01d85938dd37d0c320cc544667149dc3be05279a
[binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
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.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 @cindex Modula-2
218 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
219 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
220
221 @cindex Pascal
222 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
223 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
224 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
225 syntax.
226
227 @cindex Fortran
228 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
229 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
230 underscore.
231
232 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
233 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
234
235 @menu
236 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
237 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
238 @end menu
239
240 @node Free Software
241 @unnumberedsec Free Software
242
243 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
244 General Public License
245 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
246 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
247 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
248 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
249 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
250 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
251
252 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
253 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
254 from anyone else.
255
256 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
257
258 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
259 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
260 include with the free software. Many of our most important
261 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
262 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
263 when an important free software package does not come with a free
264 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
265 gaps today.
266
267 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
268 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
269 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
270 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
271 them from the free software world.
272
273 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
274 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
275 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
276 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
277 contract to make it non-free.
278
279 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
280 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
281 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
282 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
283 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
284 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
285 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
286
287 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
288 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
289 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
290 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
291
292 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
293 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
294 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
295 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
296 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
297 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
298 community.
299
300 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
301 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
302 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
303 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
304 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
305 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
306 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
307 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
308 of the manual.
309
310 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
311 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
312 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
313 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
314 manual to replace it.
315
316 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
317 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
318 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
319 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
320 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
321 the free software community.
322
323 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
324 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
325 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
326 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
327 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
328 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
329 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
330 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
331 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
332
333 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
334 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
335 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
336 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
337 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
338 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
339 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
340 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
341
342 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
343 published by other publishers, at
344 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
345
346 @node Contributors
347 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
348
349 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
350 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
351 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
352 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
353 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
354 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
355 blow-by-blow account.
356
357 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
358
359 @quotation
360 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
361 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
362 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
363 @end quotation
364
365 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
366 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
367 releases:
368 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
369 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
370 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
371 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
372 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
373 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
374 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
375 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
376 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
377
378 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
379 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
380
381 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
382 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
383 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
384 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
385 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
386
387 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
388 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
389 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
390
391 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
392 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
393
394 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
395
396 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
397 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
398 support.
399 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
400 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
401 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
402 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
403 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
404 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
405 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
406 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
407 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
408 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
409 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
410 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
411 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
412 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
413 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
414 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
415
416 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
417
418 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
419 libraries.
420
421 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
422 about several machine instruction sets.
423
424 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
425 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
426 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
427 and RDI targets, respectively.
428
429 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
430 command-line editing and command history.
431
432 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
433 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
434
435 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
436 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
437 symbols.
438
439 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
440 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
441
442 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
443
444 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
445 processors.
446
447 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
448
449 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
450
451 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
452
453 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
454 watchpoints.
455
456 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
457
458 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
459
460 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
461 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
462
463 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
464 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
465 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
466 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
467 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
468 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
469 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
470
471 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
472 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
473
474 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
475 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
476 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
477 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
478 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
479 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
480 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
481 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
482 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
483 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
484 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
485 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
486 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
487 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
488 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
489
490 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
491 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
492
493 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
494 Hat.
495
496 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
497 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
498 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
499 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
500 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
501 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
502
503 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
504 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
505 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
506 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
507 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
508 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
509 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
510 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
511 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
512 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
513 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
514 Weigand.
515
516 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
517 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
518 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
519 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
520
521 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
522 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
523
524 @node Sample Session
525 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
526
527 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
528 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
529 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
530
531 @iftex
532 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
533 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
534 @end iftex
535
536 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
537 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
538
539 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
540 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
541 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
542 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
543 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
544 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
545 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
546 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
547 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
548
549 @smallexample
550 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
551 $ @b{./m4}
552 @b{define(foo,0000)}
553
554 @b{foo}
555 0000
556 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
557
558 @b{bar}
559 0000
560 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
561
562 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
563 @b{baz}
564 @b{Ctrl-d}
565 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
566 @end smallexample
567
568 @noindent
569 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
570
571 @smallexample
572 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
573 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
574 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
575 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
576 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
577 the conditions.
578 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
579 for details.
580
581 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
582 (@value{GDBP})
583 @end smallexample
584
585 @noindent
586 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
587 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
588 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
589 that examples fit in this manual.
590
591 @smallexample
592 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
597 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
598 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
599 @code{break} command.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
603 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
604 @end smallexample
605
606 @noindent
607 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
608 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
609 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
613 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
614 @b{define(foo,0000)}
615
616 @b{foo}
617 0000
618 @end smallexample
619
620 @noindent
621 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
622 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
623 context where it stops.
624
625 @smallexample
626 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
627
628 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
629 at builtin.c:879
630 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
631 @end smallexample
632
633 @noindent
634 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
635 the next line of the current function.
636
637 @smallexample
638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
639 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
640 : nil,
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
645 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
646 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
647 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
651 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
652 at input.c:530
653 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
654 @end smallexample
655
656 @noindent
657 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
658 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
659 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
660 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
661 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
662 stack frame for each active subroutine.
663
664 @smallexample
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
666 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
667 at input.c:530
668 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
669 at builtin.c:882
670 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
671 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
672 at macro.c:71
673 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
674 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
675 @end smallexample
676
677 @noindent
678 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
679 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
680 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
681
682 @smallexample
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
684 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
686 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
687 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
689 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
690 : xstrdup(rq);
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
693 @end smallexample
694
695 @noindent
696 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
697 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
698 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
699 (@code{print}) to see their values.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
703 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
705 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
706 @end smallexample
707
708 @noindent
709 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
710 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
711 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
715 533 xfree(rquote);
716 534
717 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
718 : xstrdup (lq);
719 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
720 : xstrdup (rq);
721 537
722 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
723 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
724 540 @}
725 541
726 542 void
727 @end smallexample
728
729 @noindent
730 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
731 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
735 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
737 540 @}
738 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
739 $3 = 9
740 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
741 $4 = 7
742 @end smallexample
743
744 @noindent
745 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
746 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
747 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
748 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
749 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
750 assignments.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
754 $5 = 7
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
756 $6 = 9
757 @end smallexample
758
759 @noindent
760 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
761 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
762 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
763 example that caused trouble initially:
764
765 @smallexample
766 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
767 Continuing.
768
769 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
770
771 baz
772 0000
773 @end smallexample
774
775 @noindent
776 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
777 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
778 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
779
780 @smallexample
781 @b{Ctrl-d}
782 Program exited normally.
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
787 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
788 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
789
790 @smallexample
791 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @node Invocation
795 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
796
797 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
798 The essentials are:
799 @itemize @bullet
800 @item
801 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
802 @item
803 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
804 @end itemize
805
806 @menu
807 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
808 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
809 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
810 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
811 @end menu
812
813 @node Invoking GDB
814 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
815
816 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
817 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
818
819 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
820 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
821
822 The command-line options described here are designed
823 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
824 options may effectively be unavailable.
825
826 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
827 specifying an executable program:
828
829 @smallexample
830 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
831 @end smallexample
832
833 @noindent
834 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
835 specified:
836
837 @smallexample
838 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
839 @end smallexample
840
841 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
842 to debug a running process:
843
844 @smallexample
845 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
846 @end smallexample
847
848 @noindent
849 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
850 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
851
852 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
853 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
854 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
855 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
856 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
857
858 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
859 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
860 option processing.
861 @smallexample
862 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
863 @end smallexample
864 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
865 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
866
867 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
868 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
869
870 @smallexample
871 @value{GDBP} -silent
872 @end smallexample
873
874 @noindent
875 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
876 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
877
878 @noindent
879 Type
880
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} -help
883 @end smallexample
884
885 @noindent
886 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
887 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
888
889 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
890 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
891 @samp{-x} option is used.
892
893
894 @menu
895 * File Options:: Choosing files
896 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
897 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
898 @end menu
899
900 @node File Options
901 @subsection Choosing Files
902
903 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
904 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
905 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
906 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
907 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
908 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
909 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
910 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
911 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
912 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
913 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
914 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
915 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
916
917 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
918 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
919 argument and ignore it.
920
921 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
922 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
923 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
924 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
925 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
926
927 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
928 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
929 @c it.
930
931 @table @code
932 @item -symbols @var{file}
933 @itemx -s @var{file}
934 @cindex @code{--symbols}
935 @cindex @code{-s}
936 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
937
938 @item -exec @var{file}
939 @itemx -e @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--exec}
941 @cindex @code{-e}
942 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
943 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
944
945 @item -se @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--se}
947 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
948 file.
949
950 @item -core @var{file}
951 @itemx -c @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--core}
953 @cindex @code{-c}
954 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
955
956 @item -pid @var{number}
957 @itemx -p @var{number}
958 @cindex @code{--pid}
959 @cindex @code{-p}
960 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
961
962 @item -command @var{file}
963 @itemx -x @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--command}
965 @cindex @code{-x}
966 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
967 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
968 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
969
970 @item -eval-command @var{command}
971 @itemx -ex @var{command}
972 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
973 @cindex @code{-ex}
974 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
975
976 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
977 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
978
979 @smallexample
980 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
981 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
982 @end smallexample
983
984 @item -directory @var{directory}
985 @itemx -d @var{directory}
986 @cindex @code{--directory}
987 @cindex @code{-d}
988 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
989
990 @item -r
991 @itemx -readnow
992 @cindex @code{--readnow}
993 @cindex @code{-r}
994 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
995 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
996 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
997
998 @end table
999
1000 @node Mode Options
1001 @subsection Choosing Modes
1002
1003 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1004 batch mode or quiet mode.
1005
1006 @table @code
1007 @item -nx
1008 @itemx -n
1009 @cindex @code{--nx}
1010 @cindex @code{-n}
1011 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1012 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1013 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1014 Files}.
1015
1016 @item -quiet
1017 @itemx -silent
1018 @itemx -q
1019 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1020 @cindex @code{--silent}
1021 @cindex @code{-q}
1022 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1023 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1024
1025 @item -batch
1026 @cindex @code{--batch}
1027 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1028 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1029 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1030 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1031 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination;
1032 @pxref{Screen Size} and acts as if @kbd{set confirm off} were in
1033 effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1034
1035 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1036 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1037 make this more useful, the message
1038
1039 @smallexample
1040 Program exited normally.
1041 @end smallexample
1042
1043 @noindent
1044 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1045 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1046 mode.
1047
1048 @item -batch-silent
1049 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1050 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1051 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1052 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1053 for an interactive session.
1054
1055 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1056 messages, for example.
1057
1058 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1059 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1060
1061 @item -return-child-result
1062 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1063 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1064 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1065
1066 @itemize @bullet
1067 @item
1068 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1069 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1070 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1071 @item
1072 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1073 @item
1074 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1075 the exit code will be -1.
1076 @end itemize
1077
1078 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1079 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1080 interface.
1081
1082 @item -nowindows
1083 @itemx -nw
1084 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1085 @cindex @code{-nw}
1086 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1087 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1088 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1089
1090 @item -windows
1091 @itemx -w
1092 @cindex @code{--windows}
1093 @cindex @code{-w}
1094 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1095 used if possible.
1096
1097 @item -cd @var{directory}
1098 @cindex @code{--cd}
1099 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1100 instead of the current directory.
1101
1102 @item -fullname
1103 @itemx -f
1104 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1105 @cindex @code{-f}
1106 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1107 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1108 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1109 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1110 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1111 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1112 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1113 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1114 frame.
1115
1116 @item -epoch
1117 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1118 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1119 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1120 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1121 separate window.
1122
1123 @item -annotate @var{level}
1124 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1125 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1126 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1127 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1128 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1129 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1130 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1131 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1132 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1133
1134 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1135 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1136
1137 @item --args
1138 @cindex @code{--args}
1139 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1140 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1141 This option stops option processing.
1142
1143 @item -baud @var{bps}
1144 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1145 @cindex @code{--baud}
1146 @cindex @code{-b}
1147 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1148 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1149
1150 @item -l @var{timeout}
1151 @cindex @code{-l}
1152 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1153 for remote debugging.
1154
1155 @item -tty @var{device}
1156 @itemx -t @var{device}
1157 @cindex @code{--tty}
1158 @cindex @code{-t}
1159 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1160 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1161
1162 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1163 @item -tui
1164 @cindex @code{--tui}
1165 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1166 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1167 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1168 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1169 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1170 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1171 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1172
1173 @c @item -xdb
1174 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1175 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1176 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1177 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1178 @c systems.
1179
1180 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1181 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1182 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1183 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1184 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1185 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1186
1187 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1188 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1189 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1190 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1191 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1192 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1193
1194 @item -write
1195 @cindex @code{--write}
1196 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1197 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1198 (@pxref{Patching}).
1199
1200 @item -statistics
1201 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1202 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1203 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1204
1205 @item -version
1206 @cindex @code{--version}
1207 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1208 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1209
1210 @end table
1211
1212 @node Startup
1213 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1214 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1215
1216 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1217
1218 @enumerate
1219 @item
1220 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1221 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1222
1223 @item
1224 @cindex init file
1225 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1226 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1227 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1228 that file.
1229
1230 @item
1231 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1232 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1233 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1234 that file.
1235
1236 @item
1237 Processes command line options and operands.
1238
1239 @item
1240 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1241 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1242 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1243 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1244 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1245 @value{GDBN}.
1246
1247 @item
1248 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1249 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1250
1251 @item
1252 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1253 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1254 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1255 @end enumerate
1256
1257 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1258 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1259 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1260 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1261 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1262 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1263
1264 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1265 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1266
1267 @cindex init file name
1268 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1269 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1270 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1271 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1272 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1273 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1274 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1275 the file to the standard name.
1276
1277
1278 @node Quitting GDB
1279 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1280 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1281 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1282
1283 @table @code
1284 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1285 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1286 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1287 @itemx q
1288 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1289 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1290 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1291 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1292 error code.
1293 @end table
1294
1295 @cindex interrupt
1296 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1297 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1298 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1299 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1300 until a time when it is safe.
1301
1302 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1303 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1304 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1305
1306 @node Shell Commands
1307 @section Shell Commands
1308
1309 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1310 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1311 just use the @code{shell} command.
1312
1313 @table @code
1314 @kindex shell
1315 @cindex shell escape
1316 @item shell @var{command string}
1317 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1318 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1319 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1320 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1321 @end table
1322
1323 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1324 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1325 @value{GDBN}:
1326
1327 @table @code
1328 @kindex make
1329 @cindex calling make
1330 @item make @var{make-args}
1331 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1332 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1333 @end table
1334
1335 @node Logging Output
1336 @section Logging Output
1337 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1338 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1339
1340 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1341 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1342
1343 @table @code
1344 @kindex set logging
1345 @item set logging on
1346 Enable logging.
1347 @item set logging off
1348 Disable logging.
1349 @cindex logging file name
1350 @item set logging file @var{file}
1351 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1352 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1353 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1354 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1355 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1356 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1357 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1358 @kindex show logging
1359 @item show logging
1360 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1361 @end table
1362
1363 @node Commands
1364 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1365
1366 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1367 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1368 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1369 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1370 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1371
1372 @menu
1373 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1374 * Completion:: Command completion
1375 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1376 @end menu
1377
1378 @node Command Syntax
1379 @section Command Syntax
1380
1381 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1382 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1383 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1384 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1385 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1386 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1387
1388 @cindex abbreviation
1389 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1390 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1391 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1392 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1393 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1394 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1395 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1396
1397 @cindex repeating commands
1398 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1399 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1400 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1401 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1402 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1403 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1404 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1405
1406 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1407 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1408 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1409
1410 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1411 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1412 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1413 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1414 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1415
1416 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1417 @cindex comment
1418 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1419 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1420 Files,,Command Files}).
1421
1422 @cindex repeating command sequences
1423 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1424 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1425 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1426 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1427 for editing.
1428
1429 @node Completion
1430 @section Command Completion
1431
1432 @cindex completion
1433 @cindex word completion
1434 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1435 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1436 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1437 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1438
1439 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1440 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1441 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1442 enter it). For example, if you type
1443
1444 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1445 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1446 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1447 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1448 @smallexample
1449 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1450 @end smallexample
1451
1452 @noindent
1453 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1454 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1455
1456 @smallexample
1457 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1458 @end smallexample
1459
1460 @noindent
1461 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1462 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1463 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1464 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1465 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1466 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1467
1468 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1469 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1470 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1471 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1472 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1473 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1474 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1475 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1476 example:
1477
1478 @smallexample
1479 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1480 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1481 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1482 make_abs_section make_function_type
1483 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1484 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1485 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1486 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1487 @end smallexample
1488
1489 @noindent
1490 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1491 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1492 command.
1493
1494 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1495 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1496 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1497 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1498 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1499
1500 @cindex quotes in commands
1501 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1502 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1503 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1504 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1505 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1506 @value{GDBN} commands.
1507
1508 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1509 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1510 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1511 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1512 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1513 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1514 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1515 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1516 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1517 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1518 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1522 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1527 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1528 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1529 place:
1530
1531 @smallexample
1532 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1533 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1534 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1535 @end smallexample
1536
1537 @noindent
1538 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1539 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1540 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1541
1542 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1543 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1544 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1545 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1546
1547 @cindex completion of structure field names
1548 @cindex structure field name completion
1549 @cindex completion of union field names
1550 @cindex union field name completion
1551 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1552 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1553 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1554 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1555 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1556 left-hand-side:
1557
1558 @smallexample
1559 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1560 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1561 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1562 @end smallexample
1563
1564 @noindent
1565 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1566 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1567 follows:
1568
1569 @smallexample
1570 struct ui_file
1571 @{
1572 int *magic;
1573 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1574 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1575 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1576 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1577 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1578 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1579 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1580 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1581 void *to_data;
1582 @}
1583 @end smallexample
1584
1585
1586 @node Help
1587 @section Getting Help
1588 @cindex online documentation
1589 @kindex help
1590
1591 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1592 using the command @code{help}.
1593
1594 @table @code
1595 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1596 @item help
1597 @itemx h
1598 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1599 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1600
1601 @smallexample
1602 (@value{GDBP}) help
1603 List of classes of commands:
1604
1605 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1606 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1607 data -- Examining data
1608 files -- Specifying and examining files
1609 internals -- Maintenance commands
1610 obscure -- Obscure features
1611 running -- Running the program
1612 stack -- Examining the stack
1613 status -- Status inquiries
1614 support -- Support facilities
1615 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1616 stopping the program
1617 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1618
1619 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1620 commands in that class.
1621 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1622 documentation.
1623 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1624 (@value{GDBP})
1625 @end smallexample
1626 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1627
1628 @item help @var{class}
1629 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1630 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1631 help display for the class @code{status}:
1632
1633 @smallexample
1634 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1635 Status inquiries.
1636
1637 List of commands:
1638
1639 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1640 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1641 info -- Generic command for showing things
1642 about the program being debugged
1643 show -- Generic command for showing things
1644 about the debugger
1645
1646 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1647 documentation.
1648 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1649 (@value{GDBP})
1650 @end smallexample
1651
1652 @item help @var{command}
1653 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1654 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1655
1656 @kindex apropos
1657 @item apropos @var{args}
1658 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1659 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1660 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1661
1662 @smallexample
1663 apropos reload
1664 @end smallexample
1665
1666 @noindent
1667 results in:
1668
1669 @smallexample
1670 @c @group
1671 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1672 multiple times in one run
1673 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1674 multiple times in one run
1675 @c @end group
1676 @end smallexample
1677
1678 @kindex complete
1679 @item complete @var{args}
1680 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1681 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1682 command you want completed. For example:
1683
1684 @smallexample
1685 complete i
1686 @end smallexample
1687
1688 @noindent results in:
1689
1690 @smallexample
1691 @group
1692 if
1693 ignore
1694 info
1695 inspect
1696 @end group
1697 @end smallexample
1698
1699 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1700 @end table
1701
1702 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1703 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1704 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1705 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1706 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1707 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1708
1709 @c @group
1710 @table @code
1711 @kindex info
1712 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1713 @item info
1714 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1715 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1716 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1717 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1718 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1719 @w{@code{help info}}.
1720
1721 @kindex set
1722 @item set
1723 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1724 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1725 @code{set prompt $}.
1726
1727 @kindex show
1728 @item show
1729 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1730 @value{GDBN} itself.
1731 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1732 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1733 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1734 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1735
1736 @kindex info set
1737 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1738 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1739 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1740 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1741 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1742 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1743 @end table
1744 @c @end group
1745
1746 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1747 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1748
1749 @table @code
1750 @kindex show version
1751 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1752 @item show version
1753 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1754 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1755 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1756 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1757 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1758 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1759 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1760 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1761 @value{GDBN}.
1762
1763 @kindex show copying
1764 @kindex info copying
1765 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1766 @item show copying
1767 @itemx info copying
1768 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1769
1770 @kindex show warranty
1771 @kindex info warranty
1772 @item show warranty
1773 @itemx info warranty
1774 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1775 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1776
1777 @end table
1778
1779 @node Running
1780 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1781
1782 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1783 debugging information when you compile it.
1784
1785 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1786 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1787 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1788 kill a child process.
1789
1790 @menu
1791 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1792 * Starting:: Starting your program
1793 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1794 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1795
1796 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1797 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1798 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1799 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1800
1801 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1802 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1803 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1804 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1805 @end menu
1806
1807 @node Compilation
1808 @section Compiling for Debugging
1809
1810 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1811 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1812 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1813 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1814 and addresses in the executable code.
1815
1816 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1817 the compiler.
1818
1819 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1820 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1821 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1822 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1823 executables containing debugging information.
1824
1825 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1826 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1827 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1828 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1829 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1830
1831 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1832 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1833 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1834
1835 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1836 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1837 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1838 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1839 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1840 provides macro information if you specify the options
1841 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1842 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1843 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1844 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1845 @option{-g} alone.
1846
1847 @need 2000
1848 @node Starting
1849 @section Starting your Program
1850 @cindex starting
1851 @cindex running
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex run
1855 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1856 @item run
1857 @itemx r
1858 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1859 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1860 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1861 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1862 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1863
1864 @end table
1865
1866 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1867 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1868 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1869 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1870 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1871 message like this one:
1872
1873 @smallexample
1874 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1875 Try "help target" or "continue".
1876 @end smallexample
1877
1878 @noindent
1879 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1880 first (@pxref{load}).
1881
1882 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1883 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1884 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1885 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1886 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1887 divided into four categories:
1888
1889 @table @asis
1890 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1891 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1892 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1893 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1894 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1895 the arguments.
1896 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1897 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1898 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1899
1900 @item The @emph{environment.}
1901 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1902 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1903 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1904 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1905
1906 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1907 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1908 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1909 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1910
1911 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1912 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1913 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1914 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1915 set a different device for your program.
1916 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1917
1918 @cindex pipes
1919 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1920 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1921 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1922 wrong program.
1923 @end table
1924
1925 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1926 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1927 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1928 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1929 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1930
1931 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1932 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1933 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1934 your current breakpoints.
1935
1936 @table @code
1937 @kindex start
1938 @item start
1939 @cindex run to main procedure
1940 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1941 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1942 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1943 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1944 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1945 procedure, depending on the language used.
1946
1947 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1948 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1949 the @samp{run} command.
1950
1951 @cindex elaboration phase
1952 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1953 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1954 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1955 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1956 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1957 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1958 will remain to halt execution.
1959
1960 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1961 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1962 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1963 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1964 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1965
1966 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1967 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1968 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1969 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1970 elaboration code before running your program.
1971
1972 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1973 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1974 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1975 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1976 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1977 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1978 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1979 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1980 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1981 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1982 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1983
1984 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1985 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1986 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1987 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1988
1989 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1990 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1991 environment:
1992
1993 @smallexample
1994 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1995 (@value{GDBP}) run
1996 @end smallexample
1997
1998 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1999 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2000
2001 @kindex set disable-randomization
2002 @item set disable-randomization
2003 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2004 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2005 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2006 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2007 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2008
2009 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2010 behavior using
2011
2012 @smallexample
2013 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2014 @end smallexample
2015
2016 @item set disable-randomization off
2017 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2018 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2019 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2020 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2021 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2022 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2023
2024 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2025 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2026 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2027 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2028 a code at its expected addresses.
2029
2030 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2031 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2032 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2033 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2034 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2035 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2036 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2037 a randomly chosen address.
2038
2039 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2040 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2041 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2042 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2043 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2044
2045 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2046 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2047
2048 @item show disable-randomization
2049 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2050 the virtual address space of the started program.
2051
2052 @end table
2053
2054 @node Arguments
2055 @section Your Program's Arguments
2056
2057 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2058 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2059 @code{run} command.
2060 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2061 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2062 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2063 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2064 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2065
2066 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2067 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2068 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2069 the program, not by the shell.
2070
2071 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2072 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2073
2074 @table @code
2075 @kindex set args
2076 @item set args
2077 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2078 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2079 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2080 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2081 it again without arguments.
2082
2083 @kindex show args
2084 @item show args
2085 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2086 @end table
2087
2088 @node Environment
2089 @section Your Program's Environment
2090
2091 @cindex environment (of your program)
2092 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2093 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2094 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2095 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2096 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2097 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2098 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2099
2100 @table @code
2101 @kindex path
2102 @item path @var{directory}
2103 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2104 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2105 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2106 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2107 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2108 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2109 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2110
2111 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2112 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2113 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2114 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2115 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2116 @var{directory} to the search path.
2117 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2118 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2119
2120 @kindex show paths
2121 @item show paths
2122 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2123 environment variable).
2124
2125 @kindex show environment
2126 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2127 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2128 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2129 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2130 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2131
2132 @kindex set environment
2133 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2134 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2135 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2136 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2137 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2138 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2139 null value.
2140 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2141 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2142
2143 For example, this command:
2144
2145 @smallexample
2146 set env USER = foo
2147 @end smallexample
2148
2149 @noindent
2150 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2151 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2152 are not actually required.)
2153
2154 @kindex unset environment
2155 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2156 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2157 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2158 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2159 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2160 @end table
2161
2162 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2163 the shell indicated
2164 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2165 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2166 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2167 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2168 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2169 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2170 @file{.profile}.
2171
2172 @node Working Directory
2173 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2174
2175 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2176 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2177 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2178 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2179 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2180 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2181
2182 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2183 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2184 Specify Files}.
2185
2186 @table @code
2187 @kindex cd
2188 @cindex change working directory
2189 @item cd @var{directory}
2190 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2191
2192 @kindex pwd
2193 @item pwd
2194 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2195 @end table
2196
2197 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2198 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2199 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2200 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2201 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2202 current working directory of the debuggee.
2203
2204 @node Input/Output
2205 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2206
2207 @cindex redirection
2208 @cindex i/o
2209 @cindex terminal
2210 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2211 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2212 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2213 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2214 running your program.
2215
2216 @table @code
2217 @kindex info terminal
2218 @item info terminal
2219 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2220 program is using.
2221 @end table
2222
2223 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2224 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2225
2226 @smallexample
2227 run > outfile
2228 @end smallexample
2229
2230 @noindent
2231 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2232
2233 @kindex tty
2234 @cindex controlling terminal
2235 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2236 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2237 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2238 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2239 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2240
2241 @smallexample
2242 tty /dev/ttyb
2243 @end smallexample
2244
2245 @noindent
2246 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2247 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2248 that as their controlling terminal.
2249
2250 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2251 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2252 terminal.
2253
2254 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2255 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2256 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2257 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2258
2259 @cindex inferior tty
2260 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2261 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2262 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2263 program.
2264
2265 @table @code
2266 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2267 @kindex set inferior-tty
2268 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2269
2270 @item show inferior-tty
2271 @kindex show inferior-tty
2272 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2273 @end table
2274
2275 @node Attach
2276 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2277 @kindex attach
2278 @cindex attach
2279
2280 @table @code
2281 @item attach @var{process-id}
2282 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2283 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2284 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2285 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2286 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2287
2288 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2289 executing the command.
2290 @end table
2291
2292 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2293 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2294 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2295 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2296
2297 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2298 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2299 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2300 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2301 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2302 Specify Files}.
2303
2304 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2305 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2306 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2307 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2308 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2309 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2310 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2311
2312 @table @code
2313 @kindex detach
2314 @item detach
2315 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2316 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2317 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2318 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2319 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2320 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2321 executing the command.
2322 @end table
2323
2324 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2325 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2326 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2327 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2328 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2329 Messages}).
2330
2331 @node Kill Process
2332 @section Killing the Child Process
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex kill
2336 @item kill
2337 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2338 @end table
2339
2340 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2341 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2342 is running.
2343
2344 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2345 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2346 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2347 outside the debugger.
2348
2349 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2350 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2351 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2352 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2353 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2354 breakpoint settings).
2355
2356 @node Inferiors and Programs
2357 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2358
2359 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2360 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2361 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2362 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2363 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2364 from multiple executables.
2365
2366 @cindex inferior
2367 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2368 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2369 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2370 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2371 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2372 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2373 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2374 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2375 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2376 threads running in it.
2377
2378 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2379 inferiors}}:
2380
2381 @table @code
2382 @kindex info inferiors
2383 @item info inferiors
2384 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2385
2386 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2387
2388 @enumerate
2389 @item
2390 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2391
2392 @item
2393 the target system's inferior identifier
2394
2395 @item
2396 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2397
2398 @end enumerate
2399
2400 @noindent
2401 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2402 indicates the current inferior.
2403
2404 For example,
2405 @end table
2406 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2407
2408 @smallexample
2409 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2410 Num Description Executable
2411 2 process 2307 hello
2412 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2413 @end smallexample
2414
2415 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2416
2417 @table @code
2418 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2419 @item inferior @var{infno}
2420 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2421 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2422 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2423 @end table
2424
2425
2426 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2427 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2428 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2429 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2430 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2431 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @kindex add-inferior
2435 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2436 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2437 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2438 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2439 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2440 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2441
2442 @kindex clone-inferior
2443 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2444 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2445 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2446 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2447 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2448
2449 @smallexample
2450 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2451 Num Description Executable
2452 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2453 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2454 Added inferior 2.
2455 1 inferiors added.
2456 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 2 <null> helloworld
2459 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2460 @end smallexample
2461
2462 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2463
2464 @kindex remove-inferior
2465 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2466 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2467 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2468 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2469
2470 @end table
2471
2472 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2473 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2474 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2475 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2476
2477 @table @code
2478 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2479 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2480 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2481 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2482
2483 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2484 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2485 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2486 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2487 @end table
2488
2489 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2490 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2491 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2492 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2493
2494
2495 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2496 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex set print inferior-events
2500 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2501 @item set print inferior-events
2502 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2503 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2504 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2505 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2506 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2507 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2508
2509 @kindex show print inferior-events
2510 @item show print inferior-events
2511 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2512 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2513 @end table
2514
2515 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2516 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2517 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2518
2519
2520 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2521 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2522 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2523 info program-spaces}} command.
2524
2525 @table @code
2526 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2527 @item maint info program-spaces
2528 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2529 @value{GDBN}.
2530
2531 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2532
2533 @enumerate
2534 @item
2535 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2536
2537 @item
2538 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2539 the @code{file} command.
2540
2541 @end enumerate
2542
2543 @noindent
2544 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2545 indicates the current program space.
2546
2547 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2548 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2549 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2550
2551 @smallexample
2552 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2553 Id Executable
2554 2 goodbye
2555 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2556 * 1 hello
2557 @end smallexample
2558
2559 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2560 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2561 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2562 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2563 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2564
2565 @smallexample
2566 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2567 Id Executable
2568 * 1 vfork-test
2569 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2570 @end smallexample
2571
2572 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2573 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 @node Threads
2577 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2578
2579 @cindex threads of execution
2580 @cindex multiple threads
2581 @cindex switching threads
2582 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2583 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2584 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2585 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2586 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2587 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2588 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2589
2590 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2591 programs:
2592
2593 @itemize @bullet
2594 @item automatic notification of new threads
2595 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2596 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2597 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2598 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2599 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2600 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2601 messages on thread start and exit.
2602 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2603 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2604 isn't compatible with the program.
2605 @end itemize
2606
2607 @quotation
2608 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2609 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2610 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2611 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2612 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2613 like this:
2614
2615 @smallexample
2616 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2617 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2618 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2619 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2620 @end smallexample
2621 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2622 @c doesn't support threads"?
2623 @end quotation
2624
2625 @cindex focus of debugging
2626 @cindex current thread
2627 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2628 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2629 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2630 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2631 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2632
2633 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2634 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2635 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2636 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2637 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2638 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2639 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2640 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2641 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2642 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2643
2644 @smallexample
2645 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2646 @end smallexample
2647
2648 @noindent
2649 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2650 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2651 further qualifier.
2652
2653 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2654 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2655 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2656 @c program?
2657 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2658 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2659 @c threads ab initio?
2660
2661 @cindex thread number
2662 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2663 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2664 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2665
2666 @table @code
2667 @kindex info threads
2668 @item info threads
2669 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2670 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2671
2672 @enumerate
2673 @item
2674 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2675
2676 @item
2677 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2678
2679 @item
2680 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2681 @end enumerate
2682
2683 @noindent
2684 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2685 indicates the current thread.
2686
2687 For example,
2688 @end table
2689 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2690
2691 @smallexample
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2693 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2694 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2695 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2696 at threadtest.c:68
2697 @end smallexample
2698
2699 On HP-UX systems:
2700
2701 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2702 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2703 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2704 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2705 thread in your program.
2706
2707 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2708 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2709 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2710 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2711 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2712 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2713 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2714 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2715 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2716 HP-UX, you see
2717
2718 @smallexample
2719 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2720 @end smallexample
2721
2722 @noindent
2723 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2724
2725 @table @code
2726 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2727 @item info threads
2728 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2729 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2730
2731 @enumerate
2732 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2733
2734 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2735
2736 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2737 @end enumerate
2738
2739 @noindent
2740 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2741 indicates the current thread.
2742
2743 For example,
2744 @end table
2745 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2746
2747 @smallexample
2748 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2749 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2750 at quicksort.c:137
2751 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2752 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2753 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2754 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2755 @end smallexample
2756
2757 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2758 Solaris-specific command:
2759
2760 @table @code
2761 @item maint info sol-threads
2762 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2763 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2764 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2765 @end table
2766
2767 @table @code
2768 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2769 @item thread @var{threadno}
2770 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2771 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2772 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2773 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2774 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2775
2776 @smallexample
2777 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2778 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2779 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2780 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2781 @end smallexample
2782
2783 @noindent
2784 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2785 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2786 threads.
2787
2788 @kindex thread apply
2789 @cindex apply command to several threads
2790 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2791 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2792 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2793 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2794 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2795 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2796 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2797 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2798
2799 @kindex set print thread-events
2800 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2801 @item set print thread-events
2802 @itemx set print thread-events on
2803 @itemx set print thread-events off
2804 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2805 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2806 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2807 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2808 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2809
2810 @kindex show print thread-events
2811 @item show print thread-events
2812 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2813 have started and exited.
2814 @end table
2815
2816 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2817 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2818 programs with multiple threads.
2819
2820 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2821 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2822
2823 @table @code
2824 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2825 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2826 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2827 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2828 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2829 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2830 an empty list.
2831
2832 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2833 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2834 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2835 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2836 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2837 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2838
2839 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2840 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2841 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2842 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2843 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2844 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2845 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2846
2847 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2848 only on some platforms.
2849
2850 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2851 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2852 Display current libthread_db search path.
2853 @end table
2854
2855 @node Forks
2856 @section Debugging Forks
2857
2858 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2859 @cindex multiple processes
2860 @cindex processes, multiple
2861 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2862 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2863 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2864 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2865 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2866 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2867 will cause it to terminate.
2868
2869 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2870 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2871 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2872 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2873 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2874 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2875 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2876 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2877 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2878 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2879
2880 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2881 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2882 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2883 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2884
2885 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2886 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2887
2888 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2889 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2890
2891 @table @code
2892 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2893 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2894 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2895 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2896 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2897
2898 @table @code
2899 @item parent
2900 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2901 unimpeded. This is the default.
2902
2903 @item child
2904 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2905 unimpeded.
2906
2907 @end table
2908
2909 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2910 @item show follow-fork-mode
2911 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2912 @end table
2913
2914 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2915 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2916 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2917
2918 @table @code
2919 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2920 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2921 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2922 retain debugger control over them both.
2923
2924 @table @code
2925 @item on
2926 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2927 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2928 independently. This is the default.
2929
2930 @item off
2931 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2932 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2933 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2934 is held suspended.
2935
2936 @end table
2937
2938 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2939 @item show detach-on-fork
2940 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2941 @end table
2942
2943 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2944 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2945 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2946 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2947 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2948 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2949
2950 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2951 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2952 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2953 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2954 and Programs}.
2955
2956 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2957 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2958 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2959 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2960 the child process's @code{main}.
2961
2962 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2963 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2964
2965 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2966 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2967 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2968 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2969 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2970 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2971 command.
2972
2973 @table @code
2974 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2975 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2976
2977 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2978 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2979
2980 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2981
2982 @table @code
2983 @item new
2984 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2985 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2986 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2987 original inferior.
2988
2989 For example:
2990
2991 @smallexample
2992 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2993 (gdb) info inferior
2994 Id Description Executable
2995 * 1 <null> prog1
2996 (@value{GDBP}) run
2997 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2998 Program exited normally.
2999 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3000 Id Description Executable
3001 * 2 <null> prog2
3002 1 <null> prog1
3003 @end smallexample
3004
3005 @item same
3006 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3007 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3008 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3009 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3010 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3011
3012 For example:
3013
3014 @smallexample
3015 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3016 Id Description Executable
3017 * 1 <null> prog1
3018 (@value{GDBP}) run
3019 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3020 Program exited normally.
3021 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3022 Id Description Executable
3023 * 1 <null> prog2
3024 @end smallexample
3025
3026 @end table
3027 @end table
3028
3029 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3030 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3031 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3032
3033 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3034 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3035
3036 @cindex checkpoint
3037 @cindex restart
3038 @cindex bookmark
3039 @cindex snapshot of a process
3040 @cindex rewind program state
3041
3042 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3043 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3044 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3045 later.
3046
3047 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3048 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3049 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3050 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3051 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3052
3053 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3054 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3055 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3056 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3057 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3058 start again from there.
3059
3060 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3061 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3062
3063 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3064
3065 @table @code
3066 @kindex checkpoint
3067 @item checkpoint
3068 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3069 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3070 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3071
3072 @kindex info checkpoints
3073 @item info checkpoints
3074 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3075 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3076 listed:
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item Checkpoint ID
3080 @item Process ID
3081 @item Code Address
3082 @item Source line, or label
3083 @end table
3084
3085 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3086 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3087 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3088 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3089 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3090 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3091 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3092
3093 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3094 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3095 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3096 the debugger.
3097
3098 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3099 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3100 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3101
3102 @end table
3103
3104 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3105 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3106 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3107 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3108 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3109 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3110 previously read data can be read again.
3111
3112 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3113 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3114 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3115 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3116 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3117 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3118
3119 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3120 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3121 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3122 different execution path this time.
3123
3124 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3125 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3126 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3127 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3128 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3129 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3130 potentially pose a problem.
3131
3132 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3133
3134 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3135 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3136 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3137 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3138 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3139 next.
3140
3141 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3142 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3143 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3144 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3145 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3146
3147 @node Stopping
3148 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3149
3150 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3151 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3152 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3153
3154 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3155 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3156 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3157 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3158 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3159 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3160 explicitly request this information at any time.
3161
3162 @table @code
3163 @kindex info program
3164 @item info program
3165 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3166 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3167 @end table
3168
3169 @menu
3170 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3171 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3172 * Signals:: Signals
3173 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3174 @end menu
3175
3176 @node Breakpoints
3177 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3178
3179 @cindex breakpoints
3180 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3181 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3182 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3183 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3184 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3185 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3186 program.
3187
3188 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3189 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3190 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3191 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3192 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3193 call).
3194
3195 @cindex watchpoints
3196 @cindex data breakpoints
3197 @cindex memory tracing
3198 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3199 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3200 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3201 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3202 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3203 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3204 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3205 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3206 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3207 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3208 same commands.
3209
3210 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3211 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3212 Automatic Display}.
3213
3214 @cindex catchpoints
3215 @cindex breakpoint on events
3216 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3217 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3218 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3219 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3220 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3221 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3222 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3223
3224 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3225 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3226 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3227 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3228 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3229 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3230 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3231 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3232 enable it again.
3233
3234 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3235 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3236 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3237 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3238 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3239 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3240 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3241
3242 @menu
3243 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3244 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3245 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3246 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3247 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3248 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3249 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3250 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3251 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3252 @end menu
3253
3254 @node Set Breaks
3255 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3256
3257 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3258 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3259 @c
3260 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3261
3262 @kindex break
3263 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3264 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3265 @cindex latest breakpoint
3266 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3267 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3268 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3269 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3270 convenience variables.
3271
3272 @table @code
3273 @item break @var{location}
3274 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3275 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3276 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3277 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3278 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3279
3280 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3281 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3282 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3283 that situation.
3284
3285 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3286 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3287 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3288
3289 @item break
3290 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3291 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3292 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3293 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3294 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3295 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3296 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3297 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3298 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3299 inside loops.
3300
3301 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3302 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3303 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3304 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3305 existed when your program stopped.
3306
3307 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3308 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3309 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3310 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3311 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3312 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3313 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3314
3315 @kindex tbreak
3316 @item tbreak @var{args}
3317 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3318 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3319 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3320 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3321
3322 @kindex hbreak
3323 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3324 @item hbreak @var{args}
3325 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3326 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3327 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3328 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3329 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3330 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3331 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3332 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3333 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3334 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3335 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3336 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3337 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3338 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3339 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3340 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3341 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3342 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3343
3344 @kindex thbreak
3345 @item thbreak @var{args}
3346 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3347 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3348 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3349 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3350 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3351 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3352 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3353 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3354
3355 @kindex rbreak
3356 @cindex regular expression
3357 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3358 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3359 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3360 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3361 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3362 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3363 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3364 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3365 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3366
3367 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3368 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3369 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3370 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3371 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3372 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3373
3374 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3375 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3376 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3377 classes.
3378
3379 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3380 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3381 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3382
3383 @smallexample
3384 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3385 @end smallexample
3386
3387 @kindex info breakpoints
3388 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3389 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3390 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3391 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3392 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3393 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3394 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3395
3396 @table @emph
3397 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3398 @item Type
3399 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3400 @item Disposition
3401 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3402 @item Enabled or Disabled
3403 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3404 that are not enabled.
3405 @item Address
3406 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3407 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3408 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3409 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3410 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3411 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3412 @item What
3413 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3414 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3415 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3416 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3417 @end table
3418
3419 @noindent
3420 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3421 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3422 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3423 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3424 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3425 valid location.
3426
3427 @noindent
3428 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3429 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3430 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3431 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3432 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3433
3434 @noindent
3435 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3436 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3437 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3438 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3439 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3440 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3441 @end table
3442
3443 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3444 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3445 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3446 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3447
3448 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3449 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3450 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3451 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3452
3453 @itemize @bullet
3454 @item
3455 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3456 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3457
3458 @item
3459 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3460 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3461
3462 @item
3463 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3464 several places where that function is inlined.
3465 @end itemize
3466
3467 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3468 the relevant locations@footnote{
3469 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3470 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3471 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3472 info with line numbers for them.}.
3473
3474 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3475 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3476 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3477 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3478 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3479 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3480 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3481
3482 For example:
3483
3484 @smallexample
3485 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3486 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3487 stop only if i==1
3488 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3489 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3490 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3491 @end smallexample
3492
3493 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3494 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3495 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3496 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3497 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3498 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3499 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3500 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3501 that belong to that breakpoint.
3502
3503 @cindex pending breakpoints
3504 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3505 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3506 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3507 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3508 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3509 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3510 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3511 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3512 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3513 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3514 is not yet resolved.
3515
3516 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3517 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3518 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3519 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3520 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3521 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3522
3523 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3524 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3525 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3526 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3527
3528 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3529 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3530 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3531
3532 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3533 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3534 address specification to an address:
3535
3536 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3537 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3538 @table @code
3539 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3540 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3541 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3542
3543 @item set breakpoint pending on
3544 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3545 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3546
3547 @item set breakpoint pending off
3548 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3549 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3550 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3551
3552 @item show breakpoint pending
3553 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3554 @end table
3555
3556 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3557 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3558 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3559
3560 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3561 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3562 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3563 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3564 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3565 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3566 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3567 breakpoints.
3568
3569 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3570
3571 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3572 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3573 @table @code
3574 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3575 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3576 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3577 breakpoint must be used.
3578
3579 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3580 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3581 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3582 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3583 @end table
3584
3585 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3586 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3587 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3588 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3589 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3590 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3591 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3592 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3593 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3594
3595 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3596 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3597 @table @code
3598 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3599 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3600 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3601 removed from the target when it stops.
3602
3603 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3604 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3605 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3606 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3607 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3608
3609 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3610 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3611 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3612 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3613 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3614 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3615 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3616 @end table
3617
3618 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3619 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3620 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3621 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3622 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3623 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3624 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3625 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3626
3627
3628 @node Set Watchpoints
3629 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3630
3631 @cindex setting watchpoints
3632 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3633 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3634 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3635 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3636 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3637
3638 @itemize @bullet
3639 @item
3640 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3641
3642 @item
3643 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3644 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3645 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3646
3647 @item
3648 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3649 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3650 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3651 @end itemize
3652
3653 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3654 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3655 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3656 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3657 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3658 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3659 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3660 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3661 the expression changes.
3662
3663 @cindex software watchpoints
3664 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3665 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3666 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3667 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3668 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3669 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3670 culprit.)
3671
3672 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3673 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3674 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3675
3676 @table @code
3677 @kindex watch
3678 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3679 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3680 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3681 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3682 to watch the value of a single variable:
3683
3684 @smallexample
3685 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3686 @end smallexample
3687
3688 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3689 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3690 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3691 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3692 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3693 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3694
3695 @kindex rwatch
3696 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3697 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3698 by the program.
3699
3700 @kindex awatch
3701 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3702 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3703 or written into by the program.
3704
3705 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3706 @item info watchpoints
3707 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3708 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3709 @end table
3710
3711 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3712 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3713 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3714 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3715 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3716 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3717
3718 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3719 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3720 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3721 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3722 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3723 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3724 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3725 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3726
3727 @table @code
3728 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3729 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3730 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3731
3732 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3733 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3734 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3735 @end table
3736
3737 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3738 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3739 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3740
3741 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3742
3743 @smallexample
3744 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3745 @end smallexample
3746
3747 @noindent
3748 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3749
3750 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3751 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3752 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3753 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3754 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3755 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3756 will print a message like this:
3757
3758 @smallexample
3759 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3760 @end smallexample
3761
3762 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3763 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3764 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3765 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3766 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3767 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3768 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3769 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3770
3771 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3772 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3773 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3774 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3775 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3776 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3777
3778 @smallexample
3779 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @noindent
3783 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3784
3785 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3786 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3787 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3788 expression with separately allocated resources.
3789
3790 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3791 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3792 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3793
3794 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3795 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3796 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3797 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3798 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3799 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3800 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3801 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3802 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3803
3804 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3805 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3806 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3807 watched expression from every thread.
3808
3809 @quotation
3810 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3811 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3812 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3813 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3814 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3815 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3816 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3817 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3818 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3819 @end quotation
3820
3821 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3822
3823 @node Set Catchpoints
3824 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3825 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3826 @cindex exception handlers
3827 @cindex event handling
3828
3829 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3830 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3831 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3832
3833 @table @code
3834 @kindex catch
3835 @item catch @var{event}
3836 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3837 @table @code
3838 @item throw
3839 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3840 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3841
3842 @item catch
3843 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3844
3845 @item exception
3846 @cindex Ada exception catching
3847 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3848 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3849 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3850 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3851 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3852
3853 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3854 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3855 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3856 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3857 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3858 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3859 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3860 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3861
3862 @item exception unhandled
3863 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3864
3865 @item assert
3866 A failed Ada assertion.
3867
3868 @item exec
3869 @cindex break on fork/exec
3870 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3871 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3872
3873 @item syscall
3874 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3875 @cindex break on a system call.
3876 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3877 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3878 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3879 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3880 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3881 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3882 will be caught.
3883
3884 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3885 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3886 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3887 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3888
3889 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3890 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3891 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3892 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3893
3894 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3895 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3896 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3897 available choices.
3898
3899 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3900 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3901 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3902 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3903 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3904 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3905 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3906 behind the OS upgrades).
3907
3908 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3909 arguments to it:
3910
3911 @smallexample
3912 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3913 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3914 (@value{GDBP}) r
3915 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3916
3917 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3918 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3919 (@value{GDBP}) c
3920 Continuing.
3921
3922 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3923 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3924 (@value{GDBP})
3925 @end smallexample
3926
3927 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3928
3929 @smallexample
3930 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3931 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3932 (@value{GDBP}) r
3933 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3934
3935 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3936 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3937 (@value{GDBP}) c
3938 Continuing.
3939
3940 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3941 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3942 (@value{GDBP})
3943 @end smallexample
3944
3945 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3946 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3947 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3948
3949 @smallexample
3950 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3951 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3952 (@value{GDBP}) r
3953 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3954
3955 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3956 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3957 (@value{GDBP}) c
3958 Continuing.
3959
3960 Program exited normally.
3961 (@value{GDBP})
3962 @end smallexample
3963
3964 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3965 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3966 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3967 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3968
3969 @smallexample
3970 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3971 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3972 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3973 (@value{GDBP})
3974 @end smallexample
3975
3976 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3977 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3978 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3979 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3980 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3981 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3982
3983 @smallexample
3984 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3985 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
3986 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
3987 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
3988 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3989 (@value{GDBP})
3990 @end smallexample
3991
3992 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
3993
3994 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
3995 number. In this case, you would see something like:
3996
3997 @smallexample
3998 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3999 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4000 @end smallexample
4001
4002 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4003
4004 @item fork
4005 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4006 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4007
4008 @item vfork
4009 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4010 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4011
4012 @end table
4013
4014 @item tcatch @var{event}
4015 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4016 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4017
4018 @end table
4019
4020 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4021
4022 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4023 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4024
4025 @itemize @bullet
4026 @item
4027 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4028 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4029 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4030 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4031 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4032 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4033 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4034 disabled within interactive calls.
4035
4036 @item
4037 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4038
4039 @item
4040 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4041 @end itemize
4042
4043 @cindex raise exceptions
4044 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4045 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4046 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4047 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4048 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4049 out where the exception was raised.
4050
4051 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4052 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4053 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4054 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4055
4056 @smallexample
4057 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4058 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4059 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4060 @end smallexample
4061
4062 @noindent
4063 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4064 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4065 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4066
4067 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4068 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4069 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4070 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4071 raised.
