @itemx set step-mode on
3761 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3762 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3763 information rather than stepping over it.
3765 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3766 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3767 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3769 @item set step-mode off
3770 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3771 debug information. This is the default.
3773 @item show step-mode
3774 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
3775 source line debug information.
3779 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3780 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3782 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3783 ,Returning from a function}).
3786 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3787 @cindex run until specified location
3790 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3791 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3792 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3793 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3794 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3795 than the address of the jump.
3797 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3798 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3799 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3800 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3801 through the next iteration.
3803 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3806 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3807 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3808 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3809 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3810 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3814 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3816 (@value{GDBP}) until
3817 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3820 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3821 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3822 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3823 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3824 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3825 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3826 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3828 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3829 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3832 @item until @var{location}
3833 @itemx u @var{location}
3834 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3835 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3836 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3837 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints, and
3838 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
3839 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
3840 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
3841 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
3842 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
3843 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e. after the inner
3844 invocations have returned.
3847 94 int factorial (int value)
3849 96 if (value > 1) @{
3850 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
3857 @kindex advance @var{location}
3858 @itemx advance @var{location}
3859 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
3860 required, which should be of the same form as arguments for the @code{break}
3861 command. Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
3862 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
3863 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
3864 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
3868 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
3870 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
3872 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3874 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3875 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3876 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3877 Display,, Automatic display}.
3879 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3883 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
3885 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
3887 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3888 proceed until the function returns.
3890 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3897 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3898 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3899 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3900 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
3901 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3902 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3903 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3904 requested an alarm).
3906 @cindex fatal signals
3907 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3908 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3909 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
3910 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3911 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3912 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3914 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3915 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3918 @cindex handling signals
3919 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
3920 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
3921 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
3922 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3923 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3926 @kindex info signals
3930 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3931 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3932 the defined types of signals.
3934 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
3937 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3938 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
3939 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
3940 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
3941 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
3942 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3946 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3947 Their full names are:
3951 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3952 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3955 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3956 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3959 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3962 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3963 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3967 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3968 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3969 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
3973 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3974 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
3978 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
3980 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3981 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3982 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3983 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3984 program sees that signal when you continue.
3986 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
3987 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
3988 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
3991 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3992 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3993 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3994 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3995 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3996 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3997 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3998 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4002 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
4004 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4005 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
4006 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4009 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4010 @cindex thread breakpoints
4011 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4012 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4013 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4014 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4015 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4017 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4018 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4019 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4020 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4021 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4023 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4024 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4027 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4028 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4029 breakpoint condition, like this:
4032 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4037 @cindex stopped threads
4038 @cindex threads, stopped
4039 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4040 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4041 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4042 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4045 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4046 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4047 @cindex premature return from system calls
4048 There is an unfortunate side effect. If one thread stops for a
4049 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4050 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4051 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4052 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4055 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4056 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4059 For example, do not write code like this:
4065 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4066 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4068 Instead, write this:
4073 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4076 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4077 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4078 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4081 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4082 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4083 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4084 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4086 @cindex continuing threads
4087 @cindex threads, continuing
4088 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4089 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4090 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4092 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4093 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4094 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4095 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4096 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4097 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4100 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4101 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4102 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4103 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4105 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
4109 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4110 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4111 @cindex lock scheduler
4112 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4113 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4114 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4115 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
4116 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
4117 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4118 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4119 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4120 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4121 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
4122 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
4124 @item show scheduler-locking
4125 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4130 @chapter Examining the Stack
4132 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
4133 stopped and how it got there.
4136 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
4138 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
4139 the arguments of the call,
4140 and the local variables of the function being called.
4141 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
4142 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
4145 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
4146 stack allow you to see all of this information.
4148 @cindex selected frame
4149 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
4150 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
4151 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
4152 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
4153 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
4154 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4156 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
4157 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
4158 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
4161 * Frames:: Stack frames
4162 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
4163 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
4164 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
4169 @section Stack frames
4171 @cindex frame, definition
4173 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
4174 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
4175 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
4176 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
4177 which the function is executing.
4179 @cindex initial frame
4180 @cindex outermost frame
4181 @cindex innermost frame
4182 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
4183 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
4184 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
4185 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
4186 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
4187 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
4188 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
4189 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
4191 @cindex frame pointer
4192 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
4193 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
4194 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
4195 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
4196 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
4197 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
4199 @cindex frame number
4200 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
4201 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
4202 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
4203 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
4204 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
4206 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
4207 @c underflow problems.
4208 @cindex frameless execution
4209 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
4210 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
4212 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
4214 generates functions without a frame.)
4215 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
4216 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
4217 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
4218 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
4219 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
4220 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
4221 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
4224 @kindex frame@r{, command}
4225 @cindex current stack frame
4226 @item frame @var{args}
4227 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
4228 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
4229 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
4230 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
4232 @kindex select-frame
4233 @cindex selecting frame silently
4235 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
4236 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
4244 @cindex call stack traces
4245 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
4246 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
4247 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
4252 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
4255 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
4256 frames in the stack.
4258 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
4259 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
4261 @item backtrace @var{n}
4263 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
4265 @item backtrace -@var{n}
4267 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
4269 @item backtrace full
4270 Print the values of the local variables also.
4276 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
4277 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
4279 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
4280 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
4281 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
4282 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
4283 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
4286 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
4287 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
4291 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4293 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
4294 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
4296 (More stack frames follow...)
4301 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
4302 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
4303 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
4305 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
4306 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
4307 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
4308 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
4309 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
4310 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
4311 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
4312 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
4313 such a backtrace might look like:
4317 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4319 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
4320 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
4322 (More stack frames follow...)
4327 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
4328 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
4330 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
4331 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
4332 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
4334 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
4335 @cindex program entry point
4336 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
4337 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
4338 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
4339 @code{main}@footnote{
4340 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
4341 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
4342 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
4343 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
4344 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
4345 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
4347 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
4348 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
4351 @item set backtrace past-main
4352 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
4353 @kindex set backtrace
4354 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
4356 @item set backtrace past-main off
4357 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
4360 @item show backtrace past-main
4361 @kindex show backtrace
4362 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
4364 @item set backtrace past-entry
4365 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
4366 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
4367 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
4368 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
4370 @item set backtrace past-entry off
4371 Backtraces will stop when they encouter the internal entry point of an
4372 application. This is the default.
4374 @item show backtrace past-entry
4375 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
4377 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
4378 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
4379 @cindex backtrace limit
4380 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
4383 @item show backtrace limit
4384 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
4388 @section Selecting a frame
4390 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
4391 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
4392 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
4393 of the stack frame just selected.
4396 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
4397 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
4400 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
4401 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
4402 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
4405 @item frame @var{addr}
4407 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
4408 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
4409 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
4410 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
4411 switches between them.
4413 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
4414 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
4416 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
4417 pointer and a program counter.
4419 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
4420 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
4424 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4425 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
4426 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
4429 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
4431 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4432 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
4433 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
4434 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
4437 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
4438 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
4439 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
4440 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
4448 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
4450 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
4454 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
4455 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
4456 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
4457 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
4458 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines},
4462 @kindex down-silently
4464 @item up-silently @var{n}
4465 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
4466 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
4467 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
4468 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
4469 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
4474 @section Information about a frame
4476 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
4482 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
4483 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
4484 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
4485 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
4486 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4489 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4492 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4497 the address of the frame
4499 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4501 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4503 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4505 the address of the frame's arguments
4507 the address of the frame's local variables
4509 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4511 which registers were saved in the frame
4514 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4515 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4516 the usual conventions.
4518 @item info frame @var{addr}
4519 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4520 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4521 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4522 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4523 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4524 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4528 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4532 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4533 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4534 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4537 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4538 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4540 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4541 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4542 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4543 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4544 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4550 @chapter Examining Source Files
4552 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4553 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4554 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4555 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4556 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4557 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4558 source files by explicit command.
4560 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4561 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4562 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4565 * List:: Printing source lines
4566 * Edit:: Editing source files
4567 * Search:: Searching source files
4568 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4569 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4573 @section Printing source lines
4576 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4577 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4578 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4579 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4581 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4584 @item list @var{linenum}
4585 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4586 current source file.
4588 @item list @var{function}
4589 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4593 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4594 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4595 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4596 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4597 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4600 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4603 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
4604 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4605 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4608 @kindex set listsize
4609 @item set listsize @var{count}
4610 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4611 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4613 @kindex show listsize
4615 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4618 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4619 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4620 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4621 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4622 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4625 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4626 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4627 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4628 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4631 @item list @var{linespec}
4632 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4634 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4635 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4638 @item list ,@var{last}
4639 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4641 @item list @var{first},
4642 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4645 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4648 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4651 As described in the preceding table.
4654 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4659 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4660 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4661 the same source file as the first linespec.
4664 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4665 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4666 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4670 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4672 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4673 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4675 @item @var{function}
4676 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4677 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4679 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4680 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4681 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4682 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4683 identically named functions in different source files.
4685 @item *@var{address}
4686 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4687 @var{address} may be any expression.
4691 @section Editing source files
4692 @cindex editing source files
4695 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
4696 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
4697 The editing program of your choice
4698 is invoked with the current line set to
4699 the active line in the program.
4700 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
4701 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program.
4703 Here are the forms of the @code{edit} command most commonly used:
4707 Edit the current source file at the active line number in the program.
4709 @item edit @var{number}
4710 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
4712 @item edit @var{function}
4713 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
4715 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{number}
4716 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4718 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{function}
4719 Specifies the line that begins the body of the
4720 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4721 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4722 identically named functions in different source files.
4724 @item edit *@var{address}
4725 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4726 @var{address} may be any expression.
4729 @subsection Choosing your editor
4730 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
4732 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
4733 following command-line syntax:
4735 ex +@var{number} file
4737 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
4738 the file where to start editing.}.
4739 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
4740 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
4741 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
4742 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
4748 or in the @code{csh} shell,
4750 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
4755 @section Searching source files
4756 @cindex searching source files
4758 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4763 @kindex forward-search
4764 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4765 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4766 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4767 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4768 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4769 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4772 @kindex reverse-search
4773 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4774 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4775 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4776 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4777 this command as @code{rev}.
4781 @section Specifying source directories
4784 @cindex directories for source files
4785 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4786 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4787 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4788 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4789 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4790 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4791 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
4793 For example, suppose an executable references the file
4794 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
4795 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
4796 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
4797 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
4798 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
4799 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
4800 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
4801 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
4802 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
4803 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
4805 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
4806 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
4807 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
4808 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
4809 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
4810 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
4812 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
4813 source files. Neither is the current working directory, unless it
4814 happens to be in the source path.
4816 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4817 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4818 each line is in the file.
4822 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
4823 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
4824 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4827 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4828 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4829 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4830 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
4831 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
4832 part of absolute file names) or
4833 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4834 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4838 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
4839 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
4840 @cindex compilation directory
4841 @cindex current directory
4842 @cindex working directory
4843 @cindex directory, current
4844 @cindex directory, compilation
4845 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4846 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4847 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4848 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4849 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4850 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4853 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4855 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4856 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4858 @item show directories
4859 @kindex show directories
4860 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4863 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4864 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4865 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4869 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4872 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4873 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4874 directories in one command.
4878 @section Source and machine code
4879 @cindex source line and its code address
4881 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4882 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4883 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4884 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
4885 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4890 @item info line @var{linespec}
4891 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4892 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4893 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4897 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4898 the object code for the first line of function
4899 @code{m4_changequote}:
4901 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
4902 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
4904 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
4905 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4909 @cindex code address and its source line
4910 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4911 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4913 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4914 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4917 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4918 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
4919 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
4920 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4921 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4922 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4923 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4924 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4929 @cindex assembly instructions
4930 @cindex instructions, assembly
4931 @cindex machine instructions
4932 @cindex listing machine instructions
4934 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4935 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4936 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4937 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4938 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4939 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4942 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4943 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4946 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4947 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4948 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4949 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4950 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4951 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4952 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4953 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4954 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4955 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4956 End of assembler dump.
4959 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
4960 mnemonics or other syntax.
4962 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
4963 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
4964 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
4965 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
4966 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
4969 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
4970 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
4971 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
4972 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
4973 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
4974 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
4976 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
4977 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
4978 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
4979 assemblers for x86-based targets.
4981 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
4982 @item show disassembly-flavor
4983 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
4988 @chapter Examining Data
4990 @cindex printing data
4991 @cindex examining data
4994 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4995 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4996 @c different window or something like that.
4997 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4998 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
4999 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
5000 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
5001 Different Languages}).
5004 @item print @var{expr}
5005 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
5006 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
5007 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
5008 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
5009 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
5013 @itemx print /@var{f}
5014 @cindex reprint the last value
5015 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
5016 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
5017 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
5020 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
5021 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
5022 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5024 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
5025 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
5026 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
5030 * Expressions:: Expressions
5031 * Variables:: Program variables
5032 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
5033 * Output Formats:: Output formats
5034 * Memory:: Examining memory
5035 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
5036 * Print Settings:: Print settings
5037 * Value History:: Value history
5038 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
5039 * Registers:: Registers
5040 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
5041 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
5042 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
5043 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
5044 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
5045 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
5046 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
5047 character set than GDB does
5048 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
5052 @section Expressions
5055 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
5056 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
5057 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
5058 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
5059 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
5060 you compiled your program to include this information; see
5063 @cindex arrays in expressions
5064 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
5065 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
5066 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
5067 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
5069 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
5070 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
5071 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
5074 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
5075 expressions regardless of your programming language.
5077 @cindex casts, in expressions
5078 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
5079 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
5080 at that address in memory.
5081 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
5083 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
5084 to programming languages:
5088 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
5089 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
5092 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
5093 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
5095 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
5096 @cindex type casting memory
5097 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
5098 @cindex casts, to view memory
5099 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
5100 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
5101 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
5102 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
5103 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
5104 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
5108 @section Program variables
5110 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
5113 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
5114 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
5118 global (or file-static)
5125 visible according to the scope rules of the
5126 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
5129 @noindent This means that in the function
5144 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
5145 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
5146 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
5147 the block where @code{b} is declared.
5149 @cindex variable name conflict
5150 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
5151 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
5152 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
5153 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
5154 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
5155 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
5156 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
5158 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
5160 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
5161 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
5164 @var{file}::@var{variable}
5165 @var{function}::@var{variable}
5169 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
5170 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
5171 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
5172 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
5175 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
5178 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
5179 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
5180 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
5181 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
5182 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
5185 @cindex wrong values
5186 @cindex variable values, wrong
5187 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
5188 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
5190 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
5191 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
5192 scope, and just before exit.
5194 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
5195 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
5196 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
5197 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
5198 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
5199 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
5200 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
5201 variable definitions may be gone.
5203 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
5204 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
5207 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
5208 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
5209 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
5210 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
5211 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
5212 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
5213 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
5216 No symbol "foo" in current context.
5219 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
5220 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
5221 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
5222 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
5223 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
5224 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
5225 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
5226 for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
5227 @xref{C, , Debugging C++}, for more info about debug info formats
5228 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
5230 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
5231 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
5232 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
5233 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
5236 @section Artificial arrays
5238 @cindex artificial array
5240 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
5241 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
5242 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
5243 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
5246 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
5247 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
5248 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
5249 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
5250 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
5251 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
5252 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
5253 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
5254 example. If a program says
5257 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
5261 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
5267 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
5268 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
5269 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
5270 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
5271 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
5273 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
5274 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
5275 The value need not be in memory:
5277 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
5278 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5281 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
5282 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
5283 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
5285 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
5286 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5289 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
5290 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
5291 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
5292 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
5293 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5294 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
5295 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
5296 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
5297 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
5298 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
5308 @node Output Formats
5309 @section Output formats
5311 @cindex formatted output
5312 @cindex output formats
5313 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
5314 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
5315 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
5316 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
5317 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
5319 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
5320 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
5321 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
5322 letters supported are:
5326 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
5330 Print as integer in signed decimal.
5333 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
5336 Print as integer in octal.
5339 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
5340 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
5341 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
5342 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
5345 @cindex unknown address, locating
5346 @cindex locate address
5347 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
5348 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
5349 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
5352 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
5353 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
5357 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
5358 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
5361 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
5362 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
5363 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
5364 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
5367 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
5368 using typical floating point syntax.
5371 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
5378 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
5379 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
5381 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
5382 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
5383 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
5386 @section Examining memory
5388 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
5389 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
5391 @cindex examining memory
5393 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
5394 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
5397 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
5400 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
5401 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
5402 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
5403 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
5404 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
5407 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
5408 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
5409 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
5410 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
5413 @item @var{f}, the display format
5414 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
5415 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
5416 @samp{f}), and in addition @samp{s} (for null-terminated strings) and
5417 @samp{i} (for machine instructions). The default is @samp{x}
5418 (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes each time you use either
5419 @code{x} or @code{print}.
5421 @item @var{u}, the unit size
5422 The unit size is any of
5428 Halfwords (two bytes).
5430 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
5432 Giant words (eight bytes).
5435 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
5436 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
5437 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
5439 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
5440 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
5441 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
5442 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
5443 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
5444 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
5445 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
5446 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
5447 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
5448 a value from memory).
5451 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
5452 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
5453 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
5454 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
5455 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
5457 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
5458 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
5459 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
5460 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
5461 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
5463 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
5464 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
5465 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
5466 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
5467 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
5468 Code,,Source and machine code}.
5470 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
5471 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
5472 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
5473 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
5474 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
5475 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
5476 for successive uses of @code{x}.
5478 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
5479 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
5480 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
5481 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
5482 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
5483 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
5484 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
5485 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
5486 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
5488 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
5489 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
5490 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
5492 @cindex remote memory comparison
5493 @cindex verify remote memory image
5494 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
5495 (@pxref{Remote}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
5496 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
5497 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
5501 @kindex compare-sections
5502 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
5503 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
5504 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
5505 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
5506 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
5507 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
5512 @section Automatic display
5513 @cindex automatic display
5514 @cindex display of expressions
5516 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
5517 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
5518 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
5519 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
5520 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
5521 The automatic display looks like this:
5525 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
5529 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
5530 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
5531 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
5532 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
5533 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
5534 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
5535 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
5539 @item display @var{expr}
5540 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
5541 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5543 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5545 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
5546 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
5547 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
5548 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
5549 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
5551 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
5552 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
5553 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
5554 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
5555 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5558 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
5559 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
5560 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5563 @kindex delete display
5565 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
5566 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5567 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
5569 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5570 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
5572 @kindex disable display
5573 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5574 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
5575 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
5576 enabled again later.
5578 @kindex enable display
5579 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5580 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
5581 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
5584 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
5585 done when your program stops.
5587 @kindex info display
5589 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
5590 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
5591 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
5592 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
5593 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
5596 @cindex display disabled out of scope
5597 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
5598 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
5599 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
5600 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
5601 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
5602 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
5603 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
5604 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
5605 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
5606 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
5608 @node Print Settings
5609 @section Print settings
5611 @cindex format options
5612 @cindex print settings
5613 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
5614 and symbols are printed.
5617 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
5621 @item set print address
5622 @itemx set print address on
5623 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
5624 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5625 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5626 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5627 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5628 @code{set print address on}:
5633 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5635 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5639 @item set print address off
5640 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5641 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5645 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5647 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5648 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5652 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5653 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5654 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5655 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5658 @item show print address
5659 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5662 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5663 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5664 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5665 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5666 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5667 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5668 it prints a symbolic address:
5671 @item set print symbol-filename on
5672 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
5673 @cindex symbol, source file and line
5674 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5675 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5677 @item set print symbol-filename off
5678 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5681 @item show print symbol-filename
5682 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5683 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5686 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5687 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5688 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5690 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5691 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5694 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5695 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
5696 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5697 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5698 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5699 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5701 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5702 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5706 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5707 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5708 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5709 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5710 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5711 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5712 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5713 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5716 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5717 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5718 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5722 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5723 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5724 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5727 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5730 @item set print array
5731 @itemx set print array on
5732 @cindex pretty print arrays
5733 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5734 but uses more space. The default is off.
5736 @item set print array off
5737 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5739 @item show print array
5740 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5743 @cindex print array indexes
5744 @item set print array-indexes
5745 @itemx set print array-indexes on
5746 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
5747 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
5748 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
5750 @item set print array-indexes off
5751 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
5753 @item show print array-indexes
5754 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
5757 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5758 @cindex number of array elements to print
5759 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
5760 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5761 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5762 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5763 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5764 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
5765 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5767 @item show print elements
5768 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5769 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5771 @item set print repeats
5772 @cindex repeated array elements
5773 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
5774 elelments. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
5775 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
5776 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
5777 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
5778 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
5779 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
5781 @item show print repeats
5782 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
5785 @item set print null-stop
5786 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
5787 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5788 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5789 contain only short strings.
5792 @item show print null-stop
5793 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
5794 @sc{null} character.
5796 @item set print pretty on
5797 @cindex print structures in indented form
5798 @cindex indentation in structure display
5799 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5800 per line, like this:
5815 @item set print pretty off
5816 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
5820 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
5821 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
5826 This is the default format.
5828 @item show print pretty
5829 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
5831 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
5832 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
5833 @cindex octal escapes in strings
5834 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
5835 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
5836 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
5837 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
5838 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
5840 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
5841 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
5842 international character sets, and is the default.
5844 @item show print sevenbit-strings
5845 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
5847 @item set print union on
5848 @cindex unions in structures, printing
5849 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
5850 and other unions. This is the default setting.
5852 @item set print union off
5853 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
5854 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
5857 @item show print union
5858 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5859 structures and other unions.
5861 For example, given the declarations
5864 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5865 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5866 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5877 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5881 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5884 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5888 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5891 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5895 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
5901 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
5904 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
5905 @item set print demangle
5906 @itemx set print demangle on
5907 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5908 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5909 linkage. The default is on.
5911 @item show print demangle
5912 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5914 @item set print asm-demangle
5915 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5916 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5917 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5920 @item show print asm-demangle
5921 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5924 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
5925 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
5926 @kindex set demangle-style
5927 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5928 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5929 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5933 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5936 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5937 This is the default.
5940 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5943 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5946 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
5947 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5948 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5949 require further enhancement to permit that.
5952 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
5954 @item show demangle-style
5955 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
5957 @item set print object
5958 @itemx set print object on
5959 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
5960 @cindex display derived types
5961 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5962 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5963 the virtual function table.
5965 @item set print object off
5966 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5967 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5969 @item show print object
5970 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5972 @item set print static-members
5973 @itemx set print static-members on
5974 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
5975 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
5977 @item set print static-members off
5978 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
5980 @item show print static-members
5981 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
5983 @item set print pascal_static-members
5984 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
5985 @cindex static members of Pacal objects
5986 @cindex Pacal objects, static members display
5987 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
5989 @item set print pascal_static-members off
5990 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
5992 @item show print pascal_static-members
5993 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
5995 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5996 @item set print vtbl
5997 @itemx set print vtbl on
5998 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
5999 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
6000 @cindex VTBL display
6001 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
6002 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
6003 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
6005 @item set print vtbl off
6006 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
6008 @item show print vtbl
6009 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
6013 @section Value history
6015 @cindex value history
6016 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
6017 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
6018 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
6019 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
6020 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
6021 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
6022 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
6027 @cindex history number
6028 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
6029 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
6030 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
6031 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
6034 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
6035 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
6036 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
6037 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
6038 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
6039 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
6040 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
6042 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
6043 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
6049 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
6050 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
6057 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
6058 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
6060 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
6061 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
6069 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
6070 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
6075 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
6076 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
6077 values} does not change the history.
6079 @item show values @var{n}
6080 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
6083 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
6084 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
6087 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
6088 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
6090 @node Convenience Vars
6091 @section Convenience variables
6093 @cindex convenience variables
6094 @cindex user-defined variables
6095 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
6096 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
6097 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
6098 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
6099 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
6101 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
6102 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
6103 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
6104 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
6105 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
6107 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
6108 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
6112 set $foo = *object_ptr
6116 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
6119 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
6120 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
6121 value with another assignment at any time.
6123 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
6124 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
6125 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
6126 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
6129 @kindex show convenience
6130 @cindex show all user variables
6131 @item show convenience
6132 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
6133 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
6136 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
6137 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
6138 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
6142 print bar[$i++]->contents
6146 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
6148 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
6149 values likely to be useful.
6152 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
6154 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
6155 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
6156 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
6157 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
6158 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
6159 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
6160 to the type of @code{$__}.
6162 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
6164 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
6165 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
6166 to match the format in which the data was printed.
6169 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
6170 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
6171 the program being debugged terminates.
6174 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
6175 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
6176 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
6182 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
6183 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
6184 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
6188 @kindex info registers
6189 @item info registers
6190 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
6191 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6193 @kindex info all-registers
6194 @cindex floating point registers
6195 @item info all-registers
6196 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
6197 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6199 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
6200 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
6201 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
6202 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
6203 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
6206 @cindex stack pointer register
6207 @cindex program counter register
6208 @cindex process status register
6209 @cindex frame pointer register
6210 @cindex standard registers
6211 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
6212 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
6213 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
6214 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
6215 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
6216 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
6217 register that contains the processor status. For example,
6218 you could print the program counter in hex with
6225 or print the instruction to be executed next with
6232 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
6233 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
6234 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
6235 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
6236 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
6237 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
6238 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
6244 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
6245 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
6246 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
6247 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
6248 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
6249 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
6250 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
6252 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
6253 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
6254 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
6255 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
6256 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
6257 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
6258 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
6260 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
6261 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
6262 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
6263 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
6264 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
6265 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
6266 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
6267 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
6268 prints the data in both formats.
6270 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
6271 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
6272 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
6273 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
6274 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
6275 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
6277 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
6278 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
6279 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
6280 frame makes no difference.
6282 @node Floating Point Hardware
6283 @section Floating point hardware
6284 @cindex floating point
6286 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
6287 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
6292 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
6293 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
6294 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
6295 the ARM and x86 machines.
6299 @section Vector Unit
6302 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
6303 more information about the status of the vector unit.
6308 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
6309 layout vary depending on the hardware.
6312 @node OS Information
6313 @section Operating system auxiliary information
6314 @cindex OS information
6316 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
6317 you debug your program.
6319 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
6320 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
6321 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
6322 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
6323 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
6324 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
6325 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
6331 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
6332 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
6333 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
6334 the @code{examine} command.
6337 @cindex auxiliary vector
6338 @cindex vector, auxiliary
6339 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
6340 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
6341 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
6342 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
6343 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
6344 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
6345 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
6346 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
6347 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
6348 support of the @samp{qPart:auxv:read} packet, see @ref{Remote
6349 configuration, auxiliary vector}.
6354 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
6355 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
6356 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
6357 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
6358 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
6359 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
6360 an unrecognized tag.
6364 @node Memory Region Attributes
6365 @section Memory region attributes
6366 @cindex memory region attributes
6368 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
6369 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
6370 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
6371 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
6373 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
6374 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
6375 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
6376 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
6379 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
6380 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
6384 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
6385 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
6386 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
6387 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
6388 case: it is treated as the the target's maximum memory address.
6389 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
6392 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6393 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
6394 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
6397 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6398 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6399 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
6400 It may be enabled again later.
6403 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6404 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6408 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
6412 @item Memory Region Number
6413 @item Enabled or Disabled.
6414 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
6415 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
6418 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
6421 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
6424 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
6429 @subsection Attributes
6431 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
6432 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
6433 write accesses to a memory region.
6435 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
6436 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
6437 etc. from accessing memory.
6441 Memory is read only.
6443 Memory is write only.
6445 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
6448 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
6449 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
6450 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
6451 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
6452 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
6456 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
6458 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
6460 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
6462 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
6465 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
6466 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6467 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
6468 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
6472 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
6473 @c @item swbreak (default)
6476 @subsubsection Data Cache
6477 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
6478 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
6479 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
6480 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
6485 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
6487 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
6490 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
6491 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6492 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
6496 @c @item noverify (default)
6499 @node Dump/Restore Files
6500 @section Copy between memory and a file
6501 @cindex dump/restore files
6502 @cindex append data to a file
6503 @cindex dump data to a file
6504 @cindex restore data from a file
6506 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
6507 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
6508 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
6509 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
6510 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
6511 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
6517 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6518 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6519 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6520 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
6522 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
6529 Motorola S-record format.
6531 Tektronix Hex format.
6534 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
6535 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
6536 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
6540 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6541 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6542 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6543 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
6544 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
6547 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
6548 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
6549 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
6550 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
6551 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
6553 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
6554 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
6555 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
6556 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
6559 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
6560 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
6561 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
6562 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
6566 @node Core File Generation
6567 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
6568 @cindex dump core from inferior
6570 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
6571 image of a running process and its process status (register values
6572 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
6573 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
6574 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
6575 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
6576 the post-mortem debugging mode.
6578 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
6579 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
6580 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
6584 @kindex generate-core-file
6585 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
6586 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
6587 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
6588 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
6589 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
6590 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
6592 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
6593 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
6596 @node Character Sets
6597 @section Character Sets
6598 @cindex character sets
6600 @cindex translating between character sets
6601 @cindex host character set
6602 @cindex target character set
6604 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
6605 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
6606 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
6607 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
6608 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
6609 @dfn{target character set}.