4072
4073
4074 @node Delete Breaks
4075 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4076
4077 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4078 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4079 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4080 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4081 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4082 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4083
4084 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4085 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4086 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4087 their breakpoint numbers.
4088
4089 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4090 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4091 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4092
4093 @table @code
4094 @kindex clear
4095 @item clear
4096 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4097 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4098 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4099 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4100
4101 @item clear @var{location}
4102 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4103 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4104 most useful ones are listed below:
4105
4106 @table @code
4107 @item clear @var{function}
4108 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4109 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4110
4111 @item clear @var{linenum}
4112 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4113 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4114 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4115 @end table
4116
4117 @cindex delete breakpoints
4118 @kindex delete
4119 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4120 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4121 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4122 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4123 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4124 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4125 @end table
4126
4127 @node Disabling
4128 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4129
4130 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4131 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4132 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4133 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4134 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4135
4136 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4137 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4138 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4139 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4140 do not know which numbers to use.
4141
4142 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4143 affects all of its locations.
4144
4145 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4146 states of enablement:
4147
4148 @itemize @bullet
4149 @item
4150 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4151 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4152 @item
4153 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4154 @item
4155 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4156 disabled.
4157 @item
4158 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4159 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4160 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4161 @end itemize
4162
4163 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4164 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4165
4166 @table @code
4167 @kindex disable
4168 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4169 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4170 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4171 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4172 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4173 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4174 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4175
4176 @kindex enable
4177 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4178 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4179 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4180
4181 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4182 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4183 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4184
4185 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4186 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4187 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4188 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4189 @end table
4190
4191 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4192 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4193 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4194 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4195 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4196 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4197 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4198 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4199 Stepping}.)
4200
4201 @node Conditions
4202 @subsection Break Conditions
4203 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4204 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4205
4206 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4207 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4208 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4209 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4210 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4211 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4212 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4213 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4214
4215 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4216 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4217 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4218 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4219 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4220
4221 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4222 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4223 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4224 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4225 one.
4226
4227 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4228 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4229 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4230 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4231 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4232 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4233 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4234 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4235 conditions for the
4236 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4237 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4238
4239 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4240 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4241 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4242 with the @code{condition} command.
4243
4244 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4245 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4246 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4247 catchpoint.
4248
4249 @table @code
4250 @kindex condition
4251 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4252 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4253 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4254 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4255 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4256 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4257 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4258 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4259 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4260 prints an error message:
4261
4262 @smallexample
4263 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4264 @end smallexample
4265
4266 @noindent
4267 @value{GDBN} does
4268 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4269 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4270 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4271
4272 @item condition @var{bnum}
4273 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4274 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4275 @end table
4276
4277 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4278 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4279 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4280 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4281 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4282 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4283 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4284 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4285 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4286 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4287 your program reaches it.
4288
4289 @table @code
4290 @kindex ignore
4291 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4292 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4293 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4294 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4295 takes no action.
4296
4297 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4298 a count of zero.
4299
4300 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4301 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4302 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4303 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4304
4305 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4306 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4307 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4308
4309 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4310 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4311 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4312 Variables}.
4313 @end table
4314
4315 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4316
4317
4318 @node Break Commands
4319 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4320
4321 @cindex breakpoint commands
4322 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4323 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4324 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4325 enable other breakpoints.
4326
4327 @table @code
4328 @kindex commands
4329 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4330 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4331 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4332 @itemx end
4333 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4334 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4335 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4336
4337 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4338 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4339
4340 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4341 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4342 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4343 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4344 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4345 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4346 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4347 Expressions}).
4348 @end table
4349
4350 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4351 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4352
4353 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4354 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4355 that resumes execution.
4356
4357 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4358 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4359 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4360 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4361 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4362
4363 @kindex silent
4364 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4365 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4366 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4367 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4368 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4369 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4370
4371 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4372 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4373 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4374
4375 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4376 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4377
4378 @smallexample
4379 break foo if x>0
4380 commands
4381 silent
4382 printf "x is %d\n",x
4383 cont
4384 end
4385 @end smallexample
4386
4387 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4388 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4389 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4390 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4391 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4392 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4393 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4394
4395 @smallexample
4396 break 403
4397 commands
4398 silent
4399 set x = y + 4
4400 cont
4401 end
4402 @end smallexample
4403
4404 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4405 @node Error in Breakpoints
4406 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4407
4408 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4409 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4410
4411 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4412 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4413 @smallexample
4414 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4415 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4416 @end smallexample
4417
4418 @noindent
4419 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4420 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4421 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4422
4423 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4424 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4425
4426 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4427 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4428 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4429
4430 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4431 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4432 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4433 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4434
4435 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4436 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4437 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4438 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4439 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4440 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4441 first in the bundle.
4442
4443 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4444 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4445 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4446 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4447 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4448 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4449 is hit.
4450
4451 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4452 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4453
4454 @smallexample
4455 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4456 @end smallexample
4457
4458 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4459 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4460 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4461 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4462 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4463 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4464 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4465 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4466
4467 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4468 adjusted breakpoints:
4469
4470 @smallexample
4471 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4472 to 0x00010410.
4473 @end smallexample
4474
4475 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4476 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4477 frequently than expected.
4478
4479 @node Continuing and Stepping
4480 @section Continuing and Stepping
4481
4482 @cindex stepping
4483 @cindex continuing
4484 @cindex resuming execution
4485 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4486 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4487 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4488 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4489 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4490 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4491 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4492 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4493
4494 @table @code
4495 @kindex continue
4496 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4497 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4498 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4499 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4500 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4501 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4502 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4503 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4504 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4505 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4506
4507 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4508 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4509 @code{continue} is ignored.
4510
4511 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4512 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4513 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4514 @code{continue}.
4515 @end table
4516
4517 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4518 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4519 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4520 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4521
4522 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4523 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4524 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4525 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4526 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4527 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4528
4529 @table @code
4530 @kindex step
4531 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4532 @item step
4533 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4534 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4535 abbreviated @code{s}.
4536
4537 @quotation
4538 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4539 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4540 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4541 @c distinction here.
4542 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4543 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4544 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4545 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4546 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4547 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4548 below.
4549 @end quotation
4550
4551 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4552 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4553 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4554 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4555 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4556 called within the line.
4557
4558 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4559 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4560 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4561 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4562 was any debugging information about the routine.
4563
4564 @item step @var{count}
4565 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4566 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4567 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4568
4569 @kindex next
4570 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4571 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4572 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4573 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4574 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4575 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4576 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4577 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4578
4579 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4580
4581
4582 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4583 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4584 @c
4585 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4586 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4587 @c function are executed without stopping.
4588
4589 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4590 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4591 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4592
4593 @kindex set step-mode
4594 @item set step-mode
4595 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4596 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4597 @itemx set step-mode on
4598 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4599 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4600 information rather than stepping over it.
4601
4602 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4603 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4604 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4605
4606 @item set step-mode off
4607 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4608 debug information. This is the default.
4609
4610 @item show step-mode
4611 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4612 source line debug information.
4613
4614 @kindex finish
4615 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4616 @item finish
4617 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4618 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4619 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4620
4621 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4622 ,Returning from a Function}).
4623
4624 @kindex until
4625 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4626 @cindex run until specified location
4627 @item until
4628 @itemx u
4629 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4630 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4631 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4632 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4633 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4634 than the address of the jump.
4635
4636 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4637 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4638 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4639 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4640 through the next iteration.
4641
4642 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4643 stack frame.
4644
4645 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4646 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4647 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4648 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4649 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4650
4651 @smallexample
4652 (@value{GDBP}) f
4653 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4654 206 expand_input();
4655 (@value{GDBP}) until
4656 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4657 @end smallexample
4658
4659 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4660 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4661 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4662 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4663 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4664 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4665 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4666
4667 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4668 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4669 argument.
4670
4671 @item until @var{location}
4672 @itemx u @var{location}
4673 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4674 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4675 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4676 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4677 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4678 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4679 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4680 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4681 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4682 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4683 invocations have returned.
4684
4685 @smallexample
4686 94 int factorial (int value)
4687 95 @{
4688 96 if (value > 1) @{
4689 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4690 98 @}
4691 99 return (value);
4692 100 @}
4693 @end smallexample
4694
4695
4696 @kindex advance @var{location}
4697 @itemx advance @var{location}
4698 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4699 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4700 @ref{Specify Location}.
4701 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4702 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4703 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4704 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4705
4706
4707 @kindex stepi
4708 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4709 @item stepi
4710 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4711 @itemx si
4712 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4713
4714 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4715 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4716 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4717 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4718
4719 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4720
4721 @need 750
4722 @kindex nexti
4723 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4724 @item nexti
4725 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4726 @itemx ni
4727 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4728 proceed until the function returns.
4729
4730 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4731 @end table
4732
4733 @node Signals
4734 @section Signals
4735 @cindex signals
4736
4737 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4738 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4739 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4740 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4741 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4742 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4743 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4744 requested an alarm).
4745
4746 @cindex fatal signals
4747 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4748 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4749 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4750 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4751 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4752 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4753
4754 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4755 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4756 signal.
4757
4758 @cindex handling signals
4759 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4760 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4761 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4762 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4763 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4764
4765 @table @code
4766 @kindex info signals
4767 @kindex info handle
4768 @item info signals
4769 @itemx info handle
4770 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4771 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4772 the defined types of signals.
4773
4774 @item info signals @var{sig}
4775 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4776
4777 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4778
4779 @kindex handle
4780 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4781 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4782 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4783 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4784 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4785 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4786 say what change to make.
4787 @end table
4788
4789 @c @group
4790 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4791 Their full names are:
4792
4793 @table @code
4794 @item nostop
4795 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4796 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4797
4798 @item stop
4799 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4800 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4801
4802 @item print
4803 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4804
4805 @item noprint
4806 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4807 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4808
4809 @item pass
4810 @itemx noignore
4811 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4812 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4813 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4814
4815 @item nopass
4816 @itemx ignore
4817 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4818 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4819 @end table
4820 @c @end group
4821
4822 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4823 program until you
4824 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4825 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4826 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4827 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4828 program sees that signal when you continue.
4829
4830 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4831 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4832 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4833 erroneous signals.
4834
4835 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4836 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4837 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4838 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4839 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4840 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4841 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4842 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4843 Program a Signal}.
4844
4845 @cindex extra signal information
4846 @anchor{extra signal information}
4847
4848 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4849 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4850 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4851 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4852 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4853 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4854 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4855 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4856 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4857 system header.
4858
4859 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4860 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4861
4862 @smallexample
4863 @group
4864 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4865 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4866 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4867 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4868 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4869 type = struct @{
4870 int si_signo;
4871 int si_errno;
4872 int si_code;
4873 union @{
4874 int _pad[28];
4875 struct @{...@} _kill;
4876 struct @{...@} _timer;
4877 struct @{...@} _rt;
4878 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4879 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4880 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4881 @} _sifields;
4882 @}
4883 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4884 type = struct @{
4885 void *si_addr;
4886 @}
4887 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4888 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4889 @end group
4890 @end smallexample
4891
4892 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4893
4894 @node Thread Stops
4895 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4896
4897 @cindex stopped threads
4898 @cindex threads, stopped
4899
4900 @cindex continuing threads
4901 @cindex threads, continuing
4902
4903 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4904 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4905 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4906 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4907 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4908 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4909 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4910 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4911 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4912
4913 @menu
4914 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4915 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4916 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4917 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4918 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4919 @end menu
4920
4921 @node All-Stop Mode
4922 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4923
4924 @cindex all-stop mode
4925
4926 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4927 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4928 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4929 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4930 underfoot.
4931
4932 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4933 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4934 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4935
4936 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4937 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4938 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4939 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4940 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4941 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4942 stops.
4943
4944 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4945 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4946 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4947 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4948
4949 @cindex automatic thread selection
4950 @cindex switching threads automatically
4951 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4952 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4953 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4954 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4955 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4956 thread.
4957
4958 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4959 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4960
4961 @table @code
4962 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4963 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4964 @cindex lock scheduler
4965 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4966 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4967 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4968 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4969 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4970 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4971 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4972 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4973 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4974 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4975 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4976 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4977
4978 @item show scheduler-locking
4979 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4980 @end table
4981
4982 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4983 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4984 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4985 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4986 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4987 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4988 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4989 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4990 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4991 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4992 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4993 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4994 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4995 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4996
4997 @table @code
4998 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4999 @item set schedule-multiple
5000 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5001 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5002 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5003 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5004 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5005 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5006
5007 @item show schedule-multiple
5008 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5009 multiple processes.
5010 @end table
5011
5012 @node Non-Stop Mode
5013 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5014
5015 @cindex non-stop mode
5016
5017 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5018 @c with more details.
5019
5020 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5021 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5022 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5023 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5024 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5025 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5026
5027 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5028 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5029 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5030 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5031 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5032 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5033 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5034 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5035 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5036 independently and simultaneously.
5037
5038 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5039 or attach to your program:
5040
5041 @smallexample
5042 # Enable the async interface.
5043 set target-async 1
5044
5045 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5046 set pagination off
5047
5048 # Finally, turn it on!
5049 set non-stop on
5050 @end smallexample
5051
5052 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5053
5054 @table @code
5055 @kindex set non-stop
5056 @item set non-stop on
5057 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5058 @item set non-stop off
5059 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5060 @kindex show non-stop
5061 @item show non-stop
5062 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5063 @end table
5064
5065 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5066 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5067 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5068 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5069 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5070 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5071 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5072 default.
5073
5074 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5075 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5076 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5077
5078 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5079 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5080 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5081 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5082 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5083
5084 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5085 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5086 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5087 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5088 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5089
5090 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5091
5092 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5093 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5094 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5095 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5096 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5097 previously current thread.
5098
5099 @node Background Execution
5100 @subsection Background Execution
5101
5102 @cindex foreground execution
5103 @cindex background execution
5104 @cindex asynchronous execution
5105 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5106
5107 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5108 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5109 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5110 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5111 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5112 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5113
5114 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5115 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5116 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5117
5118 @table @code
5119 @kindex set target-async
5120 @item set target-async on
5121 Enable asynchronous mode.
5122 @item set target-async off
5123 Disable asynchronous mode.
5124 @kindex show target-async
5125 @item show target-async
5126 Show the current target-async setting.
5127 @end table
5128
5129 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5130 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5131
5132 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5133 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5134 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5135 are:
5136
5137 @table @code
5138 @kindex run&
5139 @item run
5140 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5141
5142 @item attach
5143 @kindex attach&
5144 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5145
5146 @item step
5147 @kindex step&
5148 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5149
5150 @item stepi
5151 @kindex stepi&
5152 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5153
5154 @item next
5155 @kindex next&
5156 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5157
5158 @item nexti
5159 @kindex nexti&
5160 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5161
5162 @item continue
5163 @kindex continue&
5164 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5165
5166 @item finish
5167 @kindex finish&
5168 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5169
5170 @item until
5171 @kindex until&
5172 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5173
5174 @end table
5175
5176 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5177 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5178 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5179 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5180 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5181 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5182
5183 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5184 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5185
5186 @table @code
5187 @kindex interrupt
5188 @item interrupt
5189 @itemx interrupt -a
5190
5191 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5192 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5193 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5194 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5195 @end table
5196
5197 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5198 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5199
5200 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5201 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5202 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5203
5204 @table @code
5205 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5206 @cindex thread breakpoints
5207 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5208 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5209 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5210 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5211 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5212 specify some source line.
5213
5214 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5215 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5216 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5217 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5218 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5219
5220 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5221 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5222 program.
5223
5224 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5225 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5226 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5227
5228 @smallexample
5229 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5230 @end smallexample
5231
5232 @end table
5233
5234 @node Interrupted System Calls
5235 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5236
5237 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5238 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5239 @cindex premature return from system calls
5240 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5241 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5242 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5243 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5244 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5245 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5246 stop execution.
5247
5248 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5249 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5250 style anyways.
5251
5252 For example, do not write code like this:
5253
5254 @smallexample
5255 sleep (10);
5256 @end smallexample
5257
5258 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5259 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5260
5261 Instead, write this:
5262
5263 @smallexample
5264 int unslept = 10;
5265 while (unslept > 0)
5266 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5267 @end smallexample
5268
5269 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5270 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5271 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5272 @value{GDBN}.
5273
5274 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5275 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5276 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5277 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5278
5279
5280 @node Reverse Execution
5281 @chapter Running programs backward
5282 @cindex reverse execution
5283 @cindex running programs backward
5284
5285 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5286 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5287 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5288 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5289
5290 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5291 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5292 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5293 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5294 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5295 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5296
5297 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5298 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5299 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5300 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5301 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5302 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5303 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5304 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5305 prior values@footnote{
5306 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5307 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5308 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5309
5310 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5311 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5312 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5313 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5314 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5315 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5316 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5317 }.
5318
5319 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5320 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5321
5322 @table @code
5323 @kindex reverse-continue
5324 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5325 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5326 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5327 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5328 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5329 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5330 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5331
5332 @kindex reverse-step
5333 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5334 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5335 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5336 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5337
5338 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5339 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5340 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5341 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5342 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5343 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5344
5345 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5346 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5347
5348 @kindex reverse-stepi
5349 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5350 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5351 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5352 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5353 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5354 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5355 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5356
5357 @kindex reverse-next
5358 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5359 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5360 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5361 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5362 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5363 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5364 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5365 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5366 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5367 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5368
5369 @kindex reverse-nexti
5370 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5371 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5372 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5373 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5374 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5375 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5376 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5377 frame) is reached.
5378
5379 @kindex reverse-finish
5380 @item reverse-finish
5381 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5382 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5383 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5384 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5385
5386 @kindex set exec-direction
5387 @item set exec-direction
5388 Set the direction of target execution.
5389 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5390 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5391 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5392 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5393 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5394 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5395 @item set exec-direction forward
5396 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5397 This is the default.
5398 @end table
5399
5400
5401 @node Process Record and Replay
5402 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5403 @cindex process record and replay
5404 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5405
5406 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5407 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5408 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5409
5410 @cindex replay mode
5411 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5412 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5413 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5414 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5415 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5416 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5417 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5418 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5419 execution log.
5420
5421 @cindex record mode
5422 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5423 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5424 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5425 for future replay.
5426
5427 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5428 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5429 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5430 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5431 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5432 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5433
5434 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5435 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5436 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5437 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5438
5439 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5440 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5441
5442 @table @code
5443 @kindex target record
5444 @kindex record
5445 @kindex rec
5446 @item target record
5447 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5448 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5449 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5450 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5451 the @kbd{target record} command.
5452
5453 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5454
5455 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5456 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5457 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5458 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5459 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5460
5461 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5462 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5463 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5464 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5465 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5466 support these two modes.
5467
5468 @kindex record stop
5469 @kindex rec s
5470 @item record stop
5471 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5472 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5473 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5474
5475 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5476 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5477 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5478 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5479 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5480
5481 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5482 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5483 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5484 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5485 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5486
5487 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5488 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5489
5490 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5491 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5492 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5493
5494 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5495 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5496 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5497 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5498 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5499 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5500 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5501 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5502
5503 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5504 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5505 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5506
5507 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5508 @item show record insn-number-max
5509 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5510
5511 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5512 @item set record stop-at-limit
5513 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5514 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5515 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5516 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5517 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5518 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5519
5520 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5521 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5522
5523 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5524 @item show record stop-at-limit
5525 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5526
5527 @kindex info record
5528 @item info record
5529 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5530 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5531
5532 @itemize @bullet
5533 @item
5534 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5535 @item
5536 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5537 @item
5538 Highest recorded instruction number.
5539 @item
5540 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5541 @item
5542 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5543 @item
5544 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5545 @end itemize
5546
5547 @kindex record delete
5548 @kindex rec del
5549 @item record delete
5550 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5551 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5552 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5553 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5554 @end table
5555
5556
5557 @node Stack
5558 @chapter Examining the Stack
5559
5560 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5561 stopped and how it got there.
5562
5563 @cindex call stack
5564 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5565 is generated.
5566 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5567 the arguments of the call,
5568 and the local variables of the function being called.
5569 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5570 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5571 stack}.
5572
5573 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5574 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5575
5576 @cindex selected frame
5577 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5578 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5579 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5580 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5581 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5582 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5583
5584 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5585 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5586 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5587
5588 @menu
5589 * Frames:: Stack frames
5590 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5591 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5592 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5593
5594 @end menu
5595
5596 @node Frames
5597 @section Stack Frames
5598
5599 @cindex frame, definition
5600 @cindex stack frame
5601 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5602 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5603 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5604 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5605 which the function is executing.
5606
5607 @cindex initial frame
5608 @cindex outermost frame
5609 @cindex innermost frame
5610 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5611 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5612 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5613 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5614 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5615 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5616 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5617 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5618
5619 @cindex frame pointer
5620 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5621 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5622 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5623 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5624 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5625 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5626
5627 @cindex frame number
5628 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5629 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5630 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5631 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5632 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5633
5634 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5635 @c underflow problems.
5636 @cindex frameless execution
5637 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5638 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5639 @smallexample
5640 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5641 @end smallexample
5642 generates functions without a frame.)
5643 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5644 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5645 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5646 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5647 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5648 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5649 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5650
5651 @table @code
5652 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5653 @cindex current stack frame
5654 @item frame @var{args}
5655 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5656 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5657 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5658 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5659
5660 @kindex select-frame
5661 @cindex selecting frame silently
5662 @item select-frame
5663 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5664 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5665 @code{frame}.
5666 @end table
5667
5668 @node Backtrace
5669 @section Backtraces
5670
5671 @cindex traceback
5672 @cindex call stack traces
5673 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5674 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5675 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5676 stack.
5677
5678 @table @code
5679 @kindex backtrace
5680 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5681 @item backtrace
5682 @itemx bt
5683 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5684 frames in the stack.
5685
5686 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5687 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5688
5689 @item backtrace @var{n}
5690 @itemx bt @var{n}
5691 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5692
5693 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5694 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5695 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5696
5697 @item backtrace full
5698 @itemx bt full
5699 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5700 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5701 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5702 number of frames to print, as described above.
5703 @end table
5704
5705 @kindex where
5706 @kindex info stack
5707 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5708 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5709
5710 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5711 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5712 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5713 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5714 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5715 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5716 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5717 multi-threaded program.
5718
5719 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5720 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5721 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5722 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5723 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5724 line number.
5725
5726 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5727 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5728
5729 @smallexample
5730 @group
5731 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5732 at builtin.c:993
5733 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5734 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5735 at macro.c:71
5736 (More stack frames follow...)
5737 @end group
5738 @end smallexample
5739
5740 @noindent
5741 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5742 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5743 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5744
5745 @noindent
5746 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5747 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5748 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5749 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5750 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5751
5752 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5753 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5754 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5755 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5756 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5757 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5758 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5759 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5760 such a backtrace might look like:
5761
5762 @smallexample
5763 @group
5764 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5765 at builtin.c:993
5766 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5767 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5768 at macro.c:71
5769 (More stack frames follow...)
5770 @end group
5771 @end smallexample
5772
5773 @noindent
5774 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5775 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5776
5777 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5778 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5779 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5780
5781 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5782 @cindex program entry point
5783 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5784 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5785 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5786 @code{main}@footnote{
5787 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5788 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5789 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5790 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5791 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5792 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5793
5794 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5795 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5796
5797 @table @code
5798 @item set backtrace past-main
5799 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5800 @kindex set backtrace
5801 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5802
5803 @item set backtrace past-main off
5804 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5805 default.
5806
5807 @item show backtrace past-main
5808 @kindex show backtrace
5809 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5810
5811 @item set backtrace past-entry
5812 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5813 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5814 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5815 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5816
5817 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5818 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5819 application. This is the default.
5820
5821 @item show backtrace past-entry
5822 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5823
5824 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5825 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5826 @cindex backtrace limit
5827 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5828 unlimited.
5829
5830 @item show backtrace limit
5831 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5832 @end table
5833
5834 @node Selection
5835 @section Selecting a Frame
5836
5837 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5838 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5839 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5840 of the stack frame just selected.
5841
5842 @table @code
5843 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5844 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5845 @item frame @var{n}
5846 @itemx f @var{n}
5847 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5848 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5849 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5850 @code{main}.
5851
5852 @item frame @var{addr}
5853 @itemx f @var{addr}
5854 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5855 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5856 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5857 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5858 switches between them.
5859
5860 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5861 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5862
5863 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5864 pointer and a program counter.
5865
5866 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5867 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5868
5869 @kindex up
5870 @item up @var{n}
5871 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5872 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5873 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5874
5875 @kindex down
5876 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5877 @item down @var{n}
5878 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5879 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5880 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5881 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5882 @end table
5883
5884 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5885 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5886 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5887 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5888
5889 @need 1000
5890 For example:
5891
5892 @smallexample
5893 @group
5894 (@value{GDBP}) up
5895 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5896 at env.c:10
5897 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5898 @end group
5899 @end smallexample
5900
5901 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5902 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5903 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5904 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5905 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5906 for details.
5907
5908 @table @code
5909 @kindex down-silently
5910 @kindex up-silently
5911 @item up-silently @var{n}
5912 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5913 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5914 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5915 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5916 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5917 distracting.
5918 @end table
5919
5920 @node Frame Info
5921 @section Information About a Frame
5922
5923 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5924 stack frame.
5925
5926 @table @code
5927 @item frame
5928 @itemx f
5929 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5930 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5931 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5932 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5933 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5934
5935 @kindex info frame
5936 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5937 @item info frame
5938 @itemx info f
5939 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5940 including:
5941
5942 @itemize @bullet
5943 @item
5944 the address of the frame
5945 @item
5946 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5947 @item
5948 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5949 @item
5950 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5951 @item
5952 the address of the frame's arguments
5953 @item
5954 the address of the frame's local variables
5955 @item
5956 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5957 @item
5958 which registers were saved in the frame
5959 @end itemize
5960
5961 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5962 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5963 the usual conventions.
5964
5965 @item info frame @var{addr}
5966 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5967 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5968 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5969 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5970 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5971 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5972
5973 @kindex info args
5974 @item info args
5975 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5976
5977 @item info locals
5978 @kindex info locals
5979 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5980 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5981 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5982
5983 @kindex info catch
5984 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5985 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5986 @item info catch
5987 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5988 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5989 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5990 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5991 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5992
5993 @end table
5994
5995
5996 @node Source
5997 @chapter Examining Source Files
5998
5999 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6000 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6001 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6002 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6003 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6004 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6005 source files by explicit command.
6006
6007 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6008 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6009 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6010
6011 @menu
6012 * List:: Printing source lines
6013 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6014 * Edit:: Editing source files
6015 * Search:: Searching source files
6016 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6017 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6018 @end menu
6019
6020 @node List
6021 @section Printing Source Lines
6022
6023 @kindex list
6024 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6025 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6026 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6027 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6028 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6029
6030 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6031
6032 @table @code
6033 @item list @var{linenum}
6034 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6035 current source file.
6036
6037 @item list @var{function}
6038 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6039 @var{function}.
6040
6041 @item list
6042 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6043 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6044 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6045 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6046 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6047
6048 @item list -
6049 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6050 @end table
6051
6052 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6053 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6054 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6055
6056 @table @code
6057 @kindex set listsize
6058 @item set listsize @var{count}
6059 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6060 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6061
6062 @kindex show listsize
6063 @item show listsize
6064 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6065 @end table
6066
6067 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6068 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6069 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6070 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6071 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6072
6073 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6074 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6075 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6076 to specify some source line.
6077
6078 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6079
6080 @table @code
6081 @item list @var{linespec}
6082 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6083
6084 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6085 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6086 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6087 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6088 the same source file as the first linespec.
6089
6090 @item list ,@var{last}
6091 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6092
6093 @item list @var{first},
6094 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6095
6096 @item list +
6097 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6098
6099 @item list -
6100 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6101
6102 @item list
6103 As described in the preceding table.
6104 @end table
6105
6106 @node Specify Location
6107 @section Specifying a Location
6108 @cindex specifying location
6109 @cindex linespec
6110
6111 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6112 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6113 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6114 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6115
6116 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6117 @value{GDBN} understands:
6118
6119 @table @code
6120 @item @var{linenum}
6121 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6122
6123 @item -@var{offset}
6124 @itemx +@var{offset}
6125 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6126 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6127 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6128 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6129 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6130 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6131 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6132 linespec.
6133
6134 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6135 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6136
6137 @item @var{function}
6138 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6139 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6140
6141 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6142 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6143 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6144 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6145 functions in different source files.
6146
6147 @item *@var{address}
6148 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6149 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6150 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6151 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6152 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6153 source files.
6154
6155 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6156 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6157 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6158 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6159 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6160 of @var{address}:
6161
6162 @table @code
6163 @item @var{expression}
6164 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6165
6166 @item @var{funcaddr}
6167 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6168 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6169 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6170 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6171 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6172 (although the Pascal form also works).
6173
6174 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6175 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6176
6177 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6178 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6179 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6180 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6181 functions with identical names in different source files.
6182 @end table
6183
6184 @end table
6185
6186
6187 @node Edit
6188 @section Editing Source Files
6189 @cindex editing source files
6190
6191 @kindex edit
6192 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6193 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6194 The editing program of your choice
6195 is invoked with the current line set to
6196 the active line in the program.
6197 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6198 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6199
6200 @table @code
6201 @item edit @var{location}
6202 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6203 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6204 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6205 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6206 command most commonly used:
6207
6208 @table @code
6209 @item edit @var{number}
6210 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6211
6212 @item edit @var{function}
6213 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6214 @end table
6215
6216 @end table
6217
6218 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6219 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6220 @footnote{
6221 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6222 following command-line syntax:
6223 @smallexample
6224 ex +@var{number} file
6225 @end smallexample
6226 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6227 the file where to start editing.}.
6228 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6229 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6230 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6231 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6232 @smallexample
6233 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6234 export EDITOR
6235 gdb @dots{}
6236 @end smallexample
6237 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6238 @smallexample
6239 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6240 gdb @dots{}
6241 @end smallexample
6242
6243 @node Search
6244 @section Searching Source Files
6245 @cindex searching source files
6246
6247 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6248 regular expression.
6249
6250 @table @code
6251 @kindex search
6252 @kindex forward-search
6253 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6254 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6255 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6256 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6257 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6258 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6259 @code{fo}.
6260
6261 @kindex reverse-search
6262 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6263 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6264 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6265 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6266 this command as @code{rev}.
6267 @end table
6268
6269 @node Source Path
6270 @section Specifying Source Directories
6271
6272 @cindex source path
6273 @cindex directories for source files
6274 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6275 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6276 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6277 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6278 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6279 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6280 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6281
6282 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6283 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6284 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6285 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6286 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6287 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6288 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6289 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6290 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6291 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6292 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6293
6294 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6295 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6296 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6297 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6298 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6299 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6300
6301 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6302 source files.
6303
6304 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6305 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6306 each line is in the file.
6307
6308 @kindex directory
6309 @kindex dir
6310 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6311 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6312 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6313
6314 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6315 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6316
6317 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6318 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6319 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6320 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6321 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6322 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6323 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6324 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6325 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6326 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6327 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6328 name to look up the sources.
6329
6330 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6331 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6332 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6333 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6334 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6335 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6336 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6337 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6338
6339 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6340 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6341 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6342 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6343 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6344 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6345 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6346
6347 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6348 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6349 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6350 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6351 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6352 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6353 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6354 command.
6355
6356 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6357 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6358 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6359 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6360 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6361 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6362 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6363
6364 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6365 @cindex default source path substitution
6366 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6367 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6368 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6369 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6370 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6371 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6372 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6373 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6374 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6375 together.
6376
6377 @table @code
6378 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6379 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6380 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6381 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6382 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6383 part of absolute file names) or
6384 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6385 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6386
6387 @kindex cdir
6388 @kindex cwd
6389 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6390 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6391 @cindex compilation directory
6392 @cindex current directory
6393 @cindex working directory
6394 @cindex directory, current
6395 @cindex directory, compilation
6396 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6397 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6398 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6399 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6400 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6401 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6402
6403 @item directory
6404 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6405
6406 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6407 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6408
6409 @item show directories
6410 @kindex show directories
6411 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6412
6413 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6414 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6415 @kindex set substitute-path
6416 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6417 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6418 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6419
6420 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6421 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6422
6423 @smallexample
6424 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6425 @end smallexample
6426
6427 @noindent
6428 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6429 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6430 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6431
6432 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6433 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6434 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6435 the substitution.
6436
6437 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6438
6439 @smallexample
6440 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6441 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6442 @end smallexample
6443
6444 @noindent
6445 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6446 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6447 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6448 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6449
6450
6451 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6452 @kindex unset substitute-path
6453 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6454 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6455 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6456
6457 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6458
6459 @item show substitute-path [path]
6460 @kindex show substitute-path
6461 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6462 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6463
6464 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6465 rules.
6466
6467 @end table
6468
6469 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6470 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6471 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6472
6473 @enumerate
6474 @item
6475 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6476
6477 @item
6478 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6479 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6480 directories in one command.
6481 @end enumerate
6482
6483 @node Machine Code
6484 @section Source and Machine Code
6485 @cindex source line and its code address
6486
6487 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6488 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6489 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6490 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6491 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6492 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6493 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6494 well as hex.
6495
6496 @table @code
6497 @kindex info line
6498 @item info line @var{linespec}
6499 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6500 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6501 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6502 @end table
6503
6504 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6505 the object code for the first line of function
6506 @code{m4_changequote}:
6507
6508 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6509 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6510 @smallexample
6511 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6512 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6513 @end smallexample
6514
6515 @noindent
6516 @cindex code address and its source line
6517 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6518 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6519 @smallexample
6520 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6521 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6522 @end smallexample
6523
6524 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6525 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6526 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6527 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6528 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6529 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6530 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6531 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6532 Variables}).
6533
6534 @table @code
6535 @kindex disassemble
6536 @cindex assembly instructions
6537 @cindex instructions, assembly
6538 @cindex machine instructions
6539 @cindex listing machine instructions
6540 @item disassemble
6541 @itemx disassemble /m
6542 @itemx disassemble /r
6543 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6544 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6545 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6546 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6547 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6548 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6549 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6550 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6551 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6552 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6553 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6554 there could be several functions in the given range).
6555
6556 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6557 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6558
6559 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6560 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6561 @end table
6562
6563 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6564 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6565
6566 @smallexample
6567 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6568 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6569 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6570 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6571 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6572 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6573 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6574 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6575 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6576 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6577 End of assembler dump.
6578 @end smallexample
6579
6580 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6581 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6582
6583 @smallexample
6584 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6585 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6586 5 @{
6587 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6588 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6589 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6590 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6591 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6592
6593 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6594 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6595 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6596
6597 7 return 0;
6598 8 @}
6599 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6600 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6601 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6602
6603 End of assembler dump.
6604 @end smallexample
6605
6606 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6607 mnemonics or other syntax.
6608
6609 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6610 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6611 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6612 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6613 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6614
6615 @table @code
6616 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6617 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6618 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6619 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6620 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6621 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6622
6623 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6624 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6625 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6626 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6627
6628 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6629 @item show disassembly-flavor
6630 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6631 @end table
6632
6633 @table @code
6634 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6635 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6636 @item set disassemble-next-line
6637 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6638 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6639 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6640 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6641 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6642 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6643 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6644 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6645 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6646 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6647 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6648 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6649 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6650 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6651 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6652 instruction.
6653 @end table
6654
6655
6656 @node Data
6657 @chapter Examining Data
6658
6659 @cindex printing data
6660 @cindex examining data
6661 @kindex print
6662 @kindex inspect
6663 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6664 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6665 @c different window or something like that.
6666 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6667 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6668 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6669 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6670 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6671 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6672
6673 @table @code
6674 @item print @var{expr}
6675 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6676 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6677 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6678 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6679 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6680 Formats}.
6681
6682 @item print
6683 @itemx print /@var{f}
6684 @cindex reprint the last value
6685 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6686 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6687 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6688 @end table
6689
6690 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6691 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6692 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6693
6694 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6695 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6696 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6697 Table}.
6698
6699 @menu
6700 * Expressions:: Expressions
6701 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6702 * Variables:: Program variables
6703 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6704 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6705 * Memory:: Examining memory
6706 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6707 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6708 * Value History:: Value history
6709 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6710 * Registers:: Registers
6711 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6712 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6713 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6714 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6715 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6716 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6717 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6718 character set than GDB does
6719 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6720 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6721 @end menu
6722
6723 @node Expressions
6724 @section Expressions
6725
6726 @cindex expressions
6727 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6728 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6729 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6730 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6731 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6732 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6733 @ref{Compilation}.
6734
6735 @cindex arrays in expressions
6736 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6737 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6738 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6739 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6740 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6741 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6742
6743 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6744 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6745 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6746 languages.
6747
6748 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6749 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6750
6751 @cindex casts, in expressions
6752 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6753 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6754 at that address in memory.
6755 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6756
6757 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6758 to programming languages:
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @item @@
6762 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6763 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6764
6765 @item ::
6766 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6767 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6768
6769 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6770 @cindex type casting memory
6771 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6772 @cindex casts, to view memory
6773 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6774 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6775 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6776 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6777 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6778 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6779 @end table
6780
6781 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6782 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6783 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6784
6785 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6786 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6787 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6788 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6789 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6790 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6791 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6792
6793 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6794 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6795 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6796 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6797 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6798 as well.
6799
6800 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6801 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6802 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6803 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6804 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6805 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6806 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6807 choices.
6808
6809 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6810 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6811 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6812
6813 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6814 @smallexample
6815 @group
6816 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6817 [0] cancel
6818 [1] all
6819 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6820 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6821 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6822 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6823 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6824 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6825 > 2 4 6
6826 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6827 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6828 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6829 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6830 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6831 breakpoints.
6832 (@value{GDBP})
6833 @end group
6834 @end smallexample
6835
6836 @table @code
6837 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6838 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6839 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6840
6841 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6842 is ambiguous.
6843
6844 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6845 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6846 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6847 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6848 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6849 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6850 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6851 in the use of the menu.
6852
6853 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6854 when an ambiguity is detected.
6855
6856 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6857 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6858
6859 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6860 @item show multiple-symbols
6861 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6862 @end table
6863
6864 @node Variables
6865 @section Program Variables
6866
6867 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6868 in your program.
6869
6870 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6871 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6872
6873 @itemize @bullet
6874 @item
6875 global (or file-static)
6876 @end itemize
6877
6878 @noindent or
6879
6880 @itemize @bullet
6881 @item
6882 visible according to the scope rules of the
6883 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6884 @end itemize
6885
6886 @noindent This means that in the function
6887
6888 @smallexample
6889 foo (a)
6890 int a;
6891 @{
6892 bar (a);
6893 @{
6894 int b = test ();
6895 bar (b);
6896 @}
6897 @}
6898 @end smallexample
6899
6900 @noindent
6901 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6902 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6903 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6904 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6905
6906 @cindex variable name conflict
6907 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6908 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6909 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6910 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6911 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6912 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6913 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6914
6915 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6916 @ifnotinfo
6917 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6918 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6919 @end ifnotinfo
6920 @smallexample
6921 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6922 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6923 @end smallexample
6924
6925 @noindent
6926 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6927 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6928 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6929 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6930
6931 @smallexample
6932 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6933 @end smallexample
6934
6935 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6936 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6937 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6938 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6939 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6940 @c conflict?? --mew
6941
6942 @cindex wrong values
6943 @cindex variable values, wrong
6944 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6945 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6946 @quotation
6947 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6948 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6949 scope, and just before exit.
6950 @end quotation
6951 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6952 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6953 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6954 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6955 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6956 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6957 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6958 variable definitions may be gone.
6959
6960 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6961 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6962 when compiling.
6963
6964 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6965 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6966 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6967 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6968 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6969 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6970 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6971
6972 @smallexample
6973 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6974 @end smallexample
6975
6976 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6977 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6978 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6979 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6980 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6981 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6982 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6983 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6984 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6985 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6986 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6987
6988 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6989 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6990 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6991 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6992
6993 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6994 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6995 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6996 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6997 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6998 For program code
6999
7000 @smallexample
7001 char var0[] = "A";
7002 signed char var1[] = "A";
7003 @end smallexample
7004
7005 You get during debugging
7006 @smallexample
7007 (gdb) print var0
7008 $1 = "A"
7009 (gdb) print var1
7010 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7011 @end smallexample
7012
7013 @node Arrays
7014 @section Artificial Arrays
7015
7016 @cindex artificial array
7017 @cindex arrays
7018 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7019 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7020 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7021 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7022 program.
7023
7024 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7025 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7026 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7027 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7028 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7029 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7030 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7031 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7032 example. If a program says
7033
7034 @smallexample
7035 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7036 @end smallexample
7037
7038 @noindent
7039 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7040
7041 @smallexample
7042 p *array@@len
7043 @end smallexample
7044
7045 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7046 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7047 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7048 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7049 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7050
7051 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7052 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7053 The value need not be in memory:
7054 @smallexample
7055 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7056 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7057 @end smallexample
7058
7059 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7060 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7061 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7062 @smallexample
7063 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7064 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7065 @end smallexample
7066
7067 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7068 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7069 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7070 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7071 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7072 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7073 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7074 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7075 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7076 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7077
7078 @smallexample
7079 set $i = 0
7080 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7081 @key{RET}
7082 @key{RET}
7083 @dots{}
7084 @end smallexample
7085
7086 @node Output Formats
7087 @section Output Formats
7088
7089 @cindex formatted output
7090 @cindex output formats
7091 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7092 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7093 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7094 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7095 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7096
7097 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7098 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7099 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7100 letters supported are:
7101
7102 @table @code
7103 @item x
7104 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7105 hexadecimal.
7106
7107 @item d
7108 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7109
7110 @item u
7111 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7112
7113 @item o
7114 Print as integer in octal.
7115
7116 @item t
7117 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7118 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7119 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7120 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7121
7122 @item a
7123 @cindex unknown address, locating
7124 @cindex locate address
7125 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7126 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7127 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7128
7129 @smallexample
7130 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7131 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7132 @end smallexample
7133
7134 @noindent
7135 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7136 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7137
7138 @item c
7139 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7140 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7141 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7142 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7143
7144 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7145 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7146 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7147 data.
7148
7149 @item f
7150 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7151 using typical floating point syntax.
7152
7153 @item s
7154 @cindex printing strings
7155 @cindex printing byte arrays
7156 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7157 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7158 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7159 natural types.
7160
7161 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7162 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7163 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7164 array.
7165
7166 @item r
7167 @cindex raw printing
7168 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7169 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7170 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7171 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7172 pretty-printer which might exist.
7173 @end table
7174
7175 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7176
7177 @smallexample
7178 p/x $pc
7179 @end smallexample
7180
7181 @noindent
7182 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7183 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7184
7185 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7186 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7187 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7188
7189 @node Memory
7190 @section Examining Memory
7191
7192 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7193 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7194
7195 @cindex examining memory
7196 @table @code
7197 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7198 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7199 @itemx x @var{addr}
7200 @itemx x
7201 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7202 @end table
7203
7204 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7205 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7206 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7207 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7208 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7209
7210 @table @r
7211 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7212 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7213 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7214 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7215 @c 4.1.2.
7216
7217 @item @var{f}, the display format
7218 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7219 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7220 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7221 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7222 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7223
7224 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7225 The unit size is any of
7226
7227 @table @code
7228 @item b
7229 Bytes.
7230 @item h
7231 Halfwords (two bytes).
7232 @item w
7233 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7234 @item g
7235 Giant words (eight bytes).
7236 @end table
7237
7238 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7239 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
7240 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
7241
7242 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7243 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7244 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7245 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7246 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7247 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7248 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7249 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7250 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7251 a value from memory).
7252 @end table
7253
7254 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7255 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7256 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7257 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7258 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7259
7260 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7261 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7262 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7263 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7264 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7265
7266 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7267 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7268 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7269 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7270 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7271 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7272 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7273 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7274 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7275
7276 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7277 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7278 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7279 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7280 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7281 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7282 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7283
7284 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7285 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7286
7287 @smallexample
7288 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7289 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7290 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7291 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7292 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7293 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7294 @end smallexample
7295
7296 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7297 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7298 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7299 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7300 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7301 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7302 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7303 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7304 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7305
7306 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7307 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7308 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7309
7310 @cindex remote memory comparison
7311 @cindex verify remote memory image
7312 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7313 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7314 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7315 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7316 situations.
7317
7318 @table @code
7319 @kindex compare-sections
7320 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7321 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7322 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7323 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7324 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7325 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7326 remote request.
7327 @end table
7328
7329 @node Auto Display
7330 @section Automatic Display
7331 @cindex automatic display
7332 @cindex display of expressions
7333
7334 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7335 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7336 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7337 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7338 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7339 The automatic display looks like this:
7340
7341 @smallexample
7342 2: foo = 38
7343 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 @noindent
7347 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7348 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7349 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7350 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7351 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7352 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7353
7354 @table @code
7355 @kindex display
7356 @item display @var{expr}
7357 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7358 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7359
7360 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7361
7362 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7363 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7364 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7365 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7366 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7367
7368 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7369 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7370 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7371 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7372 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7373 @end table
7374
7375 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7376 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7377 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7378
7379 @table @code
7380 @kindex delete display
7381 @kindex undisplay
7382 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7383 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7384 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7385
7386 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7387 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7388
7389 @kindex disable display
7390 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7391 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7392 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7393 enabled again later.
7394
7395 @kindex enable display
7396 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7397 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7398 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7399
7400 @item display
7401 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7402 done when your program stops.
7403
7404 @kindex info display
7405 @item info display
7406 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7407 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7408 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7409 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7410 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7411 @end table
7412
7413 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7414 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7415 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7416 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7417 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7418 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7419 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7420 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7421 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7422 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7423 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7424
7425 @node Print Settings
7426 @section Print Settings
7427
7428 @cindex format options
7429 @cindex print settings
7430 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7431 and symbols are printed.
7432
7433 @noindent
7434 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7435
7436 @table @code
7437 @kindex set print
7438 @item set print address
7439 @itemx set print address on
7440 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7441 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7442 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7443 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7444 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7445 @code{set print address on}:
7446
7447 @smallexample
7448 @group
7449 (@value{GDBP}) f
7450 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7451 at input.c:530
7452 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7453 @end group
7454 @end smallexample
7455
7456 @item set print address off
7457 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7458 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7459
7460 @smallexample
7461 @group
7462 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7463 (@value{GDBP}) f
7464 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7465 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7466 @end group
7467 @end smallexample
7468
7469 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7470 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7471 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7472 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7473
7474 @kindex show print
7475 @item show print address
7476 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7477 @end table
7478
7479 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7480 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7481 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7482 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7483 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7484 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7485 it prints a symbolic address:
7486
7487 @table @code
7488 @item set print symbol-filename on
7489 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7490 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7491 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7492 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7493
7494 @item set print symbol-filename off
7495 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7496 default.
7497
7498 @item show print symbol-filename
7499 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7500 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7501 @end table
7502
7503 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7504 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7505 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7506
7507 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7508 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7509
7510 @table @code
7511 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7512 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7513 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7514 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7515 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7516 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7517
7518 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7519 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7520 symbolic address.
7521 @end table
7522
7523 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7524 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7525 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7526 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7527 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7528 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7529 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7530 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7531
7532 @smallexample
7533 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7534 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7535 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7536 @end smallexample
7537
7538 @quotation
7539 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7540 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7541 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7542 @end quotation
7543
7544 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7545
7546 @table @code
7547 @item set print array
7548 @itemx set print array on
7549 @cindex pretty print arrays
7550 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7551 but uses more space. The default is off.
7552
7553 @item set print array off
7554 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7555
7556 @item show print array
7557 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7558 arrays.
7559
7560 @cindex print array indexes
7561 @item set print array-indexes
7562 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7563 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7564 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7565 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7566
7567 @item set print array-indexes off
7568 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7569
7570 @item show print array-indexes
7571 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7572 arrays.
7573
7574 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7575 @cindex number of array elements to print
7576 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7577 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7578 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7579 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7580 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7581 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7582 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7583
7584 @item show print elements
7585 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7586 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7587
7588 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7589 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7590 @cindex printing frame argument values
7591 @cindex print all frame argument values
7592 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7593 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7594 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7595 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7596 values are:
7597
7598 @table @code
7599 @item all
7600 The values of all arguments are printed.
7601
7602 @item scalars
7603 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7604 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7605 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7606 only scalar arguments are shown:
7607
7608 @smallexample
7609 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7610 at frame-args.c:23
7611 @end smallexample
7612
7613 @item none
7614 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7615 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7616
7617 @smallexample
7618 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7619 at frame-args.c:23
7620 @end smallexample
7621 @end table
7622
7623 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7624 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7625 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7626 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7627 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7628 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7629 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7630 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7631 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7632 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7633
7634 @item show print frame-arguments
7635 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7636
7637 @item set print repeats
7638 @cindex repeated array elements
7639 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7640 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7641 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7642 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7643 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7644 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7645 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7646
7647 @item show print repeats
7648 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7649 elements.
7650
7651 @item set print null-stop
7652 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7653 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7654 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7655 contain only short strings.
7656 The default is off.
7657
7658 @item show print null-stop
7659 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7660 @sc{null} character.
7661
7662 @item set print pretty on
7663 @cindex print structures in indented form
7664 @cindex indentation in structure display
7665 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7666 per line, like this:
7667
7668 @smallexample
7669 @group
7670 $1 = @{
7671 next = 0x0,
7672 flags = @{
7673 sweet = 1,
7674 sour = 1
7675 @},
7676 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7677 @}
7678 @end group
7679 @end smallexample
7680
7681 @item set print pretty off
7682 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7683
7684 @smallexample
7685 @group
7686 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7687 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7688 @end group
7689 @end smallexample
7690
7691 @noindent
7692 This is the default format.
7693
7694 @item show print pretty
7695 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7696
7697 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7698 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7699 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7700 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7701 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7702 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7703 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7704 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7705
7706 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7707 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7708 international character sets, and is the default.
7709
7710 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7711 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7712
7713 @item set print union on
7714 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7715 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7716 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7717
7718 @item set print union off
7719 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7720 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7721 instead.
7722
7723 @item show print union
7724 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7725 structures and other unions.
7726
7727 For example, given the declarations
7728
7729 @smallexample
7730 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7731 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7732 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7733 Bug_forms;
7734
7735 struct thing @{
7736 Species it;
7737 union @{
7738 Tree_forms tree;
7739 Bug_forms bug;
7740 @} form;
7741 @};
7742
7743 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7744 @end smallexample
7745
7746 @noindent
7747 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7748
7749 @smallexample
7750 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7751 @end smallexample
7752
7753 @noindent
7754 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7755
7756 @smallexample
7757 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7758 @end smallexample
7759
7760 @noindent
7761 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7762 and in Pascal.
7763 @end table
7764
7765 @need 1000
7766 @noindent
7767 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7768
7769 @table @code
7770 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7771 @item set print demangle
7772 @itemx set print demangle on
7773 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7774 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7775 linkage. The default is on.
7776
7777 @item show print demangle
7778 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7779
7780 @item set print asm-demangle
7781 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7782 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7783 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7784 The default is off.
7785
7786 @item show print asm-demangle
7787 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7788 or demangled form.
7789
7790 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7791 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7792 @kindex set demangle-style
7793 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7794 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7795 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7796
7797 @table @code
7798 @item auto
7799 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7800
7801 @item gnu
7802 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7803 This is the default.
7804
7805 @item hp
7806 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7807
7808 @item lucid
7809 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7810
7811 @item arm
7812 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7813 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7814 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7815 require further enhancement to permit that.
7816
7817 @end table
7818 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7819
7820 @item show demangle-style
7821 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7822
7823 @item set print object
7824 @itemx set print object on
7825 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7826 @cindex display derived types
7827 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7828 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7829 the virtual function table.
7830
7831 @item set print object off
7832 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7833 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7834
7835 @item show print object
7836 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7837
7838 @item set print static-members
7839 @itemx set print static-members on
7840 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7841 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7842
7843 @item set print static-members off
7844 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7845
7846 @item show print static-members
7847 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7848
7849 @item set print pascal_static-members
7850 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7851 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7852 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7853 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7854
7855 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7856 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7857
7858 @item show print pascal_static-members
7859 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7860
7861 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7862 @item set print vtbl
7863 @itemx set print vtbl on
7864 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7865 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7866 @cindex VTBL display
7867 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7868 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7869 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7870
7871 @item set print vtbl off
7872 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7873
7874 @item show print vtbl
7875 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7876 @end table
7877
7878 @node Value History
7879 @section Value History
7880
7881 @cindex value history
7882 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7883 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7884 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7885 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7886 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7887 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7888 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7889 symbol table.
7890
7891 @cindex @code{$}
7892 @cindex @code{$$}
7893 @cindex history number
7894 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7895 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7896 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7897 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7898 history number.
7899
7900 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7901 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7902 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7903 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7904 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7905 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7906 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7907
7908 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7909 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7910
7911 @smallexample
7912 p *$
7913 @end smallexample
7914
7915 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7916 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7917
7918 @smallexample
7919 p *$.next
7920 @end smallexample
7921
7922 @noindent
7923 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7924 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7925
7926 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7927 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7928
7929 @smallexample
7930 print x
7931 set x=5
7932 @end smallexample
7933
7934 @noindent
7935 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7936 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7937
7938 @table @code
7939 @kindex show values
7940 @item show values
7941 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7942 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7943 values} does not change the history.
7944
7945 @item show values @var{n}
7946 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7947
7948 @item show values +
7949 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7950 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7951 @end table
7952
7953 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7954 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7955
7956 @node Convenience Vars
7957 @section Convenience Variables
7958
7959 @cindex convenience variables
7960 @cindex user-defined variables
7961 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7962 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7963 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7964 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7965 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7966
7967 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7968 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7969 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7970 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7971 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7972
7973 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7974 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7975 For example:
7976
7977 @smallexample
7978 set $foo = *object_ptr
7979 @end smallexample
7980
7981 @noindent
7982 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7983 @code{object_ptr}.
7984
7985 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7986 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7987 value with another assignment at any time.
7988
7989 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7990 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7991 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7992 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7993
7994 @table @code
7995 @kindex show convenience
7996 @cindex show all user variables
7997 @item show convenience
7998 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7999 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8000
8001 @kindex init-if-undefined
8002 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8003 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8004 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8005 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8006 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8007 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8008 override default values used in a command script.
8009
8010 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8011 any side-effects do not occur.
8012 @end table
8013
8014 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8015 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8016 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8017
8018 @smallexample
8019 set $i = 0
8020 print bar[$i++]->contents
8021 @end smallexample
8022
8023 @noindent
8024 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8025
8026 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8027 values likely to be useful.
8028
8029 @table @code
8030 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8031 @item $_
8032 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8033 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8034 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8035 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8036 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8037 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8038 to the type of @code{$__}.
8039
8040 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8041 @item $__
8042 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8043 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8044 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8045
8046 @item $_exitcode
8047 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8048 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8049 the program being debugged terminates.
8050
8051 @item $_siginfo
8052 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8053 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8054 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8055 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8056 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8057
8058 @item $_tlb
8059 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8060 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8061 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8062 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8063 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8064 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8065
8066 @end table
8067
8068 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8069 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8070 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8071
8072 @cindex convenience functions
8073 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8074 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8075 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8076 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8077 @value{GDBN}.
8078
8079 @table @code
8080 @item help function
8081 @kindex help function
8082 @cindex show all convenience functions
8083 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8084 @end table
8085
8086 @node Registers
8087 @section Registers
8088
8089 @cindex registers
8090 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8091 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8092 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8093 your machine.
8094
8095 @table @code
8096 @kindex info registers
8097 @item info registers
8098 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8099 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8100
8101 @kindex info all-registers
8102 @cindex floating point registers
8103 @item info all-registers
8104 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8105 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8106
8107 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8108 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8109 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8110 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8111 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8112 @end table
8113
8114 @cindex stack pointer register
8115 @cindex program counter register
8116 @cindex process status register
8117 @cindex frame pointer register
8118 @cindex standard registers
8119 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8120 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8121 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8122 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8123 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8124 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8125 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8126 you could print the program counter in hex with
8127
8128 @smallexample
8129 p/x $pc
8130 @end smallexample
8131
8132 @noindent
8133 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8134
8135 @smallexample
8136 x/i $pc
8137 @end smallexample
8138
8139 @noindent
8140 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8141 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8142 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8143 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8144 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8145 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8146 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8147
8148 @smallexample
8149 set $sp += 4
8150 @end smallexample
8151
8152 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8153 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8154 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8155 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8156 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8157 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8158 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8159
8160 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8161 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8162 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8163 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8164 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8165 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8166 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8167
8168 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8169 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8170 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8171 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8172 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8173 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8174 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8175 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8176 prints the data in both formats.
8177
8178 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8179 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8180 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8181 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8182 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8183 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8184 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8185
8186 @smallexample
8187 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8188 $1 = @{
8189 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8190 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8191 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8192 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8193 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8194 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8195 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8196 @}
8197 @end smallexample
8198
8199 @noindent
8200 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8201 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8202 value to a @code{struct} member:
8203
8204 @smallexample
8205 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8206 @end smallexample
8207
8208 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8209 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8210 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8211 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8212 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8213 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8214
8215 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8216 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8217 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8218 frame makes no difference.
8219
8220 @node Floating Point Hardware
8221 @section Floating Point Hardware
8222 @cindex floating point
8223
8224 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8225 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8226
8227 @table @code
8228 @kindex info float
8229 @item info float
8230 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8231 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8232 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8233 the ARM and x86 machines.
8234 @end table
8235
8236 @node Vector Unit
8237 @section Vector Unit
8238 @cindex vector unit
8239
8240 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8241 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8242
8243 @table @code
8244 @kindex info vector
8245 @item info vector
8246 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8247 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8248 @end table
8249
8250 @node OS Information
8251 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8252 @cindex OS information
8253
8254 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8255 you debug your program.
8256
8257 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8258 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8259 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8260 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8261 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8262 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8263 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8264 structure.
8265
8266 @table @code
8267 @item info udot
8268 @kindex info udot
8269 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8270 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8271 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8272 the @code{examine} command.
8273 @end table
8274
8275 @cindex auxiliary vector
8276 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8277 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8278 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8279 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8280 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8281 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8282 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8283 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8284 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8285 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8286 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8287 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8288
8289 @table @code
8290 @kindex info auxv
8291 @item info auxv
8292 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8293 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8294 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8295 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8296 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8297 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8298 an unrecognized tag.
8299 @end table
8300
8301 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8302 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8303 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8304 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8305
8306 @table @code
8307 @kindex info os processes
8308 @item info os processes
8309 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8310 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8311 the command corresponding to the process.
8312 @end table
8313
8314 @node Memory Region Attributes
8315 @section Memory Region Attributes
8316 @cindex memory region attributes
8317
8318 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8319 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8320 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8321 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8322 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8323 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8324 user can override the fetched regions.
8325
8326 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8327 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8328 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8329 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8330 all memory.
8331
8332 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8333 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8334
8335 @table @code
8336 @kindex mem
8337 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8338 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8339 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8340 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8341 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8342 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8343
8344 @item mem auto
8345 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8346 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8347
8348 @kindex delete mem
8349 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8350 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8351 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8352
8353 @kindex disable mem
8354 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8355 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8356 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8357 It may be enabled again later.
8358
8359 @kindex enable mem
8360 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8361 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8362
8363 @kindex info mem
8364 @item info mem
8365 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8366 for each region:
8367
8368 @table @emph
8369 @item Memory Region Number
8370 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8371 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8372 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8373
8374 @item Lo Address
8375 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8376
8377 @item Hi Address
8378 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8379
8380 @item Attributes
8381 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8382 @end table
8383 @end table
8384
8385
8386 @subsection Attributes
8387
8388 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8389 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8390 write accesses to a memory region.
8391
8392 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8393 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8394 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8395
8396 @table @code
8397 @item ro
8398 Memory is read only.
8399 @item wo
8400 Memory is write only.
8401 @item rw
8402 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8403 @end table
8404
8405 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8406 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8407 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8408 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8409 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8410
8411 @table @code
8412 @item 8
8413 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8414 @item 16
8415 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8416 @item 32
8417 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8418 @item 64
8419 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8420 @end table
8421
8422 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8423 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8424 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8425 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8426 @c
8427 @c @table @code
8428 @c @item hwbreak
8429 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8430 @c @item swbreak (default)
8431 @c @end table
8432
8433 @subsubsection Data Cache
8434 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8435 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8436 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8437 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8438 registers.
8439
8440 @table @code
8441 @item cache
8442 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8443 @item nocache
8444 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8445 @end table
8446
8447 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8448 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8449 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8450 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8451 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8452
8453 @table @code
8454 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8455 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8456 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8457 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8458 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8459 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8460 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8461 The default value is @code{on}.
8462 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8463 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8464 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8465 @end table
8466
8467
8468 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8469 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8470 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8471 @c
8472 @c @table @code
8473 @c @item verify
8474 @c @item noverify (default)
8475 @c @end table
8476
8477 @node Dump/Restore Files
8478 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8479 @cindex dump/restore files
8480 @cindex append data to a file
8481 @cindex dump data to a file
8482 @cindex restore data from a file
8483
8484 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8485 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8486 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8487 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8488 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8489 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8490 files.
8491
8492 @table @code
8493
8494 @kindex dump
8495 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8496 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8497 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8498 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8499
8500 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8501 @table @code
8502 @item binary
8503 Raw binary form.
8504 @item ihex
8505 Intel hex format.
8506 @item srec
8507 Motorola S-record format.
8508 @item tekhex
8509 Tektronix Hex format.
8510 @end table
8511
8512 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8513 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8514 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8515 form.
8516
8517 @kindex append
8518 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8519 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8520 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8521 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8522 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8523
8524 @kindex restore
8525 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8526 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8527 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8528 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8529 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8530
8531 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8532 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8533 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8534 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8535 from that location.
8536
8537 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8538 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8539 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8540 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8541
8542 @end table
8543
8544 @node Core File Generation
8545 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8546 @cindex dump core from inferior
8547
8548 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8549 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8550 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8551 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8552 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8553 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8554 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8555
8556 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8557 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8558 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8559
8560 @table @code
8561 @kindex gcore
8562 @kindex generate-core-file
8563 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8564 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8565 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8566 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8567 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8568 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8569
8570 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8571 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8572 @end table
8573
8574 @node Character Sets
8575 @section Character Sets
8576 @cindex character sets
8577 @cindex charset
8578 @cindex translating between character sets
8579 @cindex host character set
8580 @cindex target character set
8581
8582 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8583 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8584 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8585 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8586 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8587 @dfn{target character set}.
8588
8589 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8590 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8591 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8592 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8593 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8594 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8595 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8596 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8597 character and string literals in expressions.
8598
8599 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8600 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8601 target-charset} command, described below.
8602
8603 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8604 support:
8605
8606 @table @code
8607 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8608 @kindex set target-charset
8609 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8610 list of supported target character sets, type
8611 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8612
8613 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8614 @kindex set host-charset
8615 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8616
8617 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8618 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8619 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8620 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8621 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8622
8623 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8624 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8625 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8626
8627 @item set charset @var{charset}
8628 @kindex set charset
8629 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8630 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8631 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8632 for both host and target.
8633
8634 @item show charset
8635 @kindex show charset
8636 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8637
8638 @item show host-charset
8639 @kindex show host-charset
8640 Show the name of the current host character set.
8641
8642 @item show target-charset
8643 @kindex show target-charset
8644 Show the name of the current target character set.
8645
8646 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8647 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8648 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8649 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8650 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8651 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8652
8653 @item show target-wide-charset
8654 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8655 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8656 @end table
8657
8658 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8659 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8660 @file{charset-test.c}:
8661
8662 @smallexample
8663 #include <stdio.h>
8664
8665 char ascii_hello[]
8666 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8667 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8668 char ibm1047_hello[]
8669 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8670 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8671
8672 main ()
8673 @{
8674 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8675 @}
8676 @end smallexample
8677
8678 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8679 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8680 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8681
8682 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8683
8684 @smallexample
8685 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8686 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8687 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8688 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8689 @dots{}
8690 (@value{GDBP})
8691 @end smallexample
8692
8693 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8694 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8695 strings:
8696
8697 @smallexample
8698 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8699 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8700 (@value{GDBP})
8701 @end smallexample
8702
8703 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8704 initial character set:
8705 @smallexample
8706 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8707 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8708 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8709 (@value{GDBP})
8710 @end smallexample
8711
8712 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8713 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8714 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8715 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8716 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8717
8718 @smallexample
8719 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8720 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8721 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8722 $2 = 72 'H'
8723 (@value{GDBP})
8724 @end smallexample
8725
8726 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8727 literals you use in expressions:
8728
8729 @smallexample
8730 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8731 $3 = 43 '+'
8732 (@value{GDBP})
8733 @end smallexample
8734
8735 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8736 character.
8737
8738 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8739 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8740 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8741
8742 @smallexample
8743 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8744 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8745 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8746 $5 = 200 '\310'
8747 (@value{GDBP})
8748 @end smallexample
8749
8750 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8751 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8752
8753 @smallexample
8754 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8755 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8756 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8757 @end smallexample
8758
8759 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8760 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8761 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8762 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8763 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8764
8765 @smallexample
8766 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8767 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8768 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8769 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8770 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8771 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8772 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8773 $7 = 72 '\110'
8774 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8775 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8776 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8777 $9 = 200 'H'
8778 (@value{GDBP})
8779 @end smallexample
8780
8781 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8782 string literals you use in expressions:
8783
8784 @smallexample
8785 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8786 $10 = 78 '+'
8787 (@value{GDBP})
8788 @end smallexample
8789
8790 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8791 character.
8792
8793 @node Caching Remote Data
8794 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8795 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8796
8797 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8798 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8799 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8800 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8801 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8802 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8803 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8804 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8805 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8806 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8807 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8808 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8809 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8810 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8811 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8812
8813 @table @code
8814 @kindex set remotecache
8815 @item set remotecache on
8816 @itemx set remotecache off
8817 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8818 with old scripts.
8819
8820 @kindex show remotecache
8821 @item show remotecache
8822 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8823
8824 @kindex set stack-cache
8825 @item set stack-cache on
8826 @itemx set stack-cache off
8827 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8828 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8829
8830 @kindex show stack-cache
8831 @item show stack-cache
8832 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8833
8834 @kindex info dcache
8835 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8836 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8837 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8838 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8839 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8840 operation.
8841
8842 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8843 printed in hex.
8844 @end table
8845
8846 @node Searching Memory
8847 @section Search Memory
8848 @cindex searching memory
8849
8850 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8851 @code{find} command.
8852
8853 @table @code
8854 @kindex find
8855 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8856 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8857 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8858 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8859 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8860 @end table
8861
8862 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8863 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8864
8865 @table @r
8866 @item @var{s}, search query size
8867 The size of each search query value.
8868
8869 @table @code
8870 @item b
8871 bytes
8872 @item h
8873 halfwords (two bytes)
8874 @item w
8875 words (four bytes)
8876 @item g
8877 giant words (eight bytes)
8878 @end table
8879
8880 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8881 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8882 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8883
8884 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8885 value's type in the current language.
8886 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8887 pattern as a mixture of types.
8888 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8889 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8890 which is typically four bytes.
8891
8892 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8893 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8894 @end table
8895
8896 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8897 (@code{"}).
8898 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8899 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8900
8901 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8902 number of matches found.
8903
8904 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8905 @samp{$_}.
8906 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8907
8908 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8909
8910 @smallexample
8911 void
8912 hello ()
8913 @{
8914 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8915 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8916 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8917 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8918 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8919 @}
8920 @end smallexample
8921
8922 @noindent
8923 you get during debugging:
8924
8925 @smallexample
8926 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8927 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8928 1 pattern found
8929 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8930 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8931 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8932 2 patterns found
8933 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8934 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8935 1 pattern found
8936 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8937 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8938 1 pattern found
8939 (gdb) print $numfound
8940 $1 = 1
8941 (gdb) print $_
8942 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8943 @end smallexample
8944
8945 @node Optimized Code
8946 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8947 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8948 @cindex debugging optimized code
8949
8950 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8951 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8952 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8953 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8954 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8955 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8956 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8957
8958 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8959 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8960 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8961 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8962
8963 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8964 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8965 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8966 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8967 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8968 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8969
8970 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8971 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8972 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8973 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8974 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8975
8976 @menu
8977 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8978 @end menu
8979
8980 @node Inline Functions
8981 @section Inline Functions
8982 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8983
8984 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8985 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8986 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8987 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8988 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8989 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8990 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8991 @code{info frame} command.
8992
8993 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8994 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8995 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8996 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8997 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8998 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8999 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9000 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9001 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9002 local variables in the caller.
9003
9004 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9005 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9006 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9007 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9008 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9009 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9010 instructions are executed.
9011
9012 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9013 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9014 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9015 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9016
9017 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9018 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9019
9020 @itemize @bullet
9021 @item
9022 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9023 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9024 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9025 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9026 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9027 function instead.
9028
9029 @item
9030 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9031 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9032 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9033 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9034 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9035 or inside the inlined function instead.
9036
9037 @item
9038 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9039 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9040 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9041 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9042
9043 @end itemize
9044
9045
9046 @node Macros
9047 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9048
9049 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9050 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9051 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9052 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9053 where it was defined.
9054
9055 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9056 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9057 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9058 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9059
9060 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9061 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9062 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9063 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9064 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9065 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9066 see @ref{List}.
9067
9068 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9069 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9070 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9071
9072 @table @code
9073
9074 @kindex macro expand
9075 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9076 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9077 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9078 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9079 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9080 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9081 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9082 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9083 it can be any string of tokens.
9084
9085 @kindex macro exp1
9086 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9087 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9088 @cindex expand macro once
9089 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9090 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9091 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9092 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9093 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9094 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9095 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9096 can be any string of tokens.
9097
9098 @kindex info macro
9099 @cindex macro definition, showing
9100 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9101 @item info macro @var{macro}
9102 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9103 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9104
9105 @kindex macro define
9106 @cindex user-defined macros
9107 @cindex defining macros interactively
9108 @cindex macros, user-defined
9109 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9110 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9111 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9112 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9113 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9114 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9115 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9116 @var{arglist}.
9117
9118 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9119 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9120 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9121 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9122 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9123
9124 @kindex macro undef
9125 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9126 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9127 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9128 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9129 in the program being debugged.
9130
9131 @kindex macro list
9132 @item macro list
9133 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9134 @end table
9135
9136 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9137 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9138 show our source files:
9139
9140 @smallexample
9141 $ cat sample.c
9142 #include <stdio.h>
9143 #include "sample.h"
9144
9145 #define M 42
9146 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9147
9148 main ()
9149 @{
9150 #define N 28
9151 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9152 #undef N
9153 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9154 #define N 1729
9155 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9156 @}
9157 $ cat sample.h
9158 #define Q <
9159 $
9160 @end smallexample
9161
9162 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9163 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9164 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9165 information.
9166
9167 @smallexample
9168 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9169 $
9170 @end smallexample
9171
9172 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9173
9174 @smallexample
9175 $ gdb -nw sample
9176 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9177 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9178 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9179 (@value{GDBP})
9180 @end smallexample
9181
9182 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9183 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9184 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9185
9186 @smallexample
9187 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9188 3
9189 4 #define M 42
9190 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9191 6
9192 7 main ()
9193 8 @{
9194 9 #define N 28
9195 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9196 11 #undef N
9197 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9198 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9199 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9200 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9201 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9202 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9203 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9204 #define Q <
9205 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9206 expands to: (42 + 1)
9207 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9208 expands to: once (M + 1)
9209 (@value{GDBP})
9210 @end smallexample
9211
9212 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9213 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9214 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9215 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9216
9217 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9218 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9219
9220 @smallexample
9221 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9222 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9223 (@value{GDBP}) run
9224 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9225
9226 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9227 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9228 (@value{GDBP})
9229 @end smallexample
9230
9231 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9235 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9236 #define N 28
9237 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9238 expands to: 28 < 42
9239 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9240 $1 = 1
9241 (@value{GDBP})
9242 @end smallexample
9243
9244 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9245 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9246 thereof) in force at each point:
9247
9248 @smallexample
9249 (@value{GDBP}) next
9250 Hello, world!
9251 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9252 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9253 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9254 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9255 (@value{GDBP}) next
9256 We're so creative.
9257 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9258 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9259 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9260 #define N 1729
9261 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9262 expands to: 1729 < 42
9263 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9264 $2 = 0
9265 (@value{GDBP})
9266 @end smallexample
9267
9268 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9269 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9270 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9271 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9272
9273 @smallexample
9274 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9275 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9276 -D__STDC__=1
9277 (@value{GDBP})
9278 @end smallexample
9279
9280
9281 @node Tracepoints
9282 @chapter Tracepoints
9283 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9284 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9285
9286 @cindex tracepoints
9287 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9288 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9289 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9290 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9291 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9292 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9293 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9294
9295 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9296 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9297 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9298 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9299 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9300 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9301 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9302 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9303 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9304 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9305 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9306
9307 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9308 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9309 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9310 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9311 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9312 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9313 Packets}.
9314
9315 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9316 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9317 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9318
9319 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9320
9321 @menu
9322 * Set Tracepoints::
9323 * Analyze Collected Data::
9324 * Tracepoint Variables::
9325 * Trace Files::
9326 @end menu
9327
9328 @node Set Tracepoints
9329 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9330
9331 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9332 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9333 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9334 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9335 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9336 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9337 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9338
9339 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9340 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9341 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9342 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9343 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9344 tracepoint was hit.
9345
9346 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9347 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9348 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9349 either.
9350
9351 @cindex fast tracepoints
9352 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9353 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9354 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9355
9356 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9357 conditions and actions.
9358
9359 @menu
9360 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9361 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9362 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9363 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9364 * Trace State Variables::
9365 * Tracepoint Actions::
9366 * Listing Tracepoints::
9367 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9368 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9369 @end menu
9370
9371 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9372 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9373
9374 @table @code
9375 @cindex set tracepoint
9376 @kindex trace
9377 @item trace @var{location}
9378 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9379 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9380 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9381 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9382 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9383 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9384 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9385 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9386 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9387
9388 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9389
9390 @smallexample
9391 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9392
9393 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9394
9395 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9396
9397 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9398
9399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9400 @end smallexample
9401
9402 @noindent
9403 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9404
9405 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9406 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9407 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9408 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9409 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9410 information on tracepoint conditions.
9411
9412 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9413 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9414 @kindex ftrace
9415 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9416 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9417 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9418 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9419 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9420 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9421 message.
9422
9423 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9424 @code{trace}.
9425
9426 @vindex $tpnum
9427 @cindex last tracepoint number
9428 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9429 @cindex tracepoint number
9430 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9431 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9432
9433 @kindex delete tracepoint
9434 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9435 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9436 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9437 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9438 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9439
9440 Examples:
9441
9442 @smallexample
9443 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9444
9445 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9446 @end smallexample
9447
9448 @noindent
9449 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9450 @end table
9451
9452 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9453 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9454
9455 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9456
9457 @table @code
9458 @kindex disable tracepoint
9459 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9460 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9461 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9462 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9463 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9464
9465 @kindex enable tracepoint
9466 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9467 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9468 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9469 run.
9470 @end table
9471
9472 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9473 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9474
9475 @table @code
9476 @kindex passcount
9477 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9478 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9479 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9480 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9481 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9482 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9483 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9484 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9485 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9486 user.
9487
9488 Examples:
9489
9490 @smallexample
9491 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9492 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9493
9494 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9495 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9496 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9497 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9498 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9499 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9500 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9501 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9502 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9503 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9504 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9505 @end smallexample
9506 @end table
9507
9508 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9509 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9510 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9511 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9512
9513 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9514 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9515 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9516 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9517 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9518 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9519 is true.
9520
9521 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9522 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9523 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9524 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9525 just as with breakpoints.
9526
9527 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9528 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9529 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9530 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9531 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9532 accesses, and so forth.
9533
9534 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9535 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9536 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9537 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9538 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9539 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9540 search through.
9541
9542 @smallexample
9543 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9544 @end smallexample
9545
9546 @node Trace State Variables
9547 @subsection Trace State Variables
9548 @cindex trace state variables
9549
9550 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9551 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9552 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9553 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9554 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9555 integers.
9556
9557 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9558 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9559 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9560 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9561
9562 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9563 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9564 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9565 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9566 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9567 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9568 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9569 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9570 variable with the same name.
9571
9572 @table @code
9573
9574 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9575 @kindex tvariable
9576 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9577 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9578 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9579 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9580 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9581 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9582 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9583 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9584 value. The default initial value is 0.
9585
9586 @item info tvariables
9587 @kindex info tvariables
9588 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9589 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9590 currently running.
9591
9592 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9593 @kindex delete tvariable
9594 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9595 are specified.
9596
9597 @end table
9598
9599 @node Tracepoint Actions
9600 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9601
9602 @table @code
9603 @kindex actions
9604 @cindex tracepoint actions
9605 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9606 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9607 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9608 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9609 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9610 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9611 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9612 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9613 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
9614 @code{while-stepping}.
9615
9616 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9617 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9618 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9619
9620 @smallexample
9621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9622
9623 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9624
9625 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9626 @end smallexample
9627
9628 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9629 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9630 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9631 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9632 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
9633 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9634 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
9635 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
9636
9637 @smallexample
9638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9639 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9640 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9641 > collect bar,baz
9642 > collect $regs
9643 > while-stepping 12
9644 > collect $fp, $sp
9645 > end
9646 end
9647 @end smallexample
9648
9649 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9650 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9651 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9652 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9653 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9654 special arguments are supported:
9655
9656 @table @code
9657 @item $regs
9658 collect all registers
9659
9660 @item $args
9661 collect all function arguments
9662
9663 @item $locals
9664 collect all local variables.
9665 @end table
9666
9667 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9668 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9669 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9670
9671 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9672 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9673
9674 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9675 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9676 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9677 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9678 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9679 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9680 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9681 action were used.
9682
9683 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9684 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9685 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
9686 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
9687 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
9688 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
9689
9690 @smallexample
9691 > while-stepping 12
9692 > collect $regs, myglobal
9693 > end
9694 >
9695 @end smallexample
9696
9697 @noindent
9698 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
9699 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
9700 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9701 @code{stepping}.
9702
9703 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9704 @kindex set default-collect
9705 @cindex default collection action
9706 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9707 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9708 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9709 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9710 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9711 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9712
9713 @item show default-collect
9714 @kindex show default-collect
9715 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9716 tracepoint hit.
9717
9718 @end table
9719
9720 @node Listing Tracepoints
9721 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9722
9723 @table @code
9724 @kindex info tracepoints
9725 @kindex info tp
9726 @cindex information about tracepoints
9727 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9728 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9729 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9730 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9731 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9732 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9733
9734 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9735 tracing:
9736
9737 @itemize @bullet
9738 @item
9739 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9740 @item
9741 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9742 @item
9743 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9744 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9745 @end itemize
9746
9747 @smallexample
9748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9749 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9750 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9751 pass count 1200
9752 step count 20
9753 A while-stepping 20
9754 A collect globfoo, $regs
9755 A end
9756 A collect globfoo2
9757 A end
9758 (@value{GDBP})
9759 @end smallexample
9760
9761 @noindent
9762 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9763 @end table
9764
9765 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9766 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9767
9768 @table @code
9769 @kindex tstart
9770 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9771 @cindex collected data discarded
9772 @item tstart
9773 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9774 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9775 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9776 experiment.
9777
9778 @kindex tstop
9779 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9780 @item tstop
9781 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9782 stops collecting data.
9783
9784 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9785 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9786 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9787
9788 @kindex tstatus
9789 @cindex status of trace data collection
9790 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9791 @item tstatus
9792 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9793 collection.
9794 @end table
9795
9796 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9797
9798 @smallexample
9799 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9800 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9801 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9802 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9803 > while-stepping 11
9804 > collect $regs
9805 > end
9806 > end
9807 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9808 [time passes @dots{}]
9809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9810 @end smallexample
9811
9812 @cindex disconnected tracing
9813 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
9814 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
9815 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
9816 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
9817 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
9818 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
9819 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
9820 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
9821
9822 @table @code
9823 @item set disconnected-tracing on
9824 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
9825 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
9826 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
9827 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
9828 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
9829 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
9830 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
9831
9832 @item show disconnected-tracing
9833 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
9834 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
9835
9836 @end table
9837
9838 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
9839 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
9840 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
9841 it will continue after reconnection.
9842
9843 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
9844 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
9845 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
9846 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
9847 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
9848 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
9849 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
9850 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
9851 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
9852 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
9853
9854 @cindex circular trace buffer
9855 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
9856 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
9857 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
9858 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
9859 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
9860 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
9861 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
9862 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
9863 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
9864 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
9865 the next run.
9866
9867 @table @code
9868 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
9869 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
9870 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
9871 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
9872 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
9873 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
9874 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
9875
9876 @item show circular-trace-buffer
9877 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
9878 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
9879 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
9880 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
9881 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
9882
9883 @end table
9884
9885 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
9886 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
9887
9888 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
9889 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
9890 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
9891 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
9892 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
9893 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
9894 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
9895 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
9896 mentioned here.
9897
9898 @itemize @bullet
9899
9900 @item
9901 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
9902 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
9903 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
9904 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
9905 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
9906 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
9907 cannot be collected either.
9908
9909 @item
9910 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
9911 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
9912 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
9913 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
9914 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
9915 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
9916 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
9917 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
9918 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
9919 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
9920
9921 @item
9922 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
9923 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
9924 in a misleading way.
9925
9926 @item
9927 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
9928 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
9929 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
9930 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
9931 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
9932 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
9933 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
9934 by @code{ptr}.
9935
9936 @item
9937 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
9938 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
9939 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
9940 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
9941 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
9942 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
9943 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
9944 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
9945 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
9946 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
9947 invalid address.
9948
9949 @item
9950 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
9951 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
9952 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
9953 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
9954 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
9955 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
9956 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
9957 it to zero.
9958
9959 @end itemize
9960
9961 @node Analyze Collected Data
9962 @section Using the Collected Data
9963
9964 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9965 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9966 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9967 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9968 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9969 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9970 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9971 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9972 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9973 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9974 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9975 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9976 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9977 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9978 the buffer will fail.
9979
9980 @menu
9981 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9982 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9983 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9984 @end menu
9985
9986 @node tfind
9987 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9988
9989 @kindex tfind
9990 @cindex select trace snapshot
9991 @cindex find trace snapshot
9992 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9993 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9994 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9995 snapshot is selected.
9996
9997 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9998
9999 @table @code
10000 @item tfind start
10001 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10002 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10003
10004 @item tfind none
10005 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10006
10007 @item tfind end
10008 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10009
10010 @item tfind
10011 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10012
10013 @item tfind -
10014 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10015 retracing earlier steps.
10016
10017 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10018 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10019 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10020 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10021 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10022
10023 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10024 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10025 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10026 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10027 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10028
10029 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10030 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10031 addresses (exclusive).
10032
10033 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10034 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10035 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10036
10037 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10038 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10039 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10040 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10041 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10042 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10043 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10044 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10045 @end table
10046
10047 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10048 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10049 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10050 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10051 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10052 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10053 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10054 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10055 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10056 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10057 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10058 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10059 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10060 tracepoint as the current one.
10061
10062 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10063 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10064 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10065 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10066 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10067
10068 @smallexample
10069 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10070 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10071 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10072 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10073 > tfind
10074 > end
10075
10076 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10077 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10078 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10079 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10080 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10081 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10082 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10083 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10084 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10085 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10086 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10087 @end smallexample
10088
10089 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10090 the buffer:
10091
10092 @smallexample
10093 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10094 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10095 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10096 > tfind line
10097 > end
10098
10099 Frame 0, X = 1
10100 Frame 7, X = 2
10101 Frame 13, X = 255
10102 @end smallexample
10103
10104 @node tdump
10105 @subsection @code{tdump}
10106 @kindex tdump
10107 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10108 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10109
10110 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10111 the current trace snapshot.
10112
10113 @smallexample
10114 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10115 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10116 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10117 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10118 > end
10119
10120 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10121
10122 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10123 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10124 at gdb_test.c:444
10125 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10126
10127 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10128 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10129 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10130 d1 0x18 24
10131 d2 0x80 128
10132 d3 0x33 51
10133 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10134 d5 0x22 34
10135 d6 0xe0 224
10136 d7 0x380035 3670069
10137 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10138 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10139 a2 0x100 256
10140 a3 0x322000 3284992
10141 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10142 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10143 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10144 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10145 ps 0x0 0
10146 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10147 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10148 fpstatus 0x0 0
10149 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10150 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10151 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10152 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10153 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10154 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10155 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10156 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10157 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10158
10159 (@value{GDBP})
10160 @end smallexample
10161
10162 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10163 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10164 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10165 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10166
10167 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10168 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10169 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10170 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10171 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10172 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10173 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10174 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10175 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10176 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10177
10178 @node save-tracepoints
10179 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
10180 @kindex save-tracepoints
10181 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10182
10183 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10184 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10185 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10186 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10187 Files}).
10188
10189 @node Tracepoint Variables
10190 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10191 @cindex tracepoint variables
10192 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10193
10194 @table @code
10195 @vindex $trace_frame
10196 @item (int) $trace_frame
10197 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10198 snapshot is selected.
10199
10200 @vindex $tracepoint
10201 @item (int) $tracepoint
10202 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10203
10204 @vindex $trace_line
10205 @item (int) $trace_line
10206 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10207
10208 @vindex $trace_file
10209 @item (char []) $trace_file
10210 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10211
10212 @vindex $trace_func
10213 @item (char []) $trace_func
10214 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10215 @end table
10216
10217 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10218 use @code{output} instead.
10219
10220 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10221 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10222 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10223 which are managed by the target.
10224
10225 @smallexample
10226 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10227
10228 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10229 > output $trace_file
10230 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10231 > tfind
10232 > end
10233 @end smallexample
10234
10235 @node Trace Files
10236 @section Using Trace Files
10237 @cindex trace files
10238
10239 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10240 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10241 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10242 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10243 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10244
10245 @table @code
10246
10247 @kindex tsave
10248 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10249 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10250 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10251 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10252 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10253 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10254 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10255 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10256 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10257
10258 @kindex target tfile
10259 @kindex tfile
10260 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10261 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10262 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10263 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10264 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10265 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10266 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10267
10268 @end table
10269
10270 @node Overlays
10271 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10272 @cindex overlays
10273
10274 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10275 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10276 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10277 use overlays.
10278
10279 @menu
10280 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10281 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10282 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10283 mapped by asking the inferior.
10284 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10285 @end menu
10286
10287 @node How Overlays Work
10288 @section How Overlays Work
10289 @cindex mapped overlays
10290 @cindex unmapped overlays
10291 @cindex load address, overlay's
10292 @cindex mapped address
10293 @cindex overlay area
10294
10295 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10296 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10297 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10298 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10299 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10300
10301 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10302 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10303 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10304 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10305 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10306 largest overlay as well.
10307
10308 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10309 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10310 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10311 there.
10312
10313 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10314 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10315 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10316
10317 @smallexample
10318 @group
10319 Data Instruction Larger
10320 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10321 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10322 | | | | | |
10323 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10324 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10325 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10326 | and heap | | | | | |
10327 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10328 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10329 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10330 | | | | | |
10331 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10332 address | | | | | |
10333 | overlay | <-' | | |
10334 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10335 | | <---. | | load address
10336 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10337 | | | |
10338 +-----------+ | |
10339 +-----------+
10340 | |
10341 +-----------+
10342
10343 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10344 @end group
10345 @end smallexample
10346
10347 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10348 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10349 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10350 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10351 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10352 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10353 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10354 program and the overlay area.
10355
10356 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10357 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10358 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10359 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10360 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10361 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10362 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10363
10364 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10365 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10366 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10367
10368 @itemize @bullet
10369
10370 @item
10371 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10372 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10373 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10374 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10375
10376 @item
10377 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10378 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10379 your program's performance.
10380
10381 @item
10382 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10383 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10384 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10385 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10386 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10387 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10388 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10389
10390 @item
10391 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10392 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10393 instruction and data spaces.
10394
10395 @end itemize
10396
10397 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10398 improved in many ways:
10399
10400 @itemize @bullet
10401
10402 @item
10403 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10404 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10405 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10406 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10407 area in the usual way.
10408
10409 @item
10410 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10411 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10412
10413 @item
10414 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10415 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10416 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10417 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10418 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10419 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10420 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10421
10422 @end itemize
10423
10424
10425 @node Overlay Commands
10426 @section Overlay Commands
10427
10428 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10429 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10430 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10431 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10432 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10433 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10434
10435 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10436 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10437
10438 @table @code
10439 @item overlay off
10440 @kindex overlay
10441 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10442 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10443 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10444 overlay support is disabled.
10445
10446 @item overlay manual
10447 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10448 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10449 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10450 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10451 commands described below.
10452
10453 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10454 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10455 @cindex map an overlay
10456 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10457 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10458 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10459 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10460 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10461 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10462
10463 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10464 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10465 @cindex unmap an overlay
10466 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10467 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10468 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10469 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10470
10471 @item overlay auto
10472 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10473 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10474 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10475 Overlay Debugging}.
10476
10477 @item overlay load-target
10478 @itemx overlay load
10479 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10480 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10481 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10482 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10483 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10484 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10485
10486 @item overlay list-overlays
10487 @itemx overlay list
10488 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10489 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10490 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10491
10492 @end table
10493
10494 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10495 of the function the address falls in:
10496
10497 @smallexample
10498 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10499 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10500 @end smallexample
10501 @noindent
10502 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10503 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10504 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10505 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10506
10507 @smallexample
10508 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10509 No sections are mapped.
10510 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10511 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10512 @end smallexample
10513 @noindent
10514 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10515 name normally:
10516
10517 @smallexample
10518 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10519 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10520 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10521 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10522 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10523 @end smallexample
10524
10525 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10526 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10527 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10528 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10529 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10530
10531 @itemize @bullet
10532 @item
10533 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10534 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10535 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10536 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10537 @item
10538 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10539 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10540 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10541 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10542 breakpoints properly.
10543 @end itemize
10544
10545
10546 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10547 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10548 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10549
10550 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10551 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10552 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10553 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10554 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10555 current state of the overlays.
10556
10557 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10558 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10559
10560 @table @asis
10561
10562 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10563 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10564
10565 @smallexample
10566 struct
10567 @{
10568 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10569 unsigned long vma;
10570
10571 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10572 unsigned long size;
10573
10574 /* The overlay's load address. */
10575 unsigned long lma;
10576
10577 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10578 zero otherwise. */
10579 unsigned long mapped;
10580 @}
10581 @end smallexample
10582
10583 @item @code{_novlys}:
10584 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10585 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10586
10587 @end table
10588
10589 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10590 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10591 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10592 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10593 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10594 currently mapped.
10595
10596 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10597 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10598 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10599 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10600 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10601 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10602 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10603 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10604 are not being executed.
10605
10606 @node Overlay Sample Program
10607 @section Overlay Sample Program
10608 @cindex overlay example program
10609
10610 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10611 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10612 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10613 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10614 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10615 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10616 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10617
10618 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10619 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10620 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10621 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10622
10623 @table @file
10624 @item overlays.c
10625 The main program file.
10626 @item ovlymgr.c
10627 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10628 @item foo.c
10629 @itemx bar.c
10630 @itemx baz.c
10631 @itemx grbx.c
10632 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10633 @item d10v.ld
10634 @itemx m32r.ld
10635 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10636 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10637 @end table
10638
10639 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10640 cross-compiler like this:
10641
10642 @smallexample
10643 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10644 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10645 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10646 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10647 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10648 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10649 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10650 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10651 @end smallexample
10652
10653 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10654 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10655 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10656
10657
10658 @node Languages
10659 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10660 @cindex languages
10661
10662 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10663 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10664 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10665 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10666 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10667 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10668
10669 @cindex working language
10670 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10671 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10672 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10673 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10674 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10675 language}.
10676
10677 @menu
10678 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10679 * Show:: Displaying the language
10680 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10681 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10682 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10683 @end menu
10684
10685 @node Setting
10686 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10687
10688 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10689 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10690 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10691 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10692 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10693 are printed, etc.
10694
10695 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10696 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10697 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10698 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10699 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10700 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10701 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10702 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10703 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10704 Displaying the Language}.
10705
10706 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10707 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10708 another language. In that case, make the
10709 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10710 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10711 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10712
10713 @menu
10714 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10715 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10716 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10717 @end menu
10718
10719 @node Filenames
10720 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10721
10722 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10723 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10724
10725 @table @file
10726 @item .ada
10727 @itemx .ads
10728 @itemx .adb
10729 @itemx .a
10730 Ada source file.
10731
10732 @item .c
10733 C source file
10734
10735 @item .C
10736 @itemx .cc
10737 @itemx .cp
10738 @itemx .cpp
10739 @itemx .cxx
10740 @itemx .c++
10741 C@t{++} source file
10742
10743 @item .m
10744 Objective-C source file
10745
10746 @item .f
10747 @itemx .F
10748 Fortran source file
10749
10750 @item .mod
10751 Modula-2 source file
10752
10753 @item .s
10754 @itemx .S
10755 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10756 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10757 @end table
10758
10759 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10760 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10761
10762 @node Manually
10763 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10764
10765 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10766 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10767 your program.
10768
10769 @kindex set language
10770 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10771 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10772 a language, such as
10773 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10774 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10775
10776 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10777 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10778 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10779 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10780 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10781 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10782 command such as:
10783
10784 @smallexample
10785 print a = b + c
10786 @end smallexample
10787
10788 @noindent
10789 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10790 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10791 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10792 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10793
10794 @node Automatically
10795 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10796
10797 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10798 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10799 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10800 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10801 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10802 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10803 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10804 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10805 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10806
10807 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10808 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10809 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10810 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10811 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10812
10813 @node Show
10814 @section Displaying the Language
10815
10816 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10817 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10818
10819 @table @code
10820 @item show language
10821 @kindex show language
10822 Display the current working language. This is the
10823 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10824 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10825
10826 @item info frame
10827 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10828 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10829 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10830 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10831 information listed here.
10832
10833 @item info source
10834 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10835 Display the source language of this source file.
10836 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10837 information listed here.
10838 @end table
10839
10840 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10841 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10842 with a language explicitly:
10843
10844 @table @code
10845 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10846 @kindex set extension-language
10847 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10848 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10849
10850 @item info extensions
10851 @kindex info extensions
10852 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10853 @end table
10854
10855 @node Checks
10856 @section Type and Range Checking
10857
10858 @quotation
10859 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10860 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10861 section documents the intended facilities.
10862 @end quotation
10863 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10864
10865 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10866 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10867 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10868 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10869 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10870 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10871 errors when your program is running.
10872
10873 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10874 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10875 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10876 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10877 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10878 automatically based on your program's source language.
10879 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10880 settings of supported languages.
10881
10882 @menu
10883 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10884 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10885 @end menu
10886
10887 @cindex type checking
10888 @cindex checks, type
10889 @node Type Checking
10890 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10891
10892 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10893 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10894 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10895 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10896
10897 @smallexample
10898 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10899 @exdent but
10900 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10901 @end smallexample
10902
10903 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10904 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10905
10906 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10907 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10908 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10909 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10910 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10911 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10912 also issues a warning.
10913
10914 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10915 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10916 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10917 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10918 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10919 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10920
10921 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10922 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10923 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10924 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10925 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10926 details on specific languages.
10927
10928 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10929
10930 @kindex set check type
10931 @kindex show check type
10932 @table @code
10933 @item set check type auto
10934 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10935 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10936 each language.
10937
10938 @item set check type on
10939 @itemx set check type off
10940 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10941 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10942 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10943 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10944 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10945
10946 @item set check type warn
10947 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10948 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10949 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10950 numbers and structures.
10951
10952 @item show type
10953 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10954 is setting it automatically.
10955 @end table
10956
10957 @cindex range checking
10958 @cindex checks, range
10959 @node Range Checking
10960 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10961
10962 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10963 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10964 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10965 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10966 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10967
10968 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10969 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10970 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10971 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10972
10973 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10974 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10975 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10976 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10977 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10978 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10979
10980 @smallexample
10981 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10982 @end smallexample
10983
10984 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10985 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10986 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10987
10988 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10989
10990 @kindex set check range
10991 @kindex show check range
10992 @table @code
10993 @item set check range auto
10994 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10995 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10996 each language.
10997
10998 @item set check range on
10999 @itemx set check range off
11000 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11001 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11002 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11003 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11004
11005 @item set check range warn
11006 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11007 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11008 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11009 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11010 systems).
11011
11012 @item show range
11013 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11014 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11015 @end table
11016
11017 @node Supported Languages
11018 @section Supported Languages
11019
11020 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
11021 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11022 @c This is false ...
11023 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11024 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11025 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11026 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11027 language.
11028
11029 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11030 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11031 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11032 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11033 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11034 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11035 language reference or tutorial.
11036
11037 @menu
11038 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11039 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11040 * Fortran:: Fortran
11041 * Pascal:: Pascal
11042 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11043 * Ada:: Ada
11044 @end menu
11045
11046 @node C
11047 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11048
11049 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11050 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11051
11052 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11053 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11054 together.
11055
11056 @cindex C@t{++}
11057 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11058 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11059 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11060 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11061 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11062 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11063 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11064
11065 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11066 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11067 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11068 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11069 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11070 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11071
11072 @menu
11073 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11074 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11075 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11076 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11077 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11078 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11079 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11080 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11081 @end menu
11082
11083 @node C Operators
11084 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11085
11086 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11087
11088 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11089 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11090 often defined on groups of types.
11091
11092 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11093
11094 @itemize @bullet
11095
11096 @item
11097 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11098 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11099
11100 @item
11101 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11102 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11103
11104 @item
11105 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11106
11107 @item
11108 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11109
11110 @end itemize
11111
11112 @noindent
11113 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11114 in order of increasing precedence:
11115
11116 @table @code
11117 @item ,
11118 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11119 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11120 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11121
11122 @item =
11123 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11124 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11125
11126 @item @var{op}=
11127 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11128 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11129 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11130 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11131 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11132
11133 @item ?:
11134 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11135 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11136 integral type.
11137
11138 @item ||
11139 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11140
11141 @item &&
11142 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11143
11144 @item |
11145 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11146
11147 @item ^
11148 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11149
11150 @item &
11151 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11152
11153 @item ==@r{, }!=
11154 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11155 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11156
11157 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11158 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11159 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11160 and non-zero for true.
11161
11162 @item <<@r{, }>>
11163 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11164
11165 @item @@
11166 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11167
11168 @item +@r{, }-
11169 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11170 pointer types.
11171
11172 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11173 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11174 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11175 integral types.
11176
11177 @item ++@r{, }--
11178 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11179 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11180 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11181 operation takes place.
11182
11183 @item *
11184 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11185 @code{++}.
11186
11187 @item &
11188 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11189
11190 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11191 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11192 to examine the address
11193 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11194 stored.
11195
11196 @item -
11197 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11198 precedence as @code{++}.
11199
11200 @item !
11201 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11202 @code{++}.
11203
11204 @item ~
11205 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11206 @code{++}.
11207
11208
11209 @item .@r{, }->
11210 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11211 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11212 pointer based on the stored type information.
11213 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11214
11215 @item .*@r{, }->*
11216 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11217
11218 @item []
11219 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11220 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11221
11222 @item ()
11223 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11224
11225 @item ::
11226 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11227 and @code{class} types.
11228
11229 @item ::
11230 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11231 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11232 above.
11233 @end table
11234
11235 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11236 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11237 predefined meaning.
11238
11239 @node C Constants
11240 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11241
11242 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11243
11244 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11245 following ways:
11246
11247 @itemize @bullet
11248 @item
11249 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11250 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11251 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11252 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11253 @code{long} value.
11254
11255 @item
11256 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11257 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11258 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11259 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11260 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11261 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11262 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11263 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11264 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11265 constant.
11266
11267 @item
11268 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11269 integral equivalents.
11270
11271 @item
11272 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11273 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11274 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11275 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11276 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11277 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11278 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11279 @samp{\n} for newline.
11280
11281 @item
11282 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11283 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11284 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11285 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11286 characters.
11287
11288 @item
11289 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11290 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11291
11292 @item
11293 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11294 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11295 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11296 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11297 @end itemize
11298
11299 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11300 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11301
11302 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11303 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11304
11305 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11306 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11307 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11308 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11309 @quotation
11310 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11311 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11312 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11313 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11314 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11315 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11316 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11317 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11318 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11319 C@t{++} code.
11320 @end quotation
11321
11322 @enumerate
11323
11324 @cindex member functions
11325 @item
11326 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11327
11328 @smallexample
11329 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11330 @end smallexample
11331
11332 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11333 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11334 @item
11335 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11336 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11337 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11338 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11339
11340 @cindex call overloaded functions
11341 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11342 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11343 @item
11344 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11345 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11346 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11347 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11348 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11349 default arguments.