6611 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
6612 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
6613 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote,Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
6614 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
6615 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
6616 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
6617 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
6618 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
6619 character and string literals in expressions.
6621 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
6622 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
6623 target-charset} command, described below.
6625 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
6629 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
6630 @kindex set target-charset
6631 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. We list the
6632 character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, but if you type
6633 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
6634 list the target character sets it supports.
6638 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
6639 @kindex set host-charset
6640 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
6642 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
6643 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
6644 @code{set host-charset} command.
6646 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
6647 set. We list the character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, and
6648 indicate which can be host character sets, but if you type
6649 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
6650 list the host character sets it supports.
6652 @item set charset @var{charset}
6654 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
6655 above, if you type @code{set charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
6656 @value{GDBN} will list the name of the character sets that can be used
6657 for both host and target.
6661 @kindex show charset
6662 Show the names of the current host and target charsets.
6664 @itemx show host-charset
6665 @kindex show host-charset
6666 Show the name of the current host charset.
6668 @itemx show target-charset
6669 @kindex show target-charset
6670 Show the name of the current target charset.
6674 @value{GDBN} currently includes support for the following character
6680 @cindex ASCII character set
6681 Seven-bit U.S. @sc{ascii}. @value{GDBN} can use this as its host
6685 @cindex ISO 8859-1 character set
6686 @cindex ISO Latin 1 character set
6687 The ISO Latin 1 character set. This extends @sc{ascii} with accented
6688 characters needed for French, German, and Spanish. @value{GDBN} can use
6689 this as its host character set.
6693 @cindex EBCDIC character set
6694 @cindex IBM1047 character set
6695 Variants of the @sc{ebcdic} character set, used on some of IBM's
6696 mainframe operating systems. (@sc{gnu}/Linux on the S/390 uses U.S. @sc{ascii}.)
6697 @value{GDBN} cannot use these as its host character set.
6701 Note that these are all single-byte character sets. More work inside
6702 GDB is needed to support multi-byte or variable-width character
6703 encodings, like the UTF-8 and UCS-2 encodings of Unicode.
6705 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
6706 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
6707 @file{charset-test.c}:
6713 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
6714 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
6715 char ibm1047_hello[]
6716 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
6717 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
6721 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6725 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
6726 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
6727 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
6729 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
6732 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
6733 $ gdb -nw charset-test
6734 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
6735 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
6740 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
6741 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
6745 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
6746 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
6750 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
6751 initial character set:
6753 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
6754 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
6755 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
6759 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
6760 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
6761 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
6762 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
6763 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
6766 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
6767 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
6768 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
6773 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
6774 literals you use in expressions:
6777 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
6782 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
6785 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
6786 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
6787 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
6790 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
6791 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
6792 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
6797 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
6798 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
6801 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
6802 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
6803 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
6806 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
6807 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
6808 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
6809 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
6810 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
6813 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
6814 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
6815 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
6816 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
6817 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
6818 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
6819 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
6821 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
6822 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
6823 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
6828 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
6829 string literals you use in expressions:
6832 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
6837 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
6840 @node Caching Remote Data
6841 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
6842 @cindex caching data of remote targets
6844 @value{GDBN} can cache data exchanged between the debugger and a
6845 remote target (@pxref{Remote}). Such caching generally improves
6846 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
6847 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately,
6848 @value{GDBN} does not currently know anything about volatile
6849 registers, and thus data caching will produce incorrect results when
6850 volatile registers are in use.
6853 @kindex set remotecache
6854 @item set remotecache on
6855 @itemx set remotecache off
6856 Set caching state for remote targets. When @code{ON}, use data
6857 caching. By default, this option is @code{OFF}.
6859 @kindex show remotecache
6860 @item show remotecache
6861 Show the current state of data caching for remote targets.
6865 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
6866 information displayed includes: the dcache width and depth; and for
6867 each cache line, how many times it was referenced, and its data and
6868 state (dirty, bad, ok, etc.). This command is useful for debugging
6869 the data cache operation.
6874 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
6876 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
6877 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
6878 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
6879 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
6880 where it was defined.
6882 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
6883 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
6884 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
6885 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
6887 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
6888 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
6889 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
6890 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
6891 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
6892 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
6895 At the moment, @value{GDBN} does not support the @code{##}
6896 token-splicing operator, the @code{#} stringification operator, or
6897 variable-arity macros.
6899 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
6900 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
6901 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
6905 @kindex macro expand
6906 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
6907 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
6908 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
6909 @item macro expand @var{expression}
6910 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
6911 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
6912 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
6913 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
6914 it can be any string of tokens.
6917 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
6918 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
6919 @cindex expand macro once
6920 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
6921 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
6922 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
6923 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
6924 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
6925 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
6926 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
6927 can be any string of tokens.
6930 @cindex macro definition, showing
6931 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
6932 @item info macro @var{macro}
6933 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
6934 source location where that definition was established.
6936 @kindex macro define
6937 @cindex user-defined macros
6938 @cindex defining macros interactively
6939 @cindex macros, user-defined
6940 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
6941 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
6942 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Introduce a definition for a
6943 preprocessor macro named @var{macro}, invocations of which are replaced
6944 by the tokens given in @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this
6945 command defines an ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the
6946 second form defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments
6947 given in @var{arglist}.
6949 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every expression
6950 evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the @command{macro
6951 undef} command, described below. The definition overrides all
6952 definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged, as
6953 well as any previous user-supplied definition.
6956 @item macro undef @var{macro}
6957 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Remove any user-supplied
6958 definition for the macro named @var{macro}. This command only affects
6959 definitions provided with the @command{macro define} command, described
6960 above; it cannot remove definitions present in the program being
6965 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} List all the macros
6966 defined using the @code{macro define} command.
6969 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
6970 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
6971 show our source files:
6979 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
6984 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6986 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
6988 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
6995 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
6996 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
6997 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
7001 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
7005 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
7009 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
7010 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7011 GDB is free software, @dots{}
7015 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
7016 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
7017 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
7020 (@value{GDBP}) list main
7023 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7028 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7030 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7031 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
7032 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
7033 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7034 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
7035 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
7036 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
7038 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
7039 expands to: (42 + 1)
7040 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
7041 expands to: once (M + 1)
7045 In the example above, note that @command{macro expand-once} expands only
7046 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
7047 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
7048 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
7050 Once the program is running, GDB uses the macro definitions in force at
7051 the source line of the current stack frame:
7054 (@value{GDBP}) break main
7055 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
7057 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
7059 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
7060 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7064 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
7067 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7068 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
7070 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7072 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7077 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
7078 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
7079 thereof) in force at each point:
7084 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7085 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7086 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
7087 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
7090 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
7091 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7092 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
7094 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7095 expands to: 1729 < 42
7096 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7103 @chapter Tracepoints
7104 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
7105 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
7108 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
7109 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
7110 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
7111 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
7112 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
7113 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
7114 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
7116 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
7117 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
7118 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
7119 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
7120 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
7121 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
7122 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
7123 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
7124 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
7125 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
7126 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
7128 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
7129 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
7130 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
7131 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
7132 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
7133 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
7136 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
7140 * Analyze Collected Data::
7141 * Tracepoint Variables::
7144 @node Set Tracepoints
7145 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
7147 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
7148 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
7149 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
7150 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
7151 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
7152 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
7155 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
7156 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
7157 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
7158 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
7159 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
7162 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
7163 conditions and actions.
7166 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
7167 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
7168 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
7169 * Tracepoint Actions::
7170 * Listing Tracepoints::
7171 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
7174 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
7175 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
7178 @cindex set tracepoint
7181 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
7182 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
7183 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
7184 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
7185 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
7186 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
7187 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
7188 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
7191 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
7194 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
7196 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
7198 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
7200 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
7202 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
7206 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
7209 @cindex last tracepoint number
7210 @cindex recent tracepoint number
7211 @cindex tracepoint number
7212 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
7213 of the most recently set tracepoint.
7215 @kindex delete tracepoint
7216 @cindex tracepoint deletion
7217 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7218 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
7219 default is to delete all tracepoints.
7224 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
7226 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
7230 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
7233 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7234 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7237 @kindex disable tracepoint
7238 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7239 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
7240 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
7241 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
7242 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
7244 @kindex enable tracepoint
7245 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7246 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
7247 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
7251 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
7252 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
7256 @cindex tracepoint pass count
7257 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
7258 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
7259 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
7260 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
7261 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
7262 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
7263 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
7264 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
7270 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
7271 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
7273 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
7274 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
7275 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7276 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
7277 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
7278 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
7279 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
7280 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
7281 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
7282 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
7283 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
7287 @node Tracepoint Actions
7288 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
7292 @cindex tracepoint actions
7293 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7294 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
7295 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
7296 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
7297 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
7298 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
7299 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
7300 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
7301 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
7302 @code{while-stepping}.
7304 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
7305 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
7306 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
7309 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
7311 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
7313 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
7316 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
7317 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
7318 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
7319 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
7320 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
7321 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
7322 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
7326 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7327 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7328 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
7337 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
7338 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
7339 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
7340 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
7341 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
7342 special arguments are supported:
7346 collect all registers
7349 collect all function arguments
7352 collect all local variables.
7355 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
7356 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
7357 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
7359 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
7360 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
7362 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
7363 @item while-stepping @var{n}
7364 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
7365 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
7366 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
7367 its own @code{end} command):
7371 > collect $regs, myglobal
7377 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
7381 @node Listing Tracepoints
7382 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
7385 @kindex info tracepoints
7387 @cindex information about tracepoints
7388 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7389 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify
7390 a tracepoint number, displays information about all the tracepoints
7391 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
7398 whether it is enabled or disabled
7402 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
7404 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
7406 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
7408 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
7412 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
7413 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
7414 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
7415 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
7416 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
7421 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
7424 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7425 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7429 @cindex start a new trace experiment
7430 @cindex collected data discarded
7432 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
7433 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
7434 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
7438 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
7440 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
7441 stops collecting data.
7443 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
7444 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
7445 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
7448 @cindex status of trace data collection
7449 @cindex trace experiment, status of
7451 This command displays the status of the current trace data
7455 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
7458 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
7459 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7460 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
7461 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
7466 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7467 [time passes @dots{}]
7468 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
7472 @node Analyze Collected Data
7473 @section Using the collected data
7475 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
7476 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
7477 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
7478 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
7479 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
7480 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
7481 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
7482 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
7483 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
7484 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
7485 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
7486 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
7487 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
7488 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
7489 the buffer will fail.
7492 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
7493 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
7494 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
7498 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
7501 @cindex select trace snapshot
7502 @cindex find trace snapshot
7503 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
7504 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
7505 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
7506 snapshot is selected.
7508 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
7512 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
7513 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
7516 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
7519 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
7522 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
7525 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
7526 retracing earlier steps.
7528 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
7529 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
7530 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
7531 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
7532 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
7534 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
7535 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
7536 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
7537 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
7538 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
7540 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7541 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
7544 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7545 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
7546 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
7548 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
7549 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
7550 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
7551 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
7552 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
7553 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
7554 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
7555 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
7558 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
7559 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
7560 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
7561 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
7562 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
7563 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
7564 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
7565 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
7566 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
7567 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
7568 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
7569 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
7570 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
7571 tracepoint as the current one.
7573 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
7574 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
7575 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
7576 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
7577 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
7580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7581 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7582 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
7583 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
7587 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
7588 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
7589 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
7590 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
7591 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
7592 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
7593 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
7594 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
7595 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
7596 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
7597 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
7600 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
7604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7605 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7606 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
7616 @subsection @code{tdump}
7618 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
7619 @cindex tracepoint data, display
7621 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
7622 the current trace snapshot.
7625 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
7626 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7627 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
7628 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
7631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7633 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
7634 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
7636 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
7638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
7639 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
7640 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
7644 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
7649 a1 0x3000668 50333288
7652 a4 0x3000698 50333336
7654 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
7655 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
7657 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
7661 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
7668 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
7673 @node save-tracepoints
7674 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
7675 @kindex save-tracepoints
7676 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
7678 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
7679 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
7680 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
7681 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
7684 @node Tracepoint Variables
7685 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
7686 @cindex tracepoint variables
7687 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
7690 @vindex $trace_frame
7691 @item (int) $trace_frame
7692 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
7693 snapshot is selected.
7696 @item (int) $tracepoint
7697 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
7700 @item (int) $trace_line
7701 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
7704 @item (char []) $trace_file
7705 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
7708 @item (char []) $trace_func
7709 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
7712 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
7713 use @code{output} instead.
7715 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
7716 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
7720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
7723 > output $trace_file
7724 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
7730 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
7733 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
7734 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
7735 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
7739 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
7740 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
7741 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
7742 mapped by asking the inferior.
7743 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
7746 @node How Overlays Work
7747 @section How Overlays Work
7748 @cindex mapped overlays
7749 @cindex unmapped overlays
7750 @cindex load address, overlay's
7751 @cindex mapped address
7752 @cindex overlay area
7754 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
7755 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
7756 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
7757 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
7758 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
7760 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
7761 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
7762 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
7763 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
7764 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
7765 largest overlay as well.
7767 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
7768 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
7769 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
7772 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
7773 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
7774 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
7778 Data Instruction Larger
7779 Address Space Address Space Address Space
7780 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
7782 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
7783 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
7784 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
7785 | and heap | | | | | |
7786 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
7787 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
7788 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
7790 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
7792 | overlay | <-' | | |
7793 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
7794 | | <---. | | load address
7795 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
7802 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
7806 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
7807 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
7808 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
7809 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
7810 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
7811 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
7812 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
7813 program and the overlay area.
7815 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
7816 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
7817 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
7818 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
7819 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
7820 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
7821 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
7823 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
7824 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
7825 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
7830 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
7831 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
7832 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
7833 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
7836 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
7837 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
7838 your program's performance.
7841 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
7842 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
7843 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
7844 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
7845 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
7846 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
7847 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
7850 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
7851 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
7852 instruction and data spaces.
7856 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
7857 improved in many ways:
7862 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
7863 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
7864 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
7865 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
7866 area in the usual way.
7869 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
7870 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
7873 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
7874 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
7875 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
7876 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
7877 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
7878 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
7879 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
7884 @node Overlay Commands
7885 @section Overlay Commands
7887 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
7888 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
7889 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
7890 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
7891 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
7892 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
7894 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
7895 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
7900 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
7901 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
7902 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
7903 overlay support is disabled.
7905 @item overlay manual
7906 @cindex manual overlay debugging
7907 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
7908 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
7909 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
7910 commands described below.
7912 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
7913 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
7914 @cindex map an overlay
7915 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
7916 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
7917 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
7918 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
7919 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
7920 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
7922 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
7923 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
7924 @cindex unmap an overlay
7925 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
7926 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
7927 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
7928 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
7931 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
7932 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
7933 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
7936 @item overlay load-target
7938 @cindex reloading the overlay table
7939 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
7940 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
7941 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
7942 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
7943 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
7945 @item overlay list-overlays
7947 @cindex listing mapped overlays
7948 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
7949 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
7953 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
7954 of the function the address falls in:
7957 (@value{GDBP}) print main
7958 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
7961 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
7962 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
7963 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
7964 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
7967 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
7968 No sections are mapped.
7969 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
7970 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
7973 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
7977 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
7978 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
7979 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
7980 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
7981 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
7984 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
7985 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
7986 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
7987 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
7988 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
7992 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
7993 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
7994 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
7995 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
7997 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
7998 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
7999 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
8000 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
8001 breakpoints properly.
8005 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
8006 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
8007 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
8009 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
8010 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
8011 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
8012 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
8013 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
8014 current state of the overlays.
8016 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
8017 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
8021 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
8022 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
8027 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
8030 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
8033 /* The overlay's load address. */
8036 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
8038 unsigned long mapped;
8042 @item @code{_novlys}:
8043 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
8044 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
8048 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
8049 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
8050 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
8051 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
8052 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
8055 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
8056 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
8057 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
8058 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
8059 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
8060 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
8061 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
8062 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
8063 are not being executed.
8065 @node Overlay Sample Program
8066 @section Overlay Sample Program
8067 @cindex overlay example program
8069 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
8070 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
8071 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
8072 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
8073 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
8074 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
8075 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
8077 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
8078 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
8079 suite. The program consists of the following files from
8080 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
8084 The main program file.
8086 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
8091 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
8094 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
8095 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
8098 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
8099 cross-compiler like this:
8102 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
8103 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
8104 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
8105 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
8106 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
8107 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
8108 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
8109 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
8112 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
8113 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
8114 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
8118 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
8121 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
8122 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
8123 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
8124 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
8125 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
8126 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
8128 @cindex working language
8129 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
8130 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
8131 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
8132 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
8133 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
8137 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
8138 * Show:: Displaying the language
8139 * Checks:: Type and range checks
8140 * Supported languages:: Supported languages
8141 * Unsupported languages:: Unsupported languages
8145 @section Switching between source languages
8147 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
8148 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
8149 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
8150 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
8151 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
8154 In addition to the working language, every source file that
8155 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
8156 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
8157 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
8158 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
8159 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
8160 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
8161 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
8162 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
8163 Displaying the language}.
8165 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
8166 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
8167 another language. In that case, make the
8168 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
8169 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
8170 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
8173 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
8174 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
8175 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8179 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
8181 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
8182 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
8203 Objective-C source file
8210 Modula-2 source file
8214 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
8215 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
8218 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
8219 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
8222 @subsection Setting the working language
8224 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
8225 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
8228 @kindex set language
8229 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
8230 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
8232 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
8233 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
8235 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
8236 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
8237 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
8238 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
8239 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
8240 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
8248 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
8249 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
8250 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
8251 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
8254 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8256 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
8257 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
8258 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
8259 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
8260 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
8261 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
8262 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
8263 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
8264 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
8266 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
8267 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
8268 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
8269 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
8270 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
8273 @section Displaying the language
8275 The following commands help you find out which language is the
8276 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
8280 @kindex show language
8281 Display the current working language. This is the
8282 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
8283 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
8286 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
8287 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
8288 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
8289 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
8290 information listed here.
8293 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
8294 Display the source language of this source file.
8295 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
8296 information listed here.
8299 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
8300 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
8301 with a language explicitly:
8304 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
8305 @kindex set extension-language
8306 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
8307 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
8309 @item info extensions
8310 @kindex info extensions
8311 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
8315 @section Type and range checking
8318 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
8319 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
8320 section documents the intended facilities.
8322 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
8324 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
8325 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
8326 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
8327 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
8328 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
8329 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
8330 errors when your program is running.
8332 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
8333 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
8334 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
8335 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
8336 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
8337 automatically based on your program's source language.
8338 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default
8339 settings of supported languages.
8342 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
8343 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
8346 @cindex type checking
8347 @cindex checks, type
8349 @subsection An overview of type checking
8351 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
8352 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
8353 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
8354 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
8362 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
8363 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
8365 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
8366 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
8367 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
8368 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
8369 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
8370 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
8371 also issues a warning.
8373 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
8374 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
8375 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
8376 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
8377 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
8378 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
8380 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
8381 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
8382 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
8383 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
8384 operators. @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for further
8385 details on specific languages.
8387 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
8389 @kindex set check type
8390 @kindex show check type
8392 @item set check type auto
8393 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
8394 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8397 @item set check type on
8398 @itemx set check type off
8399 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8400 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
8401 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
8402 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
8403 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
8405 @item set check type warn
8406 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
8407 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
8408 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
8409 numbers and structures.
8412 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
8413 is setting it automatically.
8416 @cindex range checking
8417 @cindex checks, range
8418 @node Range Checking
8419 @subsection An overview of range checking
8421 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
8422 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
8423 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
8424 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
8425 not exceed the bounds of the array.
8427 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
8428 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
8429 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
8430 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
8432 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
8433 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
8434 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
8435 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
8436 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
8437 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
8440 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
8443 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
8444 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported languages, ,
8445 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
8447 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
8449 @kindex set check range
8450 @kindex show check range
8452 @item set check range auto
8453 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
8454 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8457 @item set check range on
8458 @itemx set check range off
8459 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8460 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
8461 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
8462 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
8464 @item set check range warn
8465 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
8466 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
8467 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
8468 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
8472 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
8473 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
8476 @node Supported languages
8477 @section Supported languages
8479 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
8480 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
8481 @c This is false ...
8482 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
8483 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
8484 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
8485 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
8488 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
8489 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
8490 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
8491 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
8492 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
8493 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
8494 language reference or tutorial.
8498 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
8501 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
8506 @subsection C and C@t{++}
8508 @cindex C and C@t{++}
8509 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
8511 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
8512 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
8516 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
8517 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
8518 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
8519 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
8520 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
8521 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
8522 compiler (@code{aCC}).
8524 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
8525 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
8526 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
8527 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
8528 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
8529 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
8532 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
8533 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
8534 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
8535 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
8536 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
8537 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
8538 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
8542 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
8544 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
8546 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
8547 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
8548 often defined on groups of types.
8550 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
8555 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
8556 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
8559 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
8560 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
8563 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
8566 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
8571 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
8572 in order of increasing precedence:
8576 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
8577 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
8578 expression being the last expression evaluated.
8581 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
8582 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
8585 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
8586 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
8587 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
8588 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
8589 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
8592 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
8593 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
8597 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8600 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8603 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8606 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8609 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8612 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
8613 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
8615 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
8616 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
8617 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
8618 and non-zero for true.
8621 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
8624 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
8627 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
8630 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
8631 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
8632 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
8636 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
8637 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
8638 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
8639 operation takes place.
8642 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
8646 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
8648 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
8649 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
8650 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
8651 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
8655 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
8656 precedence as @code{++}.
8659 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
8663 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
8668 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
8669 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
8670 pointer based on the stored type information.
8671 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
8674 Dereferences of pointers to members.
8677 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
8678 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
8681 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
8684 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
8685 and @code{class} types.
8688 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
8689 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
8693 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
8694 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
8702 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
8704 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
8706 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
8711 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
8712 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
8713 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
8714 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
8718 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
8719 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
8720 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
8721 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
8722 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
8723 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
8724 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
8725 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
8726 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
8730 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
8731 integral equivalents.
8734 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
8735 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
8736 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
8737 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
8738 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
8739 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
8740 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
8741 @samp{\n} for newline.
8744 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
8745 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
8746 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
8747 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
8751 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
8752 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
8755 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
8756 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
8757 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
8758 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
8762 * C plus plus expressions::
8769 @node C plus plus expressions
8770 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
8772 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
8773 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
8775 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
8776 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
8777 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
8778 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
8780 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
8781 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
8782 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
8783 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
8784 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
8785 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
8786 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
8787 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
8788 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
8794 @cindex member functions
8796 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
8799 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
8802 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
8803 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
8805 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
8806 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
8807 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
8808 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
8810 @cindex call overloaded functions
8811 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
8812 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
8814 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
8815 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
8816 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
8817 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
8818 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
8821 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
8822 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
8823 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
8824 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
8825 number of function arguments.
8827 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
8828 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
8829 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
8831 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
8832 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
8834 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
8837 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
8838 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
8840 @cindex reference declarations
8842 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
8843 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
8846 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
8847 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
8848 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
8849 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
8850 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
8853 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
8854 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
8855 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
8856 necessary, for example in an expression like
8857 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
8858 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
8859 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
8862 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
8863 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
8864 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
8865 invoking user-defined operators.
8868 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
8870 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
8872 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
8873 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
8874 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
8875 selects the working language.
8877 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
8878 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
8879 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
8880 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
8881 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
8882 for further details.
8884 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
8885 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
8886 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
8889 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
8891 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
8893 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
8894 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
8895 considers two variables type equivalent if:
8899 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
8903 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
8904 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
8907 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
8910 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
8911 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
8916 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
8917 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
8918 that is not itself an array.
8921 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
8923 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
8924 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
8925 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
8926 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
8928 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
8929 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
8933 * Debugging C plus plus::
8936 @node Debugging C plus plus
8937 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
8939 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
8941 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
8942 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
8945 @cindex break in overloaded functions
8946 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
8947 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
8948 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
8949 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
8951 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
8952 @item rbreak @var{regex}
8953 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
8954 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
8956 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
8958 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
8961 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
8962 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
8965 @item ptype @var{typename}
8966 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
8968 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
8970 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
8971 @item set print demangle
8972 @itemx show print demangle
8973 @itemx set print asm-demangle
8974 @itemx show print asm-demangle
8975 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
8976 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
8977 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8979 @item set print object
8980 @itemx show print object
8981 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
8982 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8984 @item set print vtbl
8985 @itemx show print vtbl
8986 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
8987 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8988 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8989 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8991 @kindex set overload-resolution
8992 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
8993 @item set overload-resolution on
8994 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
8995 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
8996 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
8997 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
8998 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
9001 @item set overload-resolution off
9002 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
9003 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9004 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
9005 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
9006 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9007 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
9010 @kindex show overload-resolution
9011 @item show overload-resolution
9012 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
9014 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
9015 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
9016 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
9017 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
9018 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
9019 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
9020 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
9024 @subsection Objective-C
9027 This section provides information about some commands and command
9028 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
9029 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
9030 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
9033 * Method Names in Commands::
9034 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
9037 @node Method Names in Commands, The Print Command with Objective-C, Objective-C, Objective-C
9038 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
9040 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
9041 names as line specifications:
9043 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
9044 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
9045 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
9046 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
9047 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
9051 @item @code{info line}
9056 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
9059 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
9062 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
9063 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
9064 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
9065 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
9066 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
9067 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
9071 break -[Fruit create]
9074 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
9078 list +[NSText initialize]
9081 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
9082 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
9083 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
9084 is also possible to specify just a method name:
9090 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
9091 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
9092 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
9093 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
9096 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
9097 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
9100 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
9103 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
9104 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
9105 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
9106 @kindex print-object
9107 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
9109 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
9112 print -[@var{object} hash]
9115 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
9116 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
9118 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
9119 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
9120 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
9121 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
9122 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
9123 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
9127 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
9129 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
9130 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
9132 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
9133 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
9134 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
9135 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
9136 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
9140 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
9141 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
9142 * Special Fortran commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
9145 @node Fortran Operators
9146 @subsubsection Fortran operators and expressions
9148 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
9150 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9151 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
9152 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
9156 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
9160 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
9161 represent a section of array.
9164 @node Fortran Defaults
9165 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
9167 @cindex Fortran Defaults
9169 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
9170 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
9171 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
9172 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
9174 @node Special Fortran commands
9175 @subsubsection Special Fortran commands
9177 @cindex Special Fortran commands
9179 @value{GDBN} had some commands to support Fortran specific feature,
9180 such as common block displaying.
9183 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
9185 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
9186 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
9187 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
9188 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at current program location are
9195 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
9196 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
9197 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
9198 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
9201 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
9202 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
9203 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
9206 @subsection Modula-2
9208 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
9210 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
9211 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
9212 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
9213 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
9214 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
9217 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
9219 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
9220 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
9221 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
9222 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
9223 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
9224 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
9225 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
9226 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
9230 @subsubsection Operators
9231 @cindex Modula-2 operators
9233 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9234 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
9235 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
9236 following definitions hold:
9241 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
9245 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
9248 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
9251 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
9255 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
9258 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
9261 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
9265 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
9266 increasing precedence:
9270 Function argument or array index separator.
9273 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
9277 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
9281 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
9282 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
9283 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
9285 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
9286 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
9287 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
9288 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
9292 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
9293 Same precedence as @code{<}.
9296 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9299 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9302 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
9305 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
9306 and difference on set types.
9309 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
9313 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
9314 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
9317 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
9318 precedence as @code{*}.
9321 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
9324 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
9327 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
9331 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
9332 precedence as @code{^}.
9335 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
9338 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
9342 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
9346 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
9347 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
9348 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
9349 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
9353 @node Built-In Func/Proc
9354 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
9355 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
9357 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
9358 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
9363 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
9366 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
9369 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
9372 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
9373 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
9374 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
9377 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
9380 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
9386 represents a variable.
9389 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
9390 explanation of the function for details.
9393 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
9397 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
9400 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
9401 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
9404 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9407 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9409 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
9410 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9413 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9414 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
9417 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
9418 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
9421 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
9424 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9426 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
9427 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9430 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9431 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
9432 there. Returns the new set.
9435 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
9438 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
9441 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
9444 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
9445 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
9446 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
9447 integral, character and enumerated types.
9450 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
9452 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
9453 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
9455 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
9456 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9460 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
9461 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
9465 @cindex Modula-2 constants
9467 @subsubsection Constants
9469 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
9475 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
9476 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
9477 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
9478 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
9481 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
9482 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
9483 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
9484 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
9485 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
9489 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
9490 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
9491 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
9492 followed by a @samp{C}.
9495 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
9496 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
9497 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
9498 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
9502 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
9505 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
9509 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
9512 Set constants are not yet supported.
9516 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
9517 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
9519 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
9520 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
9521 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
9522 selected the working language.