11350
11351 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11352 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11353 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11354 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11355 number of function arguments.
11356
11357 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11358 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11359 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11360
11361 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11362 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11363 @smallexample
11364 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11365 @end smallexample
11366
11367 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11368 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11369
11370 @cindex reference declarations
11371 @item
11372 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11373 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11374 dereferenced.
11375
11376 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11377 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11378 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11379 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11380 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11381
11382 @item
11383 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11384 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11385 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11386 necessary, for example in an expression like
11387 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11388 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11389 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11390 @end enumerate
11391
11392 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11393 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11394 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11395 invoking user-defined operators.
11396
11397 @node C Defaults
11398 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11399
11400 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11401
11402 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11403 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11404 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11405 selects the working language.
11406
11407 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11408 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11409 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11410 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11411 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11412 for further details.
11413
11414 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11415 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11416 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11417
11418 @node C Checks
11419 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11420
11421 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11422
11423 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11424 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11425 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11426
11427 @itemize @bullet
11428 @item
11429 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11430 enumerated tag.
11431
11432 @item
11433 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11434 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11435
11436 @ignore
11437 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11438 @c FIXME--beers?
11439 @item
11440 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11441 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11442 compilers.)
11443 @end ignore
11444 @end itemize
11445
11446 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11447 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11448 that is not itself an array.
11449
11450 @node Debugging C
11451 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11452
11453 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11454 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11455 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11456 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11457
11458 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11459 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11460 ,Expressions}.
11461
11462 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11463 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11464
11465 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11466
11467 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11468 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11469
11470 @table @code
11471 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11472 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11473 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11474 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11475 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11476 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11477
11478 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11479 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11480 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11481 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11482 classes.
11483 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11484
11485 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11486 @item catch throw
11487 @itemx catch catch
11488 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11489 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11490
11491 @cindex inheritance
11492 @item ptype @var{typename}
11493 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11494 @var{typename}.
11495 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11496
11497 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11498 @item set print demangle
11499 @itemx show print demangle
11500 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11501 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11502 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11503 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11504 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11505
11506 @item set print object
11507 @itemx show print object
11508 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11509 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11510
11511 @item set print vtbl
11512 @itemx show print vtbl
11513 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11514 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11515 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11516 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11517
11518 @kindex set overload-resolution
11519 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11520 @item set overload-resolution on
11521 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11522 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11523 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11524 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11525 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11526 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11527
11528 @item set overload-resolution off
11529 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11530 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11531 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11532 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11533 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11534 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11535 argument types.
11536
11537 @kindex show overload-resolution
11538 @item show overload-resolution
11539 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11540
11541 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11542 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11543 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11544 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11545 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11546 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11547 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11548 @end table
11549
11550 @node Decimal Floating Point
11551 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11552 @cindex decimal floating point format
11553
11554 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11555 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11556 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11557 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11558
11559 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11560 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11561 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11562 target.
11563
11564 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11565 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11566 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11567
11568 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11569 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11570 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11571
11572 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11573 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11574 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11575
11576 @node Objective-C
11577 @subsection Objective-C
11578
11579 @cindex Objective-C
11580 This section provides information about some commands and command
11581 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11582 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11583 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11584
11585 @menu
11586 * Method Names in Commands::
11587 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11588 @end menu
11589
11590 @node Method Names in Commands
11591 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11592
11593 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11594 names as line specifications:
11595
11596 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11597 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11598 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11599 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11600 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11601 @itemize
11602 @item @code{clear}
11603 @item @code{break}
11604 @item @code{info line}
11605 @item @code{jump}
11606 @item @code{list}
11607 @end itemize
11608
11609 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11610
11611 @smallexample
11612 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11613 @end smallexample
11614
11615 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11616 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11617 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11618 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11619 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11620 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11621 debugged, enter:
11622
11623 @smallexample
11624 break -[Fruit create]
11625 @end smallexample
11626
11627 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11628 enter:
11629
11630 @smallexample
11631 list +[NSText initialize]
11632 @end smallexample
11633
11634 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11635 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11636 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11637 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11638
11639 @smallexample
11640 break create
11641 @end smallexample
11642
11643 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11644 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11645 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11646 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11647 none apply.
11648
11649 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11650 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11651
11652 @smallexample
11653 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11654 @end smallexample
11655
11656 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11657 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11658 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11659 @kindex print-object
11660 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11661
11662 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11663
11664 @smallexample
11665 print -[@var{object} hash]
11666 @end smallexample
11667
11668 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11669 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11670 @noindent
11671 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11672 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11673 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11674 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11675 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11676 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11677
11678 @node Fortran
11679 @subsection Fortran
11680 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11681
11682 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11683 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11684
11685 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11686 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11687 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11688 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11689 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11690 underscore.
11691
11692 @menu
11693 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11694 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11695 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11696 @end menu
11697
11698 @node Fortran Operators
11699 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11700
11701 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11702
11703 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11704 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11705 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11706
11707 @table @code
11708 @item **
11709 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11710 of the second one.
11711
11712 @item :
11713 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11714 represent a section of array.
11715
11716 @item %
11717 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11718 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11719 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11720 union type.
11721 @end table
11722
11723 @node Fortran Defaults
11724 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11725
11726 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11727
11728 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11729 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11730 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11731 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11732
11733 @node Special Fortran Commands
11734 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11735
11736 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11737
11738 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11739 such as displaying common blocks.
11740
11741 @table @code
11742 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11743 @kindex info common
11744 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11745 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11746 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11747 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11748 printed.
11749 @end table
11750
11751 @node Pascal
11752 @subsection Pascal
11753
11754 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11755 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11756 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11757 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11758 syntax.
11759
11760 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11761 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11762 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11763
11764 @node Modula-2
11765 @subsection Modula-2
11766
11767 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11768
11769 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11770 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11771 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11772 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11773 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11774 table.
11775
11776 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11777 @menu
11778 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11779 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11780 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11781 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11782 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11783 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11784 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11785 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11786 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11787 @end menu
11788
11789 @node M2 Operators
11790 @subsubsection Operators
11791 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11792
11793 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11794 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11795 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11796 following definitions hold:
11797
11798 @itemize @bullet
11799
11800 @item
11801 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11802 their subranges.
11803
11804 @item
11805 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11806
11807 @item
11808 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11809
11810 @item
11811 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11812 @var{type}}.
11813
11814 @item
11815 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11816
11817 @item
11818 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11819
11820 @item
11821 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11822 @end itemize
11823
11824 @noindent
11825 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11826 increasing precedence:
11827
11828 @table @code
11829 @item ,
11830 Function argument or array index separator.
11831
11832 @item :=
11833 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11834 @var{value}.
11835
11836 @item <@r{, }>
11837 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11838 types.
11839
11840 @item <=@r{, }>=
11841 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11842 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11843 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11844
11845 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11846 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11847 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11848 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11849 comment character.
11850
11851 @item IN
11852 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11853 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11854
11855 @item OR
11856 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11857
11858 @item AND@r{, }&
11859 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11860
11861 @item @@
11862 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11863
11864 @item +@r{, }-
11865 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11866 and difference on set types.
11867
11868 @item *
11869 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11870 on set types.
11871
11872 @item /
11873 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11874 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11875
11876 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11877 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11878 precedence as @code{*}.
11879
11880 @item -
11881 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11882
11883 @item ^
11884 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11885
11886 @item NOT
11887 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11888 @code{^}.
11889
11890 @item .
11891 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11892 precedence as @code{^}.
11893
11894 @item []
11895 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11896
11897 @item ()
11898 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11899 as @code{^}.
11900
11901 @item ::@r{, }.
11902 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11903 @end table
11904
11905 @quotation
11906 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11907 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11908 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11909 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11910 @end quotation
11911
11912
11913 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11914 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11915 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11916
11917 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11918 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11919
11920 @table @var
11921
11922 @item a
11923 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11924
11925 @item c
11926 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11927
11928 @item i
11929 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11930
11931 @item m
11932 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11933 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11934 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11935
11936 @item n
11937 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11938
11939 @item r
11940 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11941
11942 @item t
11943 represents a type.
11944
11945 @item v
11946 represents a variable.
11947
11948 @item x
11949 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11950 explanation of the function for details.
11951 @end table
11952
11953 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11954
11955 @table @code
11956 @item ABS(@var{n})
11957 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11958
11959 @item CAP(@var{c})
11960 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11961 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11962
11963 @item CHR(@var{i})
11964 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11965
11966 @item DEC(@var{v})
11967 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11968
11969 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11970 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11971 new value.
11972
11973 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11974 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11975 set.
11976
11977 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11978 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11979
11980 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11981 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11982
11983 @item INC(@var{v})
11984 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11985
11986 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11987 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11988 new value.
11989
11990 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11991 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11992 there. Returns the new set.
11993
11994 @item MAX(@var{t})
11995 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11996
11997 @item MIN(@var{t})
11998 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11999
12000 @item ODD(@var{i})
12001 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12002
12003 @item ORD(@var{x})
12004 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12005 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12006 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12007 integral, character and enumerated types.
12008
12009 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12010 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12011
12012 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12013 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12014
12015 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12016 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12017
12018 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12019 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12020 @end table
12021
12022 @quotation
12023 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12024 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12025 an error.
12026 @end quotation
12027
12028 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12029 @node M2 Constants
12030 @subsubsection Constants
12031
12032 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12033 ways:
12034
12035 @itemize @bullet
12036
12037 @item
12038 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12039 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12040 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12041 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12042
12043 @item
12044 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12045 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12046 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12047 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12048 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12049 digits.
12050
12051 @item
12052 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12053 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12054 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12055 followed by a @samp{C}.
12056
12057 @item
12058 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12059 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12060 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12061 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12062 sequences.
12063
12064 @item
12065 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12066
12067 @item
12068 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12069 @code{FALSE}.
12070
12071 @item
12072 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12073
12074 @item
12075 Set constants are not yet supported.
12076 @end itemize
12077
12078 @node M2 Types
12079 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12080 @cindex Modula-2 types
12081
12082 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12083 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12084 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12085 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12086 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12087 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12088
12089 The first example contains the following section of code:
12090
12091 @smallexample
12092 VAR
12093 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12094 r: [20..40] ;
12095 @end smallexample
12096
12097 @noindent
12098 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12099 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12100
12101 @smallexample
12102 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12103 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12104 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12105 SET OF CHAR
12106 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12107 21
12108 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12109 [20..40]
12110 @end smallexample
12111
12112 @noindent
12113 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12114
12115 @smallexample
12116 VAR
12117 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12118 @end smallexample
12119
12120 @noindent
12121 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12122
12123 @smallexample
12124 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12125 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12126 @end smallexample
12127
12128 @noindent
12129 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12130 expressions using the debugger.
12131
12132 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12133 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12134
12135 @smallexample
12136 VAR
12137 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12138 @end smallexample
12139
12140 @smallexample
12141 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12142 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12143 @end smallexample
12144
12145 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12146 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12147 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12148 above.
12149
12150 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12151
12152 @smallexample
12153 TYPE
12154 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12155 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12156 VAR
12157 s: t ;
12158 BEGIN
12159 s := blue ;
12160 @end smallexample
12161
12162 @noindent
12163 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12164 and value of a variable.
12165
12166 @smallexample
12167 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12168 $1 = blue
12169 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12170 type = [blue..yellow]
12171 @end smallexample
12172
12173 @noindent
12174 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12175 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12176 their @code{C} counterparts.
12177
12178 @smallexample
12179 VAR
12180 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12181 BEGIN
12182 s[1] := 1 ;
12183 @end smallexample
12184
12185 @smallexample
12186 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12187 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12188 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12189 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12190 @end smallexample
12191
12192 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12193 pointer types as shown in this example:
12194
12195 @smallexample
12196 VAR
12197 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12198 BEGIN
12199 NEW(s) ;
12200 s^[1] := 1 ;
12201 @end smallexample
12202
12203 @noindent
12204 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12205
12206 @smallexample
12207 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12208 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12209 @end smallexample
12210
12211 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12212 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12213 types:
12214
12215 @smallexample
12216 TYPE
12217 foo = RECORD
12218 f1: CARDINAL ;
12219 f2: CHAR ;
12220 f3: myarray ;
12221 END ;
12222
12223 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12224 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12225 VAR
12226 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12227 @end smallexample
12228
12229 @noindent
12230 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12231 below.
12232
12233 @smallexample
12234 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12235 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12236 f1 : CARDINAL;
12237 f2 : CHAR;
12238 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12239 END
12240 @end smallexample
12241
12242 @node M2 Defaults
12243 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12244 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12245
12246 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12247 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12248 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12249 selected the working language.
12250
12251 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12252 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12253 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12254 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12255
12256 @node Deviations
12257 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12258 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12259
12260 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12261 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12262
12263 @itemize @bullet
12264 @item
12265 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12266 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12267 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12268 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12269 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12270 returned a pointer.)
12271
12272 @item
12273 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12274 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12275 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12276 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12277
12278 @item
12279 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12280 argument.
12281
12282 @item
12283 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12284 @end itemize
12285
12286 @node M2 Checks
12287 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12288 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12289
12290 @quotation
12291 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12292 range checking.
12293 @end quotation
12294 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12295
12296 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12297
12298 @itemize @bullet
12299 @item
12300 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12301 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12302
12303 @item
12304 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12305 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12306 @end itemize
12307
12308 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12309 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12310
12311 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12312 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12313
12314 @node M2 Scope
12315 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12316 @cindex scope
12317 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12318 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12319 @ifinfo
12320 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12321 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12322 @end ifinfo
12323 @ifnotinfo
12324 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12325 @end ifnotinfo
12326
12327 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12328 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12329 similar syntax:
12330
12331 @smallexample
12332
12333 @var{module} . @var{id}
12334 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12335 @end smallexample
12336
12337 @noindent
12338 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12339 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12340 identifier within your program, except another module.
12341
12342 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12343 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12344 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12345 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12346
12347 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12348 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12349 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12350 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12351 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12352 @var{module}.
12353
12354 @node GDB/M2
12355 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12356
12357 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12358 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12359 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12360 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12361 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12362 analogue in Modula-2.
12363
12364 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12365 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12366 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12367 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12368 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12369 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12370
12371 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12372 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12373 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12374
12375 @node Ada
12376 @subsection Ada
12377 @cindex Ada
12378
12379 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12380 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12381 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12382 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12383 to be difficult.
12384
12385
12386 @cindex expressions in Ada
12387 @menu
12388 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12389 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12390 in @value{GDBN}.
12391 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12392 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12393 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12394 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12395 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12396 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12397 @end menu
12398
12399 @node Ada Mode Intro
12400 @subsubsection Introduction
12401 @cindex Ada mode, general
12402
12403 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12404 syntax, with some extensions.
12405 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12406
12407 @itemize @bullet
12408 @item
12409 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12410 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12411 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12412 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12413
12414 @item
12415 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12416 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12417
12418 @item
12419 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12420 @end itemize
12421
12422 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12423 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12424 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12425 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12426 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12427
12428 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12429 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12430 was translated from an Ada source file.
12431
12432 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12433 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12434 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12435 middle (to allow based literals).
12436
12437 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12438 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12439 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12440 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12441 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12442 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12443
12444 @node Omissions from Ada
12445 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12446 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12447
12448 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12449
12450 @itemize @bullet
12451 @item
12452 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12453
12454 @itemize @minus
12455 @item
12456 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12457 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12458
12459 @item
12460 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12461
12462 @item
12463 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12464
12465 @item
12466 @t{'Tag}.
12467
12468 @item
12469 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12470 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12471
12472 @item
12473 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12474 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12475
12476 @item
12477 @t{'Address}.
12478 @end itemize
12479
12480 @item
12481 The names in
12482 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12483 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12484 not currently available.
12485
12486 @item
12487 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12488 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12489 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12490 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12491 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12492 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12493 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12494 indeterminate values.
12495
12496 @item
12497 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12498 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12499 are not implemented.
12500
12501 @item
12502 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12503 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12504 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12505 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12506 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12507
12508 @smallexample
12509 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12510 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12511 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12512 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12513 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12514 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12515 @end smallexample
12516
12517 Changing a
12518 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12519 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12520 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12521 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12522 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12523 declared to have a type such as:
12524
12525 @smallexample
12526 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12527 Id : Integer;
12528 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12529 end record;
12530 @end smallexample
12531
12532 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12533 assignments:
12534
12535 @smallexample
12536 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12537 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12538 @end smallexample
12539
12540 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12541 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12542 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12543 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12544 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12545 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12546 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12547 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12548
12549 @item
12550 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12551
12552 @item
12553 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12554 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12555 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12556 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12557 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12558 the proper resolution.
12559
12560 @item
12561 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12562
12563 @item
12564 Entry calls are not implemented.
12565
12566 @item
12567 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12568 formats are not supported.
12569
12570 @item
12571 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12572
12573 @item
12574 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12575 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12576 context.
12577 Should your program
12578 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12579 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12580 @end itemize
12581
12582 @node Additions to Ada
12583 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12584 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12585
12586 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12587 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12588
12589 @itemize @bullet
12590 @item
12591 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12592 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12593 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12594 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12595 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12596 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12597 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12598 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12599
12600 @item
12601 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12602 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12603 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12604
12605 @item
12606 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12607 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12608
12609 @item
12610 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12611 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12612 @end itemize
12613
12614 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12615 additions specific to Ada:
12616
12617 @itemize @bullet
12618 @item
12619 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12620 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12621
12622 @smallexample
12623 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12624 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12625 @end smallexample
12626
12627 @item
12628 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12629 the value of its right-hand operand.
12630 This allows, for example,
12631 complex conditional breaks:
12632
12633 @smallexample
12634 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12635 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12636 @end smallexample
12637
12638 @item
12639 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12640 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12641 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12642 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12643 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12644 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12645 in strings. For example,
12646 @smallexample
12647 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12648 @end smallexample
12649 @noindent
12650 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12651 after each period.
12652
12653 @item
12654 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12655 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12656 to write
12657
12658 @smallexample
12659 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12660 @end smallexample
12661
12662 @item
12663 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12664 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12665 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12666 of 3 might print as
12667
12668 @smallexample
12669 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12670 @end smallexample
12671
12672 @noindent
12673 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12674 clause.
12675
12676 @item
12677 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12678 multi-character subsequence of
12679 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12680 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12681 in place of @t{a'length}.
12682
12683 @item
12684 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12685 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12686 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12687 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12688 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12689 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12690 For example,
12691 @smallexample
12692 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12693 @end smallexample
12694
12695 @item
12696 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12697 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12698 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12699 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12700 object.
12701
12702 @end itemize
12703
12704 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12705 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12706
12707 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12708 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12709 before reaching the main procedure.
12710 As defined in the Ada Reference
12711 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12712 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12713 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12714 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12715
12716 @node Ada Tasks
12717 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12718 @cindex Ada, tasking
12719
12720 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12721 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12722
12723 @table @code
12724 @kindex info tasks
12725 @item info tasks
12726 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12727
12728
12729 @smallexample
12730 @iftex
12731 @leftskip=0.5cm
12732 @end iftex
12733 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12734 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12735 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12736 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12737 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12738 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12739
12740 @end smallexample
12741
12742 @noindent
12743 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12744 task currently being inspected.
12745
12746 @table @asis
12747 @item ID
12748 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12749
12750 @item TID
12751 The Ada task ID.
12752
12753 @item P-ID
12754 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12755
12756 @item Pri
12757 The base priority of the task.
12758
12759 @item State
12760 Current state of the task.
12761
12762 @table @code
12763 @item Unactivated
12764 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12765 executing.
12766
12767 @item Runnable
12768 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12769 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12770
12771 @item Terminated
12772 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12773 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12774 terminated themselves.
12775
12776 @item Child Activation Wait
12777 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12778
12779 @item Accept Statement
12780 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12781
12782 @item Waiting on entry call
12783 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12784
12785 @item Async Select Wait
12786 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12787 select statement.
12788
12789 @item Delay Sleep
12790 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12791 alternative open.
12792
12793 @item Child Termination Wait
12794 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12795 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12796 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12797
12798 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12799 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12800 finish terminating.
12801
12802 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12803 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12804 @end table
12805
12806 @item Name
12807 Name of the task in the program.
12808
12809 @end table
12810
12811 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12812 @item info task @var{taskno}
12813 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12814 the following example:
12815 @smallexample
12816 @iftex
12817 @leftskip=0.5cm
12818 @end iftex
12819 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12820 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12821 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12822 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12823 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12824 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12825 Name: task_1
12826 Thread: 0x807f378
12827 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12828 Base Priority: 15
12829 State: Runnable
12830 @end smallexample
12831
12832 @item task
12833 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12834 @cindex current Ada task ID
12835 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12836
12837 @smallexample
12838 @iftex
12839 @leftskip=0.5cm
12840 @end iftex
12841 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12842 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12843 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12844 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12845 (@value{GDBP}) task
12846 [Current task is 2]
12847 @end smallexample
12848
12849 @item task @var{taskno}
12850 @cindex Ada task switching
12851 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12852 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12853 from the current task to the given task.
12854
12855 @smallexample
12856 @iftex
12857 @leftskip=0.5cm
12858 @end iftex
12859 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12860 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12861 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12862 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12863 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12864 [Switching to task 1]
12865 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12866 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12867 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12868 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12869 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12870 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12871 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12872 @end smallexample
12873
12874 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12875 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12876 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12877 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12878 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12879 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12880 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12881 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12882 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12883
12884 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12885 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12886 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12887 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12888 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12889
12890 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12891 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12892 program.
12893
12894 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12895 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12896 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12897
12898 For example,
12899
12900 @smallexample
12901 @iftex
12902 @leftskip=0.5cm
12903 @end iftex
12904 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12905 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12906 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12907 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12908 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12909 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12910 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12911 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12912 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12913 Continuing.
12914 task # 1 running
12915 task # 2 running
12916
12917 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12918 15 flush;
12919 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12920 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12921 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12922 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12923 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12924 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12925 @end smallexample
12926 @end table
12927
12928 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12929 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12930 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12931
12932 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12933 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12934 the platform being used.
12935 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12936 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12937 as usual.
12938
12939 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12940 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12941 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12942 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12943 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12944 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12945
12946 @node Ada Glitches
12947 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12948 @cindex Ada, problems
12949
12950 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12951 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12952 @value{GDBN},
12953 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12954 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12955
12956 @itemize @bullet
12957 @item
12958 Currently, the debugger
12959 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12960 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12961 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12962 to get it printed properly.
12963
12964 @item
12965 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12966 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12967
12968 @item
12969 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12970 argument lists are treated as positional).
12971
12972 @item
12973 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12974
12975 @item
12976 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12977 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12978 the host machine.
12979
12980 @item
12981 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12982 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12983 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12984 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12985 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12986 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12987 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12988 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12989 you can usually resolve the confusion
12990 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12991 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12992 @end itemize
12993
12994 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
12995 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
12996 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
12997 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
12998 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
12999 enabled.
13000
13001 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13002 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13003 @table @code
13004
13005 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13006 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13007 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13008 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13009 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13010 This is the default.
13011
13012 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13013 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13014 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13015 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13016 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13017 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13018 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13019
13020 @end table
13021
13022 @node Unsupported Languages
13023 @section Unsupported Languages
13024
13025 @cindex unsupported languages
13026 @cindex minimal language
13027 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13028 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13029 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13030 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13031 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13032 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13033
13034 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13035 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13036 language.
13037
13038 @node Symbols
13039 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13040
13041 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13042 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13043 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13044 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13045 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13046 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13047 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13048
13049 @cindex symbol names
13050 @cindex names of symbols
13051 @cindex quoting names
13052 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13053 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13054 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13055 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13056 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13057 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13058 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13059 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13060
13061 @smallexample
13062 p 'foo.c'::x
13063 @end smallexample
13064
13065 @noindent
13066 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13067
13068 @table @code
13069 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13070 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13071 @kindex set case-sensitive
13072 @item set case-sensitive on
13073 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13074 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13075 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13076 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13077 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13078 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13079 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13080 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13081 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13082 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13083 case-insensitive matches.
13084
13085 @kindex show case-sensitive
13086 @item show case-sensitive
13087 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13088 lookups.
13089
13090 @kindex info address
13091 @cindex address of a symbol
13092 @item info address @var{symbol}
13093 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13094 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13095 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13096 is always stored.
13097
13098 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13099 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13100 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13101
13102 @kindex info symbol
13103 @cindex symbol from address
13104 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13105 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13106 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13107 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13108 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13109
13110 @smallexample
13111 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13112 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13113 @end smallexample
13114
13115 @noindent
13116 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13117 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13118
13119 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13120 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13121
13122 @smallexample
13123 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13124 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13125 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13126 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13127 @end smallexample
13128
13129 @kindex whatis
13130 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13131 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13132 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13133 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13134 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13135 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13136 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13137 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13138 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13139 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13140 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13141
13142 @kindex ptype
13143 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13144 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13145 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13146 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13147
13148 For example, for this variable declaration:
13149
13150 @smallexample
13151 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13152 @end smallexample
13153
13154 @noindent
13155 the two commands give this output:
13156
13157 @smallexample
13158 @group
13159 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13160 type = struct complex
13161 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13162 type = struct complex @{
13163 double real;
13164 double imag;
13165 @}
13166 @end group
13167 @end smallexample
13168
13169 @noindent
13170 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13171 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13172
13173 @cindex incomplete type
13174 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13175 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13176 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13177 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13178 given these declarations:
13179
13180 @smallexample
13181 struct foo;
13182 struct foo *fooptr;
13183 @end smallexample
13184
13185 @noindent
13186 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13187
13188 @smallexample
13189 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13190 $1 = <incomplete type>
13191 @end smallexample
13192
13193 @noindent
13194 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13195 completely specified.
13196
13197 @kindex info types
13198 @item info types @var{regexp}
13199 @itemx info types
13200 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13201 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13202 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13203 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13204 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13205 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13206 name is @code{value}.
13207
13208 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13209 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13210 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13211
13212 @kindex info scope
13213 @cindex local variables
13214 @item info scope @var{location}
13215 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13216 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13217 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13218 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13219 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13220
13221 @smallexample
13222 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13223 Scope for command_line_handler:
13224 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13225 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13226 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13227 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13228 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13229 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13230 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13231 @end smallexample
13232
13233 @noindent
13234 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13235 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13236 collect}.
13237
13238 @kindex info source
13239 @item info source
13240 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13241 the function containing the current point of execution:
13242 @itemize @bullet
13243 @item
13244 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13245 @item
13246 the directory it was compiled in,
13247 @item
13248 its length, in lines,
13249 @item
13250 which programming language it is written in,
13251 @item
13252 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13253 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13254 @item
13255 whether the debugging information includes information about
13256 preprocessor macros.
13257 @end itemize
13258
13259
13260 @kindex info sources
13261 @item info sources
13262 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13263 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13264 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13265
13266 @kindex info functions
13267 @item info functions
13268 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13269
13270 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13271 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13272 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13273 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13274 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13275 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13276 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13277 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13278
13279 @kindex info variables
13280 @item info variables
13281 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13282 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13283
13284 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13285 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13286 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13287 @var{regexp}.
13288
13289 @kindex info classes
13290 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13291 @item info classes
13292 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13293 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13294 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13295 expression.
13296
13297 @kindex info selectors
13298 @item info selectors
13299 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13300 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13301 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13302 expression.
13303
13304 @ignore
13305 This was never implemented.
13306 @kindex info methods
13307 @item info methods
13308 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13309 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13310 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13311 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13312 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13313 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13314 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13315 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13316 @end ignore
13317
13318 @cindex reloading symbols
13319 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13320 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13321 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13322 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13323 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13324
13325 @table @code
13326 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13327 @item set symbol-reloading on
13328 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13329 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13330
13331 @item set symbol-reloading off
13332 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13333 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13334 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13335 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13336 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13337 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13338 name.
13339
13340 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13341 @item show symbol-reloading
13342 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13343 @end table
13344
13345 @cindex opaque data types
13346 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13347 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13348 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13349 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13350 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13351 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13352 another source file. The default is on.
13353
13354 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13355 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13356
13357 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13358 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13359 is printed as follows:
13360 @smallexample
13361 @{<no data fields>@}
13362 @end smallexample
13363
13364 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13365 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13366 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13367
13368 @kindex maint print symbols
13369 @cindex symbol dump
13370 @kindex maint print psymbols
13371 @cindex partial symbol dump
13372 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13373 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13374 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13375 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13376 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13377 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13378 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13379 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13380 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13381 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13382 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13383 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13384 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13385 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13386 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13387 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13388 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13389
13390 @kindex maint info symtabs
13391 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13392 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13393 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13394 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13395 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13396 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13397 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13398
13399 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13400 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13401 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13402 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13403 structure in more detail. For example:
13404
13405 @smallexample
13406 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13407 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13408 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13409 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13410 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13411 readin no
13412 fullname (null)
13413 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13414 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13415 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13416 dependencies (none)
13417 @}
13418 @}
13419 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13420 (@value{GDBP})
13421 @end smallexample
13422 @noindent
13423 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13424 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13425 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13426 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13427 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13428
13429 @smallexample
13430 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13431 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13432 line 1574.
13433 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13434 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13435 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13436 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13437 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13438 dirname (null)
13439 fullname (null)
13440 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13441 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13442 debugformat DWARF 2
13443 @}
13444 @}
13445 (@value{GDBP})
13446 @end smallexample
13447 @end table
13448
13449
13450 @node Altering
13451 @chapter Altering Execution
13452
13453 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13454 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13455 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13456 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13457 program.
13458
13459 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13460 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13461 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13462
13463 @menu
13464 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13465 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13466 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13467 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13468 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13469 * Patching:: Patching your program
13470 @end menu
13471
13472 @node Assignment
13473 @section Assignment to Variables
13474
13475 @cindex assignment
13476 @cindex setting variables
13477 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13478 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13479
13480 @smallexample
13481 print x=4
13482 @end smallexample
13483
13484 @noindent
13485 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13486 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13487 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13488 information on operators in supported languages.
13489
13490 @kindex set variable
13491 @cindex variables, setting
13492 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13493 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13494 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13495 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13496 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13497
13498 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13499 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13500 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13501 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13502 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13503 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13504 command @code{set width}:
13505
13506 @smallexample
13507 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13508 type = double
13509 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13510 $4 = 13
13511 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13512 Invalid syntax in expression.
13513 @end smallexample
13514
13515 @noindent
13516 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13517 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13518
13519 @smallexample
13520 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13521 @end smallexample
13522
13523 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13524 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13525 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13526 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13527 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13528 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13529
13530 @smallexample
13531 @group
13532 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13533 type = double
13534 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13535 $1 = 1
13536 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13537 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13538 $2 = 1
13539 (@value{GDBP}) r
13540 The program being debugged has been started already.
13541 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13542 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13543 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13544 Invalid bfd target.
13545 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13546 The current BFD target is "=4".
13547 @end group
13548 @end smallexample
13549
13550 @noindent
13551 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13552 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13553 @code{g}, use
13554
13555 @smallexample
13556 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13557 @end smallexample
13558
13559 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13560 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13561 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13562 same length or shorter.
13563 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13564 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13565
13566 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13567 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13568 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13569 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13570 and representation in memory), and
13571
13572 @smallexample
13573 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13574 @end smallexample
13575
13576 @noindent
13577 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13578
13579 @node Jumping
13580 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13581
13582 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13583 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13584 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13585
13586 @table @code
13587 @kindex jump
13588 @item jump @var{linespec}
13589 @itemx jump @var{location}
13590 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13591 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13592 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13593 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13594 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13595 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13596
13597 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13598 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13599 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13600 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13601 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13602 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13603 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13604 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13605 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13606 @end table
13607
13608 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13609 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13610 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13611 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13612 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13613 example,
13614
13615 @smallexample
13616 set $pc = 0x485
13617 @end smallexample
13618
13619 @noindent
13620 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13621 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13622 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13623
13624 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13625 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13626 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13627 detail.
13628
13629 @c @group
13630 @node Signaling
13631 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13632 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13633
13634 @table @code
13635 @kindex signal
13636 @item signal @var{signal}
13637 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13638 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13639 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13640 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13641
13642 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13643 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13644 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13645 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13646 signal.
13647
13648 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13649 after executing the command.
13650 @end table
13651 @c @end group
13652
13653 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13654 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13655 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13656 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13657 passes the signal directly to your program.
13658
13659
13660 @node Returning
13661 @section Returning from a Function
13662
13663 @table @code
13664 @cindex returning from a function
13665 @kindex return
13666 @item return
13667 @itemx return @var{expression}
13668 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13669 command. If you give an
13670 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13671 value.
13672 @end table
13673
13674 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13675 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13676 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13677 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13678
13679 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13680 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13681 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13682 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13683 of functions.
13684
13685 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13686 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13687 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13688 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13689 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13690
13691 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13692 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13693 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13694 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13695 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13696 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13697 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13698 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13699 assignment into the right register(s).
13700
13701 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13702 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13703 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13704 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13705 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13706 into a @code{long long int}:
13707
13708 @smallexample
13709 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13710 29 return 31;
13711 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13712 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13713 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13714 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13715 (@value{GDBP})
13716 @end smallexample
13717
13718 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13719 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13720 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13721 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13722 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13723 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13724 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13725 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13726
13727 @smallexample
13728 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13729 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13730 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13731 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13732 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13733 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13734 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13735 (@value{GDBP})
13736 @end smallexample
13737
13738 @node Calling
13739 @section Calling Program Functions
13740
13741 @table @code
13742 @cindex calling functions
13743 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13744 @item print @var{expr}
13745 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13746 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13747 debugged.
13748
13749 @kindex call
13750 @item call @var{expr}
13751 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13752 returned values.
13753
13754 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13755 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13756 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13757 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13758 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13759 value history.
13760 @end table
13761
13762 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13763 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13764 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13765 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13766
13767 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13768 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13769 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13770 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13771 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13772 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13773 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13774 in that case is controlled by the
13775 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13776
13777 @table @code
13778 @item set unwindonsignal
13779 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13780 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13781 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13782 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13783 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13784 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13785 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13786 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13787 received.
13788
13789 @item show unwindonsignal
13790 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13791 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13792 @value{GDBN}.
13793
13794 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13795 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13796 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13797 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13798 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13799 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13800 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13801 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13802 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13803 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13804
13805 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13806 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13807 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13808 @value{GDBN}.
13809
13810 @end table
13811
13812 @cindex weak alias functions
13813 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13814 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13815 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13816 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13817 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13818 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13819 function instead.
13820
13821 @node Patching
13822 @section Patching Programs
13823
13824 @cindex patching binaries
13825 @cindex writing into executables
13826 @cindex writing into corefiles
13827
13828 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13829 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13830 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13831 patching your program's binary.
13832
13833 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13834 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13835 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13836 repairs.
13837
13838 @table @code
13839 @kindex set write
13840 @item set write on
13841 @itemx set write off
13842 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13843 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13844 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13845
13846 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13847 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13848 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13849
13850 @item show write
13851 @kindex show write
13852 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13853 as well as reading.
13854 @end table
13855
13856 @node GDB Files
13857 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13858
13859 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13860 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13861 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13862 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13863
13864 @menu
13865 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13866 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13867 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13868 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13869 @end menu
13870
13871 @node Files
13872 @section Commands to Specify Files
13873
13874 @cindex symbol table
13875 @cindex core dump file
13876
13877 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13878 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13879 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13880 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13881
13882 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13883 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13884 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13885 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13886 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13887 new files are useful.
13888
13889 @table @code
13890 @cindex executable file
13891 @kindex file
13892 @item file @var{filename}
13893 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13894 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13895 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13896 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13897 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13898 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13899 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13900 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13901
13902 @cindex unlinked object files
13903 @cindex patching object files
13904 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13905 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13906 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13907 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13908 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13909 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13910 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13911 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13912
13913 @item file
13914 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13915 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13916
13917 @kindex exec-file
13918 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13919 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13920 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13921 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13922 discard information on the executable file.
13923
13924 @kindex symbol-file
13925 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13926 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13927 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13928 table and program to run from the same file.
13929
13930 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13931 program's symbol table.
13932
13933 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13934 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13935 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13936 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13937 @value{GDBN}.
13938
13939 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13940 executing it once.
13941
13942 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13943 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13944 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13945 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13946 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13947 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13948 optimized code.
13949
13950 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13951 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13952 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13953 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13954 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13955
13956 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13957 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13958 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13959 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13960 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13961 Warnings and Messages}.)
13962
13963 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13964 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13965 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13966 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13967 in stabs format.
13968
13969 @kindex readnow
13970 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13971 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13972 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
13973 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
13974 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13975 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13976 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13977 entire symbol table available.
13978
13979 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13980 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13981 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13982 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13983 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13984 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13985 @c files.
13986
13987 @kindex core-file
13988 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13989 @itemx core
13990 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13991 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13992 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13993 executable file itself for other parts.
13994
13995 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13996 to be used.
13997
13998 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13999 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14000 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14001 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14002 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14003
14004 @kindex add-symbol-file
14005 @cindex dynamic linking
14006 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14007 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14008 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14009 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14010 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14011 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14012 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14013 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14014 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14015 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14016 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14017 @var{address} as an expression.
14018
14019 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14020 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14021 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14022 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14023 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14024
14025 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14026 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14027 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14028 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14029 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14030 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14031 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14032 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14033 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14034
14035 @itemize @bullet
14036 @item
14037 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14038 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14039 @item
14040 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14041 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14042 @item
14043 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14044 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14045 @end itemize
14046
14047 @noindent
14048 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14049 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14050 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14051 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14052 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14053 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14054 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14055 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14056 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14057 way.
14058
14059 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14060
14061 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14062 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14063 @cindex load symbols from memory
14064 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14065 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14066 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14067 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14068 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14069 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14070 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14071 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14072 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14073
14074 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14075 @kindex assf
14076 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14077 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14078 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14079 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14080 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14081 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14082 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14083 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14084 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14085 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14086
14087 @kindex section
14088 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14089 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14090 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14091 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14092 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14093 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14094 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14095 their addresses.
14096
14097 @kindex info files
14098 @kindex info target
14099 @item info files
14100 @itemx info target
14101 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14102 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14103 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14104 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14105 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14106 current ones.
14107
14108 @kindex maint info sections
14109 @item maint info sections
14110 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14111 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14112 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14113 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14114 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14115 may be arbitrarily combined):
14116
14117 @table @code
14118 @item ALLOBJ
14119 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14120 @item @var{sections}
14121 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14122 @item @var{section-flags}
14123 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14124 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14125 @table @code
14126 @item ALLOC
14127 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14128 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14129 @item LOAD
14130 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14131 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14132 @item RELOC
14133 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14134 @item READONLY
14135 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14136 @item CODE
14137 Section contains executable code only.
14138 @item DATA
14139 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14140 @item ROM
14141 Section will reside in ROM.
14142 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14143 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14144 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14145 Section is not empty.
14146 @item NEVER_LOAD
14147 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14148 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14149 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14150 COFF shared library information.
14151 @item IS_COMMON
14152 Section contains common symbols.
14153 @end table
14154 @end table
14155 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14156 @cindex read-only sections
14157 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14158 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14159 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14160 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14161 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14162 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14163 enhancement to debugging performance.
14164
14165 The default is off.
14166
14167 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14168 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14169 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14170 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14171
14172 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14173 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14174 @end table
14175
14176 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14177 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14178 name and remembers it that way.
14179
14180 @cindex shared libraries
14181 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14182 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14183 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14184
14185 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14186 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14187
14188 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14189 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14190 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14191 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14192 debugging a core file).
14193
14194 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14195 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14196
14197 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14198 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14199 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14200
14201 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14202 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14203 particularly large or there are many of them.
14204
14205 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14206 commands:
14207
14208 @table @code
14209 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14210 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14211 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14212 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14213 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14214 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14215 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14216 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14217
14218 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14219 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14220 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14221 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14222 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14223 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14224 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14225 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14226 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14227
14228 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14229 @item show auto-solib-add
14230 Display the current autoloading mode.
14231 @end table
14232
14233 @cindex load shared library
14234 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14235 command:
14236
14237 @table @code
14238 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14239 @kindex info share
14240 @item info share @var{regex}
14241 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14242 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14243 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14244 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14245
14246 @kindex sharedlibrary
14247 @kindex share
14248 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14249 @itemx share @var{regex}
14250 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14251 Unix regular expression.
14252 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14253 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14254 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14255 loaded.
14256
14257 @item nosharedlibrary
14258 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14259 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14260 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14261 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14262 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14263 discarded.
14264 @end table
14265
14266 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14267 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14268 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14269
14270 @table @code
14271 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14272 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14273 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14274 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14275 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14276 shared library.
14277
14278 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14279 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14280 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14281 library events happen.
14282 @end table
14283
14284 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14285 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14286 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14287 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14288 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14289 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14290 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14291 not.
14292
14293 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14294 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14295 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14296 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14297 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14298
14299 @table @code
14300 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14301 @cindex system root, alternate
14302 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14303 @kindex set sysroot
14304 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14305 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14306 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14307 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14308 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14309 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14310 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14311 under @var{path}.
14312
14313 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14314 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14315 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14316 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14317 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14318 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14319 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14320 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14321 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14322
14323 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14324 sysroot}.
14325
14326 @cindex default system root
14327 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14328 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14329 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14330 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14331 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14332 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14333 location.
14334
14335 @kindex show sysroot
14336 @item show sysroot
14337 Display the current shared library prefix.
14338
14339 @kindex set solib-search-path
14340 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14341 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14342 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14343 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14344 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14345 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14346 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14347 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14348 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14349 of shared library symbols.
14350
14351 @kindex show solib-search-path
14352 @item show solib-search-path
14353 Display the current shared library search path.
14354 @end table
14355
14356
14357 @node Separate Debug Files
14358 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14359 @cindex separate debugging information files
14360 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14361 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14362 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14363 @cindex global debugging information directory
14364 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14365 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14366
14367 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14368 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14369 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14370 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14371 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14372 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14373 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14374
14375 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14376 file:
14377
14378 @itemize @bullet
14379 @item
14380 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14381 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14382 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14383 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14384 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14385 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14386 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14387 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14388
14389 @item
14390 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14391 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14392 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14393 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14394 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14395 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14396 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14397 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14398 below.
14399 @end itemize
14400
14401 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14402 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14403
14404 @itemize @bullet
14405 @item
14406 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14407 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14408 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14409 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14410 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14411
14412 @item
14413 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14414 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14415 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14416 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14417 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14418 hex characters, not 10.)
14419 @end itemize
14420
14421 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14422 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14423 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14424 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14425 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14426 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14427
14428 @itemize @minus
14429 @item
14430 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14431 @item
14432 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14433 @item
14434 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14435 @item
14436 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14437 @end itemize
14438
14439 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14440 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14441
14442 @table @code
14443
14444 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14445 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14446 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14447 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14448 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14449
14450 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14451 @item show debug-file-directory
14452 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14453 information files.
14454
14455 @end table
14456
14457 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14458 @cindex debug link sections
14459 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14460 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14461
14462 @itemize
14463 @item
14464 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14465 a zero byte,
14466 @item
14467 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14468 boundary within the section, and
14469 @item
14470 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14471 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14472 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14473 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14474 @end itemize
14475
14476 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14477 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14478 described above.
14479
14480 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14481 @cindex build ID sections
14482 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14483 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14484 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14485 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14486 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14487 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14488 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14489 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14490 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14491
14492 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14493 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14494 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14495 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14496 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14497 in an ordinary executable.
14498
14499 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14500 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14501 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14502 following commands:
14503
14504 @smallexample
14505 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14506 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14507 @end smallexample
14508
14509 @noindent
14510 These commands remove the debugging
14511 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14512 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14513 two files:
14514
14515 @itemize @bullet
14516 @item
14517 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14518 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14519
14520 @smallexample
14521 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14522 @end smallexample
14523
14524 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14525 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14526 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14527 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14528
14529 @item
14530 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14531 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14532 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14533 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14534 @end itemize
14535
14536 @noindent
14537
14538 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14539 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14540 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14541
14542 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14543 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14544 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14545 @c different ways!
14546 @ifhtml
14547 @display
14548 @html
14549 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
14550 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
14551 @end html
14552 @end display
14553 @end ifhtml
14554 @ifnothtml
14555 @display
14556 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14557 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14558 @end display
14559 @end ifnothtml
14560
14561 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14562 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14563 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14564 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14565 CRC.
14566
14567 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14568 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14569 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14570 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14571 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14572 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14573
14574 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14575 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14576 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14577 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14578 @code{0xffffffff}.
14579
14580 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14581 @smallexample
14582 unsigned long
14583 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14584 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14585 @{
14586 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14587 @{
14588 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14589 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14590 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14591 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14592 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14593 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14594 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14595 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14596 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14597 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14598 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14599 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14600 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14601 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14602 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14603 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14604 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14605 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14606 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14607 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14608 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14609 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14610 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14611 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14612 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14613 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14614 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14615 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14616 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14617 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14618 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14619 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14620 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14621 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14622 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14623 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14624 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14625 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14626 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14627 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14628 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14629 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14630 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14631 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14632 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14633 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14634 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14635 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14636 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14637 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14638 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14639 0x2d02ef8d
14640 @};
14641 unsigned char *end;
14642
14643 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14644 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14645 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14646 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14647 @}
14648 @end smallexample
14649
14650 @noindent
14651 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14652
14653
14654 @node Symbol Errors
14655 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14656
14657 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14658 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14659 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14660 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14661 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14662 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14663 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14664 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14665 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14666 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14667 Messages}).
14668
14669 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14670
14671 @table @code
14672 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14673
14674 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14675 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14676 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14677 in its outer scope blocks.
14678
14679 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14680 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14681 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14682 function.
14683
14684 @item block at @var{address} out of order
14685
14686 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14687 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14688 do so.
14689
14690 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14691 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14692 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14693 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14694 Messages}.)
14695
14696 @item bad block start address patched
14697
14698 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14699 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14700 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14701
14702 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14703 starting on the previous source line.
14704
14705 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14706
14707 @cindex foo
14708 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14709 larger than the size of the string table.
14710
14711 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14712 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14713 with this name.
14714
14715 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14716
14717 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14718 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14719 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14720
14721 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14722 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14723 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14724 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14725 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14726 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14727
14728 @item stub type has NULL name
14729
14730 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14731
14732 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14733 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14734 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14735 it.
14736
14737 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14738
14739 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14740
14741 @end table
14742
14743 @node Data Files
14744 @section GDB Data Files
14745
14746 @cindex prefix for data files
14747 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14748 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14749
14750 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14751 is currently using.
14752
14753 @table @code
14754 @kindex set data-directory
14755 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14756 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14757 to @var{directory}.
14758
14759 @kindex show data-directory
14760 @item show data-directory
14761 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14762 @end table
14763
14764 @cindex default data directory
14765 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14766 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14767 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14768 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14769 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14770 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14771 location.
14772
14773 @node Targets
14774 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14775
14776 @cindex debugging target
14777 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14778
14779 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14780 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14781 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14782 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14783 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14784 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14785 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14786 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14787
14788 @cindex target architecture
14789 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14790 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14791 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14792 command.
14793
14794 @table @code
14795 @kindex set architecture
14796 @kindex show architecture
14797 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14798 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14799 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14800 supported architectures.
14801
14802 @item show architecture
14803 Show the current target architecture.
14804
14805 @item set processor
14806 @itemx processor
14807 @kindex set processor
14808 @kindex show processor
14809 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14810 and @code{show architecture}.
14811 @end table
14812
14813 @menu
14814 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14815 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14816 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14817 @end menu
14818
14819 @node Active Targets
14820 @section Active Targets
14821
14822 @cindex stacking targets
14823 @cindex active targets
14824 @cindex multiple targets
14825
14826 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14827 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14828 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14829 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14830 a core file.
14831
14832 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14833 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14834 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14835 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14836 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14837 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14838 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14839 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14840 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14841
14842 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14843 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14844 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14845 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14846 process target is active.
14847
14848 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14849 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14850 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14851 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14852 Process}).
14853
14854 @node Target Commands
14855 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14856
14857 @table @code
14858 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14859 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14860 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14861 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14862 protocol of the target machine.
14863
14864 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14865 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14866 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14867
14868 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14869 after executing the command.
14870
14871 @kindex help target
14872 @item help target
14873 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14874 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14875 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14876
14877 @item help target @var{name}
14878 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14879 select it.
14880
14881 @kindex set gnutarget
14882 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14883 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14884 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14885 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14886 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14887 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14888
14889 @quotation
14890 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14891 you must know the actual BFD name.
14892 @end quotation
14893
14894 @noindent
14895 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14896
14897 @kindex show gnutarget
14898 @item show gnutarget
14899 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14900 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14901 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14902 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14903 @end table
14904
14905 @cindex common targets
14906 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14907 configuration):
14908
14909 @table @code
14910 @kindex target
14911 @item target exec @var{program}
14912 @cindex executable file target
14913 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14914 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14915
14916 @item target core @var{filename}
14917 @cindex core dump file target
14918 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14919 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14920
14921 @item target remote @var{medium}
14922 @cindex remote target
14923 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14924 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14925 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14926
14927 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14928 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14929
14930 @smallexample
14931 target remote /dev/ttya
14932 @end smallexample
14933
14934 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14935 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14936 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14937 clobbered by the download.
14938
14939 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
14940 @cindex built-in simulator target
14941 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14942 In general,
14943 @smallexample
14944 target sim
14945 load
14946 run
14947 @end smallexample
14948 @noindent
14949 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14950 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14951 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14952 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14953 Processors}.
14954
14955 @end table
14956
14957 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14958
14959 @table @code
14960
14961 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14962 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14963 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14964
14965 @end table
14966
14967 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14968 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14969
14970 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14971 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14972 various aspects of this process.
14973
14974 @table @code
14975
14976 @item set hash
14977 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14978 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14979 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14980 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14981 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14982 monitor.
14983
14984 @item show hash
14985 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14986 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14987
14988 @item set debug monitor
14989 @kindex set debug monitor
14990 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14991 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14992 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14993
14994 @item show debug monitor
14995 @kindex show debug monitor
14996 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14997 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14998 @end table
14999
15000 @table @code
15001
15002 @kindex load @var{filename}
15003 @item load @var{filename}
15004 @anchor{load}
15005 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15006 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15007 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15008 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15009 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15010 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15011
15012 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15013 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15014 target is @dots{}}''
15015
15016 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15017 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15018 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15019 specifies a fixed address.
15020 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15021
15022 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15023 load programs into flash memory.
15024
15025 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15026 @end table
15027
15028 @node Byte Order
15029 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15030
15031 @cindex choosing target byte order
15032 @cindex target byte order
15033
15034 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15035 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15036 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15037 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15038 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15039 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15040
15041 @table @code
15042 @kindex set endian
15043 @item set endian big
15044 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15045
15046 @item set endian little
15047 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15048
15049 @item set endian auto
15050 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15051 executable.
15052
15053 @item show endian
15054 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15055
15056 @end table
15057
15058 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15059 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15060 target system.
15061
15062
15063 @node Remote Debugging
15064 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15065 @cindex remote debugging
15066
15067 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15068 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15069 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15070 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15071 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15072
15073 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15074 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15075 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15076 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15077 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15078 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15079
15080 Other remote targets may be available in your
15081 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15082
15083 @menu
15084 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15085 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15086 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15087 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15088 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15089 @end menu
15090
15091 @node Connecting
15092 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15093
15094 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15095 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15096 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15097 program as the first argument.
15098
15099 @cindex @code{target remote}
15100 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15101 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15102 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15103 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15104 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15105 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15106
15107 @table @code
15108
15109 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15110 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15111 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15112 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15113
15114 @smallexample
15115 target remote /dev/ttyb
15116 @end smallexample
15117
15118 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15119 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15120 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15121 @code{target} command.
15122
15123 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15124 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15125 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15126 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15127 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15128 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15129 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15130 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15131 target.
15132
15133 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15134 @code{manyfarms}:
15135
15136 @smallexample
15137 target remote manyfarms:2828
15138 @end smallexample
15139
15140 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15141 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15142 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15143 port 1234 on your local machine:
15144
15145 @smallexample
15146 target remote :1234
15147 @end smallexample
15148 @noindent
15149
15150 Note that the colon is still required here.
15151
15152 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15153 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15154 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15155 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15156
15157 @smallexample
15158 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15159 @end smallexample
15160
15161 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15162 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15163 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15164 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15165
15166 @item target remote | @var{command}
15167 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15168 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15169 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15170 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15171 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15172 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15173 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15174 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15175
15176 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15177 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15178 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15179
15180 @end table
15181
15182 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15183 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15184 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15185 need to use @kbd{run}.
15186
15187 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15188 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15189 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15190 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15191 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15192 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15193 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15194
15195 @smallexample
15196 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15197 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15198 @end smallexample
15199
15200 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15201 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15202 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15203 goes back to waiting.
15204
15205 @table @code
15206 @kindex detach (remote)
15207 @item detach
15208 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15209 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15210 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15211 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15212 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15213
15214 @kindex disconnect
15215 @item disconnect
15216 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15217 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15218 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15219 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15220 another target.
15221
15222 @cindex send command to remote monitor
15223 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15224 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
15225 @kindex monitor
15226 @item monitor @var{cmd}
15227 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15228 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15229 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15230 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15231 and implement.
15232 @end table
15233
15234 @node File Transfer
15235 @section Sending files to a remote system
15236 @cindex remote target, file transfer
15237 @cindex file transfer
15238 @cindex sending files to remote systems
15239
15240 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15241 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15242 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15243 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15244 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15245 the only way to upload or download files.
15246
15247 Not all remote targets support these commands.
15248
15249 @table @code
15250 @kindex remote put
15251 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15252 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15253 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15254
15255 @kindex remote get
15256 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15257 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15258 on the host system.
15259
15260 @kindex remote delete
15261 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15262 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15263
15264 @end table
15265
15266 @node Server
15267 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15268
15269 @kindex gdbserver
15270 @cindex remote connection without stubs
15271 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15272 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15273 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15274
15275 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15276 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15277 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15278 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15279 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15280 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15281 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15282 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15283 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15284 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15285 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15286 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15287 choice for debugging.
15288
15289 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15290 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15291 protocol.
15292
15293 @quotation
15294 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15295 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15296 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15297 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15298 @code{gdbserver}.
15299 @end quotation
15300
15301 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15302 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15303
15304 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15305 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15306 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15307 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15308 system does all the symbol handling.
15309
15310 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15311 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15312 syntax is:
15313
15314 @smallexample
15315 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15316 @end smallexample
15317
15318 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15319 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15320 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15321 @file{/dev/com1}:
15322
15323 @smallexample
15324 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15325 @end smallexample
15326
15327 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15328 with it.
15329
15330 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15331
15332 @smallexample
15333 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15334 @end smallexample
15335
15336 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15337 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15338 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15339 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15340 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15341 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15342 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15343 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15344 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15345 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15346 @code{target remote} command.
15347
15348 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15349
15350 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15351 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15352
15353 @smallexample
15354 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15355 @end smallexample
15356
15357 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15358 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15359
15360 @pindex pidof
15361 @cindex attach to a program by name
15362 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15363 @code{pidof} utility:
15364
15365 @smallexample
15366 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15367 @end smallexample
15368
15369 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15370 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15371 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15372
15373 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15374 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15375 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15376
15377 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15378 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15379 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15380 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15381
15382 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15383 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15384 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15385 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15386 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15387 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15388 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15389 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15390 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15391
15392 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15393 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15394 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15395 the program you want to debug.
15396
15397 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15398 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15399 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15400
15401 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15402
15403 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15404 status information about the debugging process. The
15405 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15406 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15407 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15408
15409 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15410 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15411 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15412 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15413
15414 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15415 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15416 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15417 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15418
15419 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15420 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15421 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15422 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15423
15424 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15425 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15426 environment:
15427
15428 @smallexample
15429 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15430 @end smallexample
15431
15432 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15433
15434 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15435
15436 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15437 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15438 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15439 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15440
15441 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15442 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15443 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15444 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15445 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15446 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15447 programs.
15448
15449 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15450 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15451 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15452 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15453 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15454 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15455 already on the target.
15456
15457 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15458 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15459 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15460
15461 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15462 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15463 Here are the available commands.
15464
15465 @table @code
15466 @item monitor help
15467 List the available monitor commands.
15468
15469 @item monitor set debug 0
15470 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15471 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15472
15473 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15474 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15475 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15476 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15477
15478 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15479 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15480 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15481 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15482 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15483 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15484
15485 @item monitor exit
15486 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15487 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15488 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15489 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15490 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15491
15492 @end table
15493
15494 @node Remote Configuration
15495 @section Remote Configuration
15496
15497 @kindex set remote
15498 @kindex show remote
15499 This section documents the configuration options available when
15500 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15501 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15502 system-call-allowed}.
15503
15504 @table @code
15505 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15506 @cindex address size for remote targets
15507 @cindex bits in remote address
15508 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15509 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15510 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15511 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15512
15513 @item show remoteaddresssize
15514 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15515
15516 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15517 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15518 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15519 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15520 remote targets.
15521
15522 @item show remotebaud
15523 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15524
15525 @item set remotebreak
15526 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15527 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15528 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15529 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15530 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15531 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15532 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15533 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15534
15535 @item show remotebreak
15536 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15537 interrupt the remote program.
15538
15539 @item set remoteflow on
15540 @itemx set remoteflow off
15541 @kindex set remoteflow
15542 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15543 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15544
15545 @item show remoteflow
15546 @kindex show remoteflow
15547 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15548
15549 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15550 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15551 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15552 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15553 @code{ascii}.
15554
15555 @item show remotelogbase
15556 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15557 protocol.
15558
15559 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15560 @cindex record serial communications on file
15561 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15562 default is not to record at all.
15563
15564 @item show remotelogfile.
15565 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15566 serial communications.
15567
15568 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15569 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15570 @cindex remote timeout
15571 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15572 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15573
15574 @item show remotetimeout
15575 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15576 responses.
15577
15578 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15579 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15580 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15581 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15582 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15583 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15584 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15585 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15586
15587 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15588 @itemx show remote exec-file
15589 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
15590 @cindex executable file, for remote target
15591 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15592 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15593 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15594 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15595
15596 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
15597 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15598 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15599 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15600 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
15601 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15602 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15603 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15604 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15605 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15606
15607 @item show interrupt-sequence
15608 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15609 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15610 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15611 also known as Magic SysRq g.
15612
15613 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15614 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15615 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15616 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15617 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15618 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15619
15620 @item show interrupt-on-connect
15621 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15622 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15623
15624 @kindex set tcp
15625 @kindex show tcp
15626 @item set tcp auto-retry on
15627 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15628 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15629 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15630 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15631 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15632 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15633 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15634 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15635
15636 @item set tcp auto-retry off
15637 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15638
15639 @item show tcp auto-retry
15640 Show the current auto-retry setting.
15641
15642 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15643 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15644 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15645 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15646 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15647 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15648 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15649 value.
15650
15651 @item show tcp connect-timeout
15652 Show the current connection timeout setting.
15653 @end table
15654
15655 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15656 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15657 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15658 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15659 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15660 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15661 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15662 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15663 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15664
15665 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15666 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15667 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15668 @value{GDBN} developers.
15669
15670 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15671 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15672 are:
15673
15674 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15675 @item Command Name
15676 @tab Remote Packet
15677 @tab Related Features
15678
15679 @item @code{fetch-register}
15680 @tab @code{p}
15681 @tab @code{info registers}
15682
15683 @item @code{set-register}
15684 @tab @code{P}
15685 @tab @code{set}
15686
15687 @item @code{binary-download}
15688 @tab @code{X}
15689 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15690
15691 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
15692 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15693 @tab @code{info auxv}
15694
15695 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
15696 @tab @code{qSymbol}
15697 @tab Detecting multiple threads
15698
15699 @item @code{attach}
15700 @tab @code{vAttach}
15701 @tab @code{attach}
15702
15703 @item @code{verbose-resume}
15704 @tab @code{vCont}
15705 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15706
15707 @item @code{run}
15708 @tab @code{vRun}
15709 @tab @code{run}
15710
15711 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
15712 @tab @code{Z0}
15713 @tab @code{break}
15714
15715 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15716 @tab @code{Z1}
15717 @tab @code{hbreak}
15718
15719 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
15720 @tab @code{Z2}
15721 @tab @code{watch}
15722
15723 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
15724 @tab @code{Z3}
15725 @tab @code{rwatch}
15726
15727 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
15728 @tab @code{Z4}
15729 @tab @code{awatch}
15730
15731 @item @code{target-features}
15732 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15733 @tab @code{set architecture}
15734
15735 @item @code{library-info}
15736 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15737 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15738
15739 @item @code{memory-map}
15740 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15741 @tab @code{info mem}
15742
15743 @item @code{read-spu-object}
15744 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15745 @tab @code{info spu}
15746
15747 @item @code{write-spu-object}
15748 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15749 @tab @code{info spu}
15750
15751 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15752 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15753 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15754
15755 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15756 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15757 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15758
15759 @item @code{threads}
15760 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
15761 @tab @code{info threads}
15762
15763 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15764 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15765 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15766
15767 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
15768 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
15769 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
15770
15771 @item @code{search-memory}
15772 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15773 @tab @code{find}
15774
15775 @item @code{supported-packets}
15776 @tab @code{qSupported}
15777 @tab Remote communications parameters
15778
15779 @item @code{pass-signals}
15780 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15781 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15782
15783 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15784 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15785 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15786
15787 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15788 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15789 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15790
15791 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15792 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15793 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15794
15795 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15796 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15797 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15798
15799 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15800 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15801 @tab @code{remote delete}
15802
15803 @item @code{noack-packet}
15804 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15805 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15806
15807 @item @code{osdata}
15808 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15809 @tab @code{info os}
15810
15811 @item @code{query-attached}
15812 @tab @code{qAttached}
15813 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15814 @end multitable
15815
15816 @node Remote Stub
15817 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15818
15819 @cindex debugging stub, example
15820 @cindex remote stub, example
15821 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15822 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15823 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15824 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15825 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15826 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15827 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15828 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15829
15830 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15831 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15832 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15833 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15834 program, you need:
15835
15836 @enumerate
15837 @item
15838 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15839 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15840 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15841
15842 @item
15843 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15844 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15845
15846 @item
15847 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15848 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15849 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15850 documentation.
15851 @end enumerate
15852
15853 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15854 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15855 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15856
15857 @table @emph
15858 @item On the host,
15859 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15860 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15861 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15862
15863 @item On the target,
15864 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15865 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15866 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15867
15868 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15869 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15870 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15871 @end table
15872
15873 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15874 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15875 @sc{sparc} boards.
15876
15877 @cindex remote serial stub list
15878 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15879
15880 @table @code
15881
15882 @item i386-stub.c
15883 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15884 @cindex Intel
15885 @cindex i386
15886 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15887
15888 @item m68k-stub.c
15889 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15890 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15891 @cindex m680x0
15892 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15893
15894 @item sh-stub.c
15895 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15896 @cindex Renesas
15897 @cindex SH
15898 For Renesas SH architectures.
15899
15900 @item sparc-stub.c
15901 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15902 @cindex Sparc
15903 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15904
15905 @item sparcl-stub.c
15906 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15907 @cindex Fujitsu
15908 @cindex SparcLite
15909 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15910
15911 @end table
15912
15913 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15914 recently added stubs.
15915
15916 @menu
15917 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15918 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15919 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15920 @end menu
15921
15922 @node Stub Contents
15923 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15924
15925 @cindex remote serial stub
15926 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15927 subroutines:
15928
15929 @table @code
15930 @item set_debug_traps
15931 @findex set_debug_traps
15932 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15933 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15934 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15935 beginning of your program.
15936
15937 @item handle_exception
15938 @findex handle_exception
15939 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15940 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15941 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15942 run when a trap is triggered.
15943
15944 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15945 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15946 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15947 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15948 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15949 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15950 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15951 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15952 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15953 machine.
15954
15955 @item breakpoint
15956 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15957 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15958 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15959 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15960 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15961 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15962 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15963 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15964 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15965 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15966 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15967
15968 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15969 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15970 start of your debugging session.
15971 @end table
15972
15973 @node Bootstrapping
15974 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15975
15976 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15977 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15978 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15979 debugging target machine.
15980
15981 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15982 serial port.
15983
15984 @table @code
15985 @item int getDebugChar()
15986 @findex getDebugChar
15987 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15988 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15989 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15990
15991 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15992 @findex putDebugChar
15993 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15994 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15995 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15996 @end table
15997
15998 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15999 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16000 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16001 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16002 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16003 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16004 remote system to stop.
16005
16006 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16007 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16008 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16009 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16010
16011 Other routines you need to supply are:
16012
16013 @table @code
16014 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16015 @findex exceptionHandler
16016 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16017 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16018 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16019 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16020 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16021 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16022 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16023 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16024 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16025 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16026 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16027 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16028 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16029
16030 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16031 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16032 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16033 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16034 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16035
16036 @item void flush_i_cache()
16037 @findex flush_i_cache
16038 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16039 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16040 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16041
16042 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16043 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16044 @end table
16045
16046 @noindent
16047 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16048
16049 @table @code
16050 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16051 @findex memset
16052 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16053 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16054 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16055 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16056 @end table
16057
16058 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16059 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16060 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16061 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16062
16063
16064 @node Debug Session
16065 @subsection Putting it All Together
16066
16067 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16068 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16069 steps.
16070
16071 @enumerate
16072 @item
16073 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16074 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16075 @display
16076 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16077 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16078 @end display
16079
16080 @item
16081 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16082
16083 @smallexample
16084 set_debug_traps();
16085 breakpoint();
16086 @end smallexample
16087
16088 @item
16089 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16090 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16091
16092 @smallexample
16093 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16094 @end smallexample
16095
16096 @noindent
16097 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16098 function in your program, that function is called when
16099 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16100 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16101 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16102
16103 @item
16104 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16105 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
16106
16107 @item
16108 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
16109 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
16110
16111 @item
16112 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
16113 @c document that. FIXME.
16114 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
16115 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
16116
16117 @item
16118 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
16119 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16120
16121 @end enumerate
16122
16123 @node Configurations
16124 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
16125
16126 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
16127 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
16128 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
16129
16130 There are three major categories of configurations: native
16131 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
16132 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
16133 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
16134 are quite different from each other.
16135
16136 @menu
16137 * Native::
16138 * Embedded OS::
16139 * Embedded Processors::
16140 * Architectures::
16141 @end menu
16142
16143 @node Native
16144 @section Native
16145
16146 This section describes details specific to particular native
16147 configurations.
16148
16149 @menu
16150 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
16151 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
16152 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
16153 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
16154 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
16155 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
16156 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
16157 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
16158 @end menu
16159
16160 @node HP-UX
16161 @subsection HP-UX
16162
16163 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
16164 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
16165 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
16166
16167
16168 @node BSD libkvm Interface
16169 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
16170
16171 @cindex libkvm
16172 @cindex kernel memory image
16173 @cindex kernel crash dump
16174
16175 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16176 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16177 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16178 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16179 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16180 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16181 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16182 @code{kvm} target:
16183
16184 @smallexample
16185 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16186 @end smallexample
16187
16188 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16189 argument:
16190
16191 @smallexample
16192 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16193 @end smallexample
16194
16195 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16196 available:
16197
16198 @table @code
16199 @kindex kvm
16200 @item kvm pcb
16201 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16202
16203 @item kvm proc
16204 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16205 modern FreeBSD systems.
16206 @end table
16207
16208 @node SVR4 Process Information
16209 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
16210 @cindex /proc
16211 @cindex examine process image
16212 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16213
16214 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16215 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16216 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16217 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16218 proc} is available to report information about the process running
16219 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16220 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16221 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16222 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16223
16224 @table @code
16225 @kindex info proc
16226 @cindex process ID
16227 @item info proc
16228 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16229 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16230 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16231 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16232 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16233 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16234 executable file's absolute file name.
16235
16236 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16237 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16238 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16239 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16240 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16241 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16242
16243 @item info proc mappings
16244 @cindex memory address space mappings
16245 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16246 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16247 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16248 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16249 memory access rights to that range.
16250
16251 @item info proc stat
16252 @itemx info proc status
16253 @cindex process detailed status information
16254 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16255 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16256 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16257 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16258 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16259 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16260 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16261
16262 @item info proc all
16263 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16264 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16265
16266 @ignore
16267 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16268 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16269 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16270 @kindex info proc times
16271 @item info proc times
16272 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16273 its children.
16274
16275 @kindex info proc id
16276 @item info proc id
16277 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16278 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16279 @end ignore
16280
16281 @item set procfs-trace
16282 @kindex set procfs-trace
16283 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16284 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16285
16286 @item show procfs-trace
16287 @kindex show procfs-trace
16288 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16289
16290 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16291 @kindex set procfs-file
16292 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16293 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16294 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16295 standard output.
16296
16297 @item show procfs-file
16298 @kindex show procfs-file
16299 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16300
16301 @item proc-trace-entry
16302 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16303 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16304 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16305 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16306 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16307 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16308 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16309 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16310 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16311
16312 @item info pidlist
16313 @kindex info pidlist
16314 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16315 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16316 processes and all the threads within each process.
16317
16318 @item info meminfo
16319 @kindex info meminfo
16320 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16321 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16322 @end table
16323
16324 @node DJGPP Native
16325 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16326 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16327 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16328 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16329
16330 @cindex DPMI
16331 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16332 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16333 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16334 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16335
16336 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16337 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16338 subsection describes those commands.
16339
16340 @table @code
16341 @kindex info dos
16342 @item info dos
16343 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16344 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16345
16346 @kindex sysinfo
16347 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16348 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16349 @item info dos sysinfo
16350 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16351 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16352 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16353
16354 @cindex GDT
16355 @cindex LDT
16356 @cindex IDT
16357 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16358 @cindex descriptor tables display
16359 @item info dos gdt
16360 @itemx info dos ldt
16361 @itemx info dos idt
16362 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16363 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16364 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16365 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16366 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16367 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16368 rights.
16369
16370 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16371 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16372 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16373 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16374 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16375
16376 @cindex garbled pointers
16377 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16378 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16379 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16380 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16381 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16382 debugged program's data segment:
16383
16384 @smallexample
16385 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16386 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16387 @end smallexample
16388
16389 @noindent
16390 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16391 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16392
16393 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16394 @item info dos pde
16395 @itemx info dos pte
16396 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16397 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16398 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16399 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16400 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16401 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16402 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16403 that is currently in use.
16404
16405 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16406 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16407 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16408 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16409 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16410 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16411 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16412
16413 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16414 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16415 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16416 controller.
16417
16418 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16419
16420 @cindex physical address from linear address
16421 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16422 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16423 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16424 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16425 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16426 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16427 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16428
16429 @smallexample
16430 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16431 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16432 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16433 @end smallexample
16434
16435 @noindent
16436 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16437 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16438 attributes of that page.
16439
16440 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16441 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16442 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16443 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16444 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16445 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16446
16447 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16448 transfer buffer:
16449
16450 @smallexample
16451 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16452 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16453 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16454 @end smallexample
16455
16456 @noindent
16457 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16458 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16459 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16460 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16461 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16462
16463 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16464 @end table
16465
16466 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16467 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16468 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16469 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16470
16471 @table @code
16472 @kindex set com1base
16473 @kindex set com1irq
16474 @kindex set com2base
16475 @kindex set com2irq
16476 @kindex set com3base
16477 @kindex set com3irq
16478 @kindex set com4base
16479 @kindex set com4irq
16480 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16481 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16482 port.
16483
16484 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16485 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16486 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16487
16488 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16489 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16490 other 3 COM ports.
16491
16492 @kindex show com1base
16493 @kindex show com1irq
16494 @kindex show com2base
16495 @kindex show com2irq
16496 @kindex show com3base
16497 @kindex show com3irq
16498 @kindex show com4base
16499 @kindex show com4irq
16500 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16501 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16502 lines used by the COM ports.
16503
16504 @item info serial
16505 @kindex info serial
16506 @cindex DOS serial port status
16507 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16508 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16509 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16510 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16511 @end table
16512
16513
16514 @node Cygwin Native
16515 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16516 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16517 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16518 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16519
16520 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16521 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16522
16523 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16524 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16525 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16526 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16527 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16528 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16529 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16530 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16531
16532 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16533 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16534 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16535
16536 @table @code
16537 @kindex info w32
16538 @item info w32
16539 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16540 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16541
16542 @item info w32 selector
16543 This command displays information returned by
16544 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16545 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16546 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16547 Without argument, this command displays information
16548 about the six segment registers.
16549
16550 @item info w32 thread-information-block
16551 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
16552 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
16553 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
16554
16555 @kindex info dll
16556 @item info dll
16557 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16558
16559 @kindex dll-symbols
16560 @item dll-symbols
16561 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16562 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16563
16564 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16565 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16566 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16567 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16568 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16569 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16570 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16571 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16572 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16573 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16574 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16575
16576 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16577 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16578 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16579 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16580
16581 @kindex set new-console
16582 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16583 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16584 be started in a new console on next start.
16585 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
16586 be started in the same console as the debugger.
16587
16588 @kindex show new-console
16589 @item show new-console
16590 Displays whether a new console is used
16591 when the debuggee is started.
16592
16593 @kindex set new-group
16594 @item set new-group @var{mode}
16595 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16596 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16597 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16598 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
16599
16600 @kindex show new-group
16601 @item show new-group
16602 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16603
16604 @kindex set debugevents
16605 @item set debugevents
16606 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16607 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16608 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16609 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16610 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16611
16612 @kindex set debugexec
16613 @item set debugexec
16614 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16615 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16616
16617 @kindex set debugexceptions
16618 @item set debugexceptions
16619 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16620 debuggee seen by the debugger.
16621
16622 @kindex set debugmemory
16623 @item set debugmemory
16624 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16625 and writes by the debugger.
16626
16627 @kindex set shell
16628 @item set shell
16629 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16630 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16631
16632 @kindex show shell
16633 @item show shell
16634 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16635
16636 @end table
16637
16638 @menu
16639 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16640 @end menu
16641
16642 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16643 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16644 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16645 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16646
16647 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16648 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16649 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16650 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16651 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16652 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16653 ``minimal symbols''.
16654
16655 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16656 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16657 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16658 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16659 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16660 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16661 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16662 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16663 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16664 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16665
16666 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16667
16668 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16669 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16670 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16671 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16672 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16673 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16674 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16675 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16676 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16677
16678 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16679 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16680 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16681 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16682 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16683 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16684
16685 @smallexample
16686 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16687 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16688
16689 Non-debugging symbols:
16690 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
16691 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16692 @end smallexample
16693
16694 @smallexample
16695 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
16696 All functions matching regular expression "!":
16697
16698 Non-debugging symbols:
16699 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
16700 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
16701 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16702 [etc...]
16703 @end smallexample
16704
16705 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16706
16707 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16708 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16709 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16710 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16711 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16712 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16713 a function within a DLL without a running program.
16714
16715 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16716 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16717 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16718 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16719 problem:
16720
16721 @smallexample
16722 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16723 $1 = 268572168
16724 @end smallexample
16725
16726 @smallexample
16727 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
16728 0x10021610: "\230y\""
16729 @end smallexample
16730
16731 And two possible solutions:
16732
16733 @smallexample
16734 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16735 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16736 @end smallexample
16737
16738 @smallexample
16739 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
16740 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16741 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
16742 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16743 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
16744 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16745 @end smallexample
16746
16747 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16748 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16749 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16750 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16751 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16752
16753 @smallexample
16754 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16755 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16756 @end smallexample
16757
16758 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16759 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16760 safe.
16761
16762 @node Hurd Native
16763 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16764 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16765
16766 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16767 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16768
16769 @table @code
16770 @item set signals
16771 @itemx set sigs
16772 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16773 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16774 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16775 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16776 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16777 @code{signals}.
16778
16779 @item show signals
16780 @itemx show sigs
16781 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16782 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16783 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16784
16785 @item set signal-thread
16786 @itemx set sigthread
16787 @kindex set signal-thread
16788 @kindex set sigthread
16789 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16790 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16791 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16792 signal-thread}.
16793
16794 @item show signal-thread
16795 @itemx show sigthread
16796 @kindex show signal-thread
16797 @kindex show sigthread
16798 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16799 delivered a signal.
16800
16801 @item set stopped
16802 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16803 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16804 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16805 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16806
16807 @item show stopped
16808 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16809 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16810 stopped.
16811
16812 @item set exceptions
16813 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16814 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16815 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16816 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16817 trapping on.
16818
16819 @item show exceptions
16820 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16821 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16822
16823 @item set task pause
16824 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16825 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16826 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16827 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16828 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16829 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16830 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16831 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16832 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16833
16834 @item show task pause
16835 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16836 Show the current state of task suspension.
16837
16838 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16839 @cindex task suspend count
16840 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16841 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16842 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16843
16844 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16845 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16846
16847 @item set task exception-port
16848 @itemx set task excp
16849 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16850 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16851 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16852 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16853
16854 @item set noninvasive
16855 @cindex noninvasive task options
16856 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16857 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16858 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16859 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16860
16861 @item info send-rights
16862 @itemx info receive-rights
16863 @itemx info port-rights
16864 @itemx info port-sets
16865 @itemx info dead-names
16866 @itemx info ports
16867 @itemx info psets
16868 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16869 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16870 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16871 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16872 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16873 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16874 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16875 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16876 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16877
16878 @item set thread pause
16879 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16880 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16881 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16882 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16883 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16884 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16885 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16886 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16887 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16888 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16889 only the current thread.
16890
16891 @item show thread pause
16892 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16893 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16894
16895 @item set thread run
16896 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16897
16898 @item show thread run
16899 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16900
16901 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16902 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16903 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16904 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16905 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16906 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16907 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16908
16909 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16910 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16911 detaching.
16912
16913 @item set thread exception-port
16914 @itemx set thread excp
16915 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16916 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16917 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16918
16919 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16920 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16921 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16922 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16923
16924 @item set thread default
16925 @itemx show thread default
16926 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16927 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16928 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16929 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16930 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16931 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16932 the non-default commands.
16933 @end table
16934
16935
16936 @node Neutrino
16937 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16938 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16939
16940 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16941 Neutrino target:
16942
16943 @table @code
16944 @item set debug nto-debug
16945 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16946 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16947 Neutrino support.
16948
16949 @item show debug nto-debug
16950 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16951 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16952 @end table
16953
16954 @node Darwin
16955 @subsection Darwin
16956 @cindex Darwin
16957
16958 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16959
16960 @table @code
16961 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16962 @kindex set debug darwin
16963 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16964 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16965
16966 @item show debug darwin
16967 @kindex show debug darwin
16968 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16969
16970 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16971 @kindex set debug mach-o
16972 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16973 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16974 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16975 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16976 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16977 usage.
16978
16979 @item show debug mach-o
16980 @kindex show debug mach-o
16981 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16982
16983 @item set mach-exceptions on
16984 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16985 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16986 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16987 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16988 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16989 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16990
16991 @item show mach-exceptions
16992 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16993 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16994 @end table
16995
16996
16997 @node Embedded OS
16998 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16999
17000 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17001 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17002 architectures.
17003
17004 @menu
17005 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17006 @end menu
17007
17008 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17009 various real-time operating systems.
17010
17011 @node VxWorks
17012 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17013
17014 @cindex VxWorks
17015
17016 @table @code
17017
17018 @kindex target vxworks
17019 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17020 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17021 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17022
17023 @end table
17024
17025 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17026 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17027
17028 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17029 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17030 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17031 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17032 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17033 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17034 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17035
17036 @table @code
17037 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17038 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17039 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17040 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17041 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17042 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17043 of a thin network line.
17044 @end table
17045
17046 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17047 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17048 procedures.
17049
17050 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17051 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17052 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17053 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17054 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17055 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17056 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17057 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17058 manual.
17059 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17060
17061 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17062 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17063 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17064 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17065
17066 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17067
17068 @smallexample
17069 (vxgdb)
17070 @end smallexample
17071
17072 @menu
17073 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17074 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17075 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17076 @end menu
17077
17078 @node VxWorks Connection
17079 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17080
17081 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17082 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17083
17084 @smallexample
17085 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17086 @end smallexample
17087
17088 @need 750
17089 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17090
17091 @smallexample
17092 Attaching remote machine across net...
17093 Connected to tt.
17094 @end smallexample
17095
17096 @need 1000
17097 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17098 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17099 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17100 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17101 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17102
17103 @smallexample
17104 prog.o: No such file or directory.
17105 @end smallexample
17106
17107 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
17108 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
17109 command again.
17110
17111 @node VxWorks Download
17112 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
17113
17114 @cindex download to VxWorks
17115 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
17116 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
17117 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
17118 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
17119 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
17120 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
17121 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
17122 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
17123 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
17124 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
17125 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
17126 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
17127 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
17128 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
17129 program, type this on VxWorks:
17130
17131 @smallexample
17132 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
17133 @end smallexample
17134
17135 @noindent
17136 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17137
17138 @smallexample
17139 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
17140 (vxgdb) load prog.o
17141 @end smallexample
17142
17143 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
17144
17145 @smallexample
17146 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
17147 @end smallexample
17148
17149 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
17150 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
17151 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
17152 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
17153 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
17154 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
17155 table.)
17156
17157 @node VxWorks Attach
17158 @subsubsection Running Tasks
17159
17160 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
17161 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
17162 follows:
17163
17164 @smallexample
17165 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
17166 @end smallexample
17167
17168 @noindent
17169 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
17170 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
17171 the time of attachment.
17172
17173 @node Embedded Processors
17174 @section Embedded Processors
17175
17176 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
17177 configurations.
17178
17179 @cindex send command to simulator
17180 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17181 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17182
17183 @table @code
17184 @item sim @var{command}
17185 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
17186 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17187 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17188 acceptable commands.
17189 @end table
17190
17191
17192 @menu
17193 * ARM:: ARM RDI
17194 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17195 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
17196 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17197 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17198 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17199 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
17200 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17201 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17202 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17203 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17204 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
17205 * CRIS:: CRIS
17206 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17207 @end menu
17208
17209 @node ARM
17210 @subsection ARM
17211 @cindex ARM RDI
17212
17213 @table @code
17214 @kindex target rdi
17215 @item target rdi @var{dev}
17216 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17217 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17218 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17219
17220 @kindex target rdp
17221 @item target rdp @var{dev}
17222 ARM Demon monitor.
17223
17224 @end table
17225
17226 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17227
17228 @table @code
17229 @item set arm disassembler
17230 @kindex set arm
17231 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17232 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17233
17234 @item show arm disassembler
17235 @kindex show arm
17236 Show the current disassembly style.
17237
17238 @item set arm apcs32
17239 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17240 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17241
17242 @item show arm apcs32
17243 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17244
17245 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17246 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17247 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17248
17249 @table @code
17250 @item auto
17251 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17252 @item softfpa
17253 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17254 processors.
17255 @item fpa
17256 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17257 @item softvfp
17258 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17259 @item vfp
17260 VFP co-processor.
17261 @end table
17262
17263 @item show arm fpu
17264 Show the current type of the FPU.
17265
17266 @item set arm abi
17267 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17268
17269 @item show arm abi
17270 Show the currently used ABI.
17271
17272 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17273 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17274 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17275 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17276 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17277 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17278 register).
17279
17280 @item show arm fallback-mode
17281 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17282
17283 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17284 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17285 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17286 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17287 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17288
17289 @item show arm force-mode
17290 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17291
17292 @item set debug arm
17293 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17294 target support subsystem.
17295
17296 @item show debug arm
17297 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17298 @end table
17299
17300 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17301 using the RDI interface:
17302
17303 @table @code
17304 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17305 @kindex rdilogfile
17306 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17307 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17308 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17309 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17310 @file{rdi.log}.
17311
17312 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17313 @kindex rdilogenable
17314 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17315 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17316 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17317 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17318 are logged to a file.
17319
17320 @item set rdiromatzero
17321 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17322 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17323 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17324 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17325 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17326 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17327
17328 @item show rdiromatzero
17329 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17330 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17331
17332 @item set rdiheartbeat
17333 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17334 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17335 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17336 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17337 well as the Angel monitor.
17338
17339 @item show rdiheartbeat
17340 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17341 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17342 @end table
17343
17344 @table @code
17345 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17346 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
17347
17348 @table @code
17349 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
17350 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
17351 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
17352 The default value is @code{all}.
17353
17354 @table @code
17355 @item none
17356 @item demon
17357 @item angel
17358 @item redboot
17359 @item all
17360 @end table
17361 @end table
17362 @end table
17363
17364 @node M32R/D
17365 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17366
17367 @table @code
17368 @kindex target m32r
17369 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17370 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17371
17372 @kindex target m32rsdi
17373 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17374 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17375 @end table
17376
17377 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17378
17379 @table @code
17380 @item set download-path @var{path}
17381 @kindex set download-path
17382 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17383 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17384
17385 @item show download-path
17386 @kindex show download-path
17387 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17388
17389 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17390 @kindex set board-address
17391 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17392 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17393
17394 @item show board-address
17395 @kindex show board-address
17396 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17397
17398 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17399 @kindex set server-address
17400 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17401 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17402 host machine.
17403
17404 @item show server-address
17405 @kindex show server-address
17406 Display the IP address of the download server.
17407
17408 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17409 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17410 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17411 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17412 executable file is uploaded.
17413
17414 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17415 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17416 Test the @code{upload} command.
17417 @end table
17418
17419 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17420
17421 @table @code
17422 @item sdireset
17423 @kindex sdireset
17424 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17425 This command resets the SDI connection.
17426
17427 @item sdistatus
17428 @kindex sdistatus
17429 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17430
17431 @item debug_chaos
17432 @kindex debug_chaos
17433 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17434 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17435
17436 @item use_debug_dma
17437 @kindex use_debug_dma
17438 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17439
17440 @item use_mon_code
17441 @kindex use_mon_code
17442 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17443
17444 @item use_ib_break
17445 @kindex use_ib_break
17446 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17447
17448 @item use_dbt_break
17449 @kindex use_dbt_break
17450 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17451 @end table
17452
17453 @node M68K
17454 @subsection M68k
17455
17456 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17457 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17458
17459 @table @code
17460
17461 @kindex target dbug
17462 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17463 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17464
17465 @end table
17466
17467 @node MicroBlaze
17468 @subsection MicroBlaze
17469 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17470 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17471
17472 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17473 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17474 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17475 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17476 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17477 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17478 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17479 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17480 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17481 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17482 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17483
17484 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17485
17486 @table @code
17487 @item target remote :1234
17488 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17489 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17490
17491 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17492 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17493 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17494
17495 @item load
17496 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17497
17498 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17499 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17500
17501 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17502 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17503 @end table
17504
17505 @node MIPS Embedded
17506 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17507
17508 @cindex MIPS boards
17509 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17510 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17511 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17512
17513 @need 1000
17514 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17515
17516 @table @code
17517 @item target mips @var{port}
17518 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17519 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17520 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17521 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17522 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17523 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17524 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17525
17526 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17527 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17528 debugger:
17529
17530 @smallexample
17531 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17532 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17533 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17534 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17535 (@value{GDBP}) run
17536 @end smallexample
17537
17538 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17539 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17540 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17541 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17542 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17543
17544 @item target pmon @var{port}
17545 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17546 PMON ROM monitor.
17547
17548 @item target ddb @var{port}
17549 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17550 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17551
17552 @item target lsi @var{port}
17553 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17554 LSI variant of PMON.
17555
17556 @kindex target r3900
17557 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17558 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17559
17560 @kindex target array
17561 @item target array @var{dev}
17562 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17563
17564 @end table
17565
17566
17567 @noindent
17568 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17569
17570 @table @code
17571 @item set mipsfpu double
17572 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17573 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17574 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17575 @itemx show mipsfpu
17576 @kindex set mipsfpu
17577 @kindex show mipsfpu
17578 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17579 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17580 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17581 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17582 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17583 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17584 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17585 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17586 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17587 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17588 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17589 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17590 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17591
17592 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17593 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17594 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17595
17596 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17597 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
17598
17599 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
17600 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17601 @itemx show timeout
17602 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
17603 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17604 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17605 @kindex set timeout
17606 @kindex show timeout
17607 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
17608 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
17609 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17610 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17611 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17612 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17613 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17614 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17615 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17616 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17617
17618 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17619 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17620 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17621 to run before stopping.
17622
17623 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17624 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17625 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17626 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17627 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17628 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17629
17630 @item show syn-garbage-limit
17631 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17632 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17633 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17634
17635 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17636 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17637 @cindex remote monitor prompt
17638 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17639 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17640 @table @asis
17641 @item pmon target
17642 @samp{PMON}
17643 @item ddb target
17644 @samp{NEC010}
17645 @item lsi target
17646 @samp{PMON>}
17647 @end table
17648
17649 @item show monitor-prompt
17650 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17651 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17652 remote monitor.
17653
17654 @item set monitor-warnings
17655 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17656 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17657 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17658 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17659 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17660
17661 @item show monitor-warnings
17662 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17663 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17664
17665 @item pmon @var{command}
17666 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17667 @cindex send PMON command
17668 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17669 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17670 @end table
17671
17672 @node OpenRISC 1000
17673 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
17674 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
17675
17676 @cindex or1k boards
17677 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17678 about platform and commands.
17679
17680 @table @code
17681
17682 @kindex target jtag
17683 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17684
17685 Connects to remote JTAG server.
17686 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17687 connected via parallel port to the board.
17688
17689 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17690
17691 @kindex or1ksim
17692 @item or1ksim @var{command}
17693 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17694 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17695
17696 @kindex info or1k spr
17697 @item info or1k spr
17698 Displays spr groups.
17699
17700 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
17701 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17702 Displays register names in selected group.
17703
17704 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17705 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17706 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17707 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17708 Shows information about specified spr register.
17709
17710 @kindex spr
17711 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17712 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17713 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17714 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17715 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17716 @end table
17717
17718 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17719 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17720 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17721 triggers can be set using:
17722 @table @code
17723 @item $LEA/$LDATA
17724 Load effective address/data
17725 @item $SEA/$SDATA
17726 Store effective address/data
17727 @item $AEA/$ADATA
17728 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17729 @item $FETCH
17730 Fetch data
17731 @end table
17732
17733 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17734 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17735
17736 @code{htrace} commands:
17737 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17738 @table @code
17739 @kindex hwatch
17740 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
17741 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17742 or Data. For example:
17743
17744 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17745
17746 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17747
17748 @kindex htrace
17749 @item htrace info
17750 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17751
17752 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17753 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17754
17755 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17756 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17757
17758 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17759 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17760
17761 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17762 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17763 triggered.
17764
17765 @item htrace enable
17766 @itemx htrace disable
17767 Enables/disables the HW trace.
17768
17769 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17770 Clears currently recorded trace data.
17771
17772 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17773 will be written there.
17774
17775 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17776 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17777
17778 @item htrace mode continuous
17779 Set continuous trace mode.
17780
17781 @item htrace mode suspend
17782 Set suspend trace mode.
17783
17784 @end table
17785
17786 @node PowerPC Embedded
17787 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
17788
17789 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17790
17791 @table @code
17792 @kindex set powerpc
17793 @item set powerpc soft-float
17794 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
17795 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17796 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17797 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17798
17799 @item set powerpc vector-abi
17800 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17801 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17802 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17803 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17804 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17805 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17806 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17807
17808 @kindex target dink32
17809 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
17810 DINK32 ROM monitor.
17811
17812 @kindex target ppcbug
17813 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
17814 @kindex target ppcbug1
17815 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
17816 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
17817
17818 @kindex target sds
17819 @item target sds @var{dev}
17820 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
17821 @end table
17822
17823 @cindex SDS protocol
17824 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
17825 by @value{GDBN}:
17826
17827 @table @code
17828 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
17829 @kindex set sdstimeout
17830 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17831 default is 2 seconds.
17832
17833 @item show sdstimeout
17834 @kindex show sdstimeout
17835 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17836
17837 @item sds @var{command}
17838 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17839 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17840 @end table
17841
17842
17843 @node PA
17844 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17845
17846 @table @code
17847
17848 @kindex target op50n
17849 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17850 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17851
17852 @kindex target w89k
17853 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17854 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17855
17856 @end table
17857
17858 @node Sparclet
17859 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17860
17861 @cindex Sparclet
17862
17863 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17864 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17865 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17866 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17867 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17868
17869 @table @code
17870 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17871 @kindex remotetimeout
17872 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17873 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17874 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17875 @end table
17876
17877 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17878 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17879 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17880 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17881 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17882
17883 @smallexample
17884 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17885 @end smallexample
17886
17887 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17888
17889 @smallexample
17890 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17891 @end smallexample
17892
17893 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17894 Once you have set
17895 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17896 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17897 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17898
17899 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17900
17901 @smallexample
17902 (gdbslet)
17903 @end smallexample
17904
17905 @menu
17906 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17907 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17908 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17909 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17910 @end menu
17911
17912 @node Sparclet File
17913 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17914
17915 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17916
17917 @smallexample
17918 (gdbslet) file prog
17919 @end smallexample
17920
17921 @need 1000
17922 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17923 @value{GDBN} locates
17924 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17925 path.
17926 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17927 files will be searched as well.
17928 @value{GDBN} locates
17929 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17930 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17931 If it fails
17932 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17933
17934 @smallexample
17935 prog: No such file or directory.
17936 @end smallexample
17937
17938 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17939 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17940 @code{target} command again.
17941
17942 @node Sparclet Connection
17943 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17944
17945 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17946 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17947
17948 @smallexample
17949 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17950 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17951 main () at ../prog.c:3
17952 @end smallexample
17953
17954 @need 750
17955 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17956
17957 @smallexample
17958 Connected to ttya.
17959 @end smallexample
17960
17961 @node Sparclet Download
17962 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17963
17964 @cindex download to Sparclet
17965 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17966 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17967 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17968 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17969 command.
17970 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17971 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17972 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17973 of each of the file's sections.
17974 For instance, if the program
17975 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17976 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17977
17978 @smallexample
17979 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17980 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17981 @end smallexample
17982
17983 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17984 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17985 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17986
17987 @node Sparclet Execution
17988 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17989
17990 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17991 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17992 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17993 manual for the list of commands.
17994
17995 @smallexample
17996 (gdbslet) b main
17997 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17998 (gdbslet) run
17999 Starting program: prog
18000 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18001 3 char *symarg = 0;
18002 (gdbslet) step
18003 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18004 (gdbslet)
18005 @end smallexample
18006
18007 @node Sparclite
18008 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18009
18010 @table @code
18011
18012 @kindex target sparclite
18013 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18014 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18015 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18016 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18017 remote protocol.
18018
18019 @end table
18020
18021 @node Z8000
18022 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18023
18024 @cindex Z8000
18025 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18026 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18027
18028 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18029 a Z8000 simulator.
18030
18031 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18032 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18033 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18034 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18035
18036 @table @code
18037 @item target sim @var{args}
18038 @kindex sim
18039 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18040 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18041 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18042 @end table
18043
18044 @noindent
18045 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18046 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18047 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18048 to run your program, and so on.
18049
18050 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18051 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18052 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18053
18054 @table @code
18055
18056 @item cycles
18057 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18058
18059 @item insts
18060 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18061
18062 @item time
18063 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18064
18065 @end table
18066
18067 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18068 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18069 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18070 simulated clock ticks.
18071
18072 @node AVR
18073 @subsection Atmel AVR
18074 @cindex AVR
18075
18076 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18077 following AVR-specific commands:
18078
18079 @table @code
18080 @item info io_registers
18081 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18082 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18083 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18084 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18085 @end table
18086
18087 @node CRIS
18088 @subsection CRIS
18089 @cindex CRIS
18090
18091 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18092 following CRIS-specific commands:
18093
18094 @table @code
18095 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
18096 @cindex CRIS version
18097 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
18098 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
18099 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
18100
18101 @item show cris-version
18102 Show the current CRIS version.
18103
18104 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
18105 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
18106 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
18107 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
18108 @code{R59}.
18109
18110 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
18111 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
18112
18113 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
18114 @cindex CRIS mode
18115 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
18116 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
18117 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
18118
18119 @item show cris-mode
18120 Show the current CRIS mode.
18121 @end table
18122
18123 @node Super-H
18124 @subsection Renesas Super-H
18125 @cindex Super-H
18126
18127 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
18128 commands:
18129
18130 @table @code
18131 @item regs
18132 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
18133 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
18134
18135 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
18136 @kindex set sh calling-convention
18137 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
18138 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
18139 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
18140 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
18141 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
18142 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
18143 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
18144 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
18145 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
18146 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
18147
18148 @item show sh calling-convention
18149 @kindex show sh calling-convention
18150 Show the current calling convention setting.
18151
18152 @end table
18153
18154
18155 @node Architectures
18156 @section Architectures
18157
18158 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
18159 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
18160
18161 @menu
18162 * i386::
18163 * A29K::
18164 * Alpha::
18165 * MIPS::
18166 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
18167 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18168 * PowerPC::
18169 @end menu
18170
18171 @node i386
18172 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
18173
18174 @table @code
18175 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
18176 @kindex set struct-convention
18177 @cindex struct return convention
18178 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
18179 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
18180 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
18181 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
18182 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
18183 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
18184 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
18185 be returned in a register.
18186
18187 @item show struct-convention
18188 @kindex show struct-convention
18189 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
18190 from functions.
18191 @end table
18192
18193 @node A29K
18194 @subsection A29K
18195
18196 @table @code
18197
18198 @kindex set rstack_high_address
18199 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
18200 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
18201 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18202 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18203 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18204 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18205 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18206 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18207 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18208 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18209 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18210 hexadecimal.
18211
18212 @kindex show rstack_high_address
18213 @item show rstack_high_address
18214 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18215 processors.
18216
18217 @end table
18218
18219 @node Alpha
18220 @subsection Alpha
18221
18222 See the following section.
18223
18224 @node MIPS
18225 @subsection MIPS
18226
18227 @cindex stack on Alpha
18228 @cindex stack on MIPS
18229 @cindex Alpha stack
18230 @cindex MIPS stack
18231 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18232 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18233 find the beginning of a function.
18234
18235 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18236 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18237 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18238 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18239 commands:
18240
18241 @table @code
18242 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18243 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18244 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18245 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18246 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18247 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18248 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18249 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18250
18251 @item show heuristic-fence-post
18252 Display the current limit.
18253 @end table
18254
18255 @noindent
18256 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18257 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18258
18259 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18260 programs:
18261
18262 @table @code
18263 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
18264 @kindex set mips abi
18265 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
18266 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18267 values of @var{arg} are:
18268
18269 @table @samp
18270 @item auto
18271 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18272 default).
18273 @item o32
18274 @item o64
18275 @item n32
18276 @item n64
18277 @item eabi32
18278 @item eabi64
18279 @item auto
18280 @end table
18281
18282 @item show mips abi
18283 @kindex show mips abi
18284 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18285
18286 @item set mipsfpu
18287 @itemx show mipsfpu
18288 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18289
18290 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18291 @kindex set mips mask-address
18292 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18293 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18294 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18295 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18296 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18297
18298 @item show mips mask-address
18299 @kindex show mips mask-address
18300 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18301 not.
18302
18303 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18304 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18305 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18306 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18307 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18308 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18309
18310 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18311 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18312 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18313
18314 @item set debug mips
18315 @kindex set debug mips
18316 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18317 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18318
18319 @item show debug mips
18320 @kindex show debug mips
18321 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18322 @end table
18323
18324
18325 @node HPPA
18326 @subsection HPPA
18327 @cindex HPPA support
18328
18329 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18330 following special commands:
18331
18332 @table @code
18333 @item set debug hppa
18334 @kindex set debug hppa
18335 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18336 messages are to be displayed.
18337
18338 @item show debug hppa
18339 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18340
18341 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18342 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18343 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18344 given @var{address}.
18345
18346 @end table
18347
18348
18349 @node SPU
18350 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18351 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18352 @cindex SPU
18353
18354 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18355 it provides the following special commands:
18356
18357 @table @code
18358 @item info spu event
18359 @kindex info spu
18360 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18361 and pending event status.
18362
18363 @item info spu signal
18364 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18365 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18366 notification channels.
18367
18368 @item info spu mailbox
18369 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18370 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18371 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18372
18373 @item info spu dma
18374 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18375 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18376 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18377
18378 @item info spu proxydma
18379 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18380 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18381 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18382
18383 @end table
18384
18385 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18386 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18387 special commands:
18388
18389 @table @code
18390 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18391 @kindex set spu
18392 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18393 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18394 function. The default is @code{off}.
18395
18396 @item show spu stop-on-load
18397 @kindex show spu
18398 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18399
18400 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18401 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18402 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18403 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18404 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18405 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18406
18407 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18408 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18409
18410 @end table
18411
18412 @node PowerPC
18413 @subsection PowerPC
18414 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18415
18416 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18417 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18418 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18419 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18420 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18421
18422 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18423 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18424 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18425
18426 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18427 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18428
18429
18430 @node Controlling GDB
18431 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18432
18433 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18434 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18435 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18436 described here.