9524 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
9525 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
9526 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
9527 the language automatically}, for further details.
9530 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
9531 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
9533 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
9534 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
9538 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
9539 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
9540 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
9541 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
9542 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
9543 returned a pointer.)
9546 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
9547 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
9548 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
9549 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
9552 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
9556 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
9560 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
9561 @cindex Modula-2 checks
9564 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
9567 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
9569 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
9573 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
9574 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
9577 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
9578 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
9581 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
9582 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
9584 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
9585 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
9588 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
9590 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
9591 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
9593 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
9594 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
9597 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
9600 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
9601 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
9606 @var{module} . @var{id}
9607 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
9611 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
9612 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
9613 identifier within your program, except another module.
9615 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
9616 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
9617 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
9618 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
9620 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
9621 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
9622 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
9623 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
9624 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
9628 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
9630 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
9631 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
9632 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
9633 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
9634 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
9635 analogue in Modula-2.
9637 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
9638 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
9639 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
9640 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
9641 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
9642 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
9644 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
9645 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
9646 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
9652 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
9653 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
9654 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
9655 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
9659 @cindex expressions in Ada
9661 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
9662 and semantics supported by Ada mode
9664 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
9665 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
9666 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
9667 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
9670 @node Ada Mode Intro
9671 @subsubsection Introduction
9672 @cindex Ada mode, general
9674 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
9675 syntax, with some extensions.
9676 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
9680 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
9681 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
9682 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
9683 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
9686 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
9687 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
9690 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
9693 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if there were
9694 implicit @code{with} and @code{use} clauses in effect for all user-written
9695 packages, making it unnecessary to fully qualify most names with
9696 their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes ambiguity,
9697 @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
9699 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
9700 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
9701 was translated from an Ada source file.
9703 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
9704 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
9705 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
9706 middle (to allow based literals).
9708 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
9709 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
9710 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
9711 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
9712 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
9713 functions to procedures elsewhere.
9715 @node Omissions from Ada
9716 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
9717 @cindex Ada, omissions from
9719 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
9723 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
9727 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
9728 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
9731 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
9734 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
9740 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
9741 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
9744 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
9745 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
9753 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
9754 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
9755 not currently available.
9758 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
9759 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
9760 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
9761 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
9762 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
9763 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
9764 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
9765 indeterminate values.
9768 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
9769 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
9770 are not implemented.
9773 There are no record or array aggregates.
9776 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
9779 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
9780 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in which a subexpression
9781 appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much looser in its rules for allowing
9782 type matches. As a result, some function calls will be ambiguous, and the user
9783 will be asked to choose the proper resolution.
9786 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
9789 Entry calls are not implemented.
9792 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
9793 formats are not supported.
9796 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
9799 @node Additions to Ada
9800 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
9801 @cindex Ada, deviations from
9803 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
9804 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
9808 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory
9809 (typically a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is
9810 a positive integer, then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of
9811 @var{E} and the @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array.
9812 In Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use
9813 is in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in Ada.
9814 However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs
9815 in which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
9818 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that appears
9819 in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name, you must typically
9820 surround it in single quotes.
9823 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
9824 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
9827 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
9828 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
9831 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright additions specific
9836 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
9837 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
9841 print A(tmp := y + 1)
9845 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
9846 the value of its right-hand operand.
9847 This allows, for example,
9848 complex conditional breaks:
9852 condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
9856 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
9857 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
9858 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
9859 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
9860 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
9861 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
9862 in strings. For example,
9864 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
9867 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF}) after each
9871 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
9872 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
9880 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
9881 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
9882 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound of 3 might print as
9889 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
9893 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
9894 multi-character subsequence of
9895 their names (an exact match gets preference).
9896 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
9897 in place of @t{a'length}.
9900 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
9901 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
9902 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
9903 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
9904 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
9905 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
9908 @value{GDBP} print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
9912 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
9913 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
9914 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
9915 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
9920 @node Stopping Before Main Program
9921 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
9923 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
9924 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
9925 before reaching the main procedure.
9926 As defined in the Ada Reference
9927 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
9928 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
9929 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
9930 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
9933 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
9934 @cindex Ada, problems
9936 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
9937 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
9939 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
9940 and the GNU Ada compiler.
9944 Currently, the debugger
9945 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
9946 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
9947 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
9948 to get it printed properly.
9951 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
9952 storage are invisible to the debugger.
9955 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
9956 argument lists are treated as positional).
9959 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
9962 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
9963 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
9967 The type of the @t{'Address} attribute may not be @code{System.Address}.
9970 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
9971 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
9972 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
9973 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
9974 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
9975 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
9976 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
9977 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
9978 you can usually resolve the confusion
9979 by qualifying the problematic names with package
9980 @code{Standard} explicitly.
9983 @node Unsupported languages
9984 @section Unsupported languages
9986 @cindex unsupported languages
9987 @cindex minimal language
9988 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
9989 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
9990 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
9991 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
9992 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
9993 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
9995 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
9996 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
10000 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
10002 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
10003 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
10004 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
10005 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
10006 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
10007 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
10008 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
10010 @cindex symbol names
10011 @cindex names of symbols
10012 @cindex quoting names
10013 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
10014 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
10015 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
10016 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
10017 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
10018 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
10019 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
10020 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
10027 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
10030 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
10031 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
10032 @kindex set case-sensitive
10033 @item set case-sensitive on
10034 @itemx set case-sensitive off
10035 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
10036 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
10037 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
10038 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
10039 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
10040 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
10041 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
10042 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
10043 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
10044 case-insensitive matches.
10046 @kindex show case-sensitive
10047 @item show case-sensitive
10048 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
10051 @kindex info address
10052 @cindex address of a symbol
10053 @item info address @var{symbol}
10054 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
10055 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
10056 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
10059 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
10060 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
10061 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
10063 @kindex info symbol
10064 @cindex symbol from address
10065 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
10066 @item info symbol @var{addr}
10067 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
10068 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
10069 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
10072 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
10073 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
10077 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
10078 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
10081 @item whatis @var{expr}
10082 Print the data type of expression @var{expr}. @var{expr} is not
10083 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
10084 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
10085 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10088 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
10091 @item ptype @var{typename}
10092 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
10093 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form @samp{class
10094 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
10095 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
10097 @item ptype @var{expr}
10099 Print a description of the type of expression @var{expr}. @code{ptype}
10100 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
10101 of just the name of the type.
10103 For example, for this variable declaration:
10106 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
10110 the two commands give this output:
10114 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
10115 type = struct complex
10116 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
10117 type = struct complex @{
10125 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
10126 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
10128 @cindex incomplete type
10129 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
10130 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
10131 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
10132 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
10133 given these declarations:
10137 struct foo *fooptr;
10141 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
10145 $1 = <incomplete type>
10149 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
10150 completely specified.
10153 @item info types @var{regexp}
10155 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
10156 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
10157 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
10158 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
10159 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
10160 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
10161 name is @code{value}.
10163 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
10164 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
10165 lists all source files where a type is defined.
10168 @cindex local variables
10169 @item info scope @var{location}
10170 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
10171 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
10172 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
10173 to the scope defined by that location. For example:
10176 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
10177 Scope for command_line_handler:
10178 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
10179 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
10180 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
10181 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
10182 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
10183 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
10184 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
10188 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
10189 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
10192 @kindex info source
10194 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
10195 the function containing the current point of execution:
10198 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
10200 the directory it was compiled in,
10202 its length, in lines,
10204 which programming language it is written in,
10206 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
10207 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
10209 whether the debugging information includes information about
10210 preprocessor macros.
10214 @kindex info sources
10216 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
10217 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
10218 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
10220 @kindex info functions
10221 @item info functions
10222 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
10224 @item info functions @var{regexp}
10225 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
10226 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
10227 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
10228 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
10229 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
10230 that conflict with the regular expression language (eg.
10231 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
10233 @kindex info variables
10234 @item info variables
10235 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
10236 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
10238 @item info variables @var{regexp}
10239 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
10240 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
10243 @kindex info classes
10244 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
10246 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
10247 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
10248 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10251 @kindex info selectors
10252 @item info selectors
10253 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
10254 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
10255 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10259 This was never implemented.
10260 @kindex info methods
10262 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
10263 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
10264 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
10265 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
10266 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
10267 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
10268 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
10269 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
10272 @cindex reloading symbols
10273 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
10274 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
10275 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
10276 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
10277 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
10280 @kindex set symbol-reloading
10281 @item set symbol-reloading on
10282 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
10283 object file with a particular name is seen again.
10285 @item set symbol-reloading off
10286 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
10287 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
10288 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
10289 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
10290 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
10291 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
10294 @kindex show symbol-reloading
10295 @item show symbol-reloading
10296 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
10299 @cindex opaque data types
10300 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
10301 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
10302 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
10303 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
10304 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
10305 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
10306 another source file. The default is on.
10308 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
10309 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
10311 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
10312 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
10313 is printed as follows:
10315 @{<no data fields>@}
10318 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
10319 @item show opaque-type-resolution
10320 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
10322 @kindex maint print symbols
10323 @cindex symbol dump
10324 @kindex maint print psymbols
10325 @cindex partial symbol dump
10326 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
10327 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
10328 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
10329 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
10330 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
10331 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
10332 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
10333 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
10334 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
10335 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
10336 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
10337 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
10338 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
10339 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
10340 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
10341 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
10342 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
10344 @kindex maint info symtabs
10345 @kindex maint info psymtabs
10346 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
10347 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10348 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10349 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10350 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10351 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10353 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
10354 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
10355 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
10356 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
10357 structure in more detail. For example:
10360 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
10361 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10362 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10363 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10364 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
10367 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
10368 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
10369 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
10370 dependencies (none)
10373 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10377 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
10378 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
10379 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
10380 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
10381 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
10384 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
10385 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
10387 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10388 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10389 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10390 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10391 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
10394 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
10395 debugformat DWARF 2
10404 @chapter Altering Execution
10406 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
10407 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
10408 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
10409 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
10412 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
10413 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
10414 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
10417 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
10418 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
10419 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
10420 * Returning:: Returning from a function
10421 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
10422 * Patching:: Patching your program
10426 @section Assignment to variables
10429 @cindex setting variables
10430 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
10431 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
10438 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
10439 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
10440 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
10441 information on operators in supported languages.
10443 @kindex set variable
10444 @cindex variables, setting
10445 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
10446 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
10447 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
10448 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
10449 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
10451 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
10452 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
10453 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
10454 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
10455 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
10456 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
10457 command @code{set width}:
10460 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
10462 (@value{GDBP}) p width
10464 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
10465 Invalid syntax in expression.
10469 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
10470 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
10473 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
10476 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
10477 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
10478 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
10479 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
10480 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
10481 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
10485 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
10489 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
10493 The program being debugged has been started already.
10494 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
10495 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
10496 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
10497 Invalid bfd target.
10498 (@value{GDBP}) show g
10499 The current BFD target is "=4".
10504 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
10505 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
10509 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
10512 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
10513 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
10514 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
10515 same length or shorter.
10516 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
10517 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
10519 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
10520 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
10521 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
10522 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
10523 and representation in memory), and
10526 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
10530 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
10533 @section Continuing at a different address
10535 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
10536 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
10537 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
10541 @item jump @var{linespec}
10542 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
10543 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
10544 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
10545 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
10546 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
10549 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
10550 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
10551 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
10552 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
10553 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
10554 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
10555 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
10556 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
10557 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
10559 @item jump *@var{address}
10560 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
10563 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
10564 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
10565 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
10566 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
10567 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
10575 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
10576 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
10577 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
10579 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
10580 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
10581 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
10586 @section Giving your program a signal
10587 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
10591 @item signal @var{signal}
10592 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
10593 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
10594 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
10595 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
10597 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
10598 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
10599 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
10600 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
10603 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
10604 after executing the command.
10608 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
10609 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
10610 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
10611 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
10612 passes the signal directly to your program.
10616 @section Returning from a function
10619 @cindex returning from a function
10622 @itemx return @var{expression}
10623 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
10624 command. If you give an
10625 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
10629 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
10630 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
10631 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
10632 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
10634 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
10635 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
10636 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
10637 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
10640 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
10641 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
10642 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
10643 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
10644 selected stack frame returns naturally.
10647 @section Calling program functions
10650 @cindex calling functions
10651 @cindex inferior functions, calling
10652 @item print @var{expr}
10653 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resuling value.
10654 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
10658 @item call @var{expr}
10659 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
10662 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
10663 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
10664 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
10665 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
10666 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
10670 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
10671 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
10672 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
10673 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
10676 @item set unwindonsignal
10677 @kindex set unwindonsignal
10678 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
10679 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
10680 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
10681 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
10682 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
10683 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
10684 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
10687 @item show unwindonsignal
10688 @kindex show unwindonsignal
10689 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
10693 @cindex weak alias functions
10694 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
10695 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
10696 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
10697 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
10698 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
10699 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
10703 @section Patching programs
10705 @cindex patching binaries
10706 @cindex writing into executables
10707 @cindex writing into corefiles
10709 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
10710 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
10711 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
10712 patching your program's binary.
10714 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
10715 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
10716 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
10722 @itemx set write off
10723 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
10724 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
10725 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
10727 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
10728 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
10729 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
10733 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
10734 as well as reading.
10738 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
10740 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
10741 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
10742 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
10743 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
10746 * Files:: Commands to specify files
10747 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
10748 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
10752 @section Commands to specify files
10754 @cindex symbol table
10755 @cindex core dump file
10757 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
10758 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
10759 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
10760 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
10762 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
10763 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
10764 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
10765 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file}). In these situations the
10766 @value{GDBN} commands to specify new files are useful.
10769 @cindex executable file
10771 @item file @var{filename}
10772 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
10773 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
10774 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
10775 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
10776 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
10777 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
10778 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
10779 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
10781 @cindex unlinked object files
10782 @cindex patching object files
10783 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
10784 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
10785 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
10786 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
10787 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
10788 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
10789 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
10790 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
10793 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
10794 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
10797 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
10798 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
10799 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
10800 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
10801 discard information on the executable file.
10803 @kindex symbol-file
10804 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
10805 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
10806 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
10807 table and program to run from the same file.
10809 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
10810 program's symbol table.
10812 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
10813 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
10814 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
10815 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
10816 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
10818 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
10821 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
10822 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
10823 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
10824 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
10825 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
10826 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
10829 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
10830 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
10831 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
10832 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
10833 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
10835 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
10836 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
10837 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
10838 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
10839 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
10840 warnings and messages}.)
10842 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
10843 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
10844 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
10845 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
10849 @cindex reading symbols immediately
10850 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
10851 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
10852 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
10853 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
10854 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
10855 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
10856 entire symbol table available.
10858 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
10859 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
10860 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
10861 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
10862 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
10863 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
10867 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
10869 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
10870 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
10871 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
10872 executable file itself for other parts.
10874 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
10877 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
10878 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
10879 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
10880 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
10881 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
10883 @kindex add-symbol-file
10884 @cindex dynamic linking
10885 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
10886 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
10887 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
10888 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
10889 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
10890 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
10891 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
10892 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
10893 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
10894 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
10895 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
10896 @var{address} as an expression.
10898 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
10899 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
10900 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
10901 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
10902 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
10904 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
10905 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
10906 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
10907 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
10908 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
10909 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
10910 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
10911 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
10912 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
10916 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
10917 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
10919 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
10920 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
10922 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
10923 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
10927 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
10928 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
10929 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
10930 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
10931 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
10932 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
10933 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
10934 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
10935 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
10938 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
10940 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
10941 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
10942 @cindex load symbols from memory
10943 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
10944 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
10945 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
10946 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
10947 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
10948 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
10949 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
10950 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
10951 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
10953 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
10955 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
10956 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
10957 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
10958 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
10959 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
10960 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
10961 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
10962 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
10963 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
10964 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
10967 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
10968 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
10969 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
10970 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
10971 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
10972 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
10973 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
10977 @kindex info target
10980 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
10981 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
10982 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
10983 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
10984 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
10987 @kindex maint info sections
10988 @item maint info sections
10989 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
10990 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
10991 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
10992 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
10993 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
10994 may be arbitrarily combined):
10998 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
10999 @item @var{sections}
11000 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
11001 @item @var{section-flags}
11002 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
11003 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
11006 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
11007 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
11009 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
11010 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
11012 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
11014 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
11016 Section contains executable code only.
11018 Section contains data only (no executable code).
11020 Section will reside in ROM.
11022 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
11024 Section is not empty.
11026 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
11027 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
11028 A notification to the linker that the section contains
11029 COFF shared library information.
11031 Section contains common symbols.
11034 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
11035 @cindex read-only sections
11036 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
11037 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
11038 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
11039 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
11040 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
11041 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
11042 enhancement to debugging performance.
11044 The default is off.
11046 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
11047 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
11048 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
11049 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
11051 @item show trust-readonly-sections
11052 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
11055 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
11056 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
11057 name and remembers it that way.
11059 @cindex shared libraries
11060 @value{GDBN} supports GNU/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
11061 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
11063 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
11064 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
11065 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
11066 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
11067 debugging a core file).
11069 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
11070 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
11072 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
11073 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
11074 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
11076 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
11077 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
11078 particularly large or there are many of them.
11080 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
11084 @kindex set auto-solib-add
11085 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
11086 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
11087 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
11088 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
11089 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
11090 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
11091 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
11093 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
11094 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
11095 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
11096 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
11097 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
11098 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
11099 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
11100 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expresion that matches
11101 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
11103 @kindex show auto-solib-add
11104 @item show auto-solib-add
11105 Display the current autoloading mode.
11108 @cindex load shared library
11109 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
11113 @kindex info sharedlibrary
11116 @itemx info sharedlibrary
11117 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
11119 @kindex sharedlibrary
11121 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
11122 @itemx share @var{regex}
11123 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
11124 Unix regular expression.
11125 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
11126 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
11127 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
11130 @item nosharedlibrary
11131 @kindex nosharedlibrary
11132 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
11133 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
11134 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
11135 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
11139 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
11140 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
11141 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
11144 @item set stop-on-solib-events
11145 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
11146 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
11147 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
11148 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
11151 @item show stop-on-solib-events
11152 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
11153 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
11154 library events happen.
11157 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
11158 configurations. A copy of the target's libraries need to be present on the
11159 host system; they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
11160 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
11163 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
11164 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
11165 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
11166 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
11167 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
11170 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
11171 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
11172 @item set solib-absolute-prefix @var{path}
11173 If this variable is set, @var{path} will be used as a prefix for any
11174 absolute shared library paths; many runtime loaders store the absolute
11175 paths to the shared library in the target program's memory. If you use
11176 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to find shared libraries, they need to be laid
11177 out in the same way that they are on the target, with e.g.@: a
11178 @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under @var{path}.
11180 @cindex default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
11181 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
11182 You can set the default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} by using the
11183 configure-time @samp{--with-sysroot} option.
11185 @kindex show solib-absolute-prefix
11186 @item show solib-absolute-prefix
11187 Display the current shared library prefix.
11189 @kindex set solib-search-path
11190 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
11191 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of directories
11192 to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path} is used after
11193 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} fails to locate the library, or if the path to
11194 the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to use
11195 @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}, be sure to
11196 set @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to a nonexistant directory to prevent
11197 @value{GDBN} from finding your host's libraries.
11199 @kindex show solib-search-path
11200 @item show solib-search-path
11201 Display the current shared library search path.
11205 @node Separate Debug Files
11206 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
11207 @cindex separate debugging information files
11208 @cindex debugging information in separate files
11209 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
11210 @cindex debugging information directory, global
11211 @cindex global debugging information directory
11213 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
11214 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
11215 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
11216 Since debugging information can be very large --- sometimes larger
11217 than the executable code itself --- some systems distribute debugging
11218 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
11219 install only when they need to debug a problem.
11221 If an executable's debugging information has been extracted to a
11222 separate file, the executable should contain a @dfn{debug link} giving
11223 the name of the debugging information file (with no directory
11224 components), and a checksum of its contents. (The exact form of a
11225 debug link is described below.) If the full name of the directory
11226 containing the executable is @var{execdir}, and the executable has a
11227 debug link that specifies the name @var{debugfile}, then @value{GDBN}
11228 will automatically search for the debugging information file in three
11233 the directory containing the executable file (that is, it will look
11234 for a file named @file{@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}},
11236 a subdirectory of that directory named @file{.debug} (that is, the
11237 file @file{@var{execdir}/.debug/@var{debugfile}}, and
11239 a subdirectory of the global debug file directory that includes the
11240 executable's full path, and the name from the link (that is, the file
11241 @file{@var{globaldebugdir}/@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}}, where
11242 @var{globaldebugdir} is the global debug file directory, and
11243 @var{execdir} has been turned into a relative path).
11246 @value{GDBN} checks under each of these names for a debugging
11247 information file whose checksum matches that given in the link, and
11248 reads the debugging information from the first one it finds.
11250 So, for example, if you ask @value{GDBN} to debug @file{/usr/bin/ls},
11251 which has a link containing the name @file{ls.debug}, and the global
11252 debug directory is @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look
11253 for debug information in @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug},
11254 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}, and
11255 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
11257 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
11258 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
11262 @kindex set debug-file-directory
11263 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
11264 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11265 information files to @var{directory}.
11267 @kindex show debug-file-directory
11268 @item show debug-file-directory
11269 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11274 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
11275 @cindex debug links
11276 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
11277 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
11281 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
11284 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
11285 boundary within the section, and
11287 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
11288 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
11289 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
11290 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
11293 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
11294 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
11297 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
11298 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
11299 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
11300 should have the same names, addresses and sizes as the original file,
11301 but they need not contain any data --- much like a @code{.bss} section
11302 in an ordinary executable.
11304 As of December 2002, there is no standard GNU utility to produce
11305 separated executable / debugging information file pairs. Ulrich
11306 Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53,
11307 contains a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command
11308 @kbd{strip foo -f foo.debug} removes the debugging information from
11309 the executable file @file{foo}, places it in the file
11310 @file{foo.debug}, and leaves behind a debug link in @file{foo}.
11312 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's (different
11313 polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the simplest way to
11314 describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections is to give the
11315 complete code for a function that computes it:
11317 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
11320 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
11321 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
11323 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
11325 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
11326 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
11327 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
11328 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
11329 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
11330 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
11331 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
11332 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
11333 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
11334 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
11335 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
11336 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
11337 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
11338 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
11339 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
11340 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
11341 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
11342 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
11343 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
11344 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
11345 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
11346 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
11347 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
11348 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
11349 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
11350 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
11351 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
11352 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
11353 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
11354 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
11355 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
11356 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
11357 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
11358 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
11359 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
11360 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
11361 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
11362 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
11363 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
11364 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
11365 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
11366 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
11367 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
11368 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
11369 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
11370 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
11371 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
11372 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
11373 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
11374 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
11375 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
11378 unsigned char *end;
11380 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11381 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
11382 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
11383 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11388 @node Symbol Errors
11389 @section Errors reading symbol files
11391 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
11392 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
11393 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
11394 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
11395 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
11396 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
11397 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
11398 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
11399 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
11400 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11403 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
11406 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
11408 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
11409 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
11410 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
11411 in its outer scope blocks.
11413 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
11414 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
11415 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
11418 @item block at @var{address} out of order
11420 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
11421 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
11424 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
11425 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
11426 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
11427 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11430 @item bad block start address patched
11432 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
11433 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
11434 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
11436 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
11437 starting on the previous source line.
11439 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
11442 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
11443 larger than the size of the string table.
11445 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
11446 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
11449 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
11451 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
11452 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
11453 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
11455 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
11456 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
11457 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
11458 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
11459 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
11460 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
11462 @item stub type has NULL name
11464 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
11466 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
11467 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
11468 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
11471 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
11473 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
11478 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
11480 @cindex debugging target
11481 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
11483 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
11484 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
11485 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
11486 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
11487 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
11488 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
11489 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
11490 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
11492 @cindex target architecture
11493 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
11494 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
11495 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
11499 @kindex set architecture
11500 @kindex show architecture
11501 @item set architecture @var{arch}
11502 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
11503 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
11504 supported architectures.
11506 @item show architecture
11507 Show the current target architecture.
11509 @item set processor
11511 @kindex set processor
11512 @kindex show processor
11513 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
11514 and @code{show architecture}.
11518 * Active Targets:: Active targets
11519 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
11520 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
11521 * Remote:: Remote debugging
11522 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
11526 @node Active Targets
11527 @section Active targets
11529 @cindex stacking targets
11530 @cindex active targets
11531 @cindex multiple targets
11533 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
11534 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
11535 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
11536 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
11539 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
11540 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
11541 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
11542 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
11543 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
11544 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
11545 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
11546 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
11547 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
11549 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
11550 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
11551 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
11552 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
11553 process target is active.
11555 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
11556 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
11557 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
11558 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
11561 @node Target Commands
11562 @section Commands for managing targets
11565 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
11566 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
11567 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
11568 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
11569 protocol of the target machine.
11571 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
11572 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
11573 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
11575 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
11576 after executing the command.
11578 @kindex help target
11580 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
11581 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
11582 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
11584 @item help target @var{name}
11585 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
11588 @kindex set gnutarget
11589 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
11590 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
11591 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
11592 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
11593 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
11594 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
11597 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
11598 you must know the actual BFD name.
11602 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
11604 @kindex show gnutarget
11605 @item show gnutarget
11606 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
11607 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
11608 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
11609 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
11612 @cindex common targets
11613 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
11618 @item target exec @var{program}
11619 @cindex executable file target
11620 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
11621 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
11623 @item target core @var{filename}
11624 @cindex core dump file target
11625 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
11626 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
11628 @item target remote @var{dev}
11629 @cindex remote target
11630 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
11631 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
11632 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
11633 supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
11634 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
11635 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
11638 @cindex built-in simulator target
11639 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
11647 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
11648 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
11649 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
11650 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
11655 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
11659 @item target nrom @var{dev}
11660 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
11661 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
11665 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
11666 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
11668 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
11669 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
11670 various aspects of this process, such as the size of the data chunks
11671 used by @value{GDBN} to download program parts to the remote target.
11674 @kindex set download-write-size
11675 @item set download-write-size @var{size}
11676 Set the write size used when downloading a program. Only used when
11677 downloading a program onto a remote target. Specify zero or a
11678 negative value to disable blocked writes. The actual size of each
11679 transfer is also limited by the size of the target packet and the
11682 @kindex show download-write-size
11683 @item show download-write-size
11684 @kindex show download-write-size
11685 Show the current value of the write size.
11688 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
11689 @cindex hash mark while downloading
11690 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
11691 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
11692 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
11696 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
11697 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
11699 @item set debug monitor
11700 @kindex set debug monitor
11701 @cindex display remote monitor communications
11702 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
11703 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
11705 @item show debug monitor
11706 @kindex show debug monitor
11707 Show the current status of displaying communications between
11708 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
11713 @kindex load @var{filename}
11714 @item load @var{filename}
11715 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
11716 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
11717 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
11718 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
11719 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
11720 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
11722 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
11723 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
11724 target is @dots{}}''
11726 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
11727 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
11728 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
11729 specifies a fixed address.
11730 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
11732 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
11736 @section Choosing target byte order
11738 @cindex choosing target byte order
11739 @cindex target byte order
11741 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
11742 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
11743 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
11744 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
11745 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
11746 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
11750 @item set endian big
11751 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
11753 @item set endian little
11754 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
11756 @item set endian auto
11757 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
11761 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
11765 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
11766 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
11770 @section Remote debugging
11771 @cindex remote debugging
11773 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
11774 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
11775 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
11776 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
11777 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
11779 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
11780 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
11781 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
11782 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
11783 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
11784 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
11786 Other remote targets may be available in your
11787 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
11789 Once you've connected to the remote target, @value{GDBN} allows you to
11790 send arbitrary commands to the remote monitor:
11793 @item remote @var{command}
11794 @kindex remote@r{, a command}
11795 @cindex send command to remote monitor
11796 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the remote monitor.
11801 @section Kernel Object Display
11802 @cindex kernel object display
11805 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
11806 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
11807 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
11808 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
11809 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
11812 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
11813 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
11816 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
11820 The associated command @code{show os} displays the operating system
11821 set with the @code{set os} command; if no operating system has been
11822 set, @code{show os} will display an empty string @samp{""}.
11824 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
11825 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
11826 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
11827 after the operating system:
11831 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
11832 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
11834 any Any and all objects
11837 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
11840 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating
11841 system is supported other than to try setting it with @kbd{set os
11842 @var{name}}, where @var{name} is the name of the operating system you
11846 @node Remote Debugging
11847 @chapter Debugging remote programs
11850 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
11851 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
11852 * NetWare:: Using the gdbserve.nlm program
11853 * Remote configuration:: Remote configuration
11854 * remote stub:: Implementing a remote stub
11858 @section Connecting to a remote target
11860 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
11861 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symobl and debugging information.
11862 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
11863 program as the first argument.
11865 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
11866 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
11867 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
11868 (@pxref{Remote configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
11869 @code{target} command.
11871 After that, use @code{target remote} to establish communications with
11872 the target machine. Its argument specifies how to communicate---either
11873 via a devicename attached to a direct serial line, or a TCP or UDP port
11874 (possibly to a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
11875 target). For example, to use a serial line connected to the device
11876 named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
11879 target remote /dev/ttyb
11882 @cindex TCP port, @code{target remote}
11883 To use a TCP connection, use an argument of the form
11884 @code{@var{host}:@var{port}} or @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}.
11885 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a
11886 terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
11889 target remote manyfarms:2828
11892 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as
11893 your debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator of your target running on
11894 the same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect
11895 to port 1234 on your local machine:
11898 target remote :1234
11902 Note that the colon is still required here.
11904 @cindex UDP port, @code{target remote}
11905 To use a UDP connection, use an argument of the form
11906 @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}. For example, to connect to UDP port 2828
11907 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
11910 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
11913 When using a UDP connection for remote debugging, you should keep in mind
11914 that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. UDP can silently drop packets on
11915 busy or unreliable networks, which will cause havoc with your debugging
11918 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
11919 step and continue the remote program.
11921 @cindex interrupting remote programs
11922 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
11923 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
11924 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
11925 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
11926 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
11927 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
11930 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
11931 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
11934 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
11935 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
11936 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
11937 goes back to waiting.
11940 @kindex detach (remote)
11942 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
11943 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
11944 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
11945 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
11946 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
11950 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
11951 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
11952 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
11953 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
11956 @cindex send command to remote monitor
11958 @item monitor @var{cmd}
11959 This command allows you to send commands directly to the remote
11964 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} program
11967 @cindex remote connection without stubs
11968 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
11969 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
11970 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
11972 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
11973 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
11974 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
11975 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
11976 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
11977 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
11978 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
11979 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
11980 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
11981 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
11982 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
11983 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
11984 choice for debugging.
11986 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
11987 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
11991 @item On the target machine,
11992 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
11993 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
11994 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
11995 system does all the symbol handling.
11997 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
11998 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
12002 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
12005 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
12006 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
12007 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
12011 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
12014 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
12017 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
12020 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
12023 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
12024 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
12025 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
12026 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
12027 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
12028 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
12029 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
12030 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
12031 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
12032 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
12033 @code{target remote} command.
12035 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
12036 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
12039 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach @var{pid}
12042 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
12043 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
12046 @cindex attach to a program by name
12047 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
12048 @code{pidof} utility:
12051 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach `pidof @var{PROGRAM}`
12054 In case more than one copy of @var{PROGRAM} is running, or @var{PROGRAM}
12055 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
12056 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
12058 @item On the host machine,
12059 connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
12060 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
12061 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
12062 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
12063 @samp{Connection refused}. You don't need to use the @code{load}
12064 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
12065 already on the target. However, if you want to load the symbols (as
12066 you normally would), do that with the @code{file} command, and issue
12067 it @emph{before} connecting to the server; otherwise, you will get an
12068 error message saying @code{"Program is already running"}, since the
12069 program is considered running after the connection.
12074 @section Using the @code{gdbserve.nlm} program
12076 @kindex gdbserve.nlm
12077 @code{gdbserve.nlm} is a control program for NetWare systems, which
12078 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
12079 @code{target remote}.
12081 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserve.nlm} communicate via a serial line,
12082 using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol.
12085 @item On the target machine,
12086 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
12087 @code{gdbserve.nlm} does not need your program's symbol table, so you
12088 can strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the
12089 host system does all the symbol handling.
12091 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with
12092 @value{GDBN}; the name of your program; and the arguments for your
12093 program. The syntax is:
12096 load gdbserve [ BOARD=@var{board} ] [ PORT=@var{port} ]
12097 [ BAUD=@var{baud} ] @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
12100 @var{board} and @var{port} specify the serial line; @var{baud} specifies
12101 the baud rate used by the connection. @var{port} and @var{node} default
12102 to 0, @var{baud} defaults to 9600@dmn{bps}.
12104 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument @samp{foo.txt}and
12105 communicate with @value{GDBN} over serial port number 2 or board 1
12106 using a 19200@dmn{bps} connection:
12109 load gdbserve BOARD=1 PORT=2 BAUD=19200 emacs foo.txt
12113 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,
12114 Connecting to a remote target}).
12118 @node Remote configuration
12119 @section Remote configuration
12122 @kindex show remote
12123 This section documents the configuration options available when
12124 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
12125 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{The system call,
12126 system-call-allowed}.
12129 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
12130 @cindex adress size for remote targets
12131 @cindex bits in remote address
12132 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
12133 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
12134 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
12135 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
12137 @item show remoteaddresssize
12138 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
12140 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
12141 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
12142 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
12143 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
12146 @item show remotebaud
12147 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
12149 @item set remotebreak
12150 @cindex interrupt remote programs
12151 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
12152 @anchor{set remotebreak}
12153 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
12154 when you press the @key{Ctrl-C} key to interrupt the program running
12155 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
12156 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
12157 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
12159 @item show remotebreak
12160 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
12161 interrupt the remote program.
12163 @item set remotedebug
12164 @cindex debug remote protocol
12165 @cindex remote protocol debugging
12166 @cindex display remote packets
12167 Control the debugging of the remote protocol. When enabled, each
12168 packet sent to or received from the remote target is displayed. The
12171 @item show remotedebug
12172 Show the current setting of the remote protocol debugging.
12174 @item set remotedevice @var{device}
12175 @cindex serial port name
12176 Set the name of the serial port through which to communicate to the
12177 remote target to @var{device}. This is the device used by
12178 @value{GDBN} to open the serial communications line to the remote
12179 target. There's no default, so you must set a valid port name for the
12180 remote serial communications to work. (Some varieties of the
12181 @code{target} command accept the port name as part of their
12184 @item show remotedevice
12185 Show the current name of the serial port.
12187 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
12188 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
12189 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
12190 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
12193 @item show remotelogbase
12194 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
12197 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
12198 @cindex record serial communications on file
12199 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
12200 default is not to record at all.
12202 @item show remotelogfile.
12203 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
12204 serial communications.
12206 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
12207 @cindex timeout for serial communications
12208 @cindex remote timeout
12209 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
12210 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
12212 @item show remotetimeout
12213 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
12216 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12217 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
12218 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
12219 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
12220 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
12221 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
12222 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
12223 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
12225 @item set remote fetch-register-packet
12226 @itemx set remote set-register-packet
12227 @itemx set remote P-packet
12228 @itemx set remote p-packet
12230 @cindex fetch registers from remote targets
12231 @cindex set registers in remote targets
12232 Determine whether @value{GDBN} can set and fetch registers from the
12233 remote target using the @samp{P} packets. The default depends on the
12234 remote stub's support of the @samp{P} packets (@value{GDBN} queries
12235 the stub when this packet is first required).
12237 @item show remote fetch-register-packet
12238 @itemx show remote set-register-packet
12239 @itemx show remote P-packet
12240 @itemx show remote p-packet
12241 Show the current setting of using the @samp{P} packets for setting and
12242 fetching registers from the remote target.
12244 @cindex binary downloads
12246 @item set remote binary-download-packet
12247 @itemx set remote X-packet
12248 Determine whether @value{GDBN} sends downloads in binary mode using
12249 the @samp{X} packets. The default is on.
12251 @item show remote binary-download-packet
12252 @itemx show remote X-packet
12253 Show the current setting of using the @samp{X} packets for binary
12256 @item set remote read-aux-vector-packet
12257 @cindex auxiliary vector of remote target
12258 @cindex @code{auxv}, and remote targets
12259 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qPart:auxv:read} (target
12260 auxiliary vector read) request. This request is used to fetch the
12261 remote target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}, see @ref{OS Information,
12262 Auxiliary Vector}. The default setting depends on the remote stub's
12263 support of this request (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this
12264 request is first required). @xref{General Query Packets, qPart}, for
12265 more information about this request.
12267 @item show remote read-aux-vector-packet
12268 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qPart:auxv:read} request.
12270 @item set remote symbol-lookup-packet
12271 @cindex remote symbol lookup request
12272 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qSymbol} (target symbol
12273 lookup) request. This request is used to communicate symbol
12274 information to the remote target, e.g., whenever a new shared library
12275 is loaded by the remote (@pxref{Files, shared libraries}). The
12276 default setting depends on the remote stub's support of this request
12277 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this request is first required).
12278 @xref{General Query Packets, qSymbol}, for more information about this
12281 @item show remote symbol-lookup-packet
12282 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qSymbol} request.
12284 @item set remote verbose-resume-packet
12285 @cindex resume remote target
12286 @cindex signal thread, and remote targets
12287 @cindex single-step thread, and remote targets
12288 @cindex thread-specific operations on remote targets
12289 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{vCont} (descriptive resume)
12290 request. This request is used to resume specific threads in the
12291 remote target, and to single-step or signal them. The default setting
12292 depends on the remote stub's support of this request (@value{GDBN}
12293 queries the stub when this request is first required). This setting
12294 affects debugging of multithreaded programs: if @samp{vCont} cannot be
12295 used, @value{GDBN} might be unable to single-step a specific thread,
12296 especially under @code{set scheduler-locking off}; it is also
12297 impossible to pause a specific thread. @xref{Packets, vCont}, for
12300 @item show remote verbose-resume-packet
12301 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{vCont} request
12303 @item set remote software-breakpoint-packet
12304 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12305 @itemx set remote write-watchpoint-packet
12306 @itemx set remote read-watchpoint-packet
12307 @itemx set remote access-watchpoint-packet
12308 @itemx set remote Z-packet
12310 @cindex remote hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12311 These commands enable or disable the use of @samp{Z} packets for
12312 setting breakpoints and watchpoints in the remote target. The default
12313 depends on the remote stub's support of the @samp{Z} packets
12314 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when each packet is first required).
12315 The command @code{set remote Z-packet}, kept for back-compatibility,
12316 turns on or off all the features that require the use of @samp{Z}
12319 @item show remote software-breakpoint-packet
12320 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12321 @itemx show remote write-watchpoint-packet
12322 @itemx show remote read-watchpoint-packet
12323 @itemx show remote access-watchpoint-packet
12324 @itemx show remote Z-packet
12325 Show the current setting of @samp{Z} packets usage.
12327 @item set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12328 @kindex set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12329 @cindex thread local storage of remote targets
12330 This command enables or disables the use of the @samp{qGetTLSAddr}
12331 (Get Thread Local Storage Address) request packet. The default
12332 depends on whether the remote stub supports this request.
12333 @xref{General Query Packets, qGetTLSAddr}, for more details about this
12336 @item show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12337 @kindex show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12338 Show the current setting of @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet usage.
12342 @section Implementing a remote stub
12344 @cindex debugging stub, example
12345 @cindex remote stub, example
12346 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
12347 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
12348 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
12349 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
12350 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
12351 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
12352 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
12353 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
12355 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
12356 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
12357 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
12358 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
12363 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
12364 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
12365 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
12368 A C subroutine library to support your program's
12369 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
12372 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
12373 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
12374 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
12378 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
12379 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
12380 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
12384 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
12385 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
12386 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
12388 @item On the target,
12389 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
12390 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
12391 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
12393 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
12394 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
12395 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
12398 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
12399 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
12402 @cindex remote serial stub list
12403 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
12408 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
12411 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
12414 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
12415 @cindex Motorola 680x0
12417 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
12420 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
12423 For Renesas SH architectures.
12426 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
12428 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
12430 @item sparcl-stub.c
12431 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
12434 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
12438 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
12439 recently added stubs.
12442 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
12443 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
12444 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
12447 @node Stub Contents
12448 @subsection What the stub can do for you
12450 @cindex remote serial stub
12451 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
12455 @item set_debug_traps
12456 @findex set_debug_traps
12457 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
12458 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
12459 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
12460 beginning of your program.
12462 @item handle_exception
12463 @findex handle_exception
12464 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
12465 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
12466 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
12467 run when a trap is triggered.
12469 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
12470 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
12471 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
12472 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
12473 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
12474 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
12475 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
12476 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
12477 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
12481 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
12482 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
12483 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
12484 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
12485 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
12486 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
12487 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
12488 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
12489 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
12490 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
12491 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
12493 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
12494 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
12495 start of your debugging session.
12498 @node Bootstrapping
12499 @subsection What you must do for the stub
12501 @cindex remote stub, support routines
12502 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
12503 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
12504 debugging target machine.
12506 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
12510 @item int getDebugChar()
12511 @findex getDebugChar
12512 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
12513 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
12514 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
12516 @item void putDebugChar(int)
12517 @findex putDebugChar
12518 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
12519 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
12520 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
12523 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
12524 @cindex interrupting remote targets
12525 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
12526 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
12527 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
12528 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
12529 remote system to stop.
12531 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
12532 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
12533 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
12534 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
12536 Other routines you need to supply are:
12539 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
12540 @findex exceptionHandler
12541 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
12542 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
12543 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
12544 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
12545 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
12546 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
12547 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
12548 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
12549 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
12550 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
12551 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
12552 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
12553 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
12555 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
12556 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
12557 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
12558 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
12559 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
12561 @item void flush_i_cache()
12562 @findex flush_i_cache
12563 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
12564 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
12565 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
12567 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
12568 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
12572 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
12575 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
12577 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
12578 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
12579 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
12580 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
12583 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
12584 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
12585 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
12586 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
12589 @node Debug Session
12590 @subsection Putting it all together
12592 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
12593 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
12598 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
12599 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
12601 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
12602 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
12606 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
12614 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
12615 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
12618 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
12622 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
12623 function in your program, that function is called when
12624 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
12625 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
12626 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
12629 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
12630 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
12633 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
12634 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
12637 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
12638 @c document that. FIXME.
12639 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
12640 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
12643 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
12644 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
12648 @node Configurations
12649 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
12651 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
12652 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
12653 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
12655 There are three major categories of configurations: native
12656 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
12657 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
12658 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
12659 are quite different from each other.
12664 * Embedded Processors::
12671 This section describes details specific to particular native
12676 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
12677 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
12678 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
12679 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
12680 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
12681 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
12687 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
12688 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
12689 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
12692 @node BSD libkvm Interface
12693 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
12696 @cindex kernel memory image
12697 @cindex kernel crash dump
12699 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
12700 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
12701 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
12702 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
12703 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
12704 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
12705 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
12709 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
12712 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
12716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
12719 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
12725 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
12728 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
12729 modern FreeBSD systems.
12732 @node SVR4 Process Information
12733 @subsection SVR4 process information
12735 @cindex examine process image
12736 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
12738 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
12739 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
12740 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
12741 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
12742 proc} is available to report information about the process running
12743 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
12744 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
12745 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
12746 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
12752 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
12753 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
12754 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
12755 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
12756 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
12757 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
12758 executable file's absolute file name.
12760 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
12761 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
12762 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
12763 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
12764 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
12765 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
12767 @item info proc mappings
12768 @cindex memory address space mappings
12769 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
12770 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
12771 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
12772 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
12773 memory access rights to that range.
12775 @item info proc stat
12776 @itemx info proc status
12777 @cindex process detailed status information
12778 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
12779 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
12780 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
12781 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
12782 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
12783 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
12784 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
12786 @item info proc all
12787 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
12788 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
12791 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
12792 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
12793 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
12794 @kindex info proc times
12795 @item info proc times
12796 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
12799 @kindex info proc id
12801 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
12802 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
12805 @item set procfs-trace
12806 @kindex set procfs-trace
12807 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
12808 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
12810 @item show procfs-trace
12811 @kindex show procfs-trace
12812 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
12814 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
12815 @kindex set procfs-file
12816 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
12817 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
12818 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
12821 @item show procfs-file
12822 @kindex show procfs-file
12823 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
12825 @item proc-trace-entry
12826 @itemx proc-trace-exit
12827 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
12828 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
12829 @kindex proc-trace-entry
12830 @kindex proc-trace-exit
12831 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
12832 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
12833 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
12834 from the @code{syscall} interface.
12837 @kindex info pidlist
12838 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
12839 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
12840 processes and all the threads within each process.
12843 @kindex info meminfo
12844 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
12845 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
12849 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
12850 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
12851 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
12852 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
12855 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
12856 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
12857 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
12858 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
12860 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
12861 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
12862 subsection describes those commands.
12867 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
12868 information about the target system and important OS structures.
12871 @cindex MS-DOS system info
12872 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
12873 @item info dos sysinfo
12874 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
12875 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
12876 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
12881 @cindex segment descriptor tables
12882 @cindex descriptor tables display
12884 @itemx info dos ldt
12885 @itemx info dos idt
12886 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
12887 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
12888 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
12889 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
12890 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
12891 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
12894 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
12895 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
12896 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
12897 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
12898 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
12900 @cindex garbled pointers
12901 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
12902 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
12903 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
12904 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
12905 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
12906 debugged program's data segment:
12909 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
12910 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
12914 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
12915 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
12917 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
12919 @itemx info dos pte
12920 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
12921 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
12922 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
12923 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
12924 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
12925 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
12926 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
12927 that is currently in use.
12929 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
12930 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
12931 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
12932 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
12933 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
12934 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
12935 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
12937 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
12938 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
12939 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
12942 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
12944 @cindex physical address from linear address
12945 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
12946 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
12947 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
12948 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
12949 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
12950 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
12951 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
12954 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
12955 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
12956 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
12960 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
12961 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
12962 attributes of that page.
12964 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
12965 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
12966 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
12967 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
12968 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
12969 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
12971 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
12975 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
12976 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
12977 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
12981 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
12982 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
12983 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
12984 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
12985 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
12987 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
12990 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
12991 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
12992 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
12993 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
12996 @kindex set com1base
12997 @kindex set com1irq
12998 @kindex set com2base
12999 @kindex set com2irq
13000 @kindex set com3base
13001 @kindex set com3irq
13002 @kindex set com4base
13003 @kindex set com4irq
13004 @item set com1base @var{addr}
13005 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
13008 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
13009 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
13010 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
13012 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
13013 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
13016 @kindex show com1base
13017 @kindex show com1irq
13018 @kindex show com2base
13019 @kindex show com2irq
13020 @kindex show com3base
13021 @kindex show com3irq
13022 @kindex show com4base
13023 @kindex show com4irq
13024 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
13025 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
13026 lines used by the COM ports.
13029 @kindex info serial
13030 @cindex DOS serial port status
13031 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
13032 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
13033 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
13034 counts of various errors encountered so far.
13038 @node Cygwin Native
13039 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE executables
13040 @cindex MS Windows debugging
13041 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
13042 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
13044 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
13045 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
13046 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this subsection. The
13047 subsubsection @pxref{Non-debug DLL symbols} describes working with DLLs
13048 that have no debugging symbols.
13054 This is a prefix of MS Windows specific commands which print
13055 information about the target system and important OS structures.
13057 @item info w32 selector
13058 This command displays information returned by
13059 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
13060 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
13061 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
13062 Without argument, this command displays information
13063 about the the six segment registers.
13067 This is a Cygwin specific alias of info shared.
13069 @kindex dll-symbols
13071 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
13072 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
13074 @kindex set new-console
13075 @item set new-console @var{mode}
13076 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
13077 be started in a new console on next start.
13078 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
13079 be started in the same console as the debugger.
13081 @kindex show new-console
13082 @item show new-console
13083 Displays whether a new console is used
13084 when the debuggee is started.
13086 @kindex set new-group
13087 @item set new-group @var{mode}
13088 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
13089 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
13090 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
13093 @kindex show new-group
13094 @item show new-group
13095 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
13097 @kindex set debugevents
13098 @item set debugevents
13099 This boolean value adds debug output concerning events seen by the debugger.
13101 @kindex set debugexec
13102 @item set debugexec
13103 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
13104 seen by the debugger.
13106 @kindex set debugexceptions
13107 @item set debugexceptions
13108 This boolean value adds debug ouptut concerning exception events
13109 seen by the debugger.
13111 @kindex set debugmemory
13112 @item set debugmemory
13113 This boolean value adds debug ouptut concerning memory events
13114 seen by the debugger.
13118 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
13119 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
13123 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
13128 * Non-debug DLL symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13131 @node Non-debug DLL symbols
13132 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13133 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
13134 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
13136 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
13137 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
13138 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
13139 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
13140 information contained in the DLL's export table. This subsubsection
13141 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
13142 ``minimal symbols''.
13144 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
13145 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
13146 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
13147 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
13148 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
13149 see the shared library information in @pxref{Files} or the
13150 @code{dll-symbols} command in @pxref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
13151 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
13152 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
13153 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
13155 @subsubsection DLL name prefixes
13157 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
13158 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
13159 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
13160 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
13161 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
13162 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
13163 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
13164 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
13165 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
13167 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
13168 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
13169 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
13170 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
13171 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols} (see
13172 @pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
13175 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
13176 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
13178 Non-debugging symbols:
13179 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
13180 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
13184 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
13185 All functions matching regular expression "!":
13187 Non-debugging symbols:
13188 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
13189 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
13190 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
13194 @subsubsection Working with minimal symbols
13196 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
13197 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
13198 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
13199 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
13200 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
13201 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
13202 a function within a DLL without a running program.
13204 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
13205 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
13206 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
13207 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
13211 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
13216 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
13217 0x10021610: "\230y\""
13220 And two possible solutions:
13223 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
13224 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13228 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
13229 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
13230 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
13231 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
13232 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
13233 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13236 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
13237 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
13238 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
13239 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
13240 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
13243 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
13244 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
13247 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
13248 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
13252 @subsection Commands specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd systems
13253 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
13255 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
13256 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
13261 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
13262 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13263 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
13264 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
13265 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
13270 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
13271 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13272 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
13274 @item set signal-thread
13275 @itemx set sigthread
13276 @kindex set signal-thread
13277 @kindex set sigthread
13278 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
13279 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
13280 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
13283 @item show signal-thread
13284 @itemx show sigthread
13285 @kindex show signal-thread
13286 @kindex show sigthread
13287 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
13288 delivered a signal.
13291 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13292 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
13293 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
13294 continued by delivering a signal to it.
13297 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13298 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
13301 @item set exceptions
13302 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13303 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
13304 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
13305 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
13308 @item show exceptions
13309 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13310 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
13312 @item set task pause
13313 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
13314 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13315 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13316 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
13317 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
13318 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
13319 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
13320 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
13321 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
13323 @item show task pause
13324 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
13325 Show the current state of task suspension.
13327 @item set task detach-suspend-count
13328 @cindex task suspend count
13329 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13330 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
13331 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
13333 @item show task detach-suspend-count
13334 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
13336 @item set task exception-port
13337 @itemx set task excp
13338 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13339 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
13340 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
13341 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
13343 @item set noninvasive
13344 @cindex noninvasive task options
13345 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
13346 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
13347 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
13348 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
13350 @item info send-rights
13351 @itemx info receive-rights
13352 @itemx info port-rights
13353 @itemx info port-sets
13354 @itemx info dead-names
13357 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13358 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13359 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13360 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13361 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13362 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
13363 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
13364 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
13365 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
13367 @item set thread pause
13368 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
13369 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13370 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13371 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
13372 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
13373 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
13374 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
13375 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
13376 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
13377 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
13378 only the current thread.
13380 @item show thread pause
13381 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
13382 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
13384 @item set thread run
13385 This comamnd sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13387 @item show thread run
13388 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13390 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
13391 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13392 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13393 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
13394 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
13395 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
13396 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
13398 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
13399 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
13402 @item set thread exception-port
13403 @itemx set thread excp
13404 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
13405 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
13406 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
13408 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
13409 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
13410 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
13411 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
13413 @item set thread default
13414 @itemx show thread default
13415 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13416 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
13417 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
13418 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
13419 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
13420 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
13421 the non-default commands.
13426 @subsection QNX Neutrino
13427 @cindex QNX Neutrino
13429 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
13433 @item set debug nto-debug
13434 @kindex set debug nto-debug
13435 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
13438 @item show debug nto-debug
13439 @kindex show debug nto-debug
13440 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
13445 @section Embedded Operating Systems
13447 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
13448 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
13452 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13455 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
13456 various real-time operating systems.
13459 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13465 @kindex target vxworks
13466 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
13467 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
13468 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
13472 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
13473 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
13475 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
13476 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
13477 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
13478 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
13479 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
13480 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
13481 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
13484 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
13485 @kindex vxworks-timeout
13486 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
13487 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
13488 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
13489 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
13490 of a thin network line.
13493 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
13494 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
13497 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
13498 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
13499 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
13500 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
13501 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
13502 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
13503 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
13504 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
13506 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
13508 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
13509 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
13510 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
13511 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
13513 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
13520 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
13521 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
13522 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
13525 @node VxWorks Connection
13526 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
13528 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
13529 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
13532 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
13536 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
13539 Attaching remote machine across net...
13544 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
13545 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
13546 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
13547 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
13548 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
13551 prog.o: No such file or directory.
13554 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
13555 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
13558 @node VxWorks Download
13559 @subsubsection VxWorks download
13561 @cindex download to VxWorks
13562 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
13563 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
13564 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
13565 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
13566 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
13567 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
13568 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
13569 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
13570 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
13571 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
13572 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
13573 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
13574 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
13575 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
13576 program, type this on VxWorks:
13579 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
13583 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
13586 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
13587 (vxgdb) load prog.o
13590 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
13593 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
13596 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
13597 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
13598 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
13599 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
13600 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
13601 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
13604 @node VxWorks Attach
13605 @subsubsection Running tasks
13607 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
13608 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
13612 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
13616 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
13617 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
13618 the time of attachment.
13620 @node Embedded Processors
13621 @section Embedded Processors
13623 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
13626 @cindex send command to simulator
13627 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
13628 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
13631 @item sim @var{command}
13632 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
13633 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
13634 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
13635 acceptable commands.
13641 * H8/300:: Renesas H8/300
13642 * H8/500:: Renesas H8/500
13643 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
13644 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
13645 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
13646 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
13647 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
13650 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
13651 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
13652 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
13653 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
13656 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
13657 * WinCE:: Windows CE child processes
13666 @item target rdi @var{dev}
13667 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
13668 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
13669 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
13672 @item target rdp @var{dev}
13677 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
13680 @item set arm disassembler
13682 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
13683 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
13685 @item show arm disassembler
13687 Show the current disassembly style.
13689 @item set arm apcs32
13690 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
13691 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
13693 @item show arm apcs32
13694 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
13696 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
13697 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
13698 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
13702 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
13704 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
13707 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
13709 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
13715 Show the current type of the FPU.
13718 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
13721 Show the currently used ABI.
13723 @item set debug arm
13724 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
13725 target support subsystem.
13727 @item show debug arm
13728 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
13731 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
13732 using the RDI interface:
13735 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
13737 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
13738 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
13739 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
13740 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
13743 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
13744 @kindex rdilogenable
13745 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
13746 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
13747 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
13748 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
13749 are logged to a file.
13751 @item set rdiromatzero
13752 @kindex set rdiromatzero
13753 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
13754 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
13755 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
13756 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
13757 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
13759 @item show rdiromatzero
13760 @kindex show rdiromatzero
13761 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
13763 @item set rdiheartbeat
13764 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
13765 @cindex RDI heartbeat
13766 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
13767 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
13768 well as the Angel monitor.
13770 @item show rdiheartbeat
13771 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
13772 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
13777 @subsection Renesas H8/300
13781 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
13782 @item target hms @var{dev}
13783 A Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
13784 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
13785 line and the communications speed used.
13787 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
13788 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
13789 E7000 emulator for Renesas H8 and SH.
13791 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
13792 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
13793 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
13794 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
13795 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
13799 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
13800 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
13801 @cindex download to Renesas SH
13802 @cindex Renesas SH download
13803 When you select remote debugging to a Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500
13804 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Renesas
13805 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
13806 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
13808 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
13809 Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
13813 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
13814 for Renesas microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
13815 emulator for the Renesas SH and the Renesas 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
13816 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Renesas SH,
13817 H8/300, or H8/500.)
13820 what serial device connects your host to your Renesas board (the first
13821 serial device available on your host is the default).
13824 what speed to use over the serial device.
13828 * Renesas Boards:: Connecting to Renesas boards.
13829 * Renesas ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
13830 * Renesas Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros.
13833 @node Renesas Boards
13834 @subsubsection Connecting to Renesas boards
13836 @c only for Unix hosts
13838 @cindex serial device, Renesas micros
13839 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
13840 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
13841 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
13842 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
13845 @cindex serial line speed, Renesas micros
13846 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
13847 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
13848 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
13849 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
13850 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
13852 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
13853 use a Unix host to debug your Renesas microprocessor programs. If you
13855 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
13856 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
13857 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
13858 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
13860 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
13861 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
13862 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
13863 the Renesas SH and the H8/500.
13865 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
13866 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
13867 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
13868 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
13869 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
13870 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
13874 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
13875 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
13877 Resident portion of MODE loaded
13879 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
13884 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
13885 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
13886 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
13887 your development board.