18437
18438 @menu
18439 * Prompt:: Prompt
18440 * Editing:: Command editing
18441 * Command History:: Command history
18442 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18443 * Numbers:: Numbers
18444 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18445 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18446 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18447 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18448 @end menu
18449
18450 @node Prompt
18451 @section Prompt
18452
18453 @cindex prompt
18454
18455 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18456 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18457 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18458 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18459 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18460 which one you are talking to.
18461
18462 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18463 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18464 or a prompt that does not.
18465
18466 @table @code
18467 @kindex set prompt
18468 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18469 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18470
18471 @kindex show prompt
18472 @item show prompt
18473 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18474 @end table
18475
18476 @node Editing
18477 @section Command Editing
18478 @cindex readline
18479 @cindex command line editing
18480
18481 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18482 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18483 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18484 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18485 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18486 debugging sessions.
18487
18488 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18489 command @code{set}.
18490
18491 @table @code
18492 @kindex set editing
18493 @cindex editing
18494 @item set editing
18495 @itemx set editing on
18496 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18497
18498 @item set editing off
18499 Disable command line editing.
18500
18501 @kindex show editing
18502 @item show editing
18503 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18504 @end table
18505
18506 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18507 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18508 encouraged to read that chapter.
18509
18510 @node Command History
18511 @section Command History
18512 @cindex command history
18513
18514 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18515 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18516 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18517 history facility.
18518
18519 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18520 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18521 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18522
18523 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18524 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18525 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18526 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18527 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18528 pressed on a line by itself.
18529
18530 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18531 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18532 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18533 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18534
18535 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18536 history.
18537
18538 @table @code
18539 @cindex history substitution
18540 @cindex history file
18541 @kindex set history filename
18542 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18543 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18544 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18545 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18546 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18547 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18548 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18549 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18550 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18551 is not set.
18552
18553 @cindex save command history
18554 @kindex set history save
18555 @item set history save
18556 @itemx set history save on
18557 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18558 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18559
18560 @item set history save off
18561 Stop recording command history in a file.
18562
18563 @cindex history size
18564 @kindex set history size
18565 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18566 @item set history size @var{size}
18567 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18568 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18569 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18570 @end table
18571
18572 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18573 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18574
18575 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18576 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18577 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18578 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18579 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18580 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18581 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18582 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18583
18584 The commands to control history expansion are:
18585
18586 @table @code
18587 @item set history expansion on
18588 @itemx set history expansion
18589 @kindex set history expansion
18590 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18591
18592 @item set history expansion off
18593 Disable history expansion.
18594
18595 @c @group
18596 @kindex show history
18597 @item show history
18598 @itemx show history filename
18599 @itemx show history save
18600 @itemx show history size
18601 @itemx show history expansion
18602 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18603 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18604 @c @end group
18605 @end table
18606
18607 @table @code
18608 @kindex show commands
18609 @cindex show last commands
18610 @cindex display command history
18611 @item show commands
18612 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18613
18614 @item show commands @var{n}
18615 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18616
18617 @item show commands +
18618 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18619 @end table
18620
18621 @node Screen Size
18622 @section Screen Size
18623 @cindex size of screen
18624 @cindex pauses in output
18625
18626 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18627 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18628 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18629 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18630 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18631 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18632 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18633 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18634
18635 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18636 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18637 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18638 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18639 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18640 width} commands:
18641
18642 @table @code
18643 @kindex set height
18644 @kindex set width
18645 @kindex show width
18646 @kindex show height
18647 @item set height @var{lpp}
18648 @itemx show height
18649 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
18650 @itemx show width
18651 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18652 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18653 commands display the current settings.
18654
18655 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18656 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18657 file or to an editor buffer.
18658
18659 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18660 from wrapping its output.
18661
18662 @item set pagination on
18663 @itemx set pagination off
18664 @kindex set pagination
18665 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18666 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
18667 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
18668 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
18669
18670 @item show pagination
18671 @kindex show pagination
18672 Show the current pagination mode.
18673 @end table
18674
18675 @node Numbers
18676 @section Numbers
18677 @cindex number representation
18678 @cindex entering numbers
18679
18680 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18681 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18682 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18683 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18684 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
18685 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18686 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18687 both input and output with the commands described below.
18688
18689 @table @code
18690 @kindex set input-radix
18691 @item set input-radix @var{base}
18692 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18693 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18694 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18695 example, any of
18696
18697 @smallexample
18698 set input-radix 012
18699 set input-radix 10.
18700 set input-radix 0xa
18701 @end smallexample
18702
18703 @noindent
18704 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18705 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18706 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18707 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18708 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18709 change the radix.
18710
18711 @kindex set output-radix
18712 @item set output-radix @var{base}
18713 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18714 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18715 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18716
18717 @kindex show input-radix
18718 @item show input-radix
18719 Display the current default base for numeric input.
18720
18721 @kindex show output-radix
18722 @item show output-radix
18723 Display the current default base for numeric display.
18724
18725 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18726 @itemx show radix
18727 @kindex set radix
18728 @kindex show radix
18729 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18730 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18731 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18732 default value of 10.
18733
18734 @end table
18735
18736 @node ABI
18737 @section Configuring the Current ABI
18738
18739 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18740 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18741 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18742 current ABI.
18743
18744 @cindex OS ABI
18745 @kindex set osabi
18746 @kindex show osabi
18747
18748 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18749 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18750 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18751 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18752 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18753 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18754 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18755 platform provides.
18756
18757 @table @code
18758 @item show osabi
18759 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18760
18761 @item set osabi
18762 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18763
18764 @item set osabi @var{abi}
18765 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18766 @end table
18767
18768 @cindex float promotion
18769
18770 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18771 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18772 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18773 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18774 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18775 @code{double} and then passed.
18776
18777 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18778 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18779 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18780
18781 @table @code
18782 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18783 @item set coerce-float-to-double
18784 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18785 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18786 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18787
18788 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
18789 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18790 functions.
18791
18792 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18793 @item show coerce-float-to-double
18794 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18795 @end table
18796
18797 @kindex set cp-abi
18798 @kindex show cp-abi
18799 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18800 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18801 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18802 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18803 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18804 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18805 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18806 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18807 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18808 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18809 ``auto''.
18810
18811 @table @code
18812 @item show cp-abi
18813 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
18814
18815 @item set cp-abi
18816 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
18817
18818 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
18819 @itemx set cp-abi auto
18820 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
18821 @end table
18822
18823 @node Messages/Warnings
18824 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
18825
18826 @cindex verbose operation
18827 @cindex optional warnings
18828 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
18829 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
18830 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
18831 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
18832
18833 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18834 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18835 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18836
18837 @table @code
18838 @kindex set verbose
18839 @item set verbose on
18840 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18841
18842 @item set verbose off
18843 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18844
18845 @kindex show verbose
18846 @item show verbose
18847 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18848 @end table
18849
18850 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18851 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18852 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18853 Symbol Files}).
18854
18855 @table @code
18856
18857 @kindex set complaints
18858 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18859 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18860 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18861 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18862 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18863
18864 @kindex show complaints
18865 @item show complaints
18866 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18867
18868 @end table
18869
18870 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18871 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18872 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18873 you try to run a program which is already running:
18874
18875 @smallexample
18876 (@value{GDBP}) run
18877 The program being debugged has been started already.
18878 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18879 @end smallexample
18880
18881 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18882 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18883
18884 @table @code
18885
18886 @kindex set confirm
18887 @cindex flinching
18888 @cindex confirmation
18889 @cindex stupid questions
18890 @item set confirm off
18891 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
18892 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
18893 automatically disables confirmation requests.
18894
18895 @item set confirm on
18896 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18897
18898 @kindex show confirm
18899 @item show confirm
18900 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18901
18902 @end table
18903
18904 @cindex command tracing
18905 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18906 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18907 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18908 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18909
18910 @table @code
18911 @kindex set trace-commands
18912 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18913 @item set trace-commands on
18914 Enable command tracing.
18915 @item set trace-commands off
18916 Disable command tracing.
18917 @item show trace-commands
18918 Display the current state of command tracing.
18919 @end table
18920
18921 @node Debugging Output
18922 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18923 @cindex optional debugging messages
18924
18925 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18926 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18927 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18928 section documents those commands.
18929
18930 @table @code
18931 @kindex set exec-done-display
18932 @item set exec-done-display
18933 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18934 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18935 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18936 @kindex show exec-done-display
18937 @item show exec-done-display
18938 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18939 notification.
18940 @kindex set debug
18941 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18942 @cindex architecture debugging info
18943 @item set debug arch
18944 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18945 @kindex show debug
18946 @item show debug arch
18947 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18948 @item set debug aix-thread
18949 @cindex AIX threads
18950 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18951 module.
18952 @item show debug aix-thread
18953 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18954 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18955 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18956 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18957 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18958 A value of zero turns off the display.
18959 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18960 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18961 @item set debug displaced
18962 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18963 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18964 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18965 @item show debug displaced
18966 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18967 related to displaced stepping.
18968 @item set debug event
18969 @cindex event debugging info
18970 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18971 default is off.
18972 @item show debug event
18973 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18974 info.
18975 @item set debug expression
18976 @cindex expression debugging info
18977 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18978 expression parsing. The default is off.
18979 @item show debug expression
18980 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18981 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18982 @item set debug frame
18983 @cindex frame debugging info
18984 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18985 default is off.
18986 @item show debug frame
18987 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18988 info.
18989 @item set debug gnu-nat
18990 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18991 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18992 @item show debug gnu-nat
18993 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18994 @item set debug infrun
18995 @cindex inferior debugging info
18996 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18997 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18998 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18999 @item show debug infrun
19000 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19001 @item set debug lin-lwp
19002 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19003 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19004 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19005 @item show debug lin-lwp
19006 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19007 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19008 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19009 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19010 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19011 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19012 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19013 @item set debug observer
19014 @cindex observer debugging info
19015 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19016 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19017 @item show debug observer
19018 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19019 @item set debug overload
19020 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19021 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19022 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19023 is off.
19024 @item show debug overload
19025 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19026 debugging info.
19027 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19028 @cindex debug expression parser
19029 @item set debug parser
19030 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19031 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19032 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19033 details. The default is off.
19034 @item show debug parser
19035 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19036 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19037 @cindex serial connections, debugging
19038 @cindex debug remote protocol
19039 @cindex remote protocol debugging
19040 @cindex display remote packets
19041 @item set debug remote
19042 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19043 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19044 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19045 @item show debug remote
19046 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19047 @item set debug serial
19048 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19049 default is off.
19050 @item show debug serial
19051 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19052 info.
19053 @item set debug solib-frv
19054 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19055 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19056 @item show debug solib-frv
19057 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19058 messages.
19059 @item set debug target
19060 @cindex target debugging info
19061 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19062 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19063 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19064 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19065 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19066 @item show debug target
19067 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19068 info.
19069 @item set debug timestamp
19070 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19071 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19072 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19073 message.
19074 @item show debug timestamp
19075 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19076 debugging info.
19077 @item set debugvarobj
19078 @cindex variable object debugging info
19079 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19080 info. The default is off.
19081 @item show debugvarobj
19082 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19083 debugging info.
19084 @item set debug xml
19085 @cindex XML parser debugging
19086 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19087 @item show debug xml
19088 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19089 @end table
19090
19091 @node Other Misc Settings
19092 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19093 @cindex miscellaneous settings
19094
19095 @table @code
19096 @kindex set interactive-mode
19097 @item set interactive-mode
19098 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
19099 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
19100 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
19101 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
19102
19103 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
19104 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
19105 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
19106 inside a cygwin window.
19107
19108 @kindex show interactive-mode
19109 @item show interactive-mode
19110 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
19111 @end table
19112
19113 @node Extending GDB
19114 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
19115 @cindex extending GDB
19116
19117 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
19118 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
19119 Python scripting language.
19120
19121 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
19122 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
19123 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
19124 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
19125 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19126 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
19127
19128 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
19129 setting:
19130
19131 @table @code
19132 @kindex set script-extension
19133 @kindex show script-extension
19134 @item set script-extension off
19135 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19136
19137 @item set script-extension soft
19138 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19139 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
19140 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
19141 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
19142
19143 @item set script-extension strict
19144 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19145 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
19146 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
19147
19148 @item show script-extension
19149 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
19150
19151 @end table
19152
19153 @menu
19154 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
19155 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19156 @end menu
19157
19158 @node Sequences
19159 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
19160
19161 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
19162 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
19163 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
19164 files.
19165
19166 @menu
19167 * Define:: How to define your own commands
19168 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
19169 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
19170 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
19171 @end menu
19172
19173 @node Define
19174 @subsection User-defined Commands
19175
19176 @cindex user-defined command
19177 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
19178 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
19179 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
19180 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
19181 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
19182 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
19183
19184 @smallexample
19185 define adder
19186 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19187 end
19188 @end smallexample
19189
19190 @noindent
19191 To execute the command use:
19192
19193 @smallexample
19194 adder 1 2 3
19195 @end smallexample
19196
19197 @noindent
19198 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
19199 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
19200 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
19201 functions calls.
19202
19203 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
19204 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
19205 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
19206 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
19207
19208 @smallexample
19209 define adder
19210 if $argc == 2
19211 print $arg0 + $arg1
19212 end
19213 if $argc == 3
19214 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19215 end
19216 end
19217 @end smallexample
19218
19219 @table @code
19220
19221 @kindex define
19222 @item define @var{commandname}
19223 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
19224 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
19225 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
19226 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
19227 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
19228 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
19229
19230 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
19231 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
19232 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19233
19234 @kindex document
19235 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
19236 @item document @var{commandname}
19237 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
19238 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
19239 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
19240 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
19241 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
19242 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19243
19244 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19245 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19246 does not change the documentation.
19247
19248 @kindex dont-repeat
19249 @cindex don't repeat command
19250 @item dont-repeat
19251 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19252 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19253 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19254
19255 @kindex help user-defined
19256 @item help user-defined
19257 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19258 (if any) for each.
19259
19260 @kindex show user
19261 @item show user
19262 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
19263 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19264 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19265 definitions for all user-defined commands.
19266
19267 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19268 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
19269 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
19270 @item show max-user-call-depth
19271 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
19272 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19273 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19274 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19275 @end table
19276
19277 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19278 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19279
19280 When user-defined commands are executed, the
19281 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19282 stops execution of the user-defined command.
19283
19284 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19285 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19286 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19287 messages when used in a user-defined command.
19288
19289 @node Hooks
19290 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19291 @cindex command hooks
19292 @cindex hooks, for commands
19293 @cindex hooks, pre-command
19294
19295 @kindex hook
19296 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19297 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19298 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19299 before that command.
19300
19301 @cindex hooks, post-command
19302 @kindex hookpost
19303 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19304 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19305 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19306 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19307 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19308
19309 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19310 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19311
19312 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19313 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19314
19315 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19316 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19317 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19318 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19319 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19320
19321 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19322 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19323 you could define:
19324
19325 @smallexample
19326 define hook-stop
19327 handle SIGALRM nopass
19328 end
19329
19330 define hook-run
19331 handle SIGALRM pass
19332 end
19333
19334 define hook-continue
19335 handle SIGALRM pass
19336 end
19337 @end smallexample
19338
19339 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19340 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19341 you could define:
19342
19343 @smallexample
19344 define hook-echo
19345 echo <<<---
19346 end
19347
19348 define hookpost-echo
19349 echo --->>>\n
19350 end
19351
19352 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19353 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19354 (@value{GDBP})
19355
19356 @end smallexample
19357
19358 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19359 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19360 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19361 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19362 @c or not?
19363 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19364 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19365 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19366
19367 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19368 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19369 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19370
19371 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19372 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19373
19374 @node Command Files
19375 @subsection Command Files
19376
19377 @cindex command files
19378 @cindex scripting commands
19379 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19380 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19381 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19382 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19383 terminal.
19384
19385 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19386 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
19387 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
19388 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
19389 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
19390
19391 @table @code
19392 @kindex source
19393 @cindex execute commands from a file
19394 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
19395 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19396 @end table
19397
19398 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19399 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19400 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19401 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19402 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19403
19404 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
19405 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
19406 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
19407 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
19408 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
19409 is not relevant to scripts.
19410
19411 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
19412 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
19413 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
19414 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
19415 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19416 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
19417 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
19418 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
19419 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19420 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
19421 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
19422 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
19423 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
19424 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
19425
19426 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19427 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19428 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19429
19430 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19431 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19432 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19433 when called from command files.
19434
19435 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19436 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19437 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19438 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19439 the next command.
19440
19441 @smallexample
19442 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19443 @end smallexample
19444
19445 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19446 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19447 would be directed to @file{log}.
19448
19449 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19450 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19451 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19452 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19453 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19454 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19455 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19456 conditionally, etc.
19457
19458 @table @code
19459 @kindex if
19460 @kindex else
19461 @item if
19462 @itemx else
19463 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19464 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19465 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19466 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19467 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19468 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19469 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19470
19471 @kindex while
19472 @item while
19473 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19474 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19475 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19476 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19477 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19478 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19479
19480 @kindex loop_break
19481 @item loop_break
19482 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19483 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19484 line.
19485
19486 @kindex loop_continue
19487 @item loop_continue
19488 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19489 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19490 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19491 the controlling expression.
19492
19493 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19494 @item end
19495 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19496 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19497 @end table
19498
19499
19500 @node Output
19501 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19502
19503 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19504 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19505 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19506 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19507 want.
19508
19509 @table @code
19510 @kindex echo
19511 @item echo @var{text}
19512 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19513 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19514 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19515 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19516 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19517 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19518 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19519 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19520 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19521 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19522 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19523
19524 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19525 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19526
19527 @smallexample
19528 echo This is some text\n\
19529 which is continued\n\
19530 onto several lines.\n
19531 @end smallexample
19532
19533 produces the same output as
19534
19535 @smallexample
19536 echo This is some text\n
19537 echo which is continued\n
19538 echo onto several lines.\n
19539 @end smallexample
19540
19541 @kindex output
19542 @item output @var{expression}
19543 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19544 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19545 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19546 on expressions.
19547
19548 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19549 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19550 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19551 Formats}, for more information.
19552
19553 @kindex printf
19554 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19555 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19556 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19557 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19558 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19559 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19560 executing the code below:
19561
19562 @smallexample
19563 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19564 @end smallexample
19565
19566 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19567 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19568 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19569 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19570 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19571 printed.
19572
19573 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19574
19575 @smallexample
19576 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19577 @end smallexample
19578
19579 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19580 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19581 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19582
19583 @itemize @bullet
19584 @item
19585 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19586
19587 @item
19588 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19589 width.
19590
19591 @item
19592 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19593 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19594
19595 @item
19596 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19597 supported.
19598
19599 @item
19600 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19601
19602 @item
19603 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19604 @end itemize
19605
19606 @noindent
19607 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19608 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19609 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19610 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19611
19612 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19613 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19614 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19615 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19616 supported.
19617
19618 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19619 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19620 together with a floating point specifier.
19621 letters:
19622
19623 @itemize @bullet
19624 @item
19625 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19626
19627 @item
19628 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19629
19630 @item
19631 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19632 @end itemize
19633
19634 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19635 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19636 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19637
19638 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19639 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19640
19641 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19642 @smallexample
19643 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19644 @end smallexample
19645
19646 @end table
19647
19648 @node Python
19649 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19650 @cindex python scripting
19651 @cindex scripting with python
19652
19653 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19654 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19655 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19656
19657 @menu
19658 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19659 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19660 @end menu
19661
19662 @node Python Commands
19663 @subsection Python Commands
19664 @cindex python commands
19665 @cindex commands to access python
19666
19667 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19668 and one related setting:
19669
19670 @table @code
19671 @kindex python
19672 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19673 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19674
19675 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19676 argument as a Python command. For example:
19677
19678 @smallexample
19679 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
19680 23
19681 @end smallexample
19682
19683 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19684 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19685 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19686 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19687 containing @code{end}. For example:
19688
19689 @smallexample
19690 (@value{GDBP}) python
19691 Type python script
19692 End with a line saying just "end".
19693 >print 23
19694 >end
19695 23
19696 @end smallexample
19697
19698 @kindex maint set python print-stack
19699 @item maint set python print-stack
19700 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19701 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19702 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19703 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19704 disabled.
19705 @end table
19706
19707 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
19708 interpreter:
19709
19710 @table @code
19711 @item source @file{script-name}
19712 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
19713 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
19714 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
19715
19716 @item python execfile ("script-name")
19717 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
19718 and thus is always available.
19719 @end table
19720
19721 @node Python API
19722 @subsection Python API
19723 @cindex python api
19724 @cindex programming in python
19725
19726 @cindex python stdout
19727 @cindex python pagination
19728 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19729 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19730 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19731 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19732 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19733
19734 @menu
19735 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19736 * Exception Handling::
19737 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19738 * Values From Inferior::
19739 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19740 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
19741 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19742 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19743 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19744 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
19745 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19746 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19747 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
19748 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
19749 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
19750 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
19751 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
19752 @end menu
19753
19754 @node Basic Python
19755 @subsubsection Basic Python
19756
19757 @cindex python functions
19758 @cindex python module
19759 @cindex gdb module
19760 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19761 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19762 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19763 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19764
19765 @findex gdb.execute
19766 @defun execute command [from_tty]
19767 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19768 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19769 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19770 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19771
19772 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19773 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19774 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19775 @end defun
19776
19777 @findex gdb.breakpoints
19778 @defun breakpoints
19779 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
19780 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
19781 @end defun
19782
19783 @findex gdb.parameter
19784 @defun parameter parameter
19785 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19786 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19787 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19788 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19789
19790 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19791 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19792 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19793 @end defun
19794
19795 @findex gdb.history
19796 @defun history number
19797 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19798 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19799 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19800 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19801 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19802 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19803 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19804 raised.
19805
19806 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19807 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19808 @end defun
19809
19810 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19811 @defun parse_and_eval expression
19812 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19813 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19814 @var{expression} must be a string.
19815
19816 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
19817 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
19818 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
19819 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
19820 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19821 @end defun
19822
19823 @findex gdb.write
19824 @defun write string
19825 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
19826 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
19827 call this function.
19828 @end defun
19829
19830 @findex gdb.flush
19831 @defun flush
19832 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
19833 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
19834 function.
19835 @end defun
19836
19837 @findex gdb.target_charset
19838 @defun target_charset
19839 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
19840 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
19841 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
19842 @end defun
19843
19844 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
19845 @defun target_wide_charset
19846 Return the name of the current target wide character set
19847 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
19848 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
19849 never returned.
19850 @end defun
19851
19852 @node Exception Handling
19853 @subsubsection Exception Handling
19854 @cindex python exceptions
19855 @cindex exceptions, python
19856
19857 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
19858 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
19859 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
19860 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
19861 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
19862 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
19863 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
19864
19865 @smallexample
19866 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
19867 Traceback (most recent call last):
19868 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
19869 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
19870 @end smallexample
19871
19872 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
19873 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
19874 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
19875 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
19876 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
19877 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
19878 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
19879 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
19880 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
19881 traceback.
19882
19883 @node Auto-loading
19884 @subsubsection Auto-loading
19885 @cindex auto-loading, Python
19886
19887 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
19888 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
19889 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
19890 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
19891 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
19892 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
19893 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
19894
19895 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
19896 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
19897 then @value{GDBN} will use for its each separated directory component
19898 @code{component} the file named @file{@code{component}/@var{real-name}}, where
19899 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
19900
19901 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
19902 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
19903 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
19904 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
19905 is the object file's real name, as described above.
19906
19907 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
19908 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
19909 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
19910 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
19911
19912 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
19913 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
19914 feature, and view its current state.
19915
19916 @table @code
19917 @kindex maint set python auto-load
19918 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
19919 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
19920
19921 @kindex maint show python auto-load
19922 @item maint show python auto-load
19923 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
19924 @end table
19925
19926 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
19927 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
19928 evaluated multiple times without error.
19929
19930 @node Values From Inferior
19931 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
19932 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
19933 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
19934
19935 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
19936 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
19937 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
19938 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
19939 fetching values when necessary.
19940
19941 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
19942 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
19943 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
19944
19945 @smallexample
19946 bar = some_val + 2
19947 @end smallexample
19948
19949 @noindent
19950 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
19951 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
19952
19953 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
19954 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
19955 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
19956 can access its @code{foo} element with:
19957
19958 @smallexample
19959 bar = some_val['foo']
19960 @end smallexample
19961
19962 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
19963
19964 The following attributes are provided:
19965
19966 @table @code
19967 @defivar Value address
19968 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
19969 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
19970 this attribute holds @code{None}.
19971 @end defivar
19972
19973 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19974 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19975 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19976 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19977 @end defivar
19978
19979 @defivar Value type
19980 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19981 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19982 @end defivar
19983 @end table
19984
19985 The following methods are provided:
19986
19987 @table @code
19988 @defmethod Value cast type
19989 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
19990 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
19991 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
19992 reason, this method throws an exception.
19993 @end defmethod
19994
19995 @defmethod Value dereference
19996 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19997 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19998 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19999
20000 @smallexample
20001 int *foo;
20002 @end smallexample
20003
20004 @noindent
20005 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
20006 @code{foo} points to like this:
20007
20008 @smallexample
20009 bar = foo.dereference ()
20010 @end smallexample
20011
20012 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
20013 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
20014 @end defmethod
20015
20016 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20017 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20018 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
20019 throw an exception.
20020
20021 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
20022 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
20023 language.
20024
20025 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
20026 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
20027 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
20028 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
20029 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
20030
20031 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20032 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
20033 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
20034 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
20035 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
20036 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
20037 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
20038 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
20039 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
20040
20041 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
20042 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
20043
20044 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20045 fetched and converted to the given length.
20046 @end defmethod
20047
20048 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20049 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20050 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
20051 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
20052
20053 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20054 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
20055 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
20056 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
20057 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
20058
20059 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
20060 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
20061 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
20062 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
20063 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
20064 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
20065
20066 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20067 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
20068 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
20069 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
20070 @end defmethod
20071 @end table
20072
20073 @node Types In Python
20074 @subsubsection Types In Python
20075 @cindex types in Python
20076 @cindex Python, working with types
20077
20078 @tindex gdb.Type
20079 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
20080 @code{gdb.Type}.
20081
20082 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20083 module:
20084
20085 @findex gdb.lookup_type
20086 @defun lookup_type name [block]
20087 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
20088 type to look up. It must be a string.
20089
20090 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20091 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20092
20093 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
20094 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
20095 @end defun
20096
20097 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
20098
20099 @table @code
20100 @defivar Type code
20101 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
20102 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
20103 @end defivar
20104
20105 @defivar Type sizeof
20106 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
20107 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
20108 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
20109 @end defivar
20110
20111 @defivar Type tag
20112 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
20113 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
20114 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
20115 @code{None} is returned.
20116 @end defivar
20117 @end table
20118
20119 The following methods are provided:
20120
20121 @table @code
20122 @defmethod Type fields
20123 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
20124 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
20125 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
20126 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
20127 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
20128 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
20129
20130 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
20131 @table @code
20132 @item bitpos
20133 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
20134 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
20135 position of the field.
20136
20137 @item name
20138 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
20139
20140 @item artificial
20141 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
20142 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
20143 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
20144
20145 @item is_base_class
20146 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
20147 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
20148 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
20149 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
20150
20151 @item bitsize
20152 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
20153 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
20154 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
20155
20156 @item type
20157 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
20158 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
20159 @end table
20160 @end defmethod
20161
20162 @defmethod Type const
20163 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20164 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
20165 @end defmethod
20166
20167 @defmethod Type volatile
20168 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20169 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
20170 @end defmethod
20171
20172 @defmethod Type unqualified
20173 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
20174 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
20175 @code{volatile}.
20176 @end defmethod
20177
20178 @defmethod Type range
20179 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
20180 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
20181 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
20182 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
20183 @end defmethod
20184
20185 @defmethod Type reference
20186 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
20187 type.
20188 @end defmethod
20189
20190 @defmethod Type pointer
20191 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
20192 type.
20193 @end defmethod
20194
20195 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
20196 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
20197 after removing all layers of typedefs.
20198 @end defmethod
20199
20200 @defmethod Type target
20201 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
20202 of this type.
20203
20204 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
20205 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
20206 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
20207 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
20208 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
20209 target type is the aliased type.
20210
20211 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
20212 exception.
20213 @end defmethod
20214
20215 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
20216 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
20217 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
20218 @var{n}th template argument.
20219
20220 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
20221 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
20222
20223 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20224 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20225 @end defmethod
20226 @end table
20227
20228
20229 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
20230 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
20231 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20232
20233 @table @code
20234 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
20235 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
20236 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
20237 The type is a pointer.
20238
20239 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20240 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20241 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20242 The type is an array.
20243
20244 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20245 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20246 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20247 The type is a structure.
20248
20249 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
20250 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
20251 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
20252 The type is a union.
20253
20254 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20255 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20256 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20257 The type is an enum.
20258
20259 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20260 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20261 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20262 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
20263
20264 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20265 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20266 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20267 The type is a function.
20268
20269 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
20270 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
20271 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
20272 The type is an integer type.
20273
20274 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
20275 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
20276 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
20277 A floating point type.
20278
20279 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
20280 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
20281 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
20282 The special type @code{void}.
20283
20284 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
20285 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
20286 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
20287 A Pascal set type.
20288
20289 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20290 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20291 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20292 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
20293
20294 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
20295 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
20296 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
20297 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
20298 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
20299
20300 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20301 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20302 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20303 A string of bits.
20304
20305 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20306 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20307 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20308 An unknown or erroneous type.
20309
20310 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20311 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20312 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20313 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20314
20315 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20316 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20317 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20318 A pointer-to-member-function.
20319
20320 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20321 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20322 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20323 A pointer-to-member.
20324
20325 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20326 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20327 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
20328 A reference type.
20329
20330 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20331 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20332 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20333 A character type.
20334
20335 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20336 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20337 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20338 A boolean type.
20339
20340 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20341 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20342 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20343 A complex float type.
20344
20345 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20346 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20347 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20348 A typedef to some other type.
20349
20350 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20351 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20352 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20353 A C@t{++} namespace.
20354
20355 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20356 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20357 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20358 A decimal floating point type.
20359
20360 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20361 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20362 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20363 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20364 convenience functions.
20365 @end table
20366
20367 @node Pretty Printing
20368 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
20369
20370 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
20371 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
20372 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
20373 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
20374
20375 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
20376 pretty-printer:
20377
20378 @smallexample
20379 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20380 $1 = @{
20381 static npos = 4294967295,
20382 _M_dataplus = @{
20383 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
20384 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
20385 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
20386 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
20387 @}
20388 @}
20389 @end smallexample
20390
20391 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
20392 the contents are printed:
20393
20394 @smallexample
20395 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20396 $2 = "abcd"
20397 @end smallexample
20398
20399 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20400 specific interface, defined here.
20401
20402 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20403 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20404 children of the pretty-printer's value.
20405
20406 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20407 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
20408 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
20409 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
20410 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
20411
20412 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
20413 as though the value has no children.
20414 @end defop
20415
20416 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
20417 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
20418 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
20419 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
20420 printed.
20421
20422 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
20423 string.
20424
20425 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
20426
20427 @table @samp
20428 @item array
20429 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
20430 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
20431 @code{set print array}.
20432
20433 @item map
20434 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
20435 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
20436 values.
20437
20438 @item string
20439 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
20440 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
20441 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20442 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20443 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20444 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
20445 @end table
20446 @end defop
20447
20448 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20449 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20450 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20451
20452 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20453 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20454 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20455 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20456 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20457 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20458 the result of @code{children}.
20459
20460 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20461
20462 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20463 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20464 another pretty-printer.
20465
20466 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20467 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20468 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20469 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20470 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20471
20472 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
20473 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
20474
20475 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20476 @end defop
20477
20478 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20479 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20480
20481 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20482 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20483 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
20484 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20485 attribute.
20486
20487 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20488 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20489 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
20490 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20491 @code{None}.
20492
20493 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20494 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
20495 each function in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives
20496 a pretty-printer object.
20497 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
20498 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
20499 calling each function until an object is returned.
20500 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20501 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20502 object is returned.
20503
20504 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20505 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20506 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20507 object is returned.
20508
20509 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20510 written:
20511
20512 @smallexample
20513 class StdStringPrinter:
20514 "Print a std::string"
20515
20516 def __init__ (self, val):
20517 self.val = val
20518
20519 def to_string (self):
20520 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20521
20522 def display_hint (self):
20523 return 'string'
20524 @end smallexample
20525
20526 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20527 example above might be written.
20528
20529 @smallexample
20530 def str_lookup_function (val):
20531
20532 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20533 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20534 if lookup_tag == None:
20535 return None
20536 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20537 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20538
20539 return None
20540 @end smallexample
20541
20542 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20543 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20544 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20545 returns @code{None}.
20546
20547 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20548 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20549 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20550 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20551 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20552 different names.
20553
20554 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20555 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20556 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20557 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20558 the current objfile.
20559
20560 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20561 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20562 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20563 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20564 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20565 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20566 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20567 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20568 inferior.
20569
20570 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
20571 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20572
20573 @smallexample
20574 def register_printers (objfile):
20575 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20576 @end smallexample
20577
20578 @noindent
20579 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20580
20581 @smallexample
20582 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20583 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20584 @end smallexample
20585
20586 @node Commands In Python
20587 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20588
20589 @cindex commands in python
20590 @cindex python commands
20591 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20592 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20593 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20594
20595 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20596 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20597 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20598 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20599
20600 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20601 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20602 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20603 an exception is raised.
20604
20605 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20606
20607 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20608 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20609 new command in the help system.
20610
20611 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20612 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20613 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20614 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20615 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20616 error will occur when completion is attempted.
20617
20618 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20619 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20620 registered.
20621
20622 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20623 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20624 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20625 not documented.'' is used.
20626 @end defmethod
20627
20628 @cindex don't repeat Python command
20629 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
20630 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20631 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20632 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20633 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20634 @end defmethod
20635
20636 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20637 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20638
20639 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20640 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20641
20642 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20643 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20644 that the command came from elsewhere.
20645
20646 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20647 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20648 @end defmethod
20649
20650 @cindex completion of Python commands
20651 @defmethod Command complete text word
20652 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20653 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20654 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20655 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20656 complete}).
20657
20658 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20659 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20660 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20661 using a word-breaking heuristic.
20662
20663 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20664 @itemize @bullet
20665 @item
20666 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20667 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20668 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20669 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20670 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20671 sequence are ignored.
20672
20673 @item
20674 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20675 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20676 function is invoked, and its result is used.
20677
20678 @item
20679 All other results are treated as though there were no available
20680 completions.
20681 @end itemize
20682 @end defmethod
20683
20684 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20685 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20686 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20687 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20688 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20689 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20690
20691 @table @code
20692 @findex COMMAND_NONE
20693 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20694 @item COMMAND_NONE
20695 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20696 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20697
20698 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20699 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20700 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
20701 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20702 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20703 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20704 commands in this category.
20705
20706 @findex COMMAND_DATA
20707 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20708 @item COMMAND_DATA
20709 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20710 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20711 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20712 in this category.
20713
20714 @findex COMMAND_STACK
20715 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20716 @item COMMAND_STACK
20717 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20718 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20719 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20720 list of commands in this category.
20721
20722 @findex COMMAND_FILES
20723 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20724 @item COMMAND_FILES
20725 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20726 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20727 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20728 commands in this category.
20729
20730 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20731 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20732 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20733 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20734 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20735 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20736 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20737 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20738 commands in this category.
20739
20740 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
20741 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20742 @item COMMAND_STATUS
20743 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20744 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20745 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20746 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20747
20748 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20749 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20750 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20751 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20752 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20753 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20754 this category.
20755
20756 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20757 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20758 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20759 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20760 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20761 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20762 commands in this category.
20763
20764 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20765 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20766 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20767 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20768 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20769 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20770 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20771 category.
20772
20773 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20774 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20775 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20776 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20777 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20778 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20779 commands in this category.
20780 @end table
20781
20782 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20783 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20784 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20785 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20786
20787 @table @code
20788 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
20789 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20790 @item COMPLETE_NONE
20791 This constant means that no completion should be done.
20792
20793 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20794 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20795 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20796 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20797
20798 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20799 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20800 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20801 This constant means that location completion should be done.
20802 @xref{Specify Location}.
20803
20804 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20805 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20806 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20807 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20808 command names.
20809
20810 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20811 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20812 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20813 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20814 as the source.
20815 @end table
20816
20817 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20818 implemented in Python:
20819
20820 @smallexample
20821 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20822 """Greet the whole world."""
20823
20824 def __init__ (self):
20825 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20826
20827 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20828 print "Hello, World!"
20829
20830 HelloWorld ()
20831 @end smallexample
20832
20833 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20834 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20835 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20836 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20837
20838 @node Functions In Python
20839 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20840
20841 @cindex writing convenience functions
20842 @cindex convenience functions in python
20843 @cindex python convenience functions
20844 @tindex gdb.Function
20845 @tindex Function
20846 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20847 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20848 class @code{gdb.Function}.
20849
20850 @defmethod Function __init__ name
20851 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20852 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20853 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20854 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20855 the given @var{name}.
20856
20857 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20858 string for the new class.
20859 @end defmethod
20860
20861 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20862 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20863 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20864 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20865 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20866 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20867 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20868 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20869
20870 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20871 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20872 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20873 @end defmethod
20874
20875 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20876 be implemented in Python:
20877
20878 @smallexample
20879 class Greet (gdb.Function):
20880 """Return string to greet someone.
20881 Takes a name as argument."""
20882
20883 def __init__ (self):
20884 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20885
20886 def invoke (self, name):
20887 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
20888
20889 Greet ()
20890 @end smallexample
20891
20892 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20893 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20894 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20895 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20896
20897 @node Progspaces In Python
20898 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
20899
20900 @cindex progspaces in python
20901 @tindex gdb.Progspace
20902 @tindex Progspace
20903 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
20904 of an address space.
20905 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
20906 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20907 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
20908 about program spaces.
20909
20910 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
20911 @code{gdb} module:
20912
20913 @findex gdb.current_progspace
20914 @defun current_progspace
20915 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
20916 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
20917 @end defun
20918
20919 @findex gdb.progspaces
20920 @defun progspaces
20921 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
20922 @end defun
20923
20924 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
20925 class.
20926
20927 @defivar Progspace filename
20928 The file name of the progspace as a string.
20929 @end defivar
20930
20931 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
20932 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20933 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20934 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20935 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20936 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20937 information.
20938 @end defivar
20939
20940 @node Objfiles In Python
20941 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
20942
20943 @cindex objfiles in python
20944 @tindex gdb.Objfile
20945 @tindex Objfile
20946 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
20947 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
20948 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
20949 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
20950 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
20951
20952 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
20953 @code{gdb} module:
20954
20955 @findex gdb.current_objfile
20956 @defun current_objfile
20957 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
20958 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
20959 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
20960 this function returns @code{None}.
20961 @end defun
20962
20963 @findex gdb.objfiles
20964 @defun objfiles
20965 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
20966 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20967 @end defun
20968
20969 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
20970 class.
20971
20972 @defivar Objfile filename
20973 The file name of the objfile as a string.
20974 @end defivar
20975
20976 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
20977 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20978 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20979 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20980 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20981 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20982 information.
20983 @end defivar
20984
20985 @node Frames In Python
20986 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20987
20988 @cindex frames in python
20989 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
20990 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
20991 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
20992 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
20993 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
20994 exception.
20995
20996 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
20997 operator, like:
20998
20999 @smallexample
21000 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
21001 True
21002 @end smallexample
21003
21004 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
21005
21006 @findex gdb.selected_frame
21007 @defun selected_frame
21008 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
21009 @end defun
21010
21011 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
21012 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
21013 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
21014 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
21015 @end defun
21016
21017 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
21018
21019 @table @code
21020 @defmethod Frame is_valid
21021 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
21022 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
21023 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
21024 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
21025 @end defmethod
21026
21027 @defmethod Frame name
21028 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
21029 obtained.
21030 @end defmethod
21031
21032 @defmethod Frame type
21033 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
21034 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
21035 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
21036 @end defmethod
21037
21038 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
21039 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
21040 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
21041 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
21042 function to a string.
21043 @end defmethod
21044
21045 @defmethod Frame pc
21046 Returns the frame's resume address.
21047 @end defmethod
21048
21049 @defmethod Frame block
21050 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
21051 @end defmethod
21052
21053 @defmethod Frame function
21054 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
21055 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
21056 @end defmethod
21057
21058 @defmethod Frame older
21059 Return the frame that called this frame.
21060 @end defmethod
21061
21062 @defmethod Frame newer
21063 Return the frame called by this frame.
21064 @end defmethod
21065
21066 @defmethod Frame find_sal
21067 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
21068 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
21069 @end defmethod
21070
21071 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
21072 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
21073 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
21074 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
21075 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
21076 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
21077 @code{gdb.Block} object.
21078 @end defmethod
21079
21080 @defmethod Frame select
21081 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
21082 Stack}.
21083 @end defmethod
21084 @end table
21085
21086 @node Blocks In Python
21087 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21088
21089 @cindex blocks in python
21090 @tindex gdb.Block
21091
21092 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
21093 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
21094 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
21095 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
21096 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
21097 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
21098 stack.
21099
21100 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21101 module:
21102
21103 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
21104 @defun block_for_pc pc
21105 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
21106 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
21107 will return @code{None}.
21108 @end defun
21109
21110 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
21111
21112 @table @code
21113 @defivar Block start
21114 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21115 @end defivar
21116
21117 @defivar Block end
21118 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21119 @end defivar
21120
21121 @defivar Block function
21122 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
21123 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
21124 attribute is not writable.
21125 @end defivar
21126
21127 @defivar Block superblock
21128 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
21129 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21130 @end defivar
21131 @end table
21132
21133 @node Symbols In Python
21134 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
21135
21136 @cindex symbols in python
21137 @tindex gdb.Symbol
21138
21139 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
21140 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
21141 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
21142 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
21143
21144 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21145 module:
21146
21147 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
21148 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
21149 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
21150 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
21151 arguments.
21152
21153 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
21154 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
21155 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
21156 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
21157 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
21158 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
21159 in this chapter.
21160 @end defun
21161
21162 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
21163
21164 @table @code
21165 @defivar Symbol symtab
21166 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
21167 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
21168 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
21169 @end defivar
21170
21171 @defivar Symbol name
21172 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
21173 @end defivar
21174
21175 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
21176 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
21177 This attribute is not writable.
21178 @end defivar
21179
21180 @defivar Symbol print_name
21181 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
21182 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
21183 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
21184 @end defivar
21185
21186 @defivar Symbol addr_class
21187 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
21188 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
21189 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
21190 @end defivar
21191
21192 @defivar Symbol is_argument
21193 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
21194 @end defivar
21195
21196 @defivar Symbol is_constant
21197 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
21198 @end defivar
21199
21200 @defivar Symbol is_function
21201 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
21202 @end defivar
21203
21204 @defivar Symbol is_variable
21205 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
21206 @end defivar
21207 @end table
21208
21209 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21210 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21211
21212 @table @code
21213 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21214 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21215 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21216 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
21217 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
21218 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21219 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21220 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21221 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21222 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
21223 type values.
21224 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21225 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21226 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21227 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
21228 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21229 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21230 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21231 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
21232 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21233 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21234 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21235 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
21236 contains everything minus functions and types.
21237 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21238 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21239 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
21240 This domain contains all functions.
21241 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21242 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21243 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21244 This domain contains all types.
21245 @end table
21246
21247 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21248 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21249
21250 @table @code
21251 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21252 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21253 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21254 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
21255 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21256 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21257 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21258 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21259 Value is constant int.
21260 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21261 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21262 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21263 Value is at a fixed address.
21264 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21265 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21266 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21267 Value is in a register.
21268 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21269 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21270 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21271 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
21272 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
21273 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21274 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21275 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21276 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
21277 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
21278 offset, not the value itself.
21279 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21280 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21281 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21282 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
21283 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
21284 itself.
21285 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21286 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21287 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21288 Value is a local variable.
21289 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21290 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21291 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21292 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
21293 have this class.
21294 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21295 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21296 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21297 Value is a block.
21298 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21299 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21300 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21301 Value is a byte-sequence.
21302 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21303 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21304 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21305 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
21306 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
21307 referenced.
21308 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21309 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21310 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21311 The value does not actually exist in the program.
21312 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21313 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21314 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21315 The value's address is a computed location.
21316 @end table
21317
21318 @node Symbol Tables In Python
21319 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
21320
21321 @cindex symbol tables in python
21322 @tindex gdb.Symtab
21323 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
21324
21325 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
21326 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
21327 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
21328 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
21329 @xref{Frames In Python}.
21330
21331 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
21332 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
21333
21334 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
21335
21336 @table @code
21337 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
21338 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
21339 This attribute is not writable.
21340 @end defivar
21341
21342 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
21343 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
21344 writable.
21345 @end defivar
21346
21347 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
21348 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
21349 attribute is not writable.
21350 @end defivar
21351 @end table
21352
21353 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
21354
21355 @table @code
21356 @defivar Symtab filename
21357 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
21358 @end defivar
21359
21360 @defivar Symtab objfile
21361 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21362 This attribute is not writable.
21363 @end defivar
21364 @end table
21365
21366 The following methods are provided:
21367
21368 @table @code
21369 @defmethod Symtab fullname
21370 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
21371 @end defmethod
21372 @end table
21373
21374 @node Breakpoints In Python
21375 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
21376
21377 @cindex breakpoints in python
21378 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
21379
21380 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
21381 class.
21382
21383 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]}
21384 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
21385 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
21386 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
21387 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
21388 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
21389 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
21390 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
21391 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{wp_class}
21392 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
21393 defined as @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not
21394 provided, it is assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
21395 @end defmethod
21396
21397 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
21398 @code{gdb} module:
21399
21400 @table @code
21401 @findex WP_READ
21402 @findex gdb.WP_READ
21403 @item WP_READ
21404 Read only watchpoint.
21405
21406 @findex WP_WRITE
21407 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
21408 @item WP_WRITE
21409 Write only watchpoint.
21410
21411 @findex WP_ACCESS
21412 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
21413 @item WP_ACCESS
21414 Read/Write watchpoint.
21415 @end table
21416
21417 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
21418 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
21419 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
21420 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
21421 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
21422 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
21423 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
21424 @end defmethod
21425
21426 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
21427 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
21428 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21429 @end defivar
21430
21431 @defivar Breakpoint silent
21432 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
21433 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21434
21435 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
21436 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
21437 @code{silent} attribute.
21438 @end defivar
21439
21440 @defivar Breakpoint thread
21441 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
21442 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
21443 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
21444 @end defivar
21445
21446 @defivar Breakpoint task
21447 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
21448 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
21449 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
21450 is writable.
21451 @end defivar
21452
21453 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
21454 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
21455 This attribute is writable.
21456 @end defivar
21457
21458 @defivar Breakpoint number
21459 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
21460 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
21461 @end defivar
21462
21463 @defivar Breakpoint type
21464 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
21465 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
21466 writable.
21467 @end defivar
21468
21469 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
21470 module:
21471
21472 @table @code
21473 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
21474 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
21475 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
21476 Normal code breakpoint.
21477
21478 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
21479 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
21480 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
21481 Watchpoint breakpoint.
21482
21483 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21484 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21485 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21486 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
21487
21488 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21489 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21490 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21491 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
21492
21493 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21494 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21495 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21496 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
21497 @end table
21498
21499 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
21500 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
21501 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
21502 @end defivar
21503
21504 @defivar Breakpoint location
21505 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
21506 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
21507 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
21508 attribute is not writable.
21509 @end defivar
21510
21511 @defivar Breakpoint expression
21512 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
21513 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
21514 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
21515 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21516 @end defivar
21517
21518 @defivar Breakpoint condition
21519 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
21520 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
21521 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
21522 @end defivar
21523
21524 @defivar Breakpoint commands
21525 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
21526 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
21527 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
21528 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21529 @end defivar
21530
21531 @node Lazy Strings In Python
21532 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
21533
21534 @cindex lazy strings in python
21535 @tindex gdb.LazyString
21536
21537 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
21538 encoded until it is needed.
21539
21540 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
21541 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
21542 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
21543 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
21544 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
21545 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
21546 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
21547 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
21548 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
21549
21550 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
21551
21552 @defmethod LazyString value
21553 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
21554 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
21555 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
21556 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
21557 @end defmethod
21558
21559 @defivar LazyString address
21560 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
21561 writable.
21562 @end defivar
21563
21564 @defivar LazyString length
21565 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
21566 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
21567 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
21568 @end defivar
21569
21570 @defivar LazyString encoding
21571 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
21572 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
21573 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
21574 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
21575 is not writable.
21576 @end defivar
21577
21578 @defivar LazyString type
21579 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
21580 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
21581 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
21582 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
21583 writable.
21584 @end defivar
21585
21586 @node Interpreters
21587 @chapter Command Interpreters
21588 @cindex command interpreters
21589
21590 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
21591 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
21592 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
21593
21594 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
21595 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
21596 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
21597 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
21598
21599 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
21600 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
21601 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
21602 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
21603
21604 @table @code
21605 @item console
21606 @cindex console interpreter
21607 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
21608 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
21609 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
21610
21611 @item mi
21612 @cindex mi interpreter
21613 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
21614 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
21615 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
21616 Interface}.
21617
21618 @item mi2
21619 @cindex mi2 interpreter
21620 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
21621
21622 @item mi1
21623 @cindex mi1 interpreter
21624 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
21625
21626 @end table
21627
21628 @cindex invoke another interpreter
21629 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
21630 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
21631 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
21632 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
21633 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
21634 the IDE inoperable!
21635
21636 @kindex interpreter-exec
21637 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
21638 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
21639 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
21640 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
21641
21642 @smallexample
21643 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
21644 @end smallexample
21645
21646 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
21647 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
21648
21649 @node TUI
21650 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
21651 @cindex TUI
21652 @cindex Text User Interface
21653
21654 @menu
21655 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
21656 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
21657 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
21658 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
21659 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
21660 @end menu
21661
21662 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
21663 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
21664 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
21665 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
21666 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
21667 is available.
21668
21669 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
21670 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
21671 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
21672 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
21673 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
21674 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
21675
21676 @node TUI Overview
21677 @section TUI Overview
21678
21679 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
21680
21681 @table @emph
21682 @item command
21683 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
21684 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
21685 managed using readline.
21686
21687 @item source
21688 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
21689 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
21690
21691 @item assembly
21692 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
21693
21694 @item register
21695 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
21696 when their values change.
21697 @end table
21698
21699 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
21700 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
21701 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
21702 indicates the breakpoint type:
21703
21704 @table @code
21705 @item B
21706 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21707
21708 @item b
21709 Breakpoint which was never hit.
21710
21711 @item H
21712 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21713
21714 @item h
21715 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
21716 @end table
21717
21718 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
21719
21720 @table @code
21721 @item +
21722 Breakpoint is enabled.
21723
21724 @item -
21725 Breakpoint is disabled.
21726 @end table
21727
21728 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
21729 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
21730 changes.
21731
21732 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
21733 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
21734 layouts:
21735
21736 @itemize @bullet
21737 @item
21738 source only,
21739
21740 @item
21741 assembly only,
21742
21743 @item
21744 source and assembly,
21745
21746 @item
21747 source and registers, or
21748
21749 @item
21750 assembly and registers.
21751 @end itemize
21752
21753 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
21754
21755 @table @emph
21756 @item target
21757 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
21758 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
21759
21760 @item process
21761 Gives the current process or thread number.
21762 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
21763
21764 @item function
21765 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
21766 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
21767 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
21768 the string @code{??} is displayed.
21769
21770 @item line
21771 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
21772 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
21773
21774 @item pc
21775 Indicates the current program counter address.
21776 @end table
21777
21778 @node TUI Keys
21779 @section TUI Key Bindings
21780 @cindex TUI key bindings
21781
21782 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
21783 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
21784 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
21785
21786 @table @kbd
21787 @kindex C-x C-a
21788 @item C-x C-a
21789 @kindex C-x a
21790 @itemx C-x a
21791 @kindex C-x A
21792 @itemx C-x A
21793 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
21794 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
21795 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
21796 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
21797 The screen is then refreshed.
21798
21799 @kindex C-x 1
21800 @item C-x 1
21801 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
21802 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
21803 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
21804
21805 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
21806
21807 @kindex C-x 2
21808 @item C-x 2
21809 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
21810 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
21811 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
21812 previous layout and the new one.
21813
21814 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
21815
21816 @kindex C-x o
21817 @item C-x o
21818 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
21819 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
21820 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
21821
21822 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
21823
21824 @kindex C-x s
21825 @item C-x s
21826 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
21827 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
21828 @end table
21829
21830 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
21831
21832 @table @asis
21833 @kindex PgUp
21834 @item @key{PgUp}
21835 Scroll the active window one page up.
21836
21837 @kindex PgDn
21838 @item @key{PgDn}
21839 Scroll the active window one page down.
21840
21841 @kindex Up
21842 @item @key{Up}
21843 Scroll the active window one line up.
21844
21845 @kindex Down
21846 @item @key{Down}
21847 Scroll the active window one line down.
21848
21849 @kindex Left
21850 @item @key{Left}
21851 Scroll the active window one column left.
21852
21853 @kindex Right
21854 @item @key{Right}
21855 Scroll the active window one column right.
21856
21857 @kindex C-L
21858 @item @kbd{C-L}
21859 Refresh the screen.
21860 @end table
21861
21862 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
21863 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
21864 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
21865 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
21866 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
21867
21868 @node TUI Single Key Mode
21869 @section TUI Single Key Mode
21870 @cindex TUI single key mode
21871
21872 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
21873 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
21874 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
21875
21876 @table @kbd
21877 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21878 @item c
21879 continue
21880
21881 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21882 @item d
21883 down
21884
21885 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21886 @item f
21887 finish
21888
21889 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21890 @item n
21891 next
21892
21893 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21894 @item q
21895 exit the SingleKey mode.
21896
21897 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21898 @item r
21899 run
21900
21901 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21902 @item s
21903 step
21904
21905 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21906 @item u
21907 up
21908
21909 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21910 @item v
21911 info locals
21912
21913 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21914 @item w
21915 where
21916 @end table
21917
21918 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
21919 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
21920 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
21921 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
21922 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
21923 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
21924
21925
21926 @node TUI Commands
21927 @section TUI-specific Commands
21928 @cindex TUI commands
21929
21930 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
21931 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
21932 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
21933 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
21934
21935 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
21936 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
21937 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
21938 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
21939 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
21940
21941 @table @code
21942 @item info win
21943 @kindex info win
21944 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
21945
21946 @item layout next
21947 @kindex layout
21948 Display the next layout.
21949
21950 @item layout prev
21951 Display the previous layout.
21952
21953 @item layout src
21954 Display the source window only.
21955
21956 @item layout asm
21957 Display the assembly window only.
21958
21959 @item layout split
21960 Display the source and assembly window.
21961
21962 @item layout regs
21963 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
21964
21965 @item focus next
21966 @kindex focus
21967 Make the next window active for scrolling.
21968
21969 @item focus prev
21970 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
21971
21972 @item focus src
21973 Make the source window active for scrolling.
21974
21975 @item focus asm
21976 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
21977
21978 @item focus regs
21979 Make the register window active for scrolling.
21980
21981 @item focus cmd
21982 Make the command window active for scrolling.
21983
21984 @item refresh
21985 @kindex refresh
21986 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
21987
21988 @item tui reg float
21989 @kindex tui reg
21990 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
21991
21992 @item tui reg general
21993 Show the general registers in the register window.
21994
21995 @item tui reg next
21996 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
21997 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
21998 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
21999 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
22000
22001 @item tui reg system
22002 Show the system registers in the register window.
22003
22004 @item update
22005 @kindex update
22006 Update the source window and the current execution point.
22007
22008 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
22009 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
22010 @kindex winheight
22011 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
22012 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
22013 decrease it.
22014
22015 @item tabset @var{nchars}
22016 @kindex tabset
22017 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
22018 @end table
22019
22020 @node TUI Configuration
22021 @section TUI Configuration Variables
22022 @cindex TUI configuration variables
22023
22024 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
22025
22026 @table @code
22027 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
22028 @kindex set tui border-kind
22029 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
22030 The possible values are the following:
22031 @table @code
22032 @item space
22033 Use a space character to draw the border.
22034
22035 @item ascii
22036 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
22037
22038 @item acs
22039 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
22040 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
22041 @end table
22042
22043 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
22044 @kindex set tui border-mode
22045 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
22046 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
22047 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
22048 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
22049 @table @code
22050 @item normal
22051 Use normal attributes to display the border.
22052
22053 @item standout
22054 Use standout mode.
22055
22056 @item reverse
22057 Use reverse video mode.
22058
22059 @item half
22060 Use half bright mode.
22061
22062 @item half-standout
22063 Use half bright and standout mode.
22064
22065 @item bold
22066 Use extra bright or bold mode.
22067
22068 @item bold-standout
22069 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
22070 @end table
22071 @end table
22072
22073 @node Emacs
22074 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
22075
22076 @cindex Emacs
22077 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
22078 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
22079 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
22080 @value{GDBN}.
22081
22082 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
22083 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
22084 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
22085 created Emacs buffer.
22086 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
22087
22088 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
22089 things:
22090
22091 @itemize @bullet
22092 @item
22093 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
22094 the GUD buffer.
22095
22096 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
22097 and output done by the program you are debugging.
22098
22099 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
22100 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
22101 in this way.
22102
22103 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
22104 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
22105 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
22106 stop.
22107
22108 @item
22109 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
22110
22111 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
22112 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
22113 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
22114 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
22115 and the source.
22116
22117 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
22118 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
22119 @end itemize
22120
22121 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
22122 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
22123 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
22124 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
22125
22126 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
22127 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
22128 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
22129 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
22130 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
22131 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
22132 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
22133 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
22134 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
22135
22136 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
22137 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
22138 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
22139 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22140
22141 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
22142 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
22143 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
22144 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
22145 one you want.
22146
22147 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
22148 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
22149
22150 @table @kbd
22151 @item C-h m
22152 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
22153
22154 @item C-c C-s
22155 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
22156 update the display window to show the current file and location.
22157
22158 @item C-c C-n
22159 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
22160 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
22161 to show the current file and location.
22162
22163 @item C-c C-i
22164 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
22165 display window accordingly.
22166
22167 @item C-c C-f
22168 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
22169 @code{finish} command.
22170
22171 @item C-c C-r
22172 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
22173 command.
22174
22175 @item C-c <
22176 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
22177 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
22178 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
22179
22180 @item C-c >
22181 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
22182 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
22183 @end table
22184
22185 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
22186 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
22187
22188 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
22189 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
22190 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
22191 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
22192 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
22193 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
22194 speedbar displays watch expressions.
22195
22196 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
22197 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
22198 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
22199 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
22200 frame.
22201
22202 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
22203 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
22204 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
22205 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
22206 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
22207 to correspond properly with the code.
22208
22209 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
22210 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
22211 Emacs Manual}).
22212
22213 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
22214 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
22215 @ignore
22216 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
22217 @kindex Epoch
22218 @kindex inspect
22219
22220 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
22221 called the @code{epoch}
22222 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
22223 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
22224 each value is printed in its own window.
22225 @end ignore
22226
22227
22228 @node GDB/MI
22229 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
22230
22231 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
22232
22233 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
22234 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
22235 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
22236 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
22237 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
22238 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
22239
22240 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
22241 in the form of a reference manual.
22242
22243 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
22244 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
22245 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
22246
22247 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
22248
22249 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
22250 This chapter uses the following notation:
22251
22252 @itemize @bullet
22253 @item
22254 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
22255
22256 @item
22257 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
22258 it may or may not be given.
22259
22260 @item
22261 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22262 may repeat zero or more times.
22263
22264 @item
22265 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22266 may repeat one or more times.
22267
22268 @item
22269 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
22270 @end itemize
22271
22272 @ignore
22273 @heading Dependencies
22274 @end ignore
22275
22276 @menu
22277 * GDB/MI General Design::
22278 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
22279 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
22280 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
22281 * GDB/MI Output Records::
22282 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
22283 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
22284 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
22285 * GDB/MI Program Context::
22286 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
22287 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
22288 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
22289 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
22290 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
22291 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
22292 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
22293 * GDB/MI File Commands::
22294 @ignore
22295 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
22296 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
22297 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
22298 @end ignore
22299 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
22300 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
22301 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
22302 @end menu
22303
22304 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22305 @node GDB/MI General Design
22306 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
22307 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
22308
22309 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
22310 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
22311 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
22312 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
22313 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
22314 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
22315 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
22316 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
22317 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
22318 a command and reported as part of that command response.
22319
22320 The important examples of notifications are:
22321 @itemize @bullet
22322
22323 @item
22324 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
22325 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
22326 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
22327 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
22328 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
22329 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
22330 command itself was successfully executed.
22331
22332 @item
22333 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
22334 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
22335 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
22336 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
22337 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
22338 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
22339
22340 @item
22341 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
22342 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
22343 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
22344 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
22345 orthogonal frontend design.
22346
22347 @end itemize
22348
22349 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
22350 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
22351 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
22352 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
22353 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
22354 the user interface.
22355
22356
22357 @menu
22358 * Context management::
22359 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
22360 * Thread groups::
22361 @end menu
22362
22363 @node Context management
22364 @subsection Context management
22365
22366 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
22367 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
22368 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
22369 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
22370 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
22371 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
22372 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
22373 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
22374 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
22375
22376 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
22377 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
22378 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
22379 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
22380 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
22381 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
22382 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
22383 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
22384 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
22385 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
22386 for thread and frame to operate on.
22387
22388 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
22389 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
22390 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
22391 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
22392 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
22393 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
22394 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
22395 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
22396 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
22397 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
22398
22399 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
22400 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
22401 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
22402 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
22403 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
22404 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
22405 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
22406 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
22407 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
22408 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
22409 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
22410 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
22411 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
22412 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
22413 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
22414 @samp{--frame} options.
22415
22416 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
22417 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
22418
22419 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
22420 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
22421 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
22422 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
22423 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
22424 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
22425 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
22426 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
22427 @code{-list-target-features} command.
22428
22429 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
22430 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
22431 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
22432 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
22433 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
22434 are running.
22435
22436 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
22437 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
22438 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
22439 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
22440 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
22441 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
22442 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
22443 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
22444 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
22445 @samp{--thread} option).
22446
22447 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
22448 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
22449 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
22450 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
22451
22452 @node Thread groups
22453 @subsection Thread groups
22454 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
22455 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
22456 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
22457 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
22458 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
22459
22460 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
22461 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
22462 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
22463 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
22464 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
22465 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
22466 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
22467 into processes.
22468
22469 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
22470 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
22471 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
22472 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
22473 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
22474 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
22475 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
22476 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
22477 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
22478 the members of specific thread group.
22479
22480 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
22481 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
22482 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
22483 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
22484 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
22485 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
22486 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
22487 after attaching to that thread group.
22488
22489 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
22490 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
22491 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
22492 such thread groups.
22493
22494 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22495 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
22496 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
22497
22498 @menu
22499 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
22500 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
22501 @end menu
22502
22503 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
22504 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
22505
22506 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
22507 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
22508 @table @code
22509 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
22510 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
22511
22512 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
22513 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
22514 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22515
22516 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
22517 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
22518 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
22519
22520 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
22521 "any sequence of digits"
22522
22523 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
22524 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
22525
22526 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
22527 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
22528
22529 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
22530 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
22531
22532 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
22533 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
22534 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
22535
22536 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
22537 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
22538
22539 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22540 @code{CR | CR-LF}
22541 @end table
22542
22543 @noindent
22544 Notes:
22545
22546 @itemize @bullet
22547 @item
22548 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
22549 output is described below.
22550
22551 @item
22552 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
22553 finishes.
22554
22555 @item
22556 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
22557 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
22558 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
22559 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
22560 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
22561 @end itemize
22562
22563 Pragmatics:
22564
22565 @itemize @bullet
22566 @item
22567 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
22568
22569 @item
22570 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
22571 @end itemize
22572
22573 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
22574 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
22575
22576 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
22577 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
22578 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
22579 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
22580 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
22581 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
22582
22583 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
22584 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
22585 @var{token}.
22586
22587 @table @code
22588 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
22589 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
22590
22591 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
22592 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22593
22594 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
22595 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
22596
22597 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
22598 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
22599
22600 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
22601 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
22602
22603 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
22604 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
22605
22606 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
22607 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
22608
22609 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
22610 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22611
22612 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
22613 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
22614
22615 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
22616 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
22617 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
22618
22619 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
22620 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
22621
22622 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
22623 @code{ @var{string} }
22624
22625 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
22626 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
22627
22628 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
22629 @code{@var{c-string}}
22630
22631 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
22632 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
22633
22634 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
22635 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
22636 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
22637
22638 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
22639 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
22640
22641 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
22642 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
22643
22644 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
22645 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
22646
22647 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
22648 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
22649
22650 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22651 @code{CR | CR-LF}
22652
22653 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
22654 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
22655 @end table
22656
22657 @noindent
22658 Notes:
22659
22660 @itemize @bullet
22661 @item
22662 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
22663
22664 @item
22665 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
22666 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
22667 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
22668 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
22669 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
22670 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
22671 prior command.
22672
22673 @item
22674 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22675 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
22676 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
22677 prefixed by @samp{+}.
22678
22679 @item
22680 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22681 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
22682 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
22683 @samp{*}.
22684
22685 @item
22686 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22687 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
22688 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
22689 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
22690
22691 @item
22692 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22693 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
22694 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
22695 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
22696
22697 @item
22698 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22699 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
22700 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
22701
22702 @item
22703 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22704 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
22705 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
22706 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
22707
22708 @item
22709 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22710 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
22711 @var{values}.
22712
22713
22714 @end itemize
22715
22716 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
22717 details about the various output records.
22718
22719 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22720 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
22721 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
22722
22723 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
22724 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
22725
22726 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
22727 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
22728 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
22729 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
22730 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
22731 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
22732
22733 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
22734 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
22735 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
22736
22737 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22738 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
22739 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
22740 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
22741
22742 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
22743 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
22744
22745 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
22746 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
22747 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
22748 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
22749 might change.
22750
22751 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
22752 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
22753 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
22754 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
22755
22756 @itemize @bullet
22757 @item
22758 New MI commands may be added.
22759
22760 @item
22761 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
22762
22763 @item
22764 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
22765 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
22766
22767 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
22768 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
22769
22770 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
22771 @c resolve inconsistencies.
22772 @end itemize
22773
22774 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
22775 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
22776 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
22777 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
22778 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
22779
22780 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
22781 @c version?
22782
22783 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
22784 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
22785 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
22786 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
22787 @cindex mailing lists
22788
22789 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22790 @node GDB/MI Output Records
22791 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
22792
22793 @menu
22794 * GDB/MI Result Records::
22795 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
22796 * GDB/MI Async Records::
22797 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
22798 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
22799 @end menu
22800
22801 @node GDB/MI Result Records
22802 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
22803
22804 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22805 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
22806 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
22807 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
22808
22809 @table @code
22810 @findex ^done
22811 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
22812 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
22813 values.
22814
22815 @item "^running"
22816 @findex ^running
22817 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
22818 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
22819 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
22820 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
22821 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
22822 which threads are resumed.
22823
22824 @item "^connected"
22825 @findex ^connected
22826 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
22827
22828 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
22829 @findex ^error
22830 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
22831 error message.
22832
22833 @item "^exit"
22834 @findex ^exit
22835 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
22836
22837 @end table
22838
22839 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
22840 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
22841
22842 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
22843 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22844 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
22845 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
22846 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
22847
22848 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
22849 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
22850 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
22851 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
22852 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
22853
22854 @table @code
22855 @item "~" @var{string-output}
22856 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
22857 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
22858
22859 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
22860 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
22861 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
22862 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
22863
22864 @item "&" @var{string-output}
22865 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
22866 internals.
22867 @end table
22868
22869 @node GDB/MI Async Records
22870 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
22871
22872 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22873 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
22874 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
22875 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
22876 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
22877 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
22878
22879 The following is the list of possible async records:
22880
22881 @table @code
22882
22883 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
22884 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
22885 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
22886 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
22887 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
22888 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
22889 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
22890 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
22891 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
22892 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
22893
22894 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
22895 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
22896 following values:
22897
22898 @table @code
22899 @item breakpoint-hit
22900 A breakpoint was reached.
22901 @item watchpoint-trigger
22902 A watchpoint was triggered.
22903 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
22904 A read watchpoint was triggered.
22905 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
22906 An access watchpoint was triggered.
22907 @item function-finished
22908 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22909 @item location-reached
22910 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22911 @item watchpoint-scope
22912 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
22913 @item end-stepping-range
22914 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
22915 similar CLI command was accomplished.
22916 @item exited-signalled
22917 The inferior exited because of a signal.
22918 @item exited
22919 The inferior exited.
22920 @item exited-normally
22921 The inferior exited normally.
22922 @item signal-received
22923 A signal was received by the inferior.
22924 @end table
22925
22926 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
22927 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
22928 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
22929 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
22930 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
22931 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
22932 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
22933 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
22934 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
22935 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
22936 if such information is not available.
22937
22938 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
22939 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
22940 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
22941 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
22942 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
22943 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
22944 cannot be used in any way.
22945
22946 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
22947 A thread group became associated with a running program,
22948 either because the program was just started or the thread group
22949 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
22950 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
22951 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
22952
22953 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
22954 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
22955 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
22956 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
22957 thread group.
22958
22959 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22960 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22961 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
22962 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
22963 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
22964
22965 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
22966 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
22967 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
22968 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
22969 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
22970 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
22971 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
22972
22973 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
22974 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
22975 that thread.
22976
22977 @item =library-loaded,...
22978 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
22979 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
22980 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
22981 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
22982 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
22983 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
22984 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
22985 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
22986 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
22987 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
22988 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
22989 of all present thread groups.
22990
22991 @item =library-unloaded,...
22992 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
22993 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
22994 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
22995 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
22996 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
22997 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
22998 thread groups.
22999
23000 @end table
23001
23002 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
23003 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
23004
23005 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
23006 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
23007 fields:
23008
23009 @table @code
23010 @item level
23011 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
23012 zero. This field is always present.
23013
23014 @item func
23015 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
23016 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
23017
23018 @item addr
23019 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
23020
23021 @item file
23022 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
23023 address. This field may be absent.
23024
23025 @item line
23026 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
23027 may be absent.
23028
23029 @item from
23030 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
23031 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
23032
23033 @end table
23034
23035 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
23036 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
23037
23038 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
23039 uses a tuple with the following fields:
23040
23041 @table @code
23042 @item id
23043 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
23044 always present.
23045
23046 @item target-id
23047 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
23048
23049 @item details
23050 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
23051 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
23052 frontend. This field is optional.
23053
23054 @item state
23055 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
23056 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
23057
23058 @item core
23059 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
23060 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
23061 @end table
23062
23063
23064 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23065 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
23066 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
23067 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
23068
23069 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
23070 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
23071 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
23072 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
23073
23074 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
23075 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
23076
23077 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
23078
23079 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
23080 information of the breakpoint.
23081
23082 @smallexample
23083 -> -break-insert main
23084 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23085 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
23086 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
23087 <- (gdb)
23088 @end smallexample
23089
23090 @subheading Program Execution
23091
23092 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
23093 reason that execution stopped.
23094
23095 @smallexample
23096 -> -exec-run
23097 <- ^running
23098 <- (gdb)
23099 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
23100 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
23101 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
23102 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
23103 <- (gdb)
23104 -> -exec-continue
23105 <- ^running
23106 <- (gdb)
23107 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23108 <- (gdb)
23109 @end smallexample
23110
23111 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
23112
23113 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
23114
23115 @smallexample
23116 -> (gdb)
23117 <- -gdb-exit
23118 <- ^exit
23119 @end smallexample
23120
23121 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
23122 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
23123 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
23124 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
23125 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
23126 fails to exit in reasonable time.
23127
23128 @subheading A Bad Command
23129
23130 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
23131
23132 @smallexample
23133 -> -rubbish
23134 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
23135 <- (gdb)
23136 @end smallexample
23137
23138
23139 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23140 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
23141 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
23142
23143 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
23144 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
23145
23146 @subheading Motivation
23147
23148 The motivation for this collection of commands.
23149
23150 @subheading Introduction
23151
23152 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
23153
23154 @subheading Commands
23155
23156 For each command in the block, the following is described:
23157
23158 @subsubheading Synopsis
23159
23160 @smallexample
23161 -command @var{args}@dots{}
23162 @end smallexample
23163
23164 @subsubheading Result
23165
23166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23167
23168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
23169
23170 @subsubheading Example
23171
23172 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
23173 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
23174
23175
23176 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23177 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
23178 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
23179
23180 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
23181 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
23182 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
23183 breakpoints.
23184
23185 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
23186 @findex -break-after
23187
23188 @subsubheading Synopsis
23189
23190 @smallexample
23191 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
23192 @end smallexample
23193
23194 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
23195 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
23196 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
23197 @samp{-break-list} command below.
23198
23199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23200
23201 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
23202
23203 @subsubheading Example
23204
23205 @smallexample
23206 (gdb)
23207 -break-insert main
23208 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23209 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23210 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23211 (gdb)
23212 -break-after 1 3
23213 ~
23214 ^done
23215 (gdb)
23216 -break-list
23217 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23218 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23219 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23220 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23221 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23222 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23223 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23224 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23225 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23226 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23227 (gdb)
23228 @end smallexample
23229
23230 @ignore
23231 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
23232 @findex -break-catch
23233 @end ignore
23234
23235 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
23236 @findex -break-commands
23237
23238 @subsubheading Synopsis
23239
23240 @smallexample
23241 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
23242 @end smallexample
23243
23244 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
23245 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
23246 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
23247 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
23248 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
23249 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
23250
23251 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23252
23253 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
23254
23255 @subsubheading Example
23256
23257 @smallexample
23258 (gdb)
23259 -break-insert main
23260 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23261 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23262 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23263 (gdb)
23264 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
23265 ^done
23266 (gdb)
23267 @end smallexample
23268
23269 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
23270 @findex -break-condition
23271
23272 @subsubheading Synopsis
23273
23274 @smallexample
23275 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
23276 @end smallexample
23277
23278 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
23279 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
23280 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
23281 command below).
23282
23283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23284
23285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
23286
23287 @subsubheading Example
23288
23289 @smallexample
23290 (gdb)
23291 -break-condition 1 1
23292 ^done
23293 (gdb)
23294 -break-list
23295 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23296 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23297 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23298 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23299 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23300 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23301 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23302 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23303 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23304 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23305 (gdb)
23306 @end smallexample
23307
23308 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
23309 @findex -break-delete
23310
23311 @subsubheading Synopsis
23312
23313 @smallexample
23314 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23315 @end smallexample
23316
23317 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
23318 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
23319
23320 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23321
23322 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
23323
23324 @subsubheading Example
23325
23326 @smallexample
23327 (gdb)
23328 -break-delete 1
23329 ^done
23330 (gdb)
23331 -break-list
23332 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23333 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23334 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23335 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23336 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23337 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23338 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23339 body=[]@}
23340 (gdb)
23341 @end smallexample
23342
23343 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
23344 @findex -break-disable
23345
23346 @subsubheading Synopsis
23347
23348 @smallexample
23349 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23350 @end smallexample
23351
23352 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
23353 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
23354
23355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23356
23357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
23358
23359 @subsubheading Example
23360
23361 @smallexample
23362 (gdb)
23363 -break-disable 2
23364 ^done
23365 (gdb)
23366 -break-list
23367 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23368 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23369 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23370 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23371 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23372 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23373 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23374 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
23375 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23376 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23377 (gdb)
23378 @end smallexample
23379
23380 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
23381 @findex -break-enable
23382
23383 @subsubheading Synopsis
23384
23385 @smallexample
23386 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23387 @end smallexample
23388
23389 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
23390
23391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23392
23393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
23394
23395 @subsubheading Example
23396
23397 @smallexample
23398 (gdb)
23399 -break-enable 2
23400 ^done
23401 (gdb)
23402 -break-list
23403 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23404 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23405 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23406 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23407 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23408 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23409 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23410 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23411 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23412 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23413 (gdb)
23414 @end smallexample
23415
23416 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
23417 @findex -break-info
23418
23419 @subsubheading Synopsis
23420
23421 @smallexample
23422 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
23423 @end smallexample
23424
23425 @c REDUNDANT???
23426 Get information about a single breakpoint.
23427
23428 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23429
23430 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
23431
23432 @subsubheading Example
23433 N.A.
23434
23435 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
23436 @findex -break-insert
23437
23438 @subsubheading Synopsis
23439
23440 @smallexample
23441 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
23442 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
23443 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
23444 @end smallexample
23445
23446 @noindent
23447 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
23448
23449 @itemize @bullet
23450 @item function
23451 @c @item +offset
23452 @c @item -offset
23453 @c @item linenum
23454 @item filename:linenum
23455 @item filename:function
23456 @item *address
23457 @end itemize
23458
23459 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
23460
23461 @table @samp
23462 @item -t
23463 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
23464 @item -h
23465 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
23466 @item -c @var{condition}
23467 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
23468 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
23469 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
23470 @item -f
23471 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
23472 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
23473 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
23474 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
23475 cannot be parsed.
23476 @item -d
23477 Create a disabled breakpoint.
23478 @item -a
23479 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
23480 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
23481 @end table
23482
23483 @subsubheading Result
23484
23485 The result is in the form:
23486
23487 @smallexample
23488 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
23489 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
23490 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
23491 times="@var{times}"@}
23492 @end smallexample
23493
23494 @noindent
23495 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
23496 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
23497 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
23498 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
23499 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
23500 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
23501 which use the same output).
23502
23503 Note: this format is open to change.
23504 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
23505
23506 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23507
23508 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
23509 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
23510
23511 @subsubheading Example
23512
23513 @smallexample
23514 (gdb)
23515 -break-insert main
23516 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
23517 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
23518 (gdb)
23519 -break-insert -t foo
23520 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
23521 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
23522 (gdb)
23523 -break-list
23524 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23525 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23526 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23527 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23528 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23529 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23530 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23531 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23532 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
23533 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
23534 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
23535 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
23536 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
23537 (gdb)
23538 -break-insert -r foo.*
23539 ~int foo(int, int);
23540 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
23541 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
23542 (gdb)
23543 @end smallexample
23544
23545 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
23546 @findex -break-list
23547
23548 @subsubheading Synopsis
23549
23550 @smallexample
23551 -break-list
23552 @end smallexample
23553
23554 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
23555
23556 @table @samp
23557 @item Number
23558 number of the breakpoint
23559 @item Type
23560 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
23561 @item Disposition
23562 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
23563 or @samp{nokeep}
23564 @item Enabled
23565 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
23566 @item Address
23567 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
23568 @item What
23569 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
23570 name, line number
23571 @item Times
23572 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
23573 @end table
23574
23575 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
23576 @code{body} field is an empty list.
23577
23578 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23579
23580 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
23581
23582 @subsubheading Example
23583
23584 @smallexample
23585 (gdb)
23586 -break-list
23587 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23588 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23589 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23590 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23591 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23592 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23593 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23594 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23595 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
23596 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23597 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23598 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
23599 (gdb)
23600 @end smallexample
23601
23602 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
23603
23604 @smallexample
23605 (gdb)
23606 -break-list
23607 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23608 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23609 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23610 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23611 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23612 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23613 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23614 body=[]@}
23615 (gdb)
23616 @end smallexample
23617
23618 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
23619 @findex -break-passcount
23620
23621 @subsubheading Synopsis
23622
23623 @smallexample
23624 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
23625 @end smallexample
23626
23627 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
23628 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
23629 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
23630 command @samp{passcount}.
23631
23632 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
23633 @findex -break-watch
23634
23635 @subsubheading Synopsis
23636
23637 @smallexample
23638 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
23639 @end smallexample
23640
23641 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
23642 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
23643 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
23644 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
23645 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
23646 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
23647 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
23648 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
23649
23650 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
23651 breakpoints inserted.
23652
23653 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23654
23655 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
23656 @samp{rwatch}.
23657
23658 @subsubheading Example
23659
23660 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
23661
23662 @smallexample
23663 (gdb)
23664 -break-watch x
23665 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
23666 (gdb)
23667 -exec-continue
23668 ^running
23669 (gdb)
23670 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
23671 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
23672 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23673 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
23674 (gdb)
23675 @end smallexample
23676
23677 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
23678 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
23679 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
23680
23681 @smallexample
23682 (gdb)
23683 -break-watch C
23684 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
23685 (gdb)
23686 -exec-continue
23687 ^running
23688 (gdb)
23689 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
23690 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
23691 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23692 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23693 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
23694 (gdb)
23695 -exec-continue
23696 ^running
23697 (gdb)
23698 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
23699 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
23700 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23701 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23702 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23703 (gdb)
23704 @end smallexample
23705
23706 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
23707 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
23708 deleted.
23709
23710 @smallexample
23711 (gdb)
23712 -break-watch C
23713 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
23714 (gdb)
23715 -break-list
23716 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23717 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23718 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23719 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23720 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23721 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23722 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23723 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23724 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23725 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23726 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
23727 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
23728 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
23729 (gdb)
23730 -exec-continue
23731 ^running
23732 (gdb)
23733 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
23734 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
23735 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23736 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23737 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
23738 (gdb)
23739 -break-list
23740 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23741 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23742 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23743 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23744 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23745 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23746 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23747 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23748 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23749 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23750 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
23751 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
23752 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
23753 (gdb)
23754 -exec-continue
23755 ^running
23756 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
23757 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
23758 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23759 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23760 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23761 (gdb)
23762 -break-list
23763 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23764 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23765 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23766 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23767 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23768 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23769 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23770 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23771 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23772 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23773 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
23774 times="1"@}]@}
23775 (gdb)
23776 @end smallexample
23777
23778 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23779 @node GDB/MI Program Context
23780 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
23781
23782 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
23783 @findex -exec-arguments
23784
23785
23786 @subsubheading Synopsis
23787
23788 @smallexample
23789 -exec-arguments @var{args}
23790 @end smallexample
23791
23792 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
23793 @samp{-exec-run}.
23794
23795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23796
23797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
23798
23799 @subsubheading Example
23800
23801 @smallexample
23802 (gdb)
23803 -exec-arguments -v word
23804 ^done
23805 (gdb)
23806 @end smallexample
23807
23808
23809 @ignore
23810 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
23811 @findex -exec-show-arguments
23812
23813 @subsubheading Synopsis
23814
23815 @smallexample
23816 -exec-show-arguments
23817 @end smallexample
23818
23819 Print the arguments of the program.
23820
23821 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23822
23823 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
23824
23825 @subsubheading Example
23826 N.A.
23827 @end ignore
23828
23829
23830 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
23831 @findex -environment-cd
23832
23833 @subsubheading Synopsis
23834
23835 @smallexample
23836 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
23837 @end smallexample
23838
23839 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
23840
23841 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23842
23843 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
23844
23845 @subsubheading Example
23846
23847 @smallexample
23848 (gdb)
23849 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
23850 ^done
23851 (gdb)
23852 @end smallexample
23853
23854
23855 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
23856 @findex -environment-directory
23857
23858 @subsubheading Synopsis
23859
23860 @smallexample
23861 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
23862 @end smallexample
23863
23864 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
23865 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
23866 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
23867 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
23868 occurs as normal.
23869 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
23870 multiple directories in a single command
23871 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
23872 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
23873 If blanks are needed as
23874 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
23875 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23876 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23877 character must not be used
23878 in any directory name.
23879 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
23880
23881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23882
23883 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
23884
23885 @subsubheading Example
23886
23887 @smallexample
23888 (gdb)
23889 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
23890 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23891 (gdb)
23892 -environment-directory ""
23893 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23894 (gdb)
23895 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
23896 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
23897 (gdb)
23898 -environment-directory -r
23899 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
23900 (gdb)
23901 @end smallexample
23902
23903
23904 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
23905 @findex -environment-path
23906
23907 @subsubheading Synopsis
23908
23909 @smallexample
23910 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
23911 @end smallexample
23912
23913 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
23914 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
23915 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
23916 supplied in addition to the
23917 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
23918 occurs as normal.
23919 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
23920 multiple directories in a single command
23921 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
23922 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
23923 If blanks are needed as
23924 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
23925 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23926 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23927 character must not be used
23928 in any directory name.
23929 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
23930
23931
23932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23933
23934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
23935
23936 @subsubheading Example
23937
23938 @smallexample
23939 (gdb)
23940 -environment-path
23941 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
23942 (gdb)
23943 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
23944 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
23945 (gdb)
23946 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
23947 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
23948 (gdb)
23949 @end smallexample
23950
23951
23952 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
23953 @findex -environment-pwd
23954
23955 @subsubheading Synopsis
23956
23957 @smallexample
23958 -environment-pwd
23959 @end smallexample
23960
23961 Show the current working directory.
23962
23963 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23964
23965 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
23966
23967 @subsubheading Example
23968
23969 @smallexample
23970 (gdb)
23971 -environment-pwd
23972 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
23973 (gdb)
23974 @end smallexample
23975
23976 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23977 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
23978 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
23979
23980
23981 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
23982 @findex -thread-info
23983
23984 @subsubheading Synopsis
23985
23986 @smallexample
23987 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
23988 @end smallexample
23989
23990 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
23991 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
23992 threads. When printing information about all threads,
23993 also reports the current thread.
23994
23995 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23996
23997 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
23998 about all threads.
23999
24000 @subsubheading Example
24001
24002 @smallexample
24003 -thread-info
24004 ^done,threads=[
24005 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
24006 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
24007 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
24008 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
24009 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
24010 current-thread-id="1"
24011 (gdb)
24012 @end smallexample
24013
24014 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
24015
24016 @table @code
24017 @item stopped
24018 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
24019 threads.
24020
24021 @item running
24022 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
24023 threads.
24024
24025 @end table
24026
24027 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
24028 @findex -thread-list-ids
24029
24030 @subsubheading Synopsis
24031
24032 @smallexample
24033 -thread-list-ids
24034 @end smallexample
24035
24036 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
24037 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
24038
24039 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
24040 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
24041
24042 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24043
24044 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
24045
24046 @subsubheading Example
24047
24048 @smallexample
24049 (gdb)
24050 -thread-list-ids
24051 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24052 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
24053 (gdb)
24054 @end smallexample
24055
24056
24057 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
24058 @findex -thread-select
24059
24060 @subsubheading Synopsis
24061
24062 @smallexample
24063 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
24064 @end smallexample
24065
24066 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
24067 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
24068
24069 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
24070 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
24071
24072 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24073
24074 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
24075
24076 @subsubheading Example
24077
24078 @smallexample
24079 (gdb)
24080 -exec-next
24081 ^running
24082 (gdb)
24083 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
24084 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
24085 (gdb)
24086 -thread-list-ids
24087 ^done,
24088 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24089 number-of-threads="3"
24090 (gdb)
24091 -thread-select 3
24092 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
24093 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
24094 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
24095 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
24096 (gdb)
24097 @end smallexample
24098
24099 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24100 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
24101 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
24102
24103 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
24104 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
24105 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
24106 other cases.
24107
24108 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
24109 @findex -exec-continue
24110
24111 @subsubheading Synopsis
24112
24113 @smallexample
24114 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
24115 @end smallexample
24116
24117 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
24118 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
24119 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
24120 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
24121 @itemize @bullet
24122 @item
24123 breakpoints or watchpoints
24124 @item
24125 signals or exceptions
24126 @item
24127 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
24128 @item
24129 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
24130 @end itemize
24131 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
24132 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
24133 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
24134 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
24135 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
24136 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
24137
24138 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24139
24140 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
24141
24142 @subsubheading Example
24143
24144 @smallexample
24145 -exec-continue
24146 ^running
24147 (gdb)
24148 @@Hello world
24149 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
24150 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
24151 line="13"@}
24152 (gdb)
24153 @end smallexample
24154
24155
24156 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
24157 @findex -exec-finish
24158
24159 @subsubheading Synopsis
24160
24161 @smallexample
24162 -exec-finish [--reverse]
24163 @end smallexample
24164
24165 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
24166 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
24167 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
24168 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
24169 function was called.
24170
24171 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24172
24173 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
24174
24175 @subsubheading Example
24176
24177 Function returning @code{void}.
24178
24179 @smallexample
24180 -exec-finish
24181 ^running
24182 (gdb)
24183 @@hello from foo
24184 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24185 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
24186 (gdb)
24187 @end smallexample
24188
24189 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
24190 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
24191 value itself.
24192
24193 @smallexample
24194 -exec-finish
24195 ^running
24196 (gdb)
24197 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
24198 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
24199 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24200 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
24201 (gdb)
24202 @end smallexample
24203
24204
24205 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
24206 @findex -exec-interrupt
24207
24208 @subsubheading Synopsis
24209
24210 @smallexample
24211 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
24212 @end smallexample
24213
24214 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
24215 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
24216 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
24217 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
24218 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
24219
24220 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
24221 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
24222 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
24223 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
24224
24225 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
24226 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
24227 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
24228 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
24229
24230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24231
24232 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
24233
24234 @subsubheading Example
24235
24236 @smallexample
24237 (gdb)
24238 111-exec-continue
24239 111^running
24240
24241 (gdb)
24242 222-exec-interrupt
24243 222^done
24244 (gdb)
24245 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
24246 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24247 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
24248 (gdb)
24249
24250 (gdb)
24251 -exec-interrupt
24252 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
24253 (gdb)
24254 @end smallexample
24255
24256 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
24257 @findex -exec-jump
24258
24259 @subsubheading Synopsis
24260
24261 @smallexample
24262 -exec-jump @var{location}
24263 @end smallexample
24264
24265 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
24266 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
24267 different forms of @var{location}.
24268
24269 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24270
24271 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
24272
24273 @subsubheading Example
24274
24275 @smallexample
24276 -exec-jump foo.c:10
24277 *running,thread-id="all"
24278 ^running
24279 @end smallexample
24280
24281
24282 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
24283 @findex -exec-next
24284
24285 @subsubheading Synopsis
24286
24287 @smallexample
24288 -exec-next [--reverse]
24289 @end smallexample
24290
24291 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24292 of the next source line is reached.
24293
24294 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24295 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
24296 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
24297 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
24298 source line where the function was called.
24299
24300
24301 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24302
24303 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
24304
24305 @subsubheading Example
24306
24307 @smallexample
24308 -exec-next
24309 ^running
24310 (gdb)
24311 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
24312 (gdb)
24313 @end smallexample
24314
24315
24316 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
24317 @findex -exec-next-instruction
24318
24319 @subsubheading Synopsis
24320
24321 @smallexample
24322 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
24323 @end smallexample
24324
24325 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
24326 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
24327 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
24328 printed as well.
24329
24330 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24331 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
24332 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
24333 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
24334 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
24335
24336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24337
24338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
24339
24340 @subsubheading Example
24341
24342 @smallexample
24343 (gdb)
24344 -exec-next-instruction
24345 ^running
24346
24347 (gdb)
24348 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24349 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
24350 (gdb)
24351 @end smallexample
24352
24353
24354 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
24355 @findex -exec-return
24356
24357 @subsubheading Synopsis
24358
24359 @smallexample
24360 -exec-return
24361 @end smallexample
24362
24363 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
24364 Displays the new current frame.
24365
24366 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24367
24368 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
24369
24370 @subsubheading Example
24371
24372 @smallexample
24373 (gdb)
24374 200-break-insert callee4
24375 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
24376 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24377 (gdb)
24378 000-exec-run
24379 000^running
24380 (gdb)
24381 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24382 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24383 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24384 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24385 (gdb)
24386 205-break-delete
24387 205^done
24388 (gdb)
24389 111-exec-return
24390 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
24391 args=[@{name="strarg",
24392 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24393 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24394 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24395 (gdb)
24396 @end smallexample
24397
24398
24399 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
24400 @findex -exec-run
24401
24402 @subsubheading Synopsis
24403
24404 @smallexample
24405 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
24406 @end smallexample
24407
24408 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
24409 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
24410 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
24411 the program has exited exceptionally.
24412
24413 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
24414 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
24415 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
24416 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
24417
24418 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24419
24420 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
24421
24422 @subsubheading Examples
24423
24424 @smallexample
24425 (gdb)
24426 -break-insert main
24427 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24428 (gdb)
24429 -exec-run
24430 ^running
24431 (gdb)
24432 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24433 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
24434 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24435 (gdb)
24436 @end smallexample
24437
24438 @noindent
24439 Program exited normally:
24440
24441 @smallexample
24442 (gdb)
24443 -exec-run
24444 ^running
24445 (gdb)
24446 x = 55
24447 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24448 (gdb)
24449 @end smallexample
24450
24451 @noindent
24452 Program exited exceptionally:
24453
24454 @smallexample
24455 (gdb)
24456 -exec-run
24457 ^running
24458 (gdb)
24459 x = 55
24460 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
24461 (gdb)
24462 @end smallexample
24463
24464 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
24465 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
24466
24467 @smallexample
24468 (gdb)
24469 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
24470 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
24471 @end smallexample
24472
24473
24474 @c @subheading -exec-signal
24475
24476
24477 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
24478 @findex -exec-step
24479
24480 @subsubheading Synopsis
24481
24482 @smallexample
24483 -exec-step [--reverse]
24484 @end smallexample
24485
24486 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24487 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
24488 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
24489 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
24490 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
24491 previously executed source line.
24492
24493 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24494
24495 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
24496
24497 @subsubheading Example
24498
24499 Stepping into a function:
24500
24501 @smallexample
24502 -exec-step
24503 ^running
24504 (gdb)
24505 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24506 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
24507 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
24508 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
24509 (gdb)
24510 @end smallexample
24511
24512 Regular stepping:
24513
24514 @smallexample
24515 -exec-step
24516 ^running
24517 (gdb)
24518 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
24519 (gdb)
24520 @end smallexample
24521
24522
24523 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
24524 @findex -exec-step-instruction
24525
24526 @subsubheading Synopsis
24527
24528 @smallexample
24529 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
24530 @end smallexample
24531
24532 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
24533 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
24534 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
24535 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
24536 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
24537 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
24538 as well.
24539
24540 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24541
24542 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
24543
24544 @subsubheading Example
24545
24546 @smallexample
24547 (gdb)
24548 -exec-step-instruction
24549 ^running
24550
24551 (gdb)
24552 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24553 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24554 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24555 (gdb)
24556 -exec-step-instruction
24557 ^running
24558
24559 (gdb)
24560 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24561 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24562 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24563 (gdb)
24564 @end smallexample
24565
24566
24567 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
24568 @findex -exec-until
24569
24570 @subsubheading Synopsis
24571
24572 @smallexample
24573 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
24574 @end smallexample
24575
24576 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
24577 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
24578 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
24579 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
24580
24581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24582
24583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
24584
24585 @subsubheading Example
24586
24587 @smallexample
24588 (gdb)
24589 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
24590 ^running
24591 (gdb)
24592 x = 55
24593 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24594 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
24595 (gdb)
24596 @end smallexample
24597
24598 @ignore
24599 @subheading -file-clear
24600 Is this going away????
24601 @end ignore
24602
24603 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24604 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
24605 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
24606
24607
24608 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
24609 @findex -stack-info-frame
24610
24611 @subsubheading Synopsis
24612
24613 @smallexample
24614 -stack-info-frame
24615 @end smallexample
24616
24617 Get info on the selected frame.
24618
24619 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24620
24621 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
24622 (without arguments).
24623
24624 @subsubheading Example
24625
24626 @smallexample
24627 (gdb)
24628 -stack-info-frame
24629 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24630 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24631 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
24632 (gdb)
24633 @end smallexample
24634
24635 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
24636 @findex -stack-info-depth
24637
24638 @subsubheading Synopsis
24639
24640 @smallexample
24641 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
24642 @end smallexample
24643
24644 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
24645 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
24646
24647 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24648
24649 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
24650
24651 @subsubheading Example
24652
24653 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
24654
24655 @smallexample
24656 (gdb)
24657 -stack-info-depth
24658 ^done,depth="12"
24659 (gdb)
24660 -stack-info-depth 4
24661 ^done,depth="4"
24662 (gdb)
24663 -stack-info-depth 12
24664 ^done,depth="12"
24665 (gdb)
24666 -stack-info-depth 11
24667 ^done,depth="11"
24668 (gdb)
24669 -stack-info-depth 13
24670 ^done,depth="12"
24671 (gdb)
24672 @end smallexample
24673
24674 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
24675 @findex -stack-list-arguments
24676
24677 @subsubheading Synopsis
24678
24679 @smallexample
24680 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
24681 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
24682 @end smallexample
24683
24684 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
24685 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
24686 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
24687 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
24688 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
24689 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
24690 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
24691 which case only existing frames will be returned.
24692
24693 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24694 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24695 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24696 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24697 structures and unions.
24698
24699 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
24700 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
24701
24702 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24703
24704 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
24705 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
24706 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
24707
24708 @subsubheading Example
24709
24710 @smallexample
24711 (gdb)
24712 -stack-list-frames
24713 ^done,
24714 stack=[
24715 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24716 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24717 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
24718 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24719 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24720 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
24721 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
24722 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24723 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
24724 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
24725 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24726 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
24727 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
24728 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24729 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
24730 (gdb)
24731 -stack-list-arguments 0
24732 ^done,
24733 stack-args=[
24734 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
24735 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
24736 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
24737 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
24738 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
24739 (gdb)
24740 -stack-list-arguments 1
24741 ^done,
24742 stack-args=[
24743 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
24744 frame=@{level="1",
24745 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
24746 frame=@{level="2",args=[
24747 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24748 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
24749 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
24750 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24751 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
24752 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
24753 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
24754 (gdb)
24755 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
24756 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
24757 (gdb)
24758 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
24759 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
24760 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24761 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
24762 (gdb)
24763 @end smallexample
24764
24765 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
24766
24767
24768 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
24769 @findex -stack-list-frames
24770
24771 @subsubheading Synopsis
24772
24773 @smallexample
24774 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
24775 @end smallexample
24776
24777 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
24778 following info:
24779
24780 @table @samp
24781 @item @var{level}
24782 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
24783 @item @var{addr}
24784 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
24785 @item @var{func}
24786 Function name.
24787 @item @var{file}
24788 File name of the source file where the function lives.
24789 @item @var{line}
24790 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
24791 @end table
24792
24793 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
24794 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
24795 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
24796 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
24797 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
24798 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
24799 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
24800
24801 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24802
24803 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
24804
24805 @subsubheading Example
24806
24807 Full stack backtrace:
24808
24809 @smallexample
24810 (gdb)
24811 -stack-list-frames
24812 ^done,stack=
24813 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
24814 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
24815 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24816 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24817 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24818 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24819 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24820 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24821 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24822 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24823 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24824 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24825 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24826 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24827 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24828 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24829 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24830 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24831 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24832 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24833 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24834 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24835 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
24836 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
24837 (gdb)
24838 @end smallexample
24839
24840 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
24841
24842 @smallexample
24843 (gdb)
24844 -stack-list-frames 3 5
24845 ^done,stack=
24846 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24847 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24848 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24849 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24850 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24851 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
24852 (gdb)
24853 @end smallexample
24854
24855 Show a single frame:
24856
24857 @smallexample
24858 (gdb)
24859 -stack-list-frames 3 3
24860 ^done,stack=
24861 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24862 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
24863 (gdb)
24864 @end smallexample
24865
24866
24867 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
24868 @findex -stack-list-locals
24869
24870 @subsubheading Synopsis
24871
24872 @smallexample
24873 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
24874 @end smallexample
24875
24876 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
24877 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24878 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24879 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24880 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24881 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
24882 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
24883 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
24884 more detail.
24885
24886 This command is deprecated in favor of the
24887 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
24888
24889 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24890
24891 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
24892
24893 @subsubheading Example
24894
24895 @smallexample
24896 (gdb)
24897 -stack-list-locals 0
24898 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
24899 (gdb)
24900 -stack-list-locals --all-values
24901 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
24902 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
24903 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
24904 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
24905 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
24906 (gdb)
24907 @end smallexample
24908
24909 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
24910 @findex -stack-list-variables
24911
24912 @subsubheading Synopsis
24913
24914 @smallexample
24915 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
24916 @end smallexample
24917
24918 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
24919 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24920 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24921 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24922 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24923 structures and unions.
24924
24925 @subsubheading Example
24926
24927 @smallexample
24928 (gdb)
24929 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
24930 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
24931 (gdb)
24932 @end smallexample
24933
24934
24935 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
24936 @findex -stack-select-frame
24937
24938 @subsubheading Synopsis
24939
24940 @smallexample
24941 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
24942 @end smallexample
24943
24944 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
24945 the stack.
24946
24947 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
24948 option to every command.
24949
24950 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24951
24952 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
24953 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
24954
24955 @subsubheading Example
24956
24957 @smallexample
24958 (gdb)
24959 -stack-select-frame 2
24960 ^done
24961 (gdb)
24962 @end smallexample
24963
24964 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24965 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
24966 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
24967
24968 @ignore
24969
24970 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
24971
24972 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
24973 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
24974 used by @code{Insight}.