13890 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
13891 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
13892 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBN}} with
13893 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
13894 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
13895 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
13896 cross-debugging to the Renesas board, and the @code{load} command to
13897 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
13898 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
13899 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
13900 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
13901 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
13902 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
13905 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
13906 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
13907 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
13909 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
13911 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
13912 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
13913 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
13914 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
13915 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
13916 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
13917 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
13920 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
13921 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
13922 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
13923 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
13924 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
13925 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
13927 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
13928 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
13929 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
13931 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
13934 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
13935 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
13938 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
13939 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
13940 to detect program completion.
13943 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
13944 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
13947 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
13949 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas ICE}
13950 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
13951 Renesas SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
13952 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
13955 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
13956 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
13957 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
13958 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
13959 (for example, @samp{9600}).
13961 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
13962 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
13963 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
13966 The following special commands are available when debugging with the
13970 @item e7000 @var{command}
13972 @cindex send command to E7000 monitor
13973 This sends the specified @var{command} to the E7000 monitor.
13975 @item ftplogin @var{machine} @var{username} @var{password} @var{dir}
13976 @kindex ftplogin@r{, E7000}
13977 This command records information for subsequent interface with the
13978 E7000 monitor via the FTP protocol: @value{GDBN} will log into the
13979 named @var{machine} using specified @var{username} and @var{password},
13980 and then chdir to the named directory @var{dir}.
13982 @item ftpload @var{file}
13983 @kindex ftpload@r{, E7000}
13984 This command uses credentials recorded by @code{ftplogin} to fetch and
13985 load the named @var{file} from the E7000 monitor.
13988 @kindex drain@r{, E7000}
13989 This command drains any pending text buffers stored on the E7000.
13991 @item set usehardbreakpoints
13992 @itemx show usehardbreakpoints
13993 @kindex set usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
13994 @kindex show usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
13995 @cindex hardware breakpoints, and E7000
13996 These commands set and show the use of hardware breakpoints for all
13997 breakpoints. @xref{Set Breaks, hardware-assisted breakpoint}, for
13998 more information about using hardware breakpoints selectively.
14001 @node Renesas Special
14002 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros
14004 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
14008 @kindex set machine
14009 @kindex show machine
14010 @item set machine h8300
14011 @itemx set machine h8300h
14012 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
14013 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
14014 to check which variant is currently in effect.
14023 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
14024 @cindex memory models, H8/500
14025 @item set memory @var{mod}
14027 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
14028 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
14029 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
14030 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
14035 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
14038 @kindex target m32r
14039 @item target m32r @var{dev}
14040 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
14042 @kindex target m32rsdi
14043 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
14044 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
14047 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
14050 @item set download-path @var{path}
14051 @kindex set download-path
14052 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
14053 Set the default path for finding donwloadable @sc{srec} files.
14055 @item show download-path
14056 @kindex show download-path
14057 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
14059 @item set board-address @var{addr}
14060 @kindex set board-address
14061 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
14062 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
14064 @item show board-address
14065 @kindex show board-address
14066 Show the current IP address of the target board.
14068 @item set server-address @var{addr}
14069 @kindex set server-address
14070 @cindex download server address (M32R)
14071 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
14074 @item show server-address
14075 @kindex show server-address
14076 Display the IP address of the download server.
14078 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14079 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
14080 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
14081 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
14082 executable file is uploaded.
14084 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14085 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
14086 Test the @code{upload} command.
14089 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
14094 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
14095 This command resets the SDI connection.
14099 This command shows the SDI connection status.
14102 @kindex debug_chaos
14103 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
14104 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
14106 @item use_debug_dma
14107 @kindex use_debug_dma
14108 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
14111 @kindex use_mon_code
14112 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
14115 @kindex use_ib_break
14116 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
14118 @item use_dbt_break
14119 @kindex use_dbt_break
14120 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
14126 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
14127 target command for the following ROM monitors.
14131 @kindex target abug
14132 @item target abug @var{dev}
14133 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
14135 @kindex target cpu32bug
14136 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
14137 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14139 @kindex target dbug
14140 @item target dbug @var{dev}
14141 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
14144 @item target est @var{dev}
14145 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14147 @kindex target rom68k
14148 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
14149 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
14155 @kindex target rombug
14156 @item target rombug @var{dev}
14157 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
14161 @node MIPS Embedded
14162 @subsection MIPS Embedded
14164 @cindex MIPS boards
14165 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
14166 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
14167 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
14170 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
14173 @item target mips @var{port}
14174 @kindex target mips @var{port}
14175 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
14176 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
14177 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
14178 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
14179 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
14180 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
14182 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
14183 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
14187 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
14188 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
14189 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
14190 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
14194 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
14195 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
14196 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
14197 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
14198 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
14200 @item target pmon @var{port}
14201 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
14204 @item target ddb @var{port}
14205 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
14206 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
14208 @item target lsi @var{port}
14209 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
14210 LSI variant of PMON.
14212 @kindex target r3900
14213 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
14214 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
14216 @kindex target array
14217 @item target array @var{dev}
14218 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
14224 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
14227 @item set mipsfpu double
14228 @itemx set mipsfpu single
14229 @itemx set mipsfpu none
14230 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
14231 @itemx show mipsfpu
14232 @kindex set mipsfpu
14233 @kindex show mipsfpu
14234 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
14235 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
14236 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
14237 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
14238 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
14239 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
14240 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
14241 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
14242 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
14243 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
14244 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
14245 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
14246 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
14248 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
14249 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
14250 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
14252 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
14253 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
14255 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
14256 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
14257 @itemx show timeout
14258 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
14259 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
14260 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
14261 @kindex set timeout
14262 @kindex show timeout
14263 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
14264 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
14265 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
14266 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
14267 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
14268 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
14269 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
14270 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
14271 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
14272 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
14274 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
14275 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
14276 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
14277 to run before stopping.
14279 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
14280 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14281 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
14282 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
14283 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
14284 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
14286 @item show syn-garbage-limit
14287 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14288 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
14289 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
14291 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
14292 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14293 @cindex remote monitor prompt
14294 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
14295 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
14305 @item show monitor-prompt
14306 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14307 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
14310 @item set monitor-warnings
14311 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14312 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
14313 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
14314 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
14315 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
14317 @item show monitor-warnings
14318 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14319 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
14321 @item pmon @var{command}
14322 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
14323 @cindex send PMON command
14324 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
14325 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
14328 @node OpenRISC 1000
14329 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
14330 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
14332 @cindex or1k boards
14333 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
14334 about platform and commands.
14338 @kindex target jtag
14339 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
14341 Connects to remote JTAG server.
14342 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
14343 connected via parallel port to the board.
14345 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
14348 @item or1ksim @var{command}
14349 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
14350 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
14352 @kindex info or1k spr
14353 @item info or1k spr
14354 Displays spr groups.
14356 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
14357 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
14358 Displays register names in selected group.
14360 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
14361 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
14362 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
14363 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
14364 Shows information about specified spr register.
14367 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
14368 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
14369 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
14370 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
14371 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
14374 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
14375 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
14376 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
14377 triggers can be set using:
14380 Load effective address/data
14382 Store effective address/data
14384 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
14389 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
14390 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
14392 @code{htrace} commands:
14393 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
14396 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
14397 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effecive Address(es)
14398 or Data. For example:
14400 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14402 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14406 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
14408 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
14409 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
14411 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
14412 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
14414 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
14415 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
14417 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
14418 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
14421 @item htrace enable
14422 @itemx htrace disable
14423 Enables/disables the HW trace.
14425 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
14426 Clears currently recorded trace data.
14428 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
14429 will be written there.
14431 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
14432 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
14434 @item htrace mode continuous
14435 Set continuous trace mode.
14437 @item htrace mode suspend
14438 Set suspend trace mode.
14443 @subsection PowerPC
14446 @kindex target dink32
14447 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
14448 DINK32 ROM monitor.
14450 @kindex target ppcbug
14451 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
14452 @kindex target ppcbug1
14453 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
14454 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
14457 @item target sds @var{dev}
14458 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
14461 @cindex SDS protocol
14462 The following commands specifi to the SDS protocol are supported
14466 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
14467 @kindex set sdstimeout
14468 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
14469 default is 2 seconds.
14471 @item show sdstimeout
14472 @kindex show sdstimeout
14473 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
14475 @item sds @var{command}
14476 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
14477 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
14482 @subsection HP PA Embedded
14486 @kindex target op50n
14487 @item target op50n @var{dev}
14488 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
14490 @kindex target w89k
14491 @item target w89k @var{dev}
14492 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
14497 @subsection Renesas SH
14501 @kindex target hms@r{, with Renesas SH}
14502 @item target hms @var{dev}
14503 A Renesas SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
14504 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
14505 the communications speed used.
14507 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas SH}
14508 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
14509 E7000 emulator for Renesas SH.
14511 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
14512 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
14513 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
14514 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
14515 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
14520 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
14524 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
14525 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
14526 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
14527 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
14528 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
14531 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
14532 @kindex remotetimeout
14533 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
14534 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
14535 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
14538 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
14539 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
14540 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
14541 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
14542 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
14545 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
14548 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
14551 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
14554 @cindex running, on Sparclet
14556 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
14557 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
14558 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
14560 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
14567 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
14568 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
14569 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
14570 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
14573 @node Sparclet File
14574 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
14576 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
14579 (gdbslet) file prog
14583 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
14584 @value{GDBN} locates
14585 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
14587 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
14588 files will be searched as well.
14589 @value{GDBN} locates
14590 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
14591 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
14593 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
14596 prog: No such file or directory.
14599 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
14600 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
14601 @code{target} command again.
14603 @node Sparclet Connection
14604 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
14606 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
14607 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
14610 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
14611 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
14612 main () at ../prog.c:3
14616 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
14622 @node Sparclet Download
14623 @subsubsection Sparclet download
14625 @cindex download to Sparclet
14626 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
14627 you can use the @value{GDBN}
14628 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
14629 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
14631 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
14632 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
14633 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
14634 of each of the file's sections.
14635 For instance, if the program
14636 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
14637 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
14640 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
14641 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
14644 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
14645 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
14646 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
14648 @node Sparclet Execution
14649 @subsubsection Running and debugging
14651 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
14652 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
14653 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
14654 manual for the list of commands.
14658 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
14660 Starting program: prog
14661 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
14662 3 char *symarg = 0;
14664 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
14669 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
14673 @kindex target sparclite
14674 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
14675 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
14676 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
14677 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
14683 @subsection Tandem ST2000
14685 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
14688 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
14689 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
14692 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
14696 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
14697 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
14698 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
14699 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
14700 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
14702 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
14703 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
14704 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
14705 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
14706 available on your host computer.
14707 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
14708 @c basically hearsay.
14710 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
14711 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
14715 @item st2000 @var{command}
14716 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
14717 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
14718 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
14719 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
14720 manual for available commands.
14723 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
14724 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
14725 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
14726 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
14727 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
14728 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
14732 @subsection Zilog Z8000
14735 @cindex simulator, Z8000
14736 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
14738 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
14741 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
14742 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
14743 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
14744 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
14747 @item target sim @var{args}
14749 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
14750 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
14751 options, specify them via @var{args}.
14755 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
14756 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
14757 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
14758 to run your program, and so on.
14760 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
14761 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
14762 additional items of information as specially named registers:
14767 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
14770 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
14773 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
14777 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
14778 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
14779 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
14780 simulated clock ticks.
14783 @subsection Atmel AVR
14786 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
14787 following AVR-specific commands:
14790 @item info io_registers
14791 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
14792 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
14793 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
14794 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
14801 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
14802 following CRIS-specific commands:
14805 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
14806 @cindex CRIS version
14807 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
14808 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
14809 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
14811 @item show cris-version
14812 Show the current CRIS version.
14814 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
14815 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
14816 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
14817 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
14820 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
14821 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
14823 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
14825 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
14826 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
14827 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
14829 @item show cris-mode
14830 Show the current CRIS mode.
14834 @subsection Renesas Super-H
14837 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
14842 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
14843 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
14847 @subsection Windows CE
14850 The following commands are available for Windows CE:
14853 @item set remotedirectory @var{dir}
14854 @kindex set remotedirectory
14855 Tell @value{GDBN} to upload files from the named directory @var{dir}.
14856 The default is @file{/gdb}, i.e.@: the root directory on the current
14859 @item show remotedirectory
14860 @kindex show remotedirectory
14861 Show the current value of the upload directory.
14863 @item set remoteupload @var{method}
14864 @kindex set remoteupload
14865 Set the method used to upload files to remote device. Valid values
14866 for @var{method} are @samp{always}, @samp{newer}, and @samp{never}.
14867 The default is @samp{newer}.
14869 @item show remoteupload
14870 @kindex show remoteupload
14871 Show the current setting of the upload method.
14873 @item set remoteaddhost
14874 @kindex set remoteaddhost
14875 Tell @value{GDBN} whether to add this host to the remote stub's
14876 arguments when you debug over a network.
14878 @item show remoteaddhost
14879 @kindex show remoteaddhost
14880 Show whether to add this host to remote stub's arguments when
14881 debugging over a network.
14885 @node Architectures
14886 @section Architectures
14888 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
14889 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
14896 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
14900 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific issues.
14903 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
14904 @kindex set struct-convention
14905 @cindex struct return convention
14906 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
14907 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
14908 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
14909 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
14910 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
14911 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
14912 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
14913 be returned in a register.
14915 @item show struct-convention
14916 @kindex show struct-convention
14917 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
14926 @kindex set rstack_high_address
14927 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
14928 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
14929 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
14930 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
14931 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
14932 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
14933 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
14934 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
14935 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
14936 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
14937 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
14940 @kindex show rstack_high_address
14941 @item show rstack_high_address
14942 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
14950 See the following section.
14955 @cindex stack on Alpha
14956 @cindex stack on MIPS
14957 @cindex Alpha stack
14959 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
14960 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
14961 find the beginning of a function.
14963 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
14964 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
14965 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
14966 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
14970 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
14971 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
14972 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
14973 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
14974 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
14975 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
14976 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
14977 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
14979 @item show heuristic-fence-post
14980 Display the current limit.
14984 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
14985 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
14987 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
14991 @item set mips saved-gpreg-size @var{size}
14992 @kindex set mips saved-gpreg-size
14993 @cindex MIPS GP register size on stack
14994 Set the size of MIPS general-purpose registers saved on the stack.
14995 The argument @var{size} can be one of the following:
14999 32-bit GP registers
15001 64-bit GP registers
15003 Use the target's default setting or autodetect the saved size from the
15004 information contained in the executable. This is the default
15007 @item show mips saved-gpreg-size
15008 @kindex show mips saved-gpreg-size
15009 Show the current size of MIPS GP registers on the stack.
15011 @item set mips stack-arg-size @var{size}
15012 @kindex set mips stack-arg-size
15013 @cindex MIPS stack space for arguments
15014 Set the amount of stack space reserved for arguments to functions.
15015 The argument can be one of @code{"32"}, @code{"64"} or @code{"auto"}
15018 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
15019 @kindex set mips abi
15020 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
15021 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
15022 values of @var{arg} are:
15026 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
15037 @item show mips abi
15038 @kindex show mips abi
15039 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
15042 @itemx show mipsfpu
15043 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
15045 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
15046 @kindex set mips mask-address
15047 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
15048 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
15049 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
15050 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
15051 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
15053 @item show mips mask-address
15054 @kindex show mips mask-address
15055 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
15058 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15059 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15060 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
15061 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
15062 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
15063 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
15065 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15066 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15067 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
15069 @item set debug mips
15070 @kindex set debug mips
15071 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
15072 target code in @value{GDBN}.
15074 @item show debug mips
15075 @kindex show debug mips
15076 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
15082 @cindex HPPA support
15084 When @value{GDBN} is debugging te HP PA architecture, it provides the
15085 following special commands:
15088 @item set debug hppa
15089 @kindex set debug hppa
15090 THis command determines whether HPPA architecture specific debugging
15091 messages are to be displayed.
15093 @item show debug hppa
15094 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
15096 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
15097 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
15098 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
15099 given @var{address}.
15104 @node Controlling GDB
15105 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
15107 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
15108 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
15109 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
15114 * Editing:: Command editing
15115 * Command History:: Command history
15116 * Screen Size:: Screen size
15117 * Numbers:: Numbers
15118 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
15119 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
15120 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
15128 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
15129 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
15130 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
15131 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
15132 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
15133 which one you are talking to.
15135 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
15136 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
15137 or a prompt that does not.
15141 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
15142 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
15144 @kindex show prompt
15146 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
15150 @section Command editing
15152 @cindex command line editing
15154 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
15155 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
15156 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
15157 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
15158 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
15159 debugging sessions.
15161 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
15162 command @code{set}.
15165 @kindex set editing
15168 @itemx set editing on
15169 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
15171 @item set editing off
15172 Disable command line editing.
15174 @kindex show editing
15176 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
15179 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
15180 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
15181 encouraged to read that chapter.
15183 @node Command History
15184 @section Command history
15185 @cindex command history
15187 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
15188 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
15189 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
15192 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
15193 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
15194 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
15196 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
15197 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }. This
15198 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
15199 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
15200 pressed on a line by itself.
15202 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
15203 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
15204 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
15205 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
15207 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
15211 @cindex history substitution
15212 @cindex history file
15213 @kindex set history filename
15214 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
15215 @item set history filename @var{fname}
15216 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
15217 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
15218 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
15219 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
15220 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
15221 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
15222 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
15225 @cindex save command history
15226 @kindex set history save
15227 @item set history save
15228 @itemx set history save on
15229 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
15230 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
15232 @item set history save off
15233 Stop recording command history in a file.
15235 @cindex history size
15236 @kindex set history size
15237 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
15238 @item set history size @var{size}
15239 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
15240 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
15241 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
15244 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
15245 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
15247 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
15248 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
15249 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
15250 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
15251 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
15252 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
15253 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
15254 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
15256 The commands to control history expansion are:
15259 @item set history expansion on
15260 @itemx set history expansion
15261 @kindex set history expansion
15262 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
15264 @item set history expansion off
15265 Disable history expansion.
15268 @kindex show history
15270 @itemx show history filename
15271 @itemx show history save
15272 @itemx show history size
15273 @itemx show history expansion
15274 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
15275 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
15280 @kindex show commands
15281 @cindex show last commands
15282 @cindex display command history
15283 @item show commands
15284 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
15286 @item show commands @var{n}
15287 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
15289 @item show commands +
15290 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
15294 @section Screen size
15295 @cindex size of screen
15296 @cindex pauses in output
15298 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
15299 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
15300 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
15301 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
15302 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
15303 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
15304 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
15305 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
15307 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
15308 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
15309 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
15310 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
15311 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
15318 @kindex show height
15319 @item set height @var{lpp}
15321 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
15323 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
15324 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
15325 commands display the current settings.
15327 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
15328 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
15329 file or to an editor buffer.
15331 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
15332 from wrapping its output.
15334 @item set pagination on
15335 @itemx set pagination off
15336 @kindex set pagination
15337 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
15338 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
15340 @item show pagination
15341 @kindex show pagination
15342 Show the current pagination mode.
15347 @cindex number representation
15348 @cindex entering numbers
15350 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
15351 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
15352 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
15353 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
15354 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
15355 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
15356 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
15357 both input and output with the commands described below.
15360 @kindex set input-radix
15361 @item set input-radix @var{base}
15362 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
15363 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15364 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
15368 set input-radix 012
15369 set input-radix 10.
15370 set input-radix 0xa
15374 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
15375 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
15376 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
15377 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
15378 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
15381 @kindex set output-radix
15382 @item set output-radix @var{base}
15383 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
15384 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15385 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
15387 @kindex show input-radix
15388 @item show input-radix
15389 Display the current default base for numeric input.
15391 @kindex show output-radix
15392 @item show output-radix
15393 Display the current default base for numeric display.
15395 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
15399 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
15400 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
15401 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
15402 default value of 10.
15407 @section Configuring the current ABI
15409 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
15410 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
15411 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
15418 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
15419 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
15420 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
15421 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
15422 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
15423 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
15424 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
15429 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
15432 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
15434 @item set osabi @var{abi}
15435 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
15438 @cindex float promotion
15440 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
15441 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
15442 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
15443 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
15444 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
15445 @code{double} and then passed.
15447 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
15448 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
15449 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
15452 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
15453 @item set coerce-float-to-double
15454 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
15455 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
15456 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
15458 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
15459 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
15462 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
15463 @item show coerce-float-to-double
15464 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
15468 @kindex show cp-abi
15469 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
15470 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
15471 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
15472 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
15473 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
15474 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
15475 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
15476 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
15477 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
15478 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
15483 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
15486 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
15488 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
15489 @itemx set cp-abi auto
15490 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
15493 @node Messages/Warnings
15494 @section Optional warnings and messages
15496 @cindex verbose operation
15497 @cindex optional warnings
15498 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
15499 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
15500 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
15501 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
15503 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
15504 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
15505 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
15508 @kindex set verbose
15509 @item set verbose on
15510 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
15512 @item set verbose off
15513 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
15515 @kindex show verbose
15517 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
15520 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
15521 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
15522 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
15527 @kindex set complaints
15528 @item set complaints @var{limit}
15529 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
15530 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
15531 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
15532 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
15534 @kindex show complaints
15535 @item show complaints
15536 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
15540 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
15541 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
15542 you try to run a program which is already running:
15546 The program being debugged has been started already.
15547 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
15550 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
15551 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
15555 @kindex set confirm
15557 @cindex confirmation
15558 @cindex stupid questions
15559 @item set confirm off
15560 Disables confirmation requests.
15562 @item set confirm on
15563 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
15565 @kindex show confirm
15567 Displays state of confirmation requests.
15571 @node Debugging Output
15572 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
15573 @cindex optional debugging messages
15575 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
15576 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
15577 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
15578 section documents those commands.
15581 @kindex set exec-done-display
15582 @item set exec-done-display
15583 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
15584 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
15585 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
15586 @kindex show exec-done-display
15587 @item show exec-done-display
15588 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
15591 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
15592 @cindex architecture debugging info
15593 @item set debug arch
15594 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
15596 @item show debug arch
15597 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
15598 @item set debug aix-thread
15599 @cindex AIX threads
15600 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
15602 @item show debug aix-thread
15603 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
15604 @item set debug event
15605 @cindex event debugging info
15606 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
15608 @item show debug event
15609 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
15611 @item set debug expression
15612 @cindex expression debugging info
15613 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
15614 expression parsing. The default is off.
15615 @item show debug expression
15616 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
15617 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
15618 @item set debug frame
15619 @cindex frame debugging info
15620 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
15622 @item show debug frame
15623 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
15625 @item set debug infrun
15626 @cindex inferior debugging info
15627 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
15628 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
15629 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
15630 @item show debug infrun
15631 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
15632 @item set debug lin-lwp
15633 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
15634 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
15635 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
15636 @item show debug lin-lwp
15637 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
15638 @item set debug observer
15639 @cindex observer debugging info
15640 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
15641 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
15642 @item show debug observer
15643 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
15644 @item set debug overload
15645 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
15646 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
15647 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
15649 @item show debug overload
15650 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
15652 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
15653 @cindex serial connections, debugging
15654 @item set debug remote
15655 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
15656 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
15657 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
15658 @item show debug remote
15659 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
15660 @item set debug serial
15661 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
15663 @item show debug serial
15664 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
15666 @item set debug solib-frv
15667 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
15668 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
15669 @item show debug solib-frv
15670 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
15672 @item set debug target
15673 @cindex target debugging info
15674 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
15675 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
15676 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
15677 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
15678 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
15679 @item show debug target
15680 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
15682 @item set debugvarobj
15683 @cindex variable object debugging info
15684 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
15685 info. The default is off.
15686 @item show debugvarobj
15687 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
15692 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
15694 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
15695 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
15696 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
15700 * Define:: User-defined commands
15701 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
15702 * Command Files:: Command files
15703 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
15707 @section User-defined commands
15709 @cindex user-defined command
15710 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
15711 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
15712 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
15713 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
15714 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
15718 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
15723 To execute the command use:
15730 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
15731 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
15732 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
15735 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
15736 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
15741 print $arg0 + $arg1
15744 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
15752 @item define @var{commandname}
15753 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
15754 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
15756 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
15757 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
15758 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
15764 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
15765 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
15766 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
15767 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
15768 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
15769 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
15773 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
15774 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
15775 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
15776 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
15780 @item document @var{commandname}
15781 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
15782 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
15783 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
15784 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
15785 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
15786 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
15788 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
15789 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
15790 does not change the documentation.
15792 @kindex dont-repeat
15793 @cindex don't repeat command
15795 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
15796 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
15797 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
15799 @kindex help user-defined
15800 @item help user-defined
15801 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
15806 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
15807 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
15808 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
15809 definitions for all user-defined commands.
15811 @cindex infinite recusrion in user-defined commands
15812 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
15813 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
15814 @item show max-user-call-depth
15815 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
15816 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
15817 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before GDB suspects an
15818 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
15822 When user-defined commands are executed, the
15823 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
15824 stops execution of the user-defined command.
15826 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
15827 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
15828 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
15829 messages when used in a user-defined command.
15832 @section User-defined command hooks
15833 @cindex command hooks
15834 @cindex hooks, for commands
15835 @cindex hooks, pre-command
15838 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
15839 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
15840 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
15841 before that command.
15843 @cindex hooks, post-command
15845 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
15846 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
15847 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
15848 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
15849 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
15851 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
15852 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
15854 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
15855 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
15857 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
15858 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
15859 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
15860 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
15861 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
15863 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
15864 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
15869 handle SIGALRM nopass
15873 handle SIGALRM pass
15876 define hook-continue
15877 handle SIGLARM pass
15881 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
15882 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
15890 define hookpost-echo
15894 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
15895 <<<---Hello World--->>>
15900 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
15901 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
15902 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
15903 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
15905 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
15906 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
15907 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
15909 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
15910 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
15912 @node Command Files
15913 @section Command files
15915 @cindex command files
15916 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
15917 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
15918 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
15919 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
15922 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
15927 @item source @var{filename}
15928 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
15931 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
15932 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
15933 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
15935 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
15936 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
15937 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
15938 when called from command files.
15940 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
15941 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
15942 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
15943 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
15947 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
15950 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
15951 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
15952 would be directed to @file{log}.
15955 @section Commands for controlled output
15957 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
15958 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
15959 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
15960 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
15965 @item echo @var{text}
15966 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
15967 @c because it is not in ANSI.
15968 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
15969 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
15970 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
15971 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
15972 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
15973 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
15974 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
15975 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
15976 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
15978 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
15979 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
15982 echo This is some text\n\
15983 which is continued\n\
15984 onto several lines.\n
15987 produces the same output as
15990 echo This is some text\n
15991 echo which is continued\n
15992 echo onto several lines.\n
15996 @item output @var{expression}
15997 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
15998 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
15999 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
16002 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
16003 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
16004 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
16005 formats}, for more information.
16008 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
16009 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
16010 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
16011 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
16012 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
16014 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
16015 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
16016 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
16020 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
16023 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
16026 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
16029 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
16030 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
16035 @chapter Command Interpreters
16036 @cindex command interpreters
16038 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
16039 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
16040 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
16042 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
16043 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
16044 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
16045 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
16047 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
16048 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
16049 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
16050 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
16054 @cindex console interpreter
16055 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
16056 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
16057 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
16060 @cindex mi interpreter
16061 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
16062 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
16063 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
16067 @cindex mi2 interpreter
16068 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
16071 @cindex mi1 interpreter
16072 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
16076 @cindex invoke another interpreter
16077 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
16078 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
16079 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
16080 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
16081 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
16082 the IDE inoperable!
16084 @kindex interpreter-exec
16085 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
16086 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
16087 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
16088 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
16091 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
16094 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
16095 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
16098 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
16100 @cindex Text User Interface
16103 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
16104 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
16105 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
16106 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
16107 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
16110 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short, is a terminal
16111 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
16112 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
16113 commands in separate text windows.
16115 The TUI is enabled by invoking @value{GDBN} using either
16117 @samp{gdbtui} or @samp{gdb -tui}.
16120 @section TUI overview
16122 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
16127 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
16128 windows on the terminal.
16131 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
16135 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
16140 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
16141 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
16142 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
16143 window is always visible.
16146 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
16147 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
16150 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
16153 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
16154 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
16155 changed are highlighted.
16159 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
16160 by highlighting the current line and marking them with the @samp{>} marker.
16161 Breakpoints are also indicated with two markers. A first one
16162 indicates the breakpoint type:
16166 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16169 Breakpoint which was never hit.
16172 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16175 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
16179 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
16183 Breakpoint is enabled.
16186 Breakpoint is disabled.
16190 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
16191 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
16192 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
16193 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
16194 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
16195 The following layouts are available:
16205 source and assembly
16208 source and registers
16211 assembly and registers
16215 On top of the command window a status line gives various information
16216 concerning the current process begin debugged. The status line is
16217 updated when the information it shows changes. The following fields
16222 Indicates the current gdb target
16223 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16226 Gives information about the current process or thread number.
16227 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
16230 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
16231 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
16232 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter
16233 the string @code{??} is displayed.
16236 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
16237 When the current line number is not known the string @code{??} is displayed.
16240 Indicates the current program counter address.
16245 @section TUI Key Bindings
16246 @cindex TUI key bindings
16248 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
16249 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
16250 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
16251 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The TUI also provides
16252 a @emph{SingleKey} keymap which binds several keys directly to
16253 @value{GDBN} commands. The following key bindings
16254 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
16263 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
16264 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
16265 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
16266 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
16267 The screen is then refreshed.
16271 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
16272 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
16273 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
16275 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
16279 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
16280 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
16281 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
16282 previous layout and the new one.
16284 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
16288 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
16289 (like scrolling and arrow keys) to the active window. This command
16290 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
16292 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
16296 Use the TUI @emph{SingleKey} keymap that binds single key to gdb commands
16297 (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
16301 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
16306 Scroll the active window one page up.
16310 Scroll the active window one page down.
16314 Scroll the active window one line up.
16318 Scroll the active window one line down.
16322 Scroll the active window one column left.
16326 Scroll the active window one column right.
16330 Refresh the screen.
16334 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
16335 for scrolling. This means they are available for readline when the
16336 active window is the command window. When the command window
16337 does not have the focus, it is necessary to use other readline
16338 key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n}, @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
16340 @node TUI Single Key Mode
16341 @section TUI Single Key Mode
16342 @cindex TUI single key mode
16344 The TUI provides a @emph{SingleKey} mode in which it installs a particular
16345 key binding in the readline keymaps to connect single keys to
16349 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16353 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16357 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16361 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16365 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16367 exit the @emph{SingleKey} mode.
16369 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16373 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16377 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16381 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16385 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16391 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
16392 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
16393 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
16394 with the TUI @emph{SingleKey} mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
16395 @emph{SingleKey} mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
16396 this mode is by hitting @key{q} or @samp{@key{C-x} @key{s}}.
16400 @section TUI specific commands
16401 @cindex TUI commands
16403 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
16404 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
16405 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
16406 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
16412 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
16416 Display the next layout.
16419 Display the previous layout.
16422 Display the source window only.
16425 Display the assembly window only.
16428 Display the source and assembly window.
16431 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
16433 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
16435 Set the focus to the named window.
16436 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
16437 can be affected to another window.
16441 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
16443 @item tui reg float
16445 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
16447 @item tui reg general
16448 Show the general registers in the register window.
16451 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
16452 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
16453 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
16454 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
16456 @item tui reg system
16457 Show the system registers in the register window.
16461 Update the source window and the current execution point.
16463 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
16464 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
16466 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
16467 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
16471 @kindex tabset @var{nchars}
16472 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
16476 @node TUI Configuration
16477 @section TUI configuration variables
16478 @cindex TUI configuration variables
16480 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
16481 appearance of windows on the terminal.
16484 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
16485 @kindex set tui border-kind
16486 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
16487 The possible values are the following:
16490 Use a space character to draw the border.
16493 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
16496 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
16497 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
16501 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
16502 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
16503 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
16504 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
16505 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
16507 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
16508 @kindex set tui border-mode
16509 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
16510 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
16513 Use normal attributes to display the border.
16519 Use reverse video mode.
16522 Use half bright mode.
16524 @item half-standout
16525 Use half bright and standout mode.
16528 Use extra bright or bold mode.
16530 @item bold-standout
16531 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
16538 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
16541 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
16542 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
16543 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
16546 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
16547 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
16548 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
16549 created Emacs buffer.
16550 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
16552 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
16557 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
16560 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
16561 and output done by the program you are debugging.
16563 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
16564 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
16567 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
16568 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
16569 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
16574 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
16577 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
16578 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
16579 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
16580 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
16583 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
16584 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
16586 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
16587 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
16588 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
16589 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
16590 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
16591 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
16592 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
16593 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
16594 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
16596 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
16597 line of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer and this serves as a default for
16598 the commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate
16599 on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
16601 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
16602 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
16603 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
16604 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
16607 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
16608 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
16612 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
16615 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
16616 update the display window to show the current file and location.
16619 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
16620 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
16621 to show the current file and location.
16624 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
16625 display window accordingly.
16628 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
16629 @code{finish} command.
16632 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
16636 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
16637 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
16638 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
16641 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
16642 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
16645 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gud-break})
16646 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
16648 If you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, then Emacs displays a separate frame which
16649 shows a backtrace when the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer is current. Move
16650 point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it become the
16651 current frame and display the associated source in the source buffer.
16652 Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the selected frame become the
16655 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
16656 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
16657 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
16658 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
16661 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
16662 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
16663 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
16664 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
16665 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
16666 to correspond properly with the code.
16668 The description given here is for GNU Emacs version 21.3 and a more
16669 detailed description of its interaction with @value{GDBN} is given in
16670 the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}).
16672 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
16673 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
16675 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
16679 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
16680 called the @code{epoch}
16681 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
16682 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
16683 each value is printed in its own window.
16688 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
16690 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
16692 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
16693 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
16694 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
16695 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
16696 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
16697 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
16699 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
16700 in the form of a reference manual.
16702 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
16703 features described below are incomplete and subject to change.
16705 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
16707 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
16708 This chapter uses the following notation:
16712 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
16715 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
16716 it may or may not be given.
16719 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
16720 may repeat zero or more times.
16723 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
16724 may repeat one or more times.
16727 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
16731 @heading Dependencies
16734 @heading Acknowledgments
16736 In alphabetic order: Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, Stan Shebs and
16740 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
16741 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
16742 * GDB/MI Output Records::
16743 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
16744 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Table Commands::
16745 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
16746 * GDB/MI Program Control::
16747 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
16749 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
16750 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
16751 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
16753 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
16754 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
16755 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
16756 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
16757 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
16758 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
16761 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
16762 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
16763 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
16766 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
16767 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
16768 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
16771 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
16772 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
16774 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
16775 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
16777 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
16778 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
16780 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
16781 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
16782 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
16784 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
16785 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
16786 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
16788 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
16789 "any sequence of digits"
16791 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
16792 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
16794 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
16795 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
16797 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
16798 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
16800 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
16801 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
16802 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
16804 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
16805 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
16807 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
16816 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
16817 output is described below.
16820 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
16824 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
16825 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
16826 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
16827 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
16828 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
16835 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
16838 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
16841 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
16842 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
16844 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
16845 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
16846 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
16847 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
16848 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
16849 terminated by @samp{(@value{GDBP})}.
16851 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
16852 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
16856 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
16857 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(@value{GDBP})" @var{nl}}
16859 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
16860 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
16862 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
16863 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
16865 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
16866 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
16868 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
16869 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
16871 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
16872 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
16874 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
16875 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
16877 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
16878 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
16880 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
16881 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
16883 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
16884 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
16885 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
16887 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
16888 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
16890 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
16891 @code{ @var{string} }
16893 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
16894 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
16896 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
16897 @code{@var{c-string}}
16899 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
16900 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
16902 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
16903 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
16904 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
16906 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
16907 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
16909 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
16910 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
16912 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
16913 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
16915 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
16916 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
16918 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
16921 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
16922 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
16930 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
16933 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. If an execution
16934 command is interrupted by the @samp{-exec-interrupt} command, the
16935 @var{token} associated with the @samp{*stopped} message is the one of the
16936 original execution command, not the one of the interrupt command.
16939 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16940 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
16941 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
16942 prefixed by @samp{+}.
16945 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16946 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
16947 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
16951 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16952 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
16953 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
16954 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
16957 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16958 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
16959 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
16960 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
16963 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16964 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
16965 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
16968 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16969 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
16970 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
16971 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
16974 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
16975 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
16981 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
16982 details about the various output records.
16984 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
16985 @subsection Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
16986 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
16988 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
16989 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
16990 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
16991 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
16993 @subsubheading Target Stop
16994 @c Ummm... There is no "-stop" command. This assumes async, no?
16995 Here's an example of stopping the inferior process:
17006 <- *stop,reason="stop",address="0x123",source="a.c:123"
17010 @subsubheading Simple CLI Command
17012 Here's an example of a simple CLI command being passed through
17013 @sc{gdb/mi} and on to the CLI.
17023 @subsubheading Command With Side Effects
17026 -> -symbol-file xyz.exe
17027 <- *breakpoint,nr="3",address="0x123",source="a.c:123"
17031 @subsubheading A Bad Command
17033 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
17037 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
17041 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17042 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
17043 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
17045 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
17046 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
17047 To help users familiar with @value{GDBN}'s existing CLI interface, @sc{gdb/mi}
17048 accepts existing CLI commands. As specified by the syntax, such
17049 commands can be directly entered into the @sc{gdb/mi} interface and @value{GDBN} will
17052 This mechanism is provided as an aid to developers of @sc{gdb/mi}
17053 clients and not as a reliable interface into the CLI. Since the command
17054 is being interpreteted in an environment that assumes @sc{gdb/mi}
17055 behaviour, the exact output of such commands is likely to end up being
17056 an un-supported hybrid of @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI output.
17058 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17059 @node GDB/MI Output Records
17060 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
17063 * GDB/MI Result Records::
17064 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
17065 * GDB/MI Out-of-band Records::
17068 @node GDB/MI Result Records
17069 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
17071 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17072 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
17073 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
17074 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
17078 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
17079 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
17084 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
17085 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
17088 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
17090 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
17094 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
17095 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
17097 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
17098 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17099 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
17100 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
17101 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
17103 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
17104 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
17105 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
17106 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
17107 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
17110 @item "~" @var{string-output}
17111 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
17112 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
17114 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
17115 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
17118 @item "&" @var{string-output}
17119 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
17123 @node GDB/MI Out-of-band Records
17124 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Out-of-band Records
17126 @cindex out-of-band records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17127 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, out-of-band records
17128 @dfn{Out-of-band} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
17129 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
17130 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
17131 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
17133 The following is a preliminary list of possible out-of-band records.
17134 In particular, the @var{exec-async-output} records.
17137 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}"
17140 @var{reason} can be one of the following:
17143 @item breakpoint-hit
17144 A breakpoint was reached.
17145 @item watchpoint-trigger
17146 A watchpoint was triggered.
17147 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
17148 A read watchpoint was triggered.
17149 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
17150 An access watchpoint was triggered.
17151 @item function-finished
17152 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17153 @item location-reached
17154 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17155 @item watchpoint-scope
17156 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
17157 @item end-stepping-range
17158 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
17159 similar CLI command was accomplished.
17160 @item exited-signalled
17161 The inferior exited because of a signal.
17163 The inferior exited.
17164 @item exited-normally
17165 The inferior exited normally.
17166 @item signal-received
17167 A signal was received by the inferior.
17171 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17172 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
17173 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
17175 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
17176 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
17178 Note the the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
17179 readability. They don't appear in the real output.
17180 Also note that the commands with a non-available example (N.A.@:) are
17181 not yet implemented.
17183 @subheading Motivation
17185 The motivation for this collection of commands.
17187 @subheading Introduction
17189 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
17191 @subheading Commands
17193 For each command in the block, the following is described:
17195 @subsubheading Synopsis
17198 -command @var{args}@dots{}
17201 @subsubheading Result
17203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17205 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
17207 @subsubheading Example
17209 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17210 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Table Commands
17211 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint table commands
17213 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
17214 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
17215 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
17218 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
17219 @findex -break-after
17221 @subsubheading Synopsis
17224 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
17227 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
17228 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
17229 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
17230 @samp{-break-list} command below.
17232 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17234 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
17236 @subsubheading Example
17241 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x000100d0",file="hello.c",line="5"@}
17248 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17249 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17250 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17251 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17252 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17253 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17254 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17255 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17256 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0",
17262 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
17263 @findex -break-catch
17265 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
17266 @findex -break-commands
17270 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
17271 @findex -break-condition
17273 @subsubheading Synopsis
17276 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
17279 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
17280 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
17281 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
17284 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17286 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
17288 @subsubheading Example
17292 -break-condition 1 1
17296 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17297 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17298 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17299 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17300 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17301 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17302 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17303 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17304 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",cond="1",
17305 times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
17309 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
17310 @findex -break-delete
17312 @subsubheading Synopsis
17315 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17318 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
17319 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
17321 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
17323 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
17325 @subsubheading Example
17333 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
17334 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17335 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17336 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17337 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17338 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17339 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17344 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
17345 @findex -break-disable
17347 @subsubheading Synopsis
17350 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17353 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
17354 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
17356 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17358 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
17360 @subsubheading Example
17368 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17369 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17370 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17371 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17372 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17373 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17374 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17375 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
17376 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}]@}
17380 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
17381 @findex -break-enable
17383 @subsubheading Synopsis
17386 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17389 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
17391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
17395 @subsubheading Example
17403 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17404 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17405 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17406 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17407 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17408 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17409 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17410 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17411 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}]@}
17415 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
17416 @findex -break-info
17418 @subsubheading Synopsis
17421 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
17425 Get information about a single breakpoint.
17427 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
17429 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
17431 @subsubheading Example
17434 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
17435 @findex -break-insert
17437 @subsubheading Synopsis
17440 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -r ]
17441 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
17442 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{line} | @var{addr} ]
17446 If specified, @var{line}, can be one of:
17453 @item filename:linenum
17454 @item filename:function
17458 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
17462 Insert a tempoary breakpoint.
17464 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
17465 @item -c @var{condition}
17466 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
17467 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
17468 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
17470 Insert a regular breakpoint in all the functions whose names match the
17471 given regular expression. Other flags are not applicable to regular
17475 @subsubheading Result
17477 The result is in the form:
17480 ^done,bkptno="@var{number}",func="@var{funcname}",
17481 file="@var{filename}",line="@var{lineno}"
17485 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint, @var{funcname}
17486 is the name of the function where the breakpoint was inserted,
17487 @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains this
17488 function, and @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file.
17490 Note: this format is open to change.
17491 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
17493 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17495 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
17496 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
17498 @subsubheading Example
17503 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
17505 -break-insert -t foo
17506 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",line="11"@}
17509 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17510 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17511 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17512 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17513 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17514 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17515 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17516 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17517 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",line="4",times="0"@},
17518 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
17519 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
17521 -break-insert -r foo.*
17522 ~int foo(int, int);
17523 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",line="11"@}
17527 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
17528 @findex -break-list
17530 @subsubheading Synopsis
17536 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
17540 number of the breakpoint
17542 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
17544 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
17547 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
17549 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
17551 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
17554 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
17557 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
17558 @code{body} field is an empty list.
17560 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17562 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
17564 @subsubheading Example
17569 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17570 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17571 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17572 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17573 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17574 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17575 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17576 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17577 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
17578 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17579 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",line="13",times="0"@}]@}
17583 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
17588 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
17589 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17590 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17591 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17592 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17593 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17594 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17599 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
17600 @findex -break-watch
17602 @subsubheading Synopsis
17605 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
17608 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
17609 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e. a watchpoint that triggers either on a
17610 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
17611 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e. it will
17612 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
17613 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
17614 i.e. it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
17615 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting watchpoints}.
17617 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
17618 breakpoints inserted.
17620 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17622 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
17625 @subsubheading Example
17627 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
17632 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
17636 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
17637 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
17638 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
17639 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
17643 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
17644 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
17645 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
17650 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
17654 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
17655 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
17656 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
17657 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
17658 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
17662 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
17663 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
17664 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
17665 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
17666 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
17670 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
17671 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
17677 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
17680 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17681 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17682 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17683 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17684 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17685 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17686 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17687 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17688 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
17689 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
17690 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
17691 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
17695 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
17696 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
17697 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
17698 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
17699 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
17702 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17703 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17704 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17705 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17706 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17707 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17708 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17709 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17710 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
17711 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
17712 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
17713 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
17717 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
17718 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
17719 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
17720 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
17721 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
17724 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17725 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17726 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17727 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17728 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17729 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17730 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17731 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17732 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
17733 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@}]@}
17737 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17738 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
17739 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
17741 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
17742 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
17743 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
17744 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
17746 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
17747 @c @subheading -data-assign
17748 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
17749 @c @subsubheading GDB command
17751 @c @subsubheading Example
17754 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
17755 @findex -data-disassemble
17757 @subsubheading Synopsis
17761 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
17762 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
17770 @item @var{start-addr}
17771 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
17772 @item @var{end-addr}
17774 @item @var{filename}
17775 is the name of the file to disassemble
17776 @item @var{linenum}
17777 is the line number to disassemble around
17779 is the the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
17780 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
17781 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
17782 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
17783 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
17784 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
17785 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
17788 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
17792 @subsubheading Result
17794 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
17803 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
17804 directely by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e. it is not possible to adjust its format.
17806 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17808 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
17810 @subsubheading Example
17812 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
17816 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
17819 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
17820 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
17821 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
17822 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
17823 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
17824 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
17825 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
17826 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
17827 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
17828 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
17832 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
17836 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
17838 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
17839 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
17840 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
17841 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
17842 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
17843 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
17845 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
17846 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
17850 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
17854 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
17856 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
17857 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
17858 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
17859 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
17860 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
17861 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
17865 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
17869 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
17871 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
17872 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
17873 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
17874 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
17875 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
17876 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
17877 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
17878 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
17879 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
17880 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
17881 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
17882 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
17887 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
17888 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
17890 @subsubheading Synopsis
17893 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
17896 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
17897 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
17898 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
17900 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17902 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
17903 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
17904 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
17906 @subsubheading Example
17908 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
17909 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
17910 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
17914 211-data-evaluate-expression A
17917 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
17918 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
17920 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
17923 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
17929 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
17930 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
17932 @subsubheading Synopsis
17935 -data-list-changed-registers
17938 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
17940 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17942 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
17943 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
17945 @subsubheading Example
17947 On a PPC MBX board:
17955 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",frame=@{func="main",
17956 args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/try.c",line="5"@}
17958 -data-list-changed-registers
17959 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
17960 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
17961 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
17966 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
17967 @findex -data-list-register-names
17969 @subsubheading Synopsis
17972 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
17975 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
17976 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
17977 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
17978 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
17979 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
17980 include empty register names.
17982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17984 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
17985 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
17986 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
17988 @subsubheading Example
17990 For the PPC MBX board:
17993 -data-list-register-names
17994 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
17995 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
17996 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
17997 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
17998 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
17999 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
18000 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
18002 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
18003 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
18007 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
18008 @findex -data-list-register-values
18010 @subsubheading Synopsis
18013 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
18016 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
18017 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
18018 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
18019 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
18021 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
18038 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18040 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
18041 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
18043 @subsubheading Example
18045 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
18046 don't appear in the actual output):
18050 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
18051 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
18052 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
18054 -data-list-register-values x
18055 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
18056 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
18057 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
18058 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
18059 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
18060 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
18061 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
18062 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
18063 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
18064 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
18065 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
18066 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
18067 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
18068 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
18069 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
18070 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
18071 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
18072 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
18073 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
18074 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
18075 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
18076 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
18077 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
18078 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
18079 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
18080 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
18081 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
18082 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
18083 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
18084 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
18085 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
18086 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
18087 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
18088 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
18089 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
18090 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
18095 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
18096 @findex -data-read-memory
18098 @subsubheading Synopsis
18101 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
18102 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
18103 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
18110 @item @var{address}
18111 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
18112 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
18113 quoted using the C convention.
18115 @item @var{word-format}
18116 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
18117 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
18120 @item @var{word-size}
18121 The size of each memory word in bytes.
18123 @item @var{nr-rows}
18124 The number of rows in the output table.
18126 @item @var{nr-cols}
18127 The number of columns in the output table.
18130 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
18131 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
18132 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
18133 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
18135 @item @var{byte-offset}
18136 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
18139 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
18140 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
18141 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
18142 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
18143 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
18144 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
18145 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
18148 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
18149 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
18152 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18154 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
18155 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
18157 @subsubheading Example
18159 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
18160 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
18161 word. Display each word in hex.
18165 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
18166 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
18167 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
18168 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
18169 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
18170 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
18171 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
18175 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
18176 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
18180 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
18181 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
18182 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
18183 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
18184 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
18188 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
18189 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
18190 used as the non-printable character.
18194 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
18195 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
18196 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
18197 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
18198 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18199 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18200 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18201 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18202 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
18203 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
18204 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
18205 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
18209 @subheading The @code{-display-delete} Command
18210 @findex -display-delete
18212 @subsubheading Synopsis
18215 -display-delete @var{number}
18218 Delete the display @var{number}.
18220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18222 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete display}.
18224 @subsubheading Example
18228 @subheading The @code{-display-disable} Command
18229 @findex -display-disable
18231 @subsubheading Synopsis
18234 -display-disable @var{number}
18237 Disable display @var{number}.
18239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18241 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable display}.
18243 @subsubheading Example
18247 @subheading The @code{-display-enable} Command
18248 @findex -display-enable
18250 @subsubheading Synopsis
18253 -display-enable @var{number}
18256 Enable display @var{number}.
18258 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18260 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable display}.
18262 @subsubheading Example
18266 @subheading The @code{-display-insert} Command
18267 @findex -display-insert
18269 @subsubheading Synopsis
18272 -display-insert @var{expression}
18275 Display @var{expression} every time the program stops.
18277 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18279 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{display}.
18281 @subsubheading Example
18285 @subheading The @code{-display-list} Command
18286 @findex -display-list
18288 @subsubheading Synopsis
18294 List the displays. Do not show the current values.
18296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info display}.
18300 @subsubheading Example
18304 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
18305 @findex -environment-cd
18307 @subsubheading Synopsis
18310 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
18313 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
18315 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18317 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
18319 @subsubheading Example
18323 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18329 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
18330 @findex -environment-directory
18332 @subsubheading Synopsis
18335 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18338 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
18339 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
18340 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
18341 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18343 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18344 multiple directories in a single command
18345 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18346 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18347 If blanks are needed as
18348 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18349 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18350 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18351 character must not be used
18352 in any directory name.
18353 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
18355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
18359 @subsubheading Example
18363 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18364 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18366 -environment-directory ""
18367 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18369 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
18370 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
18372 -environment-directory -r
18373 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
18378 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
18379 @findex -environment-path
18381 @subsubheading Synopsis
18384 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18387 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
18388 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
18389 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
18390 supplied in addition to the
18391 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18393 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18394 multiple directories in a single command
18395 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18396 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18397 If blanks are needed as
18398 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18399 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18400 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18401 character must not be used
18402 in any directory name.
18403 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
18406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
18410 @subsubheading Example
18415 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
18417 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
18418 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
18420 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
18421 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
18426 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
18427 @findex -environment-pwd
18429 @subsubheading Synopsis
18435 Show the current working directory.
18437 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
18439 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
18441 @subsubheading Example
18446 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
18450 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18451 @node GDB/MI Program Control
18452 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program control
18454 @subsubheading Program termination
18456 As a result of execution, the inferior program can run to completion, if
18457 it doesn't encounter any breakpoints. In this case the output will
18458 include an exit code, if the program has exited exceptionally.
18460 @subsubheading Examples
18463 Program exited normally:
18471 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
18476 Program exited exceptionally:
18484 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
18488 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
18489 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
18493 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
18494 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
18498 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
18499 @findex -exec-abort
18501 @subsubheading Synopsis
18507 Kill the inferior running program.
18509 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
18513 @subsubheading Example
18517 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
18518 @findex -exec-arguments
18520 @subsubheading Synopsis
18523 -exec-arguments @var{args}
18526 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
18529 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18531 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
18533 @subsubheading Example
18536 Don't have one around.
18539 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
18540 @findex -exec-continue
18542 @subsubheading Synopsis
18548 Asynchronous command. Resumes the execution of the inferior program
18549 until a breakpoint is encountered, or until the inferior exits.
18551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18553 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
18555 @subsubheading Example
18562 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="2",frame=@{func="foo",args=[],
18563 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/hello.c",line="13"@}
18568 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
18569 @findex -exec-finish
18571 @subsubheading Synopsis
18577 Asynchronous command. Resumes the execution of the inferior program
18578 until the current function is exited. Displays the results returned by
18581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
18585 @subsubheading Example
18587 Function returning @code{void}.
18594 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
18595 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/hello.c",line="7"@}
18599 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
18600 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
18607 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
18608 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
18609 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
18610 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
18615 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
18616 @findex -exec-interrupt
18618 @subsubheading Synopsis
18624 Asynchronous command. Interrupts the background execution of the target.
18625 Note how the token associated with the stop message is the one for the
18626 execution command that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt
18627 itself only appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
18628 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
18630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
18634 @subsubheading Example
18645 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
18646 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
18647 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/try.c",line="13"@}
18652 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
18657 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
18660 @subsubheading Synopsis
18666 Asynchronous command. Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping
18667 when the beginning of the next source line is reached.
18669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18671 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
18673 @subsubheading Example
18679 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
18684 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
18685 @findex -exec-next-instruction
18687 @subsubheading Synopsis
18690 -exec-next-instruction
18693 Asynchronous command. Executes one machine instruction. If the
18694 instruction is a function call continues until the function returns. If
18695 the program stops at an instruction in the middle of a source line, the
18696 address will be printed as well.
18698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18700 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
18702 @subsubheading Example
18706 -exec-next-instruction
18710 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
18711 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
18716 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
18717 @findex -exec-return
18719 @subsubheading Synopsis
18725 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
18726 Displays the new current frame.
18728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18730 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
18732 @subsubheading Example
18736 200-break-insert callee4
18737 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
18738 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
18743 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
18744 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
18745 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18746 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
18752 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
18753 args=[@{name="strarg",
18754 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18755 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18756 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18761 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
18764 @subsubheading Synopsis
18770 Asynchronous command. Starts execution of the inferior from the
18771 beginning. The inferior executes until either a breakpoint is
18772 encountered or the program exits.
18774 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18776 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
18778 @subsubheading Example
18783 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
18788 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
18789 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
18790 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
18795 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
18796 @findex -exec-show-arguments
18798 @subsubheading Synopsis
18801 -exec-show-arguments
18804 Print the arguments of the program.
18806 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18808 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
18810 @subsubheading Example
18813 @c @subheading -exec-signal
18815 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
18818 @subsubheading Synopsis
18824 Asynchronous command. Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping
18825 when the beginning of the next source line is reached, if the next
18826 source line is not a function call. If it is, stop at the first
18827 instruction of the called function.
18829 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18831 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
18833 @subsubheading Example
18835 Stepping into a function:
18841 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
18842 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
18843 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
18844 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
18854 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
18859 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
18860 @findex -exec-step-instruction
18862 @subsubheading Synopsis
18865 -exec-step-instruction
18868 Asynchronous command. Resumes the inferior which executes one machine
18869 instruction. The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
18870 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
18871 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
18874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
18878 @subsubheading Example
18882 -exec-step-instruction
18886 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
18887 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
18888 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/try.c",line="10"@}
18890 -exec-step-instruction
18894 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
18895 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
18896 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/try.c",line="10"@}
18901 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
18902 @findex -exec-until
18904 @subsubheading Synopsis
18907 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
18910 Asynchronous command. Executes the inferior until the @var{location}
18911 specified in the argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior
18912 executes until a source line greater than the current one is reached.
18913 The reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
18915 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18917 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
18919 @subsubheading Example
18923 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
18927 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
18928 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
18933 @subheading -file-clear
18934 Is this going away????
18938 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
18939 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
18941 @subsubheading Synopsis
18944 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
18947 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
18948 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
18949 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
18950 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
18951 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
18954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
18958 @subsubheading Example
18962 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
18968 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
18969 @findex -file-exec-file
18971 @subsubheading Synopsis
18974 -file-exec-file @var{file}
18977 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
18978 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
18979 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
18980 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
18983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
18987 @subsubheading Example
18991 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
18997 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
18998 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
19000 @subsubheading Synopsis
19003 -file-list-exec-sections
19006 List the sections of the current executable file.
19008 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19010 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
19011 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
19012 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
19014 @subsubheading Example
19018 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
19019 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
19021 @subsubheading Synopsis
19024 -file-list-exec-source-file
19027 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
19028 to the current source file for the current executable.
19030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19032 There's no @value{GDBN} command which directly corresponds to this one.
19034 @subsubheading Example
19038 123-file-list-exec-source-file
19039 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c"
19044 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
19045 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
19047 @subsubheading Synopsis
19050 -file-list-exec-source-files
19053 List the source files for the current executable.
19055 It will always output the filename, but only when GDB can find the absolute
19056 file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
19058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19060 There's no @value{GDBN} command which directly corresponds to this one.
19061 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
19063 @subsubheading Example
19066 -file-list-exec-source-files
19068 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
19069 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
19070 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
19074 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
19075 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
19077 @subsubheading Synopsis
19080 -file-list-shared-libraries
19083 List the shared libraries in the program.
19085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
19089 @subsubheading Example
19093 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
19094 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
19096 @subsubheading Synopsis
19099 -file-list-symbol-files
19104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
19108 @subsubheading Example
19112 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
19113 @findex -file-symbol-file
19115 @subsubheading Synopsis
19118 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
19121 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
19122 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
19123 produced, except for a completion notification.
19125 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19127 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
19129 @subsubheading Example
19133 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
19138 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19139 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
19140 @section Miscellaneous @value{GDBN} commands in @sc{gdb/mi}
19142 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
19144 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
19147 @subsubheading Synopsis
19153 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
19155 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19157 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
19159 @subsubheading Example
19166 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
19169 @subsubheading Synopsis
19175 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
19176 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
19178 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19180 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
19182 @subsubheading Example
19192 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
19195 @subsubheading Synopsis
19201 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
19203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
19205 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
19207 @subsubheading Example
19216 @c @subheading -gdb-source
19219 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
19220 @findex -gdb-version
19222 @subsubheading Synopsis
19228 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
19230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19232 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @value{GDBN} by default shows this
19233 information when you start an interactive session.
19235 @subsubheading Example
19237 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
19243 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
19244 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
19245 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
19246 ~ certain conditions.
19247 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
19248 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
19250 ~This GDB was configured as
19251 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
19256 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
19257 @findex -interpreter-exec
19259 @subheading Synopsis
19262 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
19265 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
19267 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19269 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
19271 @subheading Example
19275 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
19276 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
19277 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
19278 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
19283 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
19284 @findex -inferior-tty-set
19286 @subheading Synopsis
19289 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19292 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
19294 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19296 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty /dev/pts/1}.
19298 @subheading Example
19302 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19307 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
19308 @findex -inferior-tty-show
19310 @subheading Synopsis
19316 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
19318 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
19322 @subheading Example
19326 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19330 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
19335 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19336 @node GDB/MI Kod Commands
19337 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Kod Commands
19339 The Kod commands are not implemented.
19341 @c @subheading -kod-info
19343 @c @subheading -kod-list
19345 @c @subheading -kod-list-object-types
19347 @c @subheading -kod-show
19349 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19350 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
19351 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
19353 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
19355 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
19357 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
19359 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
19361 @c @subheading -overlay-map
19363 @c @subheading -overlay-off
19365 @c @subheading -overlay-on
19367 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
19369 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19370 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
19371 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
19373 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
19375 @c @subheading -signal-handle
19377 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
19379 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
19383 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19384 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
19385 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
19388 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
19389 @findex -stack-info-frame
19391 @subsubheading Synopsis
19397 Get info on the selected frame.
19399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19401 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
19402 (without arguments).
19404 @subsubheading Example
19409 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19410 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19411 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
19415 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
19416 @findex -stack-info-depth
19418 @subsubheading Synopsis
19421 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
19424 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
19425 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
19427 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19429 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
19431 @subsubheading Example
19433 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
19440 -stack-info-depth 4
19443 -stack-info-depth 12
19446 -stack-info-depth 11
19449 -stack-info-depth 13
19454 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
19455 @findex -stack-list-arguments
19457 @subsubheading Synopsis
19460 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
19461 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19464 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
19465 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
19466 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole call
19469 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
19470 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
19471 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
19473 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19475 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
19476 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
19477 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
19479 @subsubheading Example
19486 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
19487 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19488 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
19489 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19490 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19491 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
19492 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
19493 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19494 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
19495 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
19496 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19497 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
19498 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
19499 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19500 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
19502 -stack-list-arguments 0
19505 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19506 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
19507 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
19508 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
19509 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19511 -stack-list-arguments 1
19514 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19516 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19517 frame=@{level="2",args=[
19518 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19519 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19520 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
19521 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19522 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
19523 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
19524 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19526 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
19527 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
19529 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
19530 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
19531 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19532 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
19536 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
19539 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
19540 @findex -stack-list-frames
19542 @subsubheading Synopsis
19545 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19548 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
19553 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e. the innermost function.
19555 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
19559 File name of the source file where the function lives.
19561 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
19564 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
19565 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
19566 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
19567 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level.
19569 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19571 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
19573 @subsubheading Example
19575 Full stack backtrace:
19581 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
19582 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
19583 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19584 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19585 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19586 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19587 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19588 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19589 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19590 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19591 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19592 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19593 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19594 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19595 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19596 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19597 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19598 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19599 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19600 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19601 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19602 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19603 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
19604 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
19608 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
19612 -stack-list-frames 3 5
19614 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19615 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19616 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19617 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19618 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19619 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19623 Show a single frame:
19627 -stack-list-frames 3 3
19629 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19630 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/myproject/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19635 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
19636 @findex -stack-list-locals
19638 @subsubheading Synopsis
19641 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
19644 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
19645 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
19646 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
19647 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
19648 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
19649 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
19650 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
19651 other data types when the the user wishes to explore their values in
19654 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19656 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
19658 @subsubheading Example
19662 -stack-list-locals 0
19663 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
19665 -stack-list-locals --all-values
19666 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
19667 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
19668 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
19669 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
19670 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
19675 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
19676 @findex -stack-select-frame
19678 @subsubheading Synopsis
19681 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
19684 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
19687 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19689 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
19690 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
19692 @subsubheading Example
19696 -stack-select-frame 2
19701 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19702 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
19703 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
19706 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
19707 @findex -symbol-info-address
19709 @subsubheading Synopsis
19712 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
19715 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
19717 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19719 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
19721 @subsubheading Example
19725 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
19726 @findex -symbol-info-file
19728 @subsubheading Synopsis
19734 Show the file for the symbol.
19736 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19738 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
19739 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
19741 @subsubheading Example
19745 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
19746 @findex -symbol-info-function
19748 @subsubheading Synopsis
19751 -symbol-info-function
19754 Show which function the symbol lives in.
19756 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19758 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
19760 @subsubheading Example
19764 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
19765 @findex -symbol-info-line
19767 @subsubheading Synopsis
19773 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
19775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
19778 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
19780 @subsubheading Example
19784 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
19785 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
19787 @subsubheading Synopsis
19790 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
19793 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
19795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
19799 @subsubheading Example
19803 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
19804 @findex -symbol-list-functions
19806 @subsubheading Synopsis
19809 -symbol-list-functions
19812 List the functions in the executable.
19814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19816 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
19817 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
19819 @subsubheading Example
19823 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
19824 @findex -symbol-list-lines
19826 @subsubheading Synopsis
19829 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
19832 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
19833 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
19834 ascending PC order.
19836 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19838 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
19840 @subsubheading Example
19843 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
19844 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
19849 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
19850 @findex -symbol-list-types
19852 @subsubheading Synopsis
19858 List all the type names.
19860 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19862 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
19863 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
19865 @subsubheading Example
19869 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
19870 @findex -symbol-list-variables
19872 @subsubheading Synopsis
19875 -symbol-list-variables
19878 List all the global and static variable names.
19880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19882 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
19884 @subsubheading Example
19888 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
19889 @findex -symbol-locate
19891 @subsubheading Synopsis
19897 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19899 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
19901 @subsubheading Example
19905 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
19906 @findex -symbol-type
19908 @subsubheading Synopsis
19911 -symbol-type @var{variable}
19914 Show type of @var{variable}.
19916 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19918 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
19919 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
19921 @subsubheading Example
19925 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19926 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
19927 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
19930 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
19931 @findex -target-attach
19933 @subsubheading Synopsis
19936 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{file}
19939 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of @value{GDBN}.
19941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
19943 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
19945 @subsubheading Example
19949 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
19950 @findex -target-compare-sections
19952 @subsubheading Synopsis
19955 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
19958 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
19959 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
19961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19963 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
19965 @subsubheading Example
19969 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
19970 @findex -target-detach
19972 @subsubheading Synopsis
19978 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output.
19980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
19982 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
19984 @subsubheading Example
19994 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
19995 @findex -target-disconnect
19997 @subsubheading Synopsis
20003 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output.
20005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20007 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
20009 @subsubheading Example
20019 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
20020 @findex -target-download
20022 @subsubheading Synopsis
20028 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
20029 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
20033 The name of the section.
20035 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
20037 The size of the section.
20039 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
20041 The size of the overall executable to download.
20045 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
20046 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
20048 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
20049 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
20053 The name of the section.
20055 The size of the section.
20057 The size of the overall executable to download.
20061 At the end, a summary is printed.
20063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
20067 @subsubheading Example
20069 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
20070 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
20075 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
20076 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
20077 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
20078 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
20079 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
20080 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
20081 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
20082 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
20083 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
20084 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
20085 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
20086 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
20087 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
20088 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
20089 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
20090 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
20091 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
20092 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
20093 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
20094 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
20095 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
20096 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
20097 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
20098 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
20099 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
20100 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
20101 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
20102 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
20103 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
20104 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
20105 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
20106 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
20107 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
20108 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
20109 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
20110 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
20111 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
20112 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
20113 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
20114 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
20115 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
20116 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
20117 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
20123 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
20124 @findex -target-exec-status
20126 @subsubheading Synopsis
20129 -target-exec-status
20132 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
20133 not, for instance).
20135 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20137 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
20139 @subsubheading Example
20143 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
20144 @findex -target-list-available-targets
20146 @subsubheading Synopsis
20149 -target-list-available-targets
20152 List the possible targets to connect to.
20154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
20158 @subsubheading Example
20162 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
20163 @findex -target-list-current-targets
20165 @subsubheading Synopsis
20168 -target-list-current-targets
20171 Describe the current target.
20173 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20175 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
20178 @subsubheading Example
20182 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
20183 @findex -target-list-parameters
20185 @subsubheading Synopsis
20188 -target-list-parameters
20193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20197 @subsubheading Example
20201 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
20202 @findex -target-select
20204 @subsubheading Synopsis
20207 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
20210 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
20214 The type of target, for instance @samp{async}, @samp{remote}, etc.
20215 @item @var{parameters}
20216 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
20217 Commands for managing targets}, for more details.
20220 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
20221 which the target program is, in the following form:
20224 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
20225 args=[@var{arg list}]
20228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20230 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
20232 @subsubheading Example
20236 -target-select async /dev/ttya
20237 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
20241 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20242 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
20243 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
20246 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
20247 @findex -thread-info
20249 @subsubheading Synopsis
20255 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20259 @subsubheading Example
20263 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-all-threads} Command
20264 @findex -thread-list-all-threads
20266 @subsubheading Synopsis
20269 -thread-list-all-threads
20272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20274 The equivalent @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info threads}.
20276 @subsubheading Example
20280 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
20281 @findex -thread-list-ids
20283 @subsubheading Synopsis
20289 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
20290 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
20292 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20294 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
20296 @subsubheading Example
20298 No threads present, besides the main process:
20303 ^done,thread-ids=@{@},number-of-threads="0"
20313 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
20314 number-of-threads="3"
20319 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
20320 @findex -thread-select
20322 @subsubheading Synopsis
20325 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
20328 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
20329 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
20331 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20333 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
20335 @subsubheading Example
20342 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
20343 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
20347 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
20348 number-of-threads="3"
20351 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
20352 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
20353 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
20354 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
20358 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20359 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
20360 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
20362 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
20364 @c @subheading -trace-actions
20366 @c @subheading -trace-delete
20368 @c @subheading -trace-disable
20370 @c @subheading -trace-dump
20372 @c @subheading -trace-enable
20374 @c @subheading -trace-exists
20376 @c @subheading -trace-find
20378 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
20380 @c @subheading -trace-info
20382 @c @subheading -trace-insert
20384 @c @subheading -trace-list
20386 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
20388 @c @subheading -trace-save
20390 @c @subheading -trace-start
20392 @c @subheading -trace-stop
20395 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20396 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
20397 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
20400 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20402 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
20403 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
20404 used by @code{Insight}.
20406 The two main reasons for that are:
20410 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
20413 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
20417 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
20418 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
20419 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
20420 hints about their use.
20422 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
20423 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
20424 least, the following operations:
20427 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
20428 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
20429 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
20430 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
20433 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20435 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20436 The basic idea behind variable objects is the creation of a named object
20437 to represent a variable, an expression, a memory location or even a CPU
20438 register. For each object created, a set of operations is available for
20439 examining or changing its properties.
20441 Furthermore, complex data types, such as C structures, are represented
20442 in a tree format. For instance, the @code{struct} type variable is the
20443 root and the children will represent the struct members. If a child
20444 is itself of a complex type, it will also have children of its own.
20445 Appropriate language differences are handled for C, C@t{++} and Java.
20447 When returning the actual values of the objects, this facility allows
20448 for the individual selection of the display format used in the result
20449 creation. It can be chosen among: binary, decimal, hexadecimal, octal
20450 and natural. Natural refers to a default format automatically
20451 chosen based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
20452 for pointers, etc.).
20454 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
20455 access this functionality:
20457 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
20458 @item @strong{Operation}
20459 @tab @strong{Description}
20461 @item @code{-var-create}
20462 @tab create a variable object
20463 @item @code{-var-delete}
20464 @tab delete the variable object and its children
20465 @item @code{-var-set-format}
20466 @tab set the display format of this variable
20467 @item @code{-var-show-format}
20468 @tab show the display format of this variable
20469 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
20470 @tab tells how many children this object has
20471 @item @code{-var-list-children}
20472 @tab return a list of the object's children
20473 @item @code{-var-info-type}
20474 @tab show the type of this variable object
20475 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
20476 @tab print what this variable object represents
20477 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
20478 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
20479 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
20480 @tab get the value of this variable
20481 @item @code{-var-assign}
20482 @tab set the value of this variable
20483 @item @code{-var-update}
20484 @tab update the variable and its children
20487 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
20488 how it can be used.
20490 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
20492 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
20493 @findex -var-create
20495 @subsubheading Synopsis
20498 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
20499 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*"@} @var{expression}
20502 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
20503 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
20506 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
20507 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
20508 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
20509 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} on that format.
20510 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
20512 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
20513 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
20514 frame should be used.
20516 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
20517 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
20521 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
20524 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
20527 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
20530 @subsubheading Result
20532 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
20533 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
20534 the @value{GDBN} CLI:
20537 name="@var{name}",numchild="N",type="@var{type}"
20541 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
20542 @findex -var-delete
20544 @subsubheading Synopsis
20547 -var-delete @var{name}
20550 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
20552 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
20555 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
20556 @findex -var-set-format
20558 @subsubheading Synopsis
20561 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
20564 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
20567 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
20570 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
20571 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
20575 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
20576 @findex -var-show-format
20578 @subsubheading Synopsis
20581 -var-show-format @var{name}
20584 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
20587 @var{format} @expansion{}
20592 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
20593 @findex -var-info-num-children
20595 @subsubheading Synopsis
20598 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
20601 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
20608 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
20609 @findex -var-list-children
20611 @subsubheading Synopsis
20614 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
20616 @anchor{-var-list-children}
20618 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
20619 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
20620 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
20621 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
20622 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
20623 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
20624 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
20627 @subsubheading Example
20631 -var-list-children n
20632 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
20633 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
20635 -var-list-children --all-values n
20636 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
20637 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
20641 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
20642 @findex -var-info-type
20644 @subsubheading Synopsis
20647 -var-info-type @var{name}
20650 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
20651 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
20655 type=@var{typename}
20659 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
20660 @findex -var-info-expression
20662 @subsubheading Synopsis
20665 -var-info-expression @var{name}
20668 Returns what is represented by the variable object @var{name}:
20671 lang=@var{lang-spec},exp=@var{expression}
20675 where @var{lang-spec} is @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
20677 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
20678 @findex -var-show-attributes
20680 @subsubheading Synopsis
20683 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
20686 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
20689 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
20693 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
20695 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
20696 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
20698 @subsubheading Synopsis
20701 -var-evaluate-expression @var{name}
20704 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
20705 object and returns its value as a string in the current format specified
20712 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
20713 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
20715 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
20716 @findex -var-assign
20718 @subsubheading Synopsis
20721 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
20724 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
20725 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
20726 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
20727 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
20729 @subsubheading Example
20737 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
20741 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
20742 @findex -var-update
20744 @subsubheading Synopsis
20747 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
20750 Update the value of the variable object @var{name} by evaluating its
20751 expression after fetching all the new values from memory or registers.
20752 A @samp{*} causes all existing variable objects to be updated. The
20753 option @var{print-values} determines whether names both and values, or
20754 just names are printed in the manner described for
20755 @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}).
20757 @subsubheading Example
20764 -var-update --all-values var1
20765 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
20766 type_changed="false"@}]
20771 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
20773 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
20774 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
20775 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
20776 relatively high level.
20778 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseeded by @sc{gdb/mi}
20782 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
20786 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
20787 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
20788 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
20789 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
20790 * Annotations for Running::
20791 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
20792 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
20795 @node Annotations Overview
20796 @section What is an Annotation?
20797 @cindex annotations
20799 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
20800 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
20801 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
20802 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
20803 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
20804 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
20805 cannot contain newline characters.
20807 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
20808 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
20809 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
20810 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
20811 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
20812 means those three characters as output.
20814 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
20815 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
20816 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
20817 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
20818 is for no anntations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
20819 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
20820 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
20821 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
20822 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
20825 @kindex set annotate
20826 @item set annotate @var{level}
20827 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
20828 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
20830 @item show annotate
20831 @kindex show annotate
20832 Show the current annotation level.
20835 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
20837 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
20840 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
20842 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
20843 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
20844 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
20845 under certain conditions.
20846 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
20847 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
20849 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
20860 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
20861 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
20862 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
20863 output from @value{GDBN}.
20866 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
20868 @cindex annotations for prompts
20869 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
20870 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
20873 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
20874 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
20875 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
20876 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
20877 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
20878 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
20879 features the following annotations:
20887 The input types are
20892 @findex post-prompt
20894 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
20896 @findex pre-commands
20898 @findex post-commands
20900 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
20901 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
20903 @findex pre-overload-choice
20904 @findex overload-choice
20905 @findex post-overload-choice
20906 @item overload-choice
20907 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
20913 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
20915 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue
20916 @findex prompt-for-continue
20917 @findex post-prompt-for-continue
20918 @item prompt-for-continue
20919 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
20920 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
20921 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
20922 presence of annotations.
20927 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
20934 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
20941 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
20943 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
20944 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
20945 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
20946 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
20947 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
20948 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
20951 @findex error-begin
20952 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
20958 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
20961 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
20962 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
20963 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
20966 @section Invalidation Notices
20968 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
20969 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
20973 @findex frames-invalid
20974 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
20976 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
20979 @findex breakpoints-invalid
20980 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
20982 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
20983 deleted a breakpoint.
20986 @node Annotations for Running
20987 @section Running the Program
20988 @cindex annotations for running programs
20992 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
20993 @code{step} or @code{continue},
20999 is output. When the program stops,
21005 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
21006 annotations describe how the program stopped.
21010 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
21011 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
21012 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
21015 @findex signal-name
21016 @findex signal-name-end
21017 @findex signal-string
21018 @findex signal-string-end
21019 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
21020 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
21021 annotation continues:
21027 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
21031 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
21036 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
21037 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
21038 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
21039 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
21040 user's benefit and have no particular format.
21044 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
21045 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
21046 terminated with it.
21049 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
21050 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
21053 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
21054 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
21057 @node Source Annotations
21058 @section Displaying Source
21059 @cindex annotations for source display
21062 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
21065 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
21068 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
21069 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
21070 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
21071 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
21072 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
21073 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
21074 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
21075 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
21076 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
21077 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
21078 depend on the language).
21081 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
21082 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
21083 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
21085 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
21087 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
21088 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
21089 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
21090 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
21092 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
21093 information that enables us to fix the bug.
21096 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
21097 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
21101 @section Have you found a bug?
21102 @cindex bug criteria
21104 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
21107 @cindex fatal signal
21108 @cindex debugger crash
21109 @cindex crash of debugger
21111 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
21112 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
21114 @cindex error on valid input
21116 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
21117 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
21118 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
21120 @cindex invalid input
21122 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
21123 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
21124 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
21125 for traditional practice''.
21128 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
21129 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
21132 @node Bug Reporting
21133 @section How to report bugs
21134 @cindex bug reports
21135 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
21137 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
21138 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
21139 contact that organization first.
21141 You can find contact information for many support companies and
21142 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
21144 @c should add a web page ref...
21146 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
21147 @value{GDBN}. The prefered method is to submit them directly using
21148 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
21149 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
21152 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
21153 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
21154 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
21157 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
21158 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
21159 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
21160 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
21161 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
21162 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
21163 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
21164 bug reports to the mailing list.
21166 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
21167 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
21168 fact or leave it out, state it!
21170 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
21171 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
21172 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
21173 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
21174 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
21175 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
21176 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
21177 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
21178 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
21180 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
21181 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
21182 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
21185 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
21186 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
21187 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
21190 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
21194 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
21195 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
21198 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
21199 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
21202 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
21206 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
21207 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
21210 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
21211 debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
21212 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
21213 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
21217 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
21218 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
21219 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
21220 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
21222 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
21223 and then we might not encounter the bug.
21226 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
21230 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
21231 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
21233 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
21234 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
21235 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
21236 a chance to make a mistake.
21238 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
21239 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
21240 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
21241 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
21242 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
21243 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
21244 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
21245 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
21248 @cindex recording a session script
21249 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
21250 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
21251 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
21252 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
21254 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
21255 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
21258 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
21259 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
21260 it by context, not by line number.
21262 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
21263 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
21267 Here are some things that are not necessary:
21271 A description of the envelope of the bug.
21273 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
21274 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
21275 changes will not affect it.
21277 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
21278 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
21279 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
21280 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
21282 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
21283 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
21284 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
21285 less time, and so on.
21287 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
21288 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
21291 A patch for the bug.
21293 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
21294 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
21295 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
21296 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
21298 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
21299 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
21300 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
21301 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
21303 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
21304 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
21305 help us to understand.
21308 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
21310 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
21311 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
21314 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
21315 @c and consists of the two following files:
21317 @c inc-hist.texinfo
21318 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
21319 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
21320 @include rluser.texinfo
21321 @include inc-hist.texinfo
21324 @node Formatting Documentation
21325 @appendix Formatting Documentation
21327 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
21328 @cindex reference card
21329 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
21330 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
21331 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
21332 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
21333 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
21334 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
21336 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
21337 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
21343 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
21344 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
21345 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
21346 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
21347 your @sc{dvi} output program.
21349 @cindex documentation
21351 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
21352 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
21353 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
21354 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
21355 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
21356 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
21358 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
21359 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
21360 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
21361 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
21362 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
21363 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
21364 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
21365 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
21367 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
21368 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
21371 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
21372 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
21373 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
21380 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
21381 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
21382 Texinfo definitions file.
21384 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
21385 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
21386 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
21387 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
21388 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
21389 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
21390 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
21392 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
21393 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
21394 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
21395 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
21396 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
21399 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
21400 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
21401 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
21402 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
21408 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
21410 @node Installing GDB
21411 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
21412 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
21413 @cindex installation
21414 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}, and source tree subdirectories
21416 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
21417 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
21418 build the @code{gdb} program.
21420 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
21421 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
21422 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
21423 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
21426 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
21427 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
21428 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
21430 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
21431 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
21434 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
21435 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
21437 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
21438 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
21440 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
21441 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
21443 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
21444 @sc{gnu} include files
21446 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
21447 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
21449 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
21450 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
21452 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
21453 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
21455 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
21456 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
21458 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
21459 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
21462 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
21463 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
21464 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
21466 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
21467 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
21468 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
21474 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
21475 ./configure @var{host}
21480 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
21481 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
21482 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
21483 correct value by examining your system.)
21485 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
21486 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
21487 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
21488 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
21491 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
21492 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
21493 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
21496 sh configure @var{host}
21499 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
21500 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
21501 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
21502 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
21503 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
21505 You should run the @code{configure} script from the top directory in the
21506 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
21507 @code{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
21508 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
21509 if you run the first @code{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
21510 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
21511 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
21512 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
21513 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
21515 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
21516 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
21517 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
21518 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
21519 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
21522 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
21523 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
21524 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
21527 @node Separate Objdir
21528 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
21530 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
21531 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
21532 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
21533 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
21534 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
21535 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
21536 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
21537 program specified there.
21539 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
21540 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
21541 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
21542 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
21543 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
21544 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
21546 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
21547 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
21551 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
21554 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
21559 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
21560 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
21561 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
21562 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
21563 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
21564 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
21566 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
21567 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
21568 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
21569 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
21570 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
21572 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
21573 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
21574 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
21575 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
21576 You specify a cross-debugging target by
21577 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
21579 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
21580 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
21581 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
21583 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
21584 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
21585 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
21586 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
21587 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
21589 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
21590 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
21591 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
21595 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
21597 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
21598 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
21599 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
21600 of information in the following pattern:
21603 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
21606 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
21607 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
21608 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
21610 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
21611 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
21612 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
21613 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
21614 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
21615 abbreviations---for example:
21618 % sh config.sub i386-linux
21620 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
21621 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
21622 % sh config.sub hp9k700
21624 % sh config.sub sun4
21625 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
21626 % sh config.sub sun3
21627 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
21628 % sh config.sub i986v
21629 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
21633 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
21634 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
21636 @node Configure Options
21637 @section @code{configure} options
21639 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
21640 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
21641 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
21642 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
21645 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
21646 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
21647 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
21648 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
21649 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
21650 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
21655 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
21656 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
21661 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
21663 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
21664 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
21667 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
21668 Configure the source to install programs under directory
21671 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
21673 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
21674 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
21675 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
21676 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
21677 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
21678 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
21679 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
21680 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
21681 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
21682 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
21685 @item --norecursion
21686 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
21687 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
21689 @item --target=@var{target}
21690 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
21691 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
21692 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
21694 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
21696 @item @var{host} @dots{}
21697 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
21699 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
21702 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
21703 needed for special purposes only.
21705 @node Maintenance Commands
21706 @appendix Maintenance Commands
21707 @cindex maintenance commands
21708 @cindex internal commands
21710 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
21711 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
21712 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
21713 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
21714 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
21717 @kindex maint agent
21718 @item maint agent @var{expression}
21719 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
21720 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
21721 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
21723 @kindex maint info breakpoints
21724 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
21725 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
21726 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
21727 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
21728 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
21733 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
21736 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
21739 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
21740 @code{longjmp} calls.
21742 @item longjmp resume
21743 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
21746 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
21749 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
21752 Shared library events.
21756 @kindex maint check-symtabs
21757 @item maint check-symtabs
21758 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
21760 @kindex maint cplus first_component
21761 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
21762 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
21764 @kindex maint cplus namespace
21765 @item maint cplus namespace
21766 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
21768 @kindex maint demangle
21769 @item maint demangle @var{name}
21770 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C manled @var{name}.
21772 @kindex maint deprecate
21773 @kindex maint undeprecate
21774 @cindex deprecated commands
21775 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
21776 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
21777 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
21778 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
21779 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
21780 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
21781 the replacement as part of the warning.
21783 @kindex maint dump-me
21784 @item maint dump-me
21785 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
21786 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
21787 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
21788 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
21790 @kindex maint internal-error
21791 @kindex maint internal-warning
21792 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
21793 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
21794 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
21795 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
21796 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
21797 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
21798 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
21799 @value{GDBN} session.
21801 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
21802 used as the text of the error or warning message.
21804 Here's an example of using @code{indernal-error}:
21807 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
21808 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
21809 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
21810 debugging may prove unreliable.
21811 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
21812 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
21816 @kindex maint packet
21817 @item maint packet @var{text}
21818 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
21819 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
21820 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
21821 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
21824 @kindex maint print architecture
21825 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21826 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
21827 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
21829 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
21830 @item maint print dummy-frames
21831 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
21834 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
21836 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
21837 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
21839 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
21841 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
21842 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
21843 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
21844 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
21848 Takes an optional file parameter.
21850 @kindex maint print registers
21851 @kindex maint print raw-registers
21852 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
21853 @kindex maint print register-groups
21854 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21855 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21856 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21857 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21858 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
21860 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
21861 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
21862 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
21863 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
21864 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
21865 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
21867 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
21868 write the information.
21870 @kindex maint print reggroups
21871 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
21872 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
21873 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
21876 The register groups info looks like this:
21879 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
21892 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
21894 @kindex maint print objfiles
21895 @cindex info for known object files
21896 @item maint print objfiles
21897 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
21898 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
21901 @kindex maint print statistics
21902 @cindex bcache statistics
21903 @item maint print statistics
21904 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
21905 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
21906 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
21907 of minimal, partical, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
21908 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
21909 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
21910 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
21911 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
21912 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
21913 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
21916 @kindex maint print type
21917 @cindex type chain of a data type
21918 @item maint print type @var{expr}
21919 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
21920 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
21921 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
21922 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
21923 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
21925 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
21926 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
21927 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
21928 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
21929 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
21931 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
21932 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
21933 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
21934 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
21935 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
21936 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
21937 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
21938 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
21939 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
21941 @kindex maint set profile
21942 @kindex maint show profile
21943 @cindex profiling GDB
21944 @item maint set profile
21945 @itemx maint show profile
21946 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
21948 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
21949 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
21950 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
21951 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
21952 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
21953 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
21954 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
21956 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
21957 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
21959 @kindex maint show-debug-regs
21960 @cindex x86 hardware debug registers
21961 @item maint show-debug-regs
21962 Control whether to show variables that mirror the x86 hardware debug
21963 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
21964 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when GDB inserts or
21965 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
21966 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
21968 @kindex maint space
21969 @cindex memory used by commands
21971 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
21972 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
21973 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
21974 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
21975 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
21978 @cindex time of command execution
21980 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
21981 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
21982 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
21983 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
21984 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
21986 @kindex maint translate-address
21987 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
21988 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
21989 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
21990 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
21991 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
21992 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
21993 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
21997 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
21998 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
22001 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
22002 @kindex set watchdog
22003 @cindex watchdog timer
22004 @cindex timeout for commands
22005 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
22006 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
22007 reports and error and the command is aborted.
22009 @item show watchdog
22010 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
22013 @node Remote Protocol
22014 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
22019 * Stop Reply Packets::
22020 * General Query Packets::
22021 * Register Packet Format::
22022 * Tracepoint Packets::
22025 * File-I/O remote protocol extension::
22031 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
22032 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
22033 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
22034 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
22036 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
22037 transmitted and received data respectfully.
22039 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
22040 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
22041 @cindex remote serial protocol
22042 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
22043 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
22044 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
22045 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
22048 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22052 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
22054 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
22055 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
22056 eight bit unsigned checksum).
22058 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
22059 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
22062 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22065 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
22067 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
22068 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
22069 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
22071 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
22072 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
22073 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
22074 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
22078 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22083 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
22084 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
22085 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
22086 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
22088 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
22089 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
22092 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
22093 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
22094 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
22095 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
22097 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
22098 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
22099 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
22101 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
22102 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
22103 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
22104 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
22105 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
22106 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
22107 value greater than 126 should not be used.
22114 means the same as "0000".
22116 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
22117 error number. That number is not well defined.
22119 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
22120 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
22121 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
22124 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
22125 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
22131 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
22132 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
22133 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for details about the File
22134 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
22136 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
22137 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
22138 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
22139 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
22140 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
22141 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
22142 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
22143 @var{baz}. GDB does not transmit a space character between the
22144 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
22147 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
22148 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
22150 Here are the packet descriptions.
22155 @cindex @samp{!} packet
22156 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
22157 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
22163 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
22167 @cindex @samp{?} packet
22168 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
22172 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22174 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
22175 @cindex @samp{A} packet
22176 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
22177 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
22178 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
22183 The arguments were set.
22189 @cindex @samp{b} packet
22190 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
22191 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
22193 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
22194 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
22195 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
22197 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
22198 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
22199 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
22200 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
22201 of view, nothing actually happened.}
22203 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
22204 @cindex @samp{B} packet
22205 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
22206 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
22208 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
22209 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
22212 @cindex @samp{c} packet
22213 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
22214 resume at current address.
22217 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22219 @item C @var{sig};@var{addr}
22220 @cindex @samp{C} packet
22221 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
22222 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
22225 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22228 @cindex @samp{d} packet
22231 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
22232 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
22235 @cindex @samp{D} packet
22236 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target
22237 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
22247 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
22248 @cindex @samp{F} packet
22249 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
22250 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
22251 remote protocol extension}, for the specification.
22254 @anchor{read registers packet}
22255 @cindex @samp{g} packet
22256 Read general registers.
22260 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22261 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
22262 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
22263 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
22264 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros
22265 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The
22266 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
22271 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
22272 @cindex @samp{G} packet
22273 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
22274 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
22284 @item H @var{c} @var{t}
22285 @cindex @samp{H} packet
22286 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
22287 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
22288 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
22289 operations. The thread designator @var{t} may be @samp{-1}, meaning all
22290 the threads, a thread number, or @samp{0} which means pick any thread.
22301 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
22302 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
22303 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
22304 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
22305 @c described. For example:
22307 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22308 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
22309 @c otherwise returns current registers.
22311 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22312 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
22313 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
22315 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
22316 @anchor{cycle step packet}
22317 @cindex @samp{i} packet
22318 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
22319 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
22320 step starting at that address.
22323 @cindex @samp{I} packet
22324 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
22328 @cindex @samp{k} packet
22331 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
22332 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
22335 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
22336 @cindex @samp{m} packet
22337 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
22338 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
22340 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
22341 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
22342 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
22343 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
22344 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
22345 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
22346 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
22347 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
22351 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22352 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexidecimal
22353 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
22354 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
22359 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
22360 @cindex @samp{M} packet
22361 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
22362 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
22363 hexidecimal number.
22370 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
22375 @cindex @samp{p} packet
22376 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
22377 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
22378 register value is encoded.
22382 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22383 the register's value
22387 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
22390 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
22391 @anchor{write register packet}
22392 @cindex @samp{P} packet
22393 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
22394 number @var{n} is in hexidecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
22395 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
22405 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
22406 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
22407 @cindex @samp{q} packet
22408 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
22409 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
22410 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
22413 @cindex @samp{r} packet
22414 Reset the entire system.
22416 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
22419 @cindex @samp{R} packet
22420 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
22421 This packet is only available in extended mode.
22423 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
22426 @cindex @samp{s} packet
22427 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
22428 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
22431 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22433 @item S @var{sig};@var{addr}
22434 @anchor{step with signal packet}
22435 @cindex @samp{S} packet
22436 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
22437 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
22440 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22442 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
22443 @cindex @samp{t} packet
22444 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
22445 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
22446 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
22449 @cindex @samp{T} packet
22450 Find out if the thread XX is alive.
22455 thread is still alive
22461 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
22462 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
22464 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{tid}@r{]]}@dots{}
22465 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
22466 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
22467 If an action is specified with no @var{tid}, then it is applied to any
22468 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
22469 specified then other threads should remain stopped. Specifying multiple
22470 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
22471 Thread IDs are specified in hexadecimal. Currently supported actions are:
22477 Continue with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
22481 Step with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
22484 The optional @var{addr} argument normally associated with these packets is
22485 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
22488 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22491 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
22492 Request a list of actions supporetd by the @samp{vCont} packet.
22496 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
22497 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
22498 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
22500 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
22503 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
22505 @cindex @samp{X} packet
22506 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
22507 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
22508 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data. The bytes @code{0x23}
22509 (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}), @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and
22510 @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}}) are escaped using @code{0x7d}
22511 (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}}), and then XORed with @code{0x20}. For example,
22512 the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two bytes @code{0x7d
22523 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
22524 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
22525 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
22526 @cindex @samp{z} packet
22527 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
22528 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
22529 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
22530 @var{length} bytes.
22532 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
22535 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
22536 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
22537 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
22538 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
22539 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
22540 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
22542 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
22543 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
22544 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
22545 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
22546 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
22547 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
22549 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
22550 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
22551 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
22552 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
22553 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
22555 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
22556 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
22557 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
22558 target, is not defined.}
22570 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
22571 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
22572 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
22573 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
22574 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
22575 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
22577 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
22578 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
22580 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
22593 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
22594 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
22595 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
22596 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
22597 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
22609 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
22610 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
22611 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
22612 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
22613 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
22625 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
22626 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
22627 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
22628 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
22629 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
22643 @node Stop Reply Packets
22644 @section Stop Reply Packets
22645 @cindex stop reply packets
22647 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
22648 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
22649 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
22650 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
22651 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal
22652 numbering conventions is used.
22654 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
22655 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
22656 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
22662 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexidecimal
22665 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
22666 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
22667 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexidecimal
22668 number). Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported this way. The
22669 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs give the values of important registers or
22673 If @var{n} is a hexidecimal number, it is a register number, and the
22674 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
22675 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
22676 two-digit hex number.
22678 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the thread process ID, in
22681 If @var{n} is @samp{watch}, @samp{rwatch}, or @samp{awatch}, then the
22682 packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
22685 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
22686 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
22691 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
22692 applicable to certain targets.
22695 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
22697 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
22698 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
22699 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
22700 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
22701 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc.
22703 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
22704 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
22705 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
22706 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
22707 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for a list of implemented
22710 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
22711 this very system call.
22713 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
22714 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
22715 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
22716 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
22717 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O remote
22718 protocol extension}, for more details.
22722 @node General Query Packets
22723 @section General Query Packets
22724 @cindex remote query requests
22726 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
22727 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
22728 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
22729 sending information to and from the stub.
22731 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
22732 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
22733 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
22734 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
22739 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
22741 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
22744 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
22745 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
22746 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
22747 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
22750 A query or set packet may optionally be followed by a @samp{,} or
22751 @samp{;} separated list. Stubs must be careful to match the full
22752 packet name, in case packet names have common prefixes.
22754 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
22755 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
22756 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
22757 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
22758 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
22760 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
22765 @cindex current thread, remote request
22766 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
22767 Return the current thread id.
22772 Where @var{pid} is an unsigned hexidecimal process id.
22773 @item @r{(anything else)}
22774 Any other reply implies the old pid.
22777 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
22778 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
22779 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
22780 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory.
22784 An error (such as memory fault)
22785 @item C @var{crc32}
22786 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
22790 @itemx qsThreadInfo
22791 @cindex list active threads, remote request
22792 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
22793 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
22794 Obtain a list of all active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
22795 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
22796 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
22797 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
22798 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
22799 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
22801 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
22807 @item m @var{id},@var{id}@dots{}
22808 a comma-separated list of thread ids
22810 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
22813 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
22814 more thread ids, in big-endian unsigned hex, separated by commas.
22815 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
22816 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
22817 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
22819 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
22820 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
22821 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
22822 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
22823 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
22825 @var{thread-id} is the (big endian, hex encoded) thread id associated with the
22826 thread for which to fetch the TLS address.
22828 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
22829 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
22830 information associated with the variable.)
22832 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI specific encoding of the
22833 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
22834 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
22835 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
22836 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
22837 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
22841 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
22842 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
22843 local storage requested.
22846 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
22849 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
22852 Use of this request packet is controlled by the @code{set remote
22853 get-thread-local-storage-address} command (@pxref{Remote
22854 configuration, set remote get-thread-local-storage-address}).
22856 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
22857 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
22858 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
22859 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
22860 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
22861 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
22862 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
22864 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
22868 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
22869 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
22870 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
22871 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
22872 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
22873 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
22874 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
22878 @cindex section offsets, remote request
22879 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
22880 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
22881 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
22882 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
22883 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
22887 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy};Bss=@var{zzz}
22890 @item qP @var{mode} @var{threadid}
22891 @cindex thread information, remote request
22892 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
22893 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
22894 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
22896 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
22898 @item qPart:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
22899 @cindex read special object, remote request
22900 @cindex @samp{qPart} packet
22901 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
22902 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
22903 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
22904 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to the object; it can supply
22905 additional details about what data to access.
22907 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
22908 @samp{qPart:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
22909 formats, listed below.
22912 @item qPart:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
22913 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
22914 auxiliary vector}, and see @ref{Remote configuration,
22915 read-aux-vector-packet}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
22921 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
22922 There is no more data to be read.
22924 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
22925 Hex encoded data bytes read.
22926 This may be fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
22929 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
22932 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
22933 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
22936 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} or @var{annex} string was not
22937 recognized by the stub.
22940 @item qPart:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
22941 @cindex write data into object, remote request
22942 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
22943 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
22944 into the data. @samp{@var{data}@dots{}} is the hex-encoded data to be
22945 written. The content and encoding of @var{annex} is specific to the
22946 object; it can supply additional details about what data to access.
22948 No requests of this form are presently in use. This specification
22949 serves as a placeholder to document the common format that new
22950 specific request specifications ought to use.
22955 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
22956 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
22959 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
22962 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
22963 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
22966 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} or @var{annex} string was not
22967 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
22970 @item qPart:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
22971 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
22972 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
22973 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
22974 must respond with an empty packet.
22976 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
22977 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
22978 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
22979 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
22980 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
22981 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
22982 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
22983 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
22984 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
22989 A command response with no output.
22991 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
22993 Indicate a badly formed request.
22995 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
22999 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
23000 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
23001 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
23002 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
23007 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23008 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23009 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
23010 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
23011 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
23015 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
23016 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
23018 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
23019 target has previously requested.
23021 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
23022 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
23028 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23029 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23030 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
23031 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
23032 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
23037 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23039 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{id}
23040 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
23041 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
23042 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
23043 the target OS. @var{id} is a thread-id in big-endian hex. This
23044 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
23045 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
23046 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
23047 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
23048 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
23052 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23053 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
23054 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
23055 the thread's attributes.
23063 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23067 @node Register Packet Format
23068 @section Register Packet Format
23070 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
23071 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
23072 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
23073 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target
23074 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered
23075 most-significant - least-significant.
23081 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
23082 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
23083 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
23087 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
23088 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
23093 @node Tracepoint Packets
23094 @section Tracepoint Packets
23095 @cindex tracepoint packets
23096 @cindex packets, tracepoint
23098 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
23099 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
23103 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}@r{[}-@r{]}
23104 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
23105 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
23106 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
23107 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If the trailing @samp{-} is
23108 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
23109 tracepoint's actions.
23114 The packet was understood and carried out.
23116 The packet was not recognized.
23119 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
23120 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
23121 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
23122 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
23123 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
23124 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
23125 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
23127 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
23128 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
23129 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
23130 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
23131 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
23132 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
23133 tracepoint actions.
23135 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
23136 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
23142 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
23143 a hexidecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
23144 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
23145 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
23146 not fit in a 32-bit word.
23148 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
23149 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
23150 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
23151 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
23152 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
23153 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexidecimal
23154 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
23156 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
23157 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
23158 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
23159 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
23160 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
23161 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
23166 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
23167 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
23168 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
23169 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
23170 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
23171 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
23172 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
23173 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
23178 The packet was understood and carried out.
23180 The packet was not recognized.
23183 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
23184 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
23185 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
23186 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
23188 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
23189 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
23190 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
23191 one of the following forms:
23195 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
23196 @var{f} is a hexidecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
23197 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
23200 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
23201 @var{t} is a hexidecimal number.
23205 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
23206 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23207 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
23208 @var{addr} is a hexidecimal number.
23210 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
23211 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23212 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
23213 is a hexidecimal number.
23215 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
23216 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23217 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
23218 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexidecimal
23221 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
23222 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
23223 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
23226 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
23227 hits in the trace frame buffer.
23230 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
23233 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
23235 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
23236 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
23237 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
23238 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
23240 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
23241 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
23242 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
23243 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
23246 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
23251 There is no trace experiment running.
23253 There is a trace experiment running.
23260 @section Interrupts
23261 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
23263 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
23264 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
23265 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
23266 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
23268 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
23269 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does
23270 not currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
23273 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
23274 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
23275 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
23276 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
23277 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
23278 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
23279 (@pxref{X packet}, used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
23280 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
23282 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
23283 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
23284 implementation defined. If the stub is successful at interrupting the
23285 running program, it is expected that it will send one of the Stop
23286 Reply Packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
23287 of successfully stopping the program. Interrupts received while the
23288 program is stopped will be discarded.
23293 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
23294 does not get any direct output:
23299 @emph{target restarts}
23302 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
23306 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
23309 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
23314 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
23318 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
23322 @node File-I/O remote protocol extension
23323 @section File-I/O remote protocol extension
23324 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
23327 * File-I/O Overview::
23328 * Protocol basics::
23329 * The F request packet::
23330 * The F reply packet::
23331 * Memory transfer::
23332 * The Ctrl-C message::
23334 * The isatty call::
23335 * The system call::
23336 * List of supported calls::
23337 * Protocol specific representation of datatypes::
23339 * File-I/O Examples::
23342 @node File-I/O Overview
23343 @subsection File-I/O Overview
23344 @cindex file-i/o overview
23346 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
23347 target to use the host's file system and console I/O when calling various
23348 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
23349 remote protocol packet to the host system which then performs the needed
23350 actions and returns with an adequate response packet to the target system.
23351 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
23353 The protocol is defined host- and target-system independent. It uses
23354 its own independent representation of datatypes and values. Both,
23355 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
23356 translating the system dependent values into the unified protocol values
23357 when data is transmitted.
23359 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only
23360 when GDB is waiting for the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s}
23361 packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
23362 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
23363 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interuptible by target signals. It
23364 is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt (Ctrl-C), though.
23366 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
23367 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
23368 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
23369 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
23370 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
23373 (@value{GDBP}) continue
23374 <- target requests 'system call X'
23375 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
23376 -> GDB returns result
23377 ... target continues, GDB returns to wait for the target
23378 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
23381 The protocol is only used for files on the host file system and
23382 for I/O on the console. Character or block special devices, pipes,
23383 named pipes or sockets or any other communication method on the host
23384 system are not supported by this protocol.
23386 @node Protocol basics
23387 @subsection Protocol basics
23388 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
23390 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet, as request as well
23391 as as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
23392 @value{GDBN} is waiting for the continuing or stepping target, the
23393 File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
23394 of a former @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
23395 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
23396 to call the appropriate host system call:
23400 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
23403 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
23404 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
23405 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
23406 Numerical control values are given in a protocol specific representation.
23410 At that point @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
23414 If parameter pointer values are given, which point to data needed as input
23415 to a system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
23416 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
23417 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
23421 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
23422 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
23425 @value{GDBN} calls the system call
23428 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
23431 If pointer parameters in the request packet point to buffer space in which
23432 a system call is expected to copy data to, the data is transmitted to the
23433 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
23434 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
23439 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
23440 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
23447 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
23454 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
23455 the latest continue or step action.
23457 @node The F request packet
23458 @subsection The @code{F} request packet
23459 @cindex file-i/o request packet
23460 @cindex @code{F} request packet
23462 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
23467 @code{F}@var{call-id}@code{,}@var{parameter@dots{}}
23470 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
23471 This is just the name of the function.
23473 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
23477 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the real values in case
23478 of scalar datatypes, as pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
23479 datatypes and unspecified memory areas or as pointer/length pairs in case
23480 of string parameters. These are appended to the call-id, each separated
23481 from its predecessor by a comma. All values are transmitted in ASCII
23482 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
23484 @node The F reply packet
23485 @subsection The @code{F} reply packet
23486 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
23487 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
23489 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
23494 @code{F}@var{retcode}@code{,}@var{errno}@code{,}@var{Ctrl-C flag}@code{;}@var{call specific attachment}
23497 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
23499 @var{errno} is the errno set by the call, in protocol specific representation.
23500 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
23502 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only send if the user requested a break. In this
23503 case, @var{errno} must be send as well, even if the call was successful.
23504 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character 'C':
23511 or, if the call was interupted before the host call has been performed:
23518 assuming 4 is the protocol specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
23522 @node Memory transfer
23523 @subsection Memory transfer
23524 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
23526 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write as e.g.@:
23527 a @code{struct stat} is expected to be in a protocol specific format with
23528 all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. This should be done by
23529 the target before the @code{F} packet is sent resp.@: by @value{GDBN} before
23530 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
23531 data should point to the already coerced data at any time.
23533 @node The Ctrl-C message
23534 @subsection The Ctrl-C message
23535 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
23537 A special case is, if the @var{Ctrl-C flag} is set in the @value{GDBN}
23538 reply packet. In this case the target should behave, as if it had
23539 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
23540 interupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
23541 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
23542 packet. In this case, it's important for the target to know, in which
23543 state the system call was interrupted. Since this action is by design
23544 not an atomic operation, we have to differ between two cases:
23548 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
23551 The system call on the host has been finished.
23555 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
23556 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
23557 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
23558 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
23559 system call has been finished --- successful or not --- and should behave
23560 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
23562 @value{GDBN} must behave reliable. If the system call has not been called
23563 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
23564 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
23565 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finshed by
23566 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as they fit.
23567 The @code{F} packet may only be send when either nothing has happened
23568 or the full action has been completed.
23571 @subsection Console I/O
23572 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
23574 By default and if not explicitely closed by the target system, the file
23575 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
23576 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
23577 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
23578 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
23579 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
23584 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-C}. The behaviour is as explained above, the
23586 system call is treated as finished.
23589 The user presses @kbd{Enter}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
23593 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-D}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
23594 character, especially no Ctrl-D is appended to the input.
23598 If the user has typed more characters as fit in the buffer given to
23599 the read call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
23600 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target or debugging
23601 is stopped on users request.
23603 @node The isatty call
23604 @subsection The @samp{isatty} function call
23605 @cindex isatty call, file-i/o protocol
23607 A special case in this protocol is the library call @code{isatty} which
23608 is implemented as its own call inside of this protocol. It returns
23609 1 to the target if the file descriptor given as parameter is attached
23610 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
23611 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
23614 @node The system call
23615 @subsection The @samp{system} function call
23616 @cindex system call, file-i/o protocol
23618 The other special case in this protocol is the @code{system} call which
23619 is implemented as its own call, too. @value{GDBN} is taking over the full
23620 task of calling the necessary host calls to perform the @code{system}
23621 call. The return value of @code{system} is simplified before it's returned
23622 to the target. Basically, the only signal transmitted back is @code{EINTR}
23623 in case the user pressed @kbd{Ctrl-C}. Otherwise the return value consists
23624 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
23626 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
23627 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
23628 @kbd{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
23631 @item set remote system-call-allowed
23632 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
23633 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
23634 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
23636 @item show remote system-call-allowed
23637 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
23638 Show the current setting of system calls for the remote File I/O
23642 @node List of supported calls
23643 @subsection List of supported calls
23644 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
23661 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
23662 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
23666 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
23667 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
23670 Fopen,pathptr/len,flags,mode
23674 @code{flags} is the bitwise or of the following values:
23678 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
23679 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
23683 When used with O_CREAT, if the file already exists it is
23684 an error and open() fails.
23687 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
23688 writing (O_RDWR or O_WRONLY is given) it will be
23689 truncated to length 0.
23692 The file is opened in append mode.
23695 The file is opened for reading only.
23698 The file is opened for writing only.
23701 The file is opened for reading and writing.
23704 Each other bit is silently ignored.
23709 @code{mode} is the bitwise or of the following values:
23713 User has read permission.
23716 User has write permission.
23719 Group has read permission.
23722 Group has write permission.
23725 Others have read permission.
23728 Others have write permission.
23731 Each other bit is silently ignored.
23736 @exdent Return value:
23737 open returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
23745 pathname already exists and O_CREAT and O_EXCL were used.
23748 pathname refers to a directory.
23751 The requested access is not allowed.
23754 pathname was too long.
23757 A directory component in pathname does not exist.
23760 pathname refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
23763 pathname refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
23764 write access was requested.
23767 pathname is an invalid pointer value.
23770 No space on device to create the file.
23773 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
23776 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
23780 The call was interrupted by the user.
23784 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
23785 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
23794 @exdent Return value:
23795 close returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
23802 fd isn't a valid open file descriptor.
23805 The call was interrupted by the user.
23809 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
23810 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
23814 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
23817 Fread,fd,bufptr,count
23819 @exdent Return value:
23820 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
23821 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
23822 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
23829 fd is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
23833 buf is an invalid pointer value.
23836 The call was interrupted by the user.
23840 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
23841 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
23845 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
23848 Fwrite,fd,bufptr,count
23850 @exdent Return value:
23851 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
23852 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
23860 fd is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
23864 buf is an invalid pointer value.
23867 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
23868 host specific maximum file size allowed.
23871 No space on device to write the data.
23874 The call was interrupted by the user.
23878 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
23879 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
23883 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
23886 Flseek,fd,offset,flag
23889 @code{flag} is one of:
23893 The offset is set to offset bytes.
23896 The offset is set to its current location plus offset
23900 The offset is set to the size of the file plus offset
23905 @exdent Return value:
23906 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
23907 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
23908 value of -1 is returned.
23915 fd is not a valid open file descriptor.
23918 fd is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
23921 flag is not a proper value.
23924 The call was interrupted by the user.
23928 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
23929 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
23933 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
23936 Frename,oldpathptr/len,newpathptr/len
23938 @exdent Return value:
23939 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
23946 newpath is an existing directory, but oldpath is not a
23950 newpath is a non-empty directory.
23953 oldpath or newpath is a directory that is in use by some
23957 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
23961 A component used as a directory in oldpath or new
23962 path is not a directory. Or oldpath is a directory
23963 and newpath exists but is not a directory.
23966 oldpathptr or newpathptr are invalid pointer values.
23969 No access to the file or the path of the file.
23973 oldpath or newpath was too long.
23976 A directory component in oldpath or newpath does not exist.
23979 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
23982 The device containing the file has no room for the new
23986 The call was interrupted by the user.
23990 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
23991 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
23995 int unlink(const char *pathname);
23998 Funlink,pathnameptr/len
24000 @exdent Return value:
24001 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24008 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24011 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
24014 The file pathname cannot be unlinked because it's
24015 being used by another process.
24018 pathnameptr is an invalid pointer value.
24021 pathname was too long.
24024 A directory component in pathname does not exist.
24027 A component of the path is not a directory.
24030 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
24033 The call was interrupted by the user.
24037 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
24038 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
24039 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
24043 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
24044 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
24047 Fstat,pathnameptr/len,bufptr
24050 @exdent Return value:
24051 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24058 fd is not a valid open file.
24061 A directory component in pathname does not exist or the
24062 path is an empty string.
24065 A component of the path is not a directory.
24068 pathnameptr is an invalid pointer value.
24071 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24074 pathname was too long.
24077 The call was interrupted by the user.
24081 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
24082 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
24086 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
24089 Fgettimeofday,tvptr,tzptr
24091 @exdent Return value:
24092 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
24099 tz is a non-NULL pointer.
24102 tvptr and/or tzptr is an invalid pointer value.
24106 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
24107 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
24111 int isatty(int fd);
24116 @exdent Return value:
24117 Returns 1 if fd refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
24124 The call was interrupted by the user.
24128 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
24129 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
24133 int system(const char *command);
24136 Fsystem,commandptr/len
24138 @exdent Return value:
24139 The value returned is -1 on error and the return status
24140 of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
24141 command is returned, which is extracted from the hosts
24142 system return value by calling WEXITSTATUS(retval).
24143 In case /bin/sh could not be executed, 127 is returned.
24150 The call was interrupted by the user.
24153 @node Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24154 @subsection Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24155 @cindex protocol specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24158 * Integral datatypes::
24164 @node Integral datatypes
24165 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral datatypes
24166 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24168 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are
24171 int@r{,} unsigned int@r{,} long@r{,} unsigned long@r{,} mode_t @r{and} time_t
24174 @code{Int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
24175 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
24177 @code{Long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
24179 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
24180 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
24182 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
24184 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
24185 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
24188 @node Pointer values
24189 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer values
24190 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
24192 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
24193 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
24194 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
24195 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
24202 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
24203 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
24204 the trailing null byte. Example:
24207 ``hello, world'' at address 0x123456
24218 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
24219 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
24221 The buffer of type struct stat used by the target and @value{GDBN} is defined
24226 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
24227 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
24228 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
24229 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
24230 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
24231 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
24232 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
24233 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
24234 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
24235 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
24236 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
24237 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
24238 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
24242 The integral datatypes are conforming to the definitions given in the
24243 approriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
24244 structure is of size 64 bytes.
24246 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
24253 st_ino: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24255 st_mode: Valid mode bits are described in Appendix C. Any other
24256 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
24258 st_uid: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24260 st_gid: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24262 st_rdev: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24264 st_atime, st_mtime, st_ctime:
24265 These values have a host and file system dependent
24266 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts the file systems
24267 don't support exact timing values.
24270 The target gets a struct stat of the above representation and is
24271 responsible to coerce it to the target representation before
24274 Note that due to size differences between the host and target
24275 representation of stat members, these members could eventually
24276 get truncated on the target.
24278 @node struct timeval
24279 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
24280 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
24282 The buffer of type struct timeval used by the target and @value{GDBN}
24283 is defined as follows:
24287 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
24288 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
24292 The integral datatypes are conforming to the definitions given in the
24293 approriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
24294 structure is of size 8 bytes.
24297 @subsection Constants
24298 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
24300 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
24301 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are resposible to translate these
24302 values before and after the call as needed.
24313 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open flags
24314 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
24316 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
24328 @node mode_t values
24329 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t values
24330 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
24332 All values are given in octal representation.
24349 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno values
24350 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
24352 All values are given in decimal representation.
24377 EUNKNOWN is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
24378 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
24381 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek flags
24382 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
24391 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
24392 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
24394 All values are given in decimal representation.
24397 INT_MIN -2147483648
24399 UINT_MAX 4294967295
24400 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
24401 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
24402 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
24405 @node File-I/O Examples
24406 @subsection File-I/O Examples
24407 @cindex file-i/o examples
24409 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
24410 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
24413 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
24414 @emph{request memory read from target}
24417 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
24421 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
24422 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
24425 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24426 @emph{request memory write to target}
24427 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
24428 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
24432 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
24433 file descriptor (EBADF):
24436 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24440 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C before syscall on
24444 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24449 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C after syscall on
24453 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24454 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
24458 @include agentexpr.texi
24472 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
24474 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
24475 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
24476 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
24477 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
24478 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
24479 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
24480 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
24481 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
24482 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
24484 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.