24975
24976 The two main reasons for that are:
24977
24978 @enumerate 1
24979 @item
24980 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
24981
24982 @item
24983 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
24984 now).
24985 @end enumerate
24986
24987 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
24988 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
24989 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
24990 hints about their use.
24991
24992 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
24993 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
24994 least, the following operations:
24995
24996 @itemize @bullet
24997 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
24998 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24999 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
25000 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
25001 @end itemize
25002
25003 @end ignore
25004
25005 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
25006
25007 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
25008
25009 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
25010 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
25011 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
25012 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
25013 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
25014 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
25015 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
25016 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
25017 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
25018 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
25019 object, or to change display format.
25020
25021 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
25022 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
25023 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
25024 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
25025 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
25026 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
25027 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
25028 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
25029 child will be created.
25030
25031 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
25032 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
25033 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
25034 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
25035 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
25036
25037 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
25038 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
25039 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
25040 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
25041 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
25042 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
25043 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
25044 variables that frontend has created.
25045
25046 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
25047 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
25048 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
25049 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
25050 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
25051 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
25052 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
25053 implicitly updated.
25054
25055 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
25056 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
25057 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
25058 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
25059 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
25060 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
25061 frame. Consider this example:
25062
25063 @smallexample
25064 void do_work(...)
25065 @{
25066 struct work_state state;
25067
25068 if (...)
25069 do_work(...);
25070 @}
25071 @end smallexample
25072
25073 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
25074 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
25075 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
25076 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
25077 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
25078
25079 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
25080 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
25081 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
25082 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
25083 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
25084 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
25085
25086 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
25087 access this functionality:
25088
25089 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
25090 @item @strong{Operation}
25091 @tab @strong{Description}
25092
25093 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
25094 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
25095 @item @code{-var-create}
25096 @tab create a variable object
25097 @item @code{-var-delete}
25098 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
25099 @item @code{-var-set-format}
25100 @tab set the display format of this variable
25101 @item @code{-var-show-format}
25102 @tab show the display format of this variable
25103 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
25104 @tab tells how many children this object has
25105 @item @code{-var-list-children}
25106 @tab return a list of the object's children
25107 @item @code{-var-info-type}
25108 @tab show the type of this variable object
25109 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
25110 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
25111 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
25112 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
25113 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
25114 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
25115 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
25116 @tab get the value of this variable
25117 @item @code{-var-assign}
25118 @tab set the value of this variable
25119 @item @code{-var-update}
25120 @tab update the variable and its children
25121 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
25122 @tab set frozeness attribute
25123 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
25124 @tab set range of children to display on update
25125 @end multitable
25126
25127 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
25128 how it can be used.
25129
25130 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
25131
25132 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
25133 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
25134
25135 @smallexample
25136 -enable-pretty-printing
25137 @end smallexample
25138
25139 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
25140 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
25141 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
25142 request that this functionality be enabled.
25143
25144 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
25145
25146 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
25147 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
25148
25149 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
25150 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
25151
25152 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
25153 @findex -var-create
25154
25155 @subsubheading Synopsis
25156
25157 @smallexample
25158 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
25159 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
25160 @end smallexample
25161
25162 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
25163 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
25164 register.
25165
25166 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
25167 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
25168 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
25169 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
25170 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
25171
25172 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
25173 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
25174 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
25175 object must be created.
25176
25177 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
25178 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
25179
25180 @itemize @bullet
25181 @item
25182 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
25183
25184 @item
25185 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
25186
25187 @item
25188 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
25189 @end itemize
25190
25191 @cindex dynamic varobj
25192 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
25193 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
25194 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
25195 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
25196 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
25197 compatibility for existing clients.
25198
25199 @subsubheading Result
25200
25201 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
25202 are:
25203
25204 @table @samp
25205 @item name
25206 The name of the varobj.
25207
25208 @item numchild
25209 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
25210 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
25211 @samp{has_more} attribute.
25212
25213 @item value
25214 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
25215 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
25216 will not be interesting.
25217
25218 @item type
25219 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
25220 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
25221
25222 @item thread-id
25223 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
25224 thread's identifier.
25225
25226 @item has_more
25227 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
25228 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
25229
25230 @item dynamic
25231 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25232 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25233 then this attribute will not be present.
25234
25235 @item displayhint
25236 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25237 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25238 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
25239 @end table
25240
25241 Typical output will look like this:
25242
25243 @smallexample
25244 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
25245 has_more="@var{has_more}"
25246 @end smallexample
25247
25248
25249 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
25250 @findex -var-delete
25251
25252 @subsubheading Synopsis
25253
25254 @smallexample
25255 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
25256 @end smallexample
25257
25258 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
25259 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
25260
25261 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
25262
25263
25264 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
25265 @findex -var-set-format
25266
25267 @subsubheading Synopsis
25268
25269 @smallexample
25270 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
25271 @end smallexample
25272
25273 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
25274 @var{format-spec}.
25275
25276 @anchor{-var-set-format}
25277 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
25278
25279 @smallexample
25280 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
25281 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
25282 @end smallexample
25283
25284 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
25285 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
25286 for pointers, etc.).
25287
25288 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
25289 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
25290
25291 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
25292 @findex -var-show-format
25293
25294 @subsubheading Synopsis
25295
25296 @smallexample
25297 -var-show-format @var{name}
25298 @end smallexample
25299
25300 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
25301
25302 @smallexample
25303 @var{format} @expansion{}
25304 @var{format-spec}
25305 @end smallexample
25306
25307
25308 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
25309 @findex -var-info-num-children
25310
25311 @subsubheading Synopsis
25312
25313 @smallexample
25314 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
25315 @end smallexample
25316
25317 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
25318
25319 @smallexample
25320 numchild=@var{n}
25321 @end smallexample
25322
25323 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
25324 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
25325 be available.
25326
25327
25328 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
25329 @findex -var-list-children
25330
25331 @subsubheading Synopsis
25332
25333 @smallexample
25334 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
25335 @end smallexample
25336 @anchor{-var-list-children}
25337
25338 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
25339 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
25340 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
25341 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
25342 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
25343 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
25344 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
25345 and unions.
25346
25347 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
25348 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
25349 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
25350 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
25351 reported.
25352
25353 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
25354 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
25355 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
25356 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
25357 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
25358 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
25359 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
25360 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
25361 the visible items.
25362
25363 For each child the following results are returned:
25364
25365 @table @var
25366
25367 @item name
25368 Name of the variable object created for this child.
25369
25370 @item exp
25371 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
25372 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
25373
25374 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
25375 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
25376
25377 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
25378 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
25379 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
25380 type and value are not present.
25381
25382 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
25383 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
25384 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
25385
25386 @item numchild
25387 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
25388 0.
25389
25390 @item type
25391 The type of the child.
25392
25393 @item value
25394 If values were requested, this is the value.
25395
25396 @item thread-id
25397 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
25398 Otherwise this result is not present.
25399
25400 @item frozen
25401 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
25402 @end table
25403
25404 The result may have its own attributes:
25405
25406 @table @samp
25407 @item displayhint
25408 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25409 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25410 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
25411
25412 @item has_more
25413 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
25414 remaining after the end of the selected range.
25415 @end table
25416
25417 @subsubheading Example
25418
25419 @smallexample
25420 (gdb)
25421 -var-list-children n
25422 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25423 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25424 (gdb)
25425 -var-list-children --all-values n
25426 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25427 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25428 @end smallexample
25429
25430
25431 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
25432 @findex -var-info-type
25433
25434 @subsubheading Synopsis
25435
25436 @smallexample
25437 -var-info-type @var{name}
25438 @end smallexample
25439
25440 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
25441 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
25442 @value{GDBN} CLI:
25443
25444 @smallexample
25445 type=@var{typename}
25446 @end smallexample
25447
25448
25449 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
25450 @findex -var-info-expression
25451
25452 @subsubheading Synopsis
25453
25454 @smallexample
25455 -var-info-expression @var{name}
25456 @end smallexample
25457
25458 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
25459 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
25460 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
25461
25462 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
25463 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
25464
25465 @smallexample
25466 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
25467 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
25468 @end smallexample
25469
25470 @noindent
25471 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
25472
25473 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
25474 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
25475 is of limited use.
25476
25477 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
25478 @findex -var-info-path-expression
25479
25480 @subsubheading Synopsis
25481
25482 @smallexample
25483 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
25484 @end smallexample
25485
25486 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
25487 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
25488 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
25489 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
25490 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
25491 watchpoint from a variable object.
25492
25493 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
25494 and will give an error when invoked on one.
25495
25496 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
25497 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
25498 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
25499 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
25500 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
25501 @smallexample
25502 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
25503 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
25504 @end smallexample
25505
25506 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
25507 @findex -var-show-attributes
25508
25509 @subsubheading Synopsis
25510
25511 @smallexample
25512 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
25513 @end smallexample
25514
25515 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
25516
25517 @smallexample
25518 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
25519 @end smallexample
25520
25521 @noindent
25522 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
25523
25524 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
25525 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
25526
25527 @subsubheading Synopsis
25528
25529 @smallexample
25530 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
25531 @end smallexample
25532
25533 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
25534 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
25535 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
25536 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
25537 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
25538 the current display format will be used. The current display format
25539 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
25540
25541 @smallexample
25542 value=@var{value}
25543 @end smallexample
25544
25545 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
25546 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
25547
25548 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
25549 @findex -var-assign
25550
25551 @subsubheading Synopsis
25552
25553 @smallexample
25554 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
25555 @end smallexample
25556
25557 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
25558 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
25559 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
25560 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
25561
25562 @subsubheading Example
25563
25564 @smallexample
25565 (gdb)
25566 -var-assign var1 3
25567 ^done,value="3"
25568 (gdb)
25569 -var-update *
25570 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
25571 (gdb)
25572 @end smallexample
25573
25574 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
25575 @findex -var-update
25576
25577 @subsubheading Synopsis
25578
25579 @smallexample
25580 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
25581 @end smallexample
25582
25583 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
25584 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
25585 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
25586 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
25587 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
25588 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
25589 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
25590 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
25591 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
25592 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
25593 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
25594 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
25595 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
25596
25597 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
25598 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
25599 diagnostic.
25600
25601 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
25602 only the selected range of children will be reported.
25603
25604 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
25605 @samp{changelist}.
25606
25607 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
25608
25609 @table @samp
25610 @item name
25611 The name of the varobj.
25612
25613 @item value
25614 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
25615 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
25616
25617 @item in_scope
25618 @anchor{-var-update}
25619 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
25620
25621 @table @code
25622 @item "true"
25623 The variable object's current value is valid.
25624
25625 @item "false"
25626 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
25627 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
25628 scope.
25629
25630 @item "invalid"
25631 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
25632 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
25633 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
25634 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
25635 objects.
25636 @end table
25637
25638 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
25639 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
25640
25641 @item type_changed
25642 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
25643 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
25644 be @samp{false}.
25645
25646 @item new_type
25647 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
25648 hold the new type.
25649
25650 @item new_num_children
25651 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
25652 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
25653
25654 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
25655 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
25656 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
25657 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
25658 children which may be available.
25659
25660 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
25661 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
25662 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
25663 only happen at the end of the update range).
25664
25665 @item displayhint
25666 The display hint, if any.
25667
25668 @item has_more
25669 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
25670 available outside the varobj's update range.
25671
25672 @item dynamic
25673 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25674 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25675 then this attribute will not be present.
25676
25677 @item new_children
25678 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
25679 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
25680 be listed in this attribute.
25681 @end table
25682
25683 @subsubheading Example
25684
25685 @smallexample
25686 (gdb)
25687 -var-assign var1 3
25688 ^done,value="3"
25689 (gdb)
25690 -var-update --all-values var1
25691 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
25692 type_changed="false"@}]
25693 (gdb)
25694 @end smallexample
25695
25696 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
25697 @findex -var-set-frozen
25698 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
25699
25700 @subsubheading Synopsis
25701
25702 @smallexample
25703 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
25704 @end smallexample
25705
25706 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
25707 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
25708 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
25709 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
25710 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
25711 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
25712 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
25713 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
25714 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
25715 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
25716 @code{-var-update} does.
25717
25718 @subsubheading Example
25719
25720 @smallexample
25721 (gdb)
25722 -var-set-frozen V 1
25723 ^done
25724 (gdb)
25725 @end smallexample
25726
25727 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
25728 @findex -var-set-update-range
25729 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
25730
25731 @subsubheading Synopsis
25732
25733 @smallexample
25734 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
25735 @end smallexample
25736
25737 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
25738 @code{-var-update}.
25739
25740 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
25741 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
25742 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
25743 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
25744
25745 @subsubheading Example
25746
25747 @smallexample
25748 (gdb)
25749 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
25750 ^done
25751 @end smallexample
25752
25753 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
25754 @findex -var-set-visualizer
25755 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
25756
25757 @subsubheading Synopsis
25758
25759 @smallexample
25760 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
25761 @end smallexample
25762
25763 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
25764
25765 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
25766 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
25767
25768 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
25769 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
25770 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
25771 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
25772 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
25773 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
25774 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
25775
25776 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
25777 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
25778 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
25779 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
25780
25781 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
25782 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
25783 can be used to check this.
25784
25785 @subsubheading Example
25786
25787 Resetting the visualizer:
25788
25789 @smallexample
25790 (gdb)
25791 -var-set-visualizer V None
25792 ^done
25793 @end smallexample
25794
25795 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
25796
25797 @smallexample
25798 (gdb)
25799 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
25800 ^done
25801 @end smallexample
25802
25803 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
25804 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
25805
25806 @smallexample
25807 (gdb)
25808 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
25809 ^done
25810 @end smallexample
25811
25812 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25813 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
25814 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
25815
25816 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
25817 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
25818 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
25819 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
25820
25821 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
25822 @c @subheading -data-assign
25823 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
25824 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
25825 @c set variable
25826 @c @subsubheading Example
25827 @c N.A.
25828
25829 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
25830 @findex -data-disassemble
25831
25832 @subsubheading Synopsis
25833
25834 @smallexample
25835 -data-disassemble
25836 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
25837 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
25838 -- @var{mode}
25839 @end smallexample
25840
25841 @noindent
25842 Where:
25843
25844 @table @samp
25845 @item @var{start-addr}
25846 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
25847 @item @var{end-addr}
25848 is the end address
25849 @item @var{filename}
25850 is the name of the file to disassemble
25851 @item @var{linenum}
25852 is the line number to disassemble around
25853 @item @var{lines}
25854 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
25855 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
25856 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
25857 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
25858 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
25859 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
25860 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
25861 are displayed.
25862 @item @var{mode}
25863 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
25864 disassembly).
25865 @end table
25866
25867 @subsubheading Result
25868
25869 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
25870
25871 @itemize @bullet
25872 @item Address
25873 @item Func-name
25874 @item Offset
25875 @item Instruction
25876 @end itemize
25877
25878 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
25879 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
25880
25881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25882
25883 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
25884
25885 @subsubheading Example
25886
25887 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
25888
25889 @smallexample
25890 (gdb)
25891 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
25892 ^done,
25893 asm_insns=[
25894 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25895 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25896 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25897 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25898 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
25899 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
25900 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
25901 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25902 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
25903 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
25904 (gdb)
25905 @end smallexample
25906
25907 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
25908 @code{main}.
25909
25910 @smallexample
25911 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
25912 ^done,asm_insns=[
25913 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25914 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25915 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25916 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25917 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25918 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25919 [@dots{}]
25920 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
25921 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
25922 (gdb)
25923 @end smallexample
25924
25925 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
25926
25927 @smallexample
25928 (gdb)
25929 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
25930 ^done,asm_insns=[
25931 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25932 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25933 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25934 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25935 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25936 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
25937 (gdb)
25938 @end smallexample
25939
25940 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
25941
25942 @smallexample
25943 (gdb)
25944 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
25945 ^done,asm_insns=[
25946 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
25947 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25948 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25949 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25950 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
25951 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
25952 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25953 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25954 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25955 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25956 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25957 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
25958 (gdb)
25959 @end smallexample
25960
25961
25962 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
25963 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
25964
25965 @subsubheading Synopsis
25966
25967 @smallexample
25968 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
25969 @end smallexample
25970
25971 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
25972 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
25973 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
25974
25975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25976
25977 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
25978 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
25979 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
25980
25981 @subsubheading Example
25982
25983 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
25984 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
25985 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
25986 output.
25987
25988 @smallexample
25989 211-data-evaluate-expression A
25990 211^done,value="1"
25991 (gdb)
25992 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
25993 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
25994 (gdb)
25995 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
25996 411^done,value="4"
25997 (gdb)
25998 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
25999 511^done,value="4"
26000 (gdb)
26001 @end smallexample
26002
26003
26004 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
26005 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
26006
26007 @subsubheading Synopsis
26008
26009 @smallexample
26010 -data-list-changed-registers
26011 @end smallexample
26012
26013 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
26014
26015 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26016
26017 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
26018 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
26019
26020 @subsubheading Example
26021
26022 On a PPC MBX board:
26023
26024 @smallexample
26025 (gdb)
26026 -exec-continue
26027 ^running
26028
26029 (gdb)
26030 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
26031 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
26032 line="5"@}
26033 (gdb)
26034 -data-list-changed-registers
26035 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
26036 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
26037 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
26038 (gdb)
26039 @end smallexample
26040
26041
26042 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
26043 @findex -data-list-register-names
26044
26045 @subsubheading Synopsis
26046
26047 @smallexample
26048 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
26049 @end smallexample
26050
26051 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
26052 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
26053 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
26054 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
26055 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
26056 include empty register names.
26057
26058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26059
26060 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
26061 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
26062 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
26063
26064 @subsubheading Example
26065
26066 For the PPC MBX board:
26067 @smallexample
26068 (gdb)
26069 -data-list-register-names
26070 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
26071 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
26072 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
26073 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
26074 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
26075 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
26076 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
26077 (gdb)
26078 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
26079 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
26080 (gdb)
26081 @end smallexample
26082
26083 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
26084 @findex -data-list-register-values
26085
26086 @subsubheading Synopsis
26087
26088 @smallexample
26089 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
26090 @end smallexample
26091
26092 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
26093 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
26094 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
26095 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
26096
26097 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
26098
26099 @table @code
26100 @item x
26101 Hexadecimal
26102 @item o
26103 Octal
26104 @item t
26105 Binary
26106 @item d
26107 Decimal
26108 @item r
26109 Raw
26110 @item N
26111 Natural
26112 @end table
26113
26114 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26115
26116 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
26117 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
26118
26119 @subsubheading Example
26120
26121 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
26122 don't appear in the actual output):
26123
26124 @smallexample
26125 (gdb)
26126 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
26127 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26128 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
26129 (gdb)
26130 -data-list-register-values x
26131 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
26132 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26133 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
26134 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
26135 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
26136 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
26137 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
26138 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
26139 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
26140 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26141 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
26142 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
26143 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
26144 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
26145 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
26146 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
26147 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
26148 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
26149 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
26150 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
26151 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
26152 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
26153 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
26154 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
26155 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
26156 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
26157 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
26158 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
26159 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
26160 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
26161 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
26162 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
26163 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26164 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
26165 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
26166 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
26167 (gdb)
26168 @end smallexample
26169
26170
26171 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
26172 @findex -data-read-memory
26173
26174 @subsubheading Synopsis
26175
26176 @smallexample
26177 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
26178 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
26179 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
26180 @end smallexample
26181
26182 @noindent
26183 where:
26184
26185 @table @samp
26186 @item @var{address}
26187 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
26188 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
26189 quoted using the C convention.
26190
26191 @item @var{word-format}
26192 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
26193 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
26194 ,Output Formats}).
26195
26196 @item @var{word-size}
26197 The size of each memory word in bytes.
26198
26199 @item @var{nr-rows}
26200 The number of rows in the output table.
26201
26202 @item @var{nr-cols}
26203 The number of columns in the output table.
26204
26205 @item @var{aschar}
26206 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
26207 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
26208 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
26209 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
26210
26211 @item @var{byte-offset}
26212 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
26213 @end table
26214
26215 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
26216 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
26217 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
26218 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
26219 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
26220 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
26221 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
26222 @samp{addr}.
26223
26224 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
26225 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
26226 @samp{prev-page}.
26227
26228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26229
26230 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
26231 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
26232
26233 @subsubheading Example
26234
26235 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
26236 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
26237 word. Display each word in hex.
26238
26239 @smallexample
26240 (gdb)
26241 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
26242 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
26243 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
26244 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
26245 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
26246 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
26247 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
26248 (gdb)
26249 @end smallexample
26250
26251 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
26252 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
26253
26254 @smallexample
26255 (gdb)
26256 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
26257 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
26258 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
26259 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
26260 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
26261 (gdb)
26262 @end smallexample
26263
26264 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
26265 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
26266 used as the non-printable character.
26267
26268 @smallexample
26269 (gdb)
26270 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
26271 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
26272 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
26273 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
26274 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26275 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26276 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26277 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26278 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
26279 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
26280 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
26281 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
26282 (gdb)
26283 @end smallexample
26284
26285 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26286 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
26287 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
26288
26289 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
26290 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
26291
26292 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
26293 @findex -trace-find
26294
26295 @subsubheading Synopsis
26296
26297 @smallexample
26298 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
26299 @end smallexample
26300
26301 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
26302 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
26303 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
26304
26305 @table @samp
26306
26307 @item none
26308 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
26309
26310 @item frame-number
26311 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
26312 that index.
26313
26314 @item tracepoint-number
26315 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
26316 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
26317
26318 @item pc
26319 An address is required as parameter. Finds
26320 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
26321 address.
26322
26323 @item pc-inside-range
26324 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
26325 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
26326 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26327
26328 @item pc-outside-range
26329 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
26330 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
26331 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26332
26333 @item line
26334 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
26335 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
26336 the specified location.
26337
26338 @end table
26339
26340 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
26341 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
26342
26343 @table @samp
26344 @item found
26345 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
26346 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
26347
26348 @item traceframe
26349 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
26350 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26351
26352 @item tracepoint
26353 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
26354 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26355
26356 @item frame
26357 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
26358 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
26359 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
26360
26361 @end table
26362
26363 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26364
26365 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
26366
26367 @subheading -trace-define-variable
26368 @findex -trace-define-variable
26369
26370 @subsubheading Synopsis
26371
26372 @smallexample
26373 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
26374 @end smallexample
26375
26376 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
26377 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
26378 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
26379 with the @samp{$} character.
26380
26381 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26382
26383 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
26384
26385 @subheading -trace-list-variables
26386 @findex -trace-list-variables
26387
26388 @subsubheading Synopsis
26389
26390 @smallexample
26391 -trace-list-variables
26392 @end smallexample
26393
26394 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
26395 table has the following fields:
26396
26397 @table @samp
26398 @item name
26399 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
26400
26401 @item initial
26402 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
26403 field is always present.
26404
26405 @item current
26406 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
26407 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
26408 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
26409 presently running.
26410
26411 @end table
26412
26413 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26414
26415 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
26416
26417 @subsubheading Example
26418
26419 @smallexample
26420 (gdb)
26421 -trace-list-variables
26422 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
26423 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
26424 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
26425 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
26426 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
26427 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
26428 (gdb)
26429 @end smallexample
26430
26431 @subheading -trace-save
26432 @findex -trace-save
26433
26434 @subsubheading Synopsis
26435
26436 @smallexample
26437 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
26438 @end smallexample
26439
26440 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
26441 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
26442 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
26443 to perform the save.
26444
26445 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26446
26447 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
26448
26449
26450 @subheading -trace-start
26451 @findex -trace-start
26452
26453 @subsubheading Synopsis
26454
26455 @smallexample
26456 -trace-start
26457 @end smallexample
26458
26459 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
26460 have any fields.
26461
26462 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26463
26464 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
26465
26466 @subheading -trace-status
26467 @findex -trace-status
26468
26469 @subsubheading Synopsis
26470
26471 @smallexample
26472 -trace-status
26473 @end smallexample
26474
26475 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
26476 the following fields:
26477
26478 @table @samp
26479
26480 @item supported
26481 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
26482 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
26483 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
26484 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
26485 started. This field is always present.
26486
26487 @item running
26488 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
26489 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
26490 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26491
26492 @item stop-reason
26493 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
26494 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
26495 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
26496 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
26497 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
26498 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
26499 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
26500 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
26501 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26502
26503 @item stopping-tracepoint
26504 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
26505 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
26506 @samp{passcount}.
26507
26508 @item frames
26509 @itemx frames-created
26510 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
26511 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
26512 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
26513 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
26514
26515 @item buffer-size
26516 @itemx buffer-free
26517 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
26518 remaining space. These fields are optional.
26519
26520 @item circular
26521 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
26522 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
26523 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
26524 and may fill up.
26525
26526 @item disconnected
26527 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
26528 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
26529 that the trace run will stop.
26530
26531 @end table
26532
26533 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26534
26535 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
26536
26537 @subheading -trace-stop
26538 @findex -trace-stop
26539
26540 @subsubheading Synopsis
26541
26542 @smallexample
26543 -trace-stop
26544 @end smallexample
26545
26546 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
26547 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
26548 @samp{running} fields are not output.
26549
26550 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26551
26552 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
26553
26554
26555 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26556 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
26557 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
26558
26559
26560 @ignore
26561 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
26562 @findex -symbol-info-address
26563
26564 @subsubheading Synopsis
26565
26566 @smallexample
26567 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
26568 @end smallexample
26569
26570 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
26571
26572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26573
26574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
26575
26576 @subsubheading Example
26577 N.A.
26578
26579
26580 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
26581 @findex -symbol-info-file
26582
26583 @subsubheading Synopsis
26584
26585 @smallexample
26586 -symbol-info-file
26587 @end smallexample
26588
26589 Show the file for the symbol.
26590
26591 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26592
26593 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
26594 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
26595
26596 @subsubheading Example
26597 N.A.
26598
26599
26600 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
26601 @findex -symbol-info-function
26602
26603 @subsubheading Synopsis
26604
26605 @smallexample
26606 -symbol-info-function
26607 @end smallexample
26608
26609 Show which function the symbol lives in.
26610
26611 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26612
26613 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
26614
26615 @subsubheading Example
26616 N.A.
26617
26618
26619 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
26620 @findex -symbol-info-line
26621
26622 @subsubheading Synopsis
26623
26624 @smallexample
26625 -symbol-info-line
26626 @end smallexample
26627
26628 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
26629
26630 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26631
26632 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
26633 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
26634
26635 @subsubheading Example
26636 N.A.
26637
26638
26639 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
26640 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
26641
26642 @subsubheading Synopsis
26643
26644 @smallexample
26645 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
26646 @end smallexample
26647
26648 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
26649
26650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26651
26652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
26653
26654 @subsubheading Example
26655 N.A.
26656
26657
26658 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
26659 @findex -symbol-list-functions
26660
26661 @subsubheading Synopsis
26662
26663 @smallexample
26664 -symbol-list-functions
26665 @end smallexample
26666
26667 List the functions in the executable.
26668
26669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26670
26671 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
26672 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26673
26674 @subsubheading Example
26675 N.A.
26676 @end ignore
26677
26678
26679 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
26680 @findex -symbol-list-lines
26681
26682 @subsubheading Synopsis
26683
26684 @smallexample
26685 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
26686 @end smallexample
26687
26688 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
26689 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
26690 ascending PC order.
26691
26692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26693
26694 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
26695
26696 @subsubheading Example
26697 @smallexample
26698 (gdb)
26699 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
26700 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
26701 (gdb)
26702 @end smallexample
26703
26704
26705 @ignore
26706 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
26707 @findex -symbol-list-types
26708
26709 @subsubheading Synopsis
26710
26711 @smallexample
26712 -symbol-list-types
26713 @end smallexample
26714
26715 List all the type names.
26716
26717 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26718
26719 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
26720 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26721
26722 @subsubheading Example
26723 N.A.
26724
26725
26726 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
26727 @findex -symbol-list-variables
26728
26729 @subsubheading Synopsis
26730
26731 @smallexample
26732 -symbol-list-variables
26733 @end smallexample
26734
26735 List all the global and static variable names.
26736
26737 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26738
26739 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26740
26741 @subsubheading Example
26742 N.A.
26743
26744
26745 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
26746 @findex -symbol-locate
26747
26748 @subsubheading Synopsis
26749
26750 @smallexample
26751 -symbol-locate
26752 @end smallexample
26753
26754 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26755
26756 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
26757
26758 @subsubheading Example
26759 N.A.
26760
26761
26762 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
26763 @findex -symbol-type
26764
26765 @subsubheading Synopsis
26766
26767 @smallexample
26768 -symbol-type @var{variable}
26769 @end smallexample
26770
26771 Show type of @var{variable}.
26772
26773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26774
26775 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
26776 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
26777
26778 @subsubheading Example
26779 N.A.
26780 @end ignore
26781
26782
26783 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26784 @node GDB/MI File Commands
26785 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
26786
26787 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
26788 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
26789
26790 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
26791 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
26792
26793 @subsubheading Synopsis
26794
26795 @smallexample
26796 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
26797 @end smallexample
26798
26799 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
26800 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
26801 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
26802 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
26803 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
26804 notification.
26805
26806 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26807
26808 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
26809
26810 @subsubheading Example
26811
26812 @smallexample
26813 (gdb)
26814 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26815 ^done
26816 (gdb)
26817 @end smallexample
26818
26819
26820 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
26821 @findex -file-exec-file
26822
26823 @subsubheading Synopsis
26824
26825 @smallexample
26826 -file-exec-file @var{file}
26827 @end smallexample
26828
26829 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
26830 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
26831 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
26832 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
26833 notification.
26834
26835 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26836
26837 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
26838
26839 @subsubheading Example
26840
26841 @smallexample
26842 (gdb)
26843 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26844 ^done
26845 (gdb)
26846 @end smallexample
26847
26848
26849 @ignore
26850 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
26851 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
26852
26853 @subsubheading Synopsis
26854
26855 @smallexample
26856 -file-list-exec-sections
26857 @end smallexample
26858
26859 List the sections of the current executable file.
26860
26861 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26862
26863 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
26864 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
26865 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
26866
26867 @subsubheading Example
26868 N.A.
26869 @end ignore
26870
26871
26872 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
26873 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
26874
26875 @subsubheading Synopsis
26876
26877 @smallexample
26878 -file-list-exec-source-file
26879 @end smallexample
26880
26881 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
26882 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
26883 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
26884 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
26885
26886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26887
26888 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
26889
26890 @subsubheading Example
26891
26892 @smallexample
26893 (gdb)
26894 123-file-list-exec-source-file
26895 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
26896 (gdb)
26897 @end smallexample
26898
26899
26900 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
26901 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
26902
26903 @subsubheading Synopsis
26904
26905 @smallexample
26906 -file-list-exec-source-files
26907 @end smallexample
26908
26909 List the source files for the current executable.
26910
26911 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
26912 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
26913
26914 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26915
26916 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
26917 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
26918
26919 @subsubheading Example
26920 @smallexample
26921 (gdb)
26922 -file-list-exec-source-files
26923 ^done,files=[
26924 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
26925 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
26926 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
26927 (gdb)
26928 @end smallexample
26929
26930 @ignore
26931 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
26932 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
26933
26934 @subsubheading Synopsis
26935
26936 @smallexample
26937 -file-list-shared-libraries
26938 @end smallexample
26939
26940 List the shared libraries in the program.
26941
26942 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26943
26944 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
26945
26946 @subsubheading Example
26947 N.A.
26948
26949
26950 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
26951 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
26952
26953 @subsubheading Synopsis
26954
26955 @smallexample
26956 -file-list-symbol-files
26957 @end smallexample
26958
26959 List symbol files.
26960
26961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26962
26963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
26964
26965 @subsubheading Example
26966 N.A.
26967 @end ignore
26968
26969
26970 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
26971 @findex -file-symbol-file
26972
26973 @subsubheading Synopsis
26974
26975 @smallexample
26976 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
26977 @end smallexample
26978
26979 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
26980 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
26981 produced, except for a completion notification.
26982
26983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26984
26985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
26986
26987 @subsubheading Example
26988
26989 @smallexample
26990 (gdb)
26991 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26992 ^done
26993 (gdb)
26994 @end smallexample
26995
26996 @ignore
26997 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26998 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
26999 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
27000
27001 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
27002
27003 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
27004
27005 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
27006
27007 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
27008
27009 @c @subheading -overlay-map
27010
27011 @c @subheading -overlay-off
27012
27013 @c @subheading -overlay-on
27014
27015 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
27016
27017 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27018 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
27019 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
27020
27021 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
27022
27023 @c @subheading -signal-handle
27024
27025 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
27026
27027 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
27028 @end ignore
27029
27030
27031 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27032 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
27033 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
27034
27035
27036 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
27037 @findex -target-attach
27038
27039 @subsubheading Synopsis
27040
27041 @smallexample
27042 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
27043 @end smallexample
27044
27045 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
27046 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
27047 group, the id previously returned by
27048 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
27049
27050 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27051
27052 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
27053
27054 @subsubheading Example
27055 @smallexample
27056 (gdb)
27057 -target-attach 34
27058 =thread-created,id="1"
27059 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
27060 ^done
27061 (gdb)
27062 @end smallexample
27063
27064 @ignore
27065 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
27066 @findex -target-compare-sections
27067
27068 @subsubheading Synopsis
27069
27070 @smallexample
27071 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
27072 @end smallexample
27073
27074 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
27075 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
27076
27077 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27078
27079 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
27080
27081 @subsubheading Example
27082 N.A.
27083 @end ignore
27084
27085
27086 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
27087 @findex -target-detach
27088
27089 @subsubheading Synopsis
27090
27091 @smallexample
27092 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
27093 @end smallexample
27094
27095 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
27096 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
27097 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
27098
27099 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27100
27101 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
27102
27103 @subsubheading Example
27104
27105 @smallexample
27106 (gdb)
27107 -target-detach
27108 ^done
27109 (gdb)
27110 @end smallexample
27111
27112
27113 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
27114 @findex -target-disconnect
27115
27116 @subsubheading Synopsis
27117
27118 @smallexample
27119 -target-disconnect
27120 @end smallexample
27121
27122 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
27123 generally not resumed.
27124
27125 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27126
27127 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
27128
27129 @subsubheading Example
27130
27131 @smallexample
27132 (gdb)
27133 -target-disconnect
27134 ^done
27135 (gdb)
27136 @end smallexample
27137
27138
27139 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
27140 @findex -target-download
27141
27142 @subsubheading Synopsis
27143
27144 @smallexample
27145 -target-download
27146 @end smallexample
27147
27148 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
27149 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
27150
27151 @table @samp
27152 @item section
27153 The name of the section.
27154 @item section-sent
27155 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
27156 @item section-size
27157 The size of the section.
27158 @item total-sent
27159 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
27160 @item total-size
27161 The size of the overall executable to download.
27162 @end table
27163
27164 @noindent
27165 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
27166 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
27167
27168 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
27169 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
27170
27171 @table @samp
27172 @item section
27173 The name of the section.
27174 @item section-size
27175 The size of the section.
27176 @item total-size
27177 The size of the overall executable to download.
27178 @end table
27179
27180 @noindent
27181 At the end, a summary is printed.
27182
27183 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27184
27185 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
27186
27187 @subsubheading Example
27188
27189 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
27190 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
27191
27192 @smallexample
27193 (gdb)
27194 -target-download
27195 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
27196 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
27197 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
27198 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
27199 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
27200 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
27201 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
27202 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
27203 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
27204 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
27205 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
27206 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
27207 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
27208 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
27209 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
27210 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
27211 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
27212 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
27213 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
27214 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
27215 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
27216 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
27217 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
27218 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
27219 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
27220 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
27221 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
27222 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27223 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27224 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
27225 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
27226 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
27227 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
27228 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
27229 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
27230 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
27231 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
27232 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
27233 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
27234 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
27235 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
27236 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
27237 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
27238 write-rate="429"
27239 (gdb)
27240 @end smallexample
27241
27242
27243 @ignore
27244 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
27245 @findex -target-exec-status
27246
27247 @subsubheading Synopsis
27248
27249 @smallexample
27250 -target-exec-status
27251 @end smallexample
27252
27253 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
27254 not, for instance).
27255
27256 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27257
27258 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27259
27260 @subsubheading Example
27261 N.A.
27262
27263
27264 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
27265 @findex -target-list-available-targets
27266
27267 @subsubheading Synopsis
27268
27269 @smallexample
27270 -target-list-available-targets
27271 @end smallexample
27272
27273 List the possible targets to connect to.
27274
27275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27276
27277 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
27278
27279 @subsubheading Example
27280 N.A.
27281
27282
27283 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
27284 @findex -target-list-current-targets
27285
27286 @subsubheading Synopsis
27287
27288 @smallexample
27289 -target-list-current-targets
27290 @end smallexample
27291
27292 Describe the current target.
27293
27294 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27295
27296 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
27297 other things).
27298
27299 @subsubheading Example
27300 N.A.
27301
27302
27303 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
27304 @findex -target-list-parameters
27305
27306 @subsubheading Synopsis
27307
27308 @smallexample
27309 -target-list-parameters
27310 @end smallexample
27311
27312 @c ????
27313 @end ignore
27314
27315 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27316
27317 No equivalent.
27318
27319 @subsubheading Example
27320 N.A.
27321
27322
27323 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
27324 @findex -target-select
27325
27326 @subsubheading Synopsis
27327
27328 @smallexample
27329 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
27330 @end smallexample
27331
27332 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
27333
27334 @table @samp
27335 @item @var{type}
27336 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
27337 @item @var{parameters}
27338 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
27339 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
27340 @end table
27341
27342 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
27343 which the target program is, in the following form:
27344
27345 @smallexample
27346 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
27347 args=[@var{arg list}]
27348 @end smallexample
27349
27350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27351
27352 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
27353
27354 @subsubheading Example
27355
27356 @smallexample
27357 (gdb)
27358 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
27359 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
27360 (gdb)
27361 @end smallexample
27362
27363 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27364 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
27365 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
27366
27367
27368 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
27369 @findex -target-file-put
27370
27371 @subsubheading Synopsis
27372
27373 @smallexample
27374 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
27375 @end smallexample
27376
27377 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
27378 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
27379
27380 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27381
27382 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
27383
27384 @subsubheading Example
27385
27386 @smallexample
27387 (gdb)
27388 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
27389 ^done
27390 (gdb)
27391 @end smallexample
27392
27393
27394 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
27395 @findex -target-file-get
27396
27397 @subsubheading Synopsis
27398
27399 @smallexample
27400 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
27401 @end smallexample
27402
27403 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
27404 on the host system.
27405
27406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27407
27408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
27409
27410 @subsubheading Example
27411
27412 @smallexample
27413 (gdb)
27414 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
27415 ^done
27416 (gdb)
27417 @end smallexample
27418
27419
27420 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
27421 @findex -target-file-delete
27422
27423 @subsubheading Synopsis
27424
27425 @smallexample
27426 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
27427 @end smallexample
27428
27429 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
27430
27431 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27432
27433 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
27434
27435 @subsubheading Example
27436
27437 @smallexample
27438 (gdb)
27439 -target-file-delete remotefile
27440 ^done
27441 (gdb)
27442 @end smallexample
27443
27444
27445 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27446 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
27447 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
27448
27449 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
27450
27451 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
27452 @findex -gdb-exit
27453
27454 @subsubheading Synopsis
27455
27456 @smallexample
27457 -gdb-exit
27458 @end smallexample
27459
27460 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
27461
27462 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27463
27464 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
27465
27466 @subsubheading Example
27467
27468 @smallexample
27469 (gdb)
27470 -gdb-exit
27471 ^exit
27472 @end smallexample
27473
27474
27475 @ignore
27476 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
27477 @findex -exec-abort
27478
27479 @subsubheading Synopsis
27480
27481 @smallexample
27482 -exec-abort
27483 @end smallexample
27484
27485 Kill the inferior running program.
27486
27487 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27488
27489 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
27490
27491 @subsubheading Example
27492 N.A.
27493 @end ignore
27494
27495
27496 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
27497 @findex -gdb-set
27498
27499 @subsubheading Synopsis
27500
27501 @smallexample
27502 -gdb-set
27503 @end smallexample
27504
27505 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
27506 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
27507
27508 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27509
27510 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
27511
27512 @subsubheading Example
27513
27514 @smallexample
27515 (gdb)
27516 -gdb-set $foo=3
27517 ^done
27518 (gdb)
27519 @end smallexample
27520
27521
27522 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
27523 @findex -gdb-show
27524
27525 @subsubheading Synopsis
27526
27527 @smallexample
27528 -gdb-show
27529 @end smallexample
27530
27531 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
27532
27533 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27534
27535 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
27536
27537 @subsubheading Example
27538
27539 @smallexample
27540 (gdb)
27541 -gdb-show annotate
27542 ^done,value="0"
27543 (gdb)
27544 @end smallexample
27545
27546 @c @subheading -gdb-source
27547
27548
27549 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
27550 @findex -gdb-version
27551
27552 @subsubheading Synopsis
27553
27554 @smallexample
27555 -gdb-version
27556 @end smallexample
27557
27558 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
27559
27560 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27561
27562 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
27563 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
27564
27565 @subsubheading Example
27566
27567 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
27568 @c box in TeX.
27569 @smallexample
27570 (gdb)
27571 -gdb-version
27572 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
27573 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
27574 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
27575 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
27576 ~ certain conditions.
27577 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
27578 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
27579 ~ details.
27580 ~This GDB was configured as
27581 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
27582 ^done
27583 (gdb)
27584 @end smallexample
27585
27586 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
27587 @findex -list-features
27588
27589 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
27590 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
27591 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
27592 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
27593 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
27594 startup.
27595
27596 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
27597 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
27598 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
27599 is given below.
27600
27601 Example output:
27602
27603 @smallexample
27604 (gdb) -list-features
27605 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
27606 @end smallexample
27607
27608 The current list of features is:
27609
27610 @table @samp
27611 @item frozen-varobjs
27612 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
27613 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
27614 of @code{-varobj-create}.
27615 @item pending-breakpoints
27616 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
27617 @item python
27618 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
27619 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
27620 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
27621 @item thread-info
27622 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
27623
27624 @end table
27625
27626 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
27627 @findex -list-target-features
27628
27629 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
27630 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
27631 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
27632 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
27633 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
27634 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
27635 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
27636 Example output:
27637
27638 @smallexample
27639 (gdb) -list-features
27640 ^done,result=["async"]
27641 @end smallexample
27642
27643 The current list of features is:
27644
27645 @table @samp
27646 @item async
27647 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
27648 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
27649 while the target is running.
27650
27651 @end table
27652
27653 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
27654 @findex -list-thread-groups
27655
27656 @subheading Synopsis
27657
27658 @smallexample
27659 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
27660 @end smallexample
27661
27662 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
27663 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
27664 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
27665 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
27666 top-level thread groups.
27667
27668 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
27669 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
27670 available on the target.
27671
27672 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
27673 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
27674 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
27675 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
27676 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
27677 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
27678 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
27679 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
27680
27681 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
27682 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
27683 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
27684 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
27685 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
27686 @samp{threads} field.
27687
27688 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
27689 the following caveats:
27690
27691 @itemize @bullet
27692 @item
27693 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
27694 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
27695 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
27696
27697 @item
27698 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
27699 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
27700 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
27701 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
27702 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
27703 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
27704
27705 @end itemize
27706
27707 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
27708 have the following fields:
27709
27710 @table @code
27711 @item id
27712 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
27713 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
27714 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
27715
27716 @item type
27717 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
27718 valid type.
27719
27720 @item pid
27721 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
27722 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
27723
27724 @item num_children
27725 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
27726 absent for an available thread group.
27727
27728 @item threads
27729 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
27730 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
27731 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
27732
27733 @item cores
27734 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
27735 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
27736 such information is not available.
27737
27738 @item executable
27739 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
27740 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
27741 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
27742
27743 @end table
27744
27745 @subheading Example
27746
27747 @smallexample
27748 @value{GDBP}
27749 -list-thread-groups
27750 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
27751 -list-thread-groups 17
27752 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27753 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
27754 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27755 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27756 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
27757 -list-thread-groups --available
27758 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
27759 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
27760 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
27761 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
27762 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
27763 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
27764 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
27765 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
27766 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
27767 @end smallexample
27768
27769
27770 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
27771 @findex -add-inferior
27772
27773 @subheading Synopsis
27774
27775 @smallexample
27776 -add-inferior
27777 @end smallexample
27778
27779 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
27780 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
27781 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
27782 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
27783 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
27784 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
27785
27786 @subheading Example
27787
27788 @smallexample
27789 @value{GDBP}
27790 -add-inferior
27791 ^done,thread-group="i3"
27792 @end smallexample
27793
27794 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
27795 @findex -interpreter-exec
27796
27797 @subheading Synopsis
27798
27799 @smallexample
27800 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
27801 @end smallexample
27802 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
27803
27804 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
27805
27806 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27807
27808 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
27809
27810 @subheading Example
27811
27812 @smallexample
27813 (gdb)
27814 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
27815 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
27816 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
27817 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
27818 ^done
27819 (gdb)
27820 @end smallexample
27821
27822 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
27823 @findex -inferior-tty-set
27824
27825 @subheading Synopsis
27826
27827 @smallexample
27828 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27829 @end smallexample
27830
27831 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
27832
27833 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27834
27835 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
27836
27837 @subheading Example
27838
27839 @smallexample
27840 (gdb)
27841 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27842 ^done
27843 (gdb)
27844 @end smallexample
27845
27846 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
27847 @findex -inferior-tty-show
27848
27849 @subheading Synopsis
27850
27851 @smallexample
27852 -inferior-tty-show
27853 @end smallexample
27854
27855 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
27856
27857 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27858
27859 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
27860
27861 @subheading Example
27862
27863 @smallexample
27864 (gdb)
27865 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27866 ^done
27867 (gdb)
27868 -inferior-tty-show
27869 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
27870 (gdb)
27871 @end smallexample
27872
27873 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
27874 @findex -enable-timings
27875
27876 @subheading Synopsis
27877
27878 @smallexample
27879 -enable-timings [yes | no]
27880 @end smallexample
27881
27882 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
27883 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
27884 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
27885 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
27886
27887 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27888
27889 No equivalent.
27890
27891 @subheading Example
27892
27893 @smallexample
27894 (gdb)
27895 -enable-timings
27896 ^done
27897 (gdb)
27898 -break-insert main
27899 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27900 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27901 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
27902 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
27903 (gdb)
27904 -enable-timings no
27905 ^done
27906 (gdb)
27907 -exec-run
27908 ^running
27909 (gdb)
27910 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27911 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
27912 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
27913 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
27914 (gdb)
27915 @end smallexample
27916
27917 @node Annotations
27918 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
27919
27920 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
27921 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
27922 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
27923 relatively high level.
27924
27925 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
27926 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
27927
27928 @ignore
27929 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
27930 @end ignore
27931
27932 @menu
27933 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
27934 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
27935 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
27936 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
27937 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
27938 * Annotations for Running::
27939 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
27940 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
27941 @end menu
27942
27943 @node Annotations Overview
27944 @section What is an Annotation?
27945 @cindex annotations
27946
27947 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
27948 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
27949 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
27950 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
27951 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
27952 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
27953 cannot contain newline characters.
27954
27955 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
27956 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
27957 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
27958 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
27959 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
27960 means those three characters as output.
27961
27962 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
27963 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
27964 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
27965 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
27966 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
27967 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
27968 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
27969 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
27970 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
27971
27972 @table @code
27973 @kindex set annotate
27974 @item set annotate @var{level}
27975 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
27976 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
27977
27978 @item show annotate
27979 @kindex show annotate
27980 Show the current annotation level.
27981 @end table
27982
27983 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
27984
27985 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
27986
27987 @smallexample
27988 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
27989 GNU gdb 6.0
27990 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
27991 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
27992 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
27993 under certain conditions.
27994 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
27995 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
27996 for details.
27997 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
27998
27999 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
28000 (@value{GDBP})
28001 ^Z^Zprompt
28002 @kbd{quit}
28003
28004 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
28005 $
28006 @end smallexample
28007
28008 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
28009 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
28010 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
28011 output from @value{GDBN}.
28012
28013 @node Server Prefix
28014 @section The Server Prefix
28015 @cindex server prefix
28016
28017 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
28018 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
28019 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
28020 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
28021 a transparent manner.
28022
28023 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
28024 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
28025 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
28026 @code{print} command.
28027
28028 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
28029 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
28030
28031 @node Prompting
28032 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
28033
28034 @cindex annotations for prompts
28035 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
28036 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
28037 over, etc.
28038
28039 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
28040 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
28041 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
28042 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
28043 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
28044 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
28045 features the following annotations:
28046
28047 @smallexample
28048 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
28049 ^Z^Zprompt
28050 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
28051 @end smallexample
28052
28053 The input types are
28054
28055 @table @code
28056 @findex pre-prompt annotation
28057 @findex prompt annotation
28058 @findex post-prompt annotation
28059 @item prompt
28060 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
28061
28062 @findex pre-commands annotation
28063 @findex commands annotation
28064 @findex post-commands annotation
28065 @item commands
28066 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
28067 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
28068
28069 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
28070 @findex overload-choice annotation
28071 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
28072 @item overload-choice
28073 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
28074
28075 @findex pre-query annotation
28076 @findex query annotation
28077 @findex post-query annotation
28078 @item query
28079 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
28080
28081 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
28082 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
28083 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
28084 @item prompt-for-continue
28085 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
28086 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
28087 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
28088 presence of annotations.
28089 @end table
28090
28091 @node Errors
28092 @section Errors
28093 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
28094
28095 @findex quit annotation
28096 @smallexample
28097 ^Z^Zquit
28098 @end smallexample
28099
28100 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
28101
28102 @findex error annotation
28103 @smallexample
28104 ^Z^Zerror
28105 @end smallexample
28106
28107 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
28108
28109 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
28110 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
28111 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
28112 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
28113 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
28114 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
28115 to the top level.
28116
28117 @findex error-begin annotation
28118 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
28119
28120 @smallexample
28121 ^Z^Zerror-begin
28122 @end smallexample
28123
28124 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
28125 message.
28126
28127 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
28128 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
28129 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
28130
28131 @node Invalidation
28132 @section Invalidation Notices
28133
28134 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
28135 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
28136 changed.
28137
28138 @table @code
28139 @findex frames-invalid annotation
28140 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
28141
28142 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
28143 have changed.
28144
28145 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
28146 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
28147
28148 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
28149 deleted a breakpoint.
28150 @end table
28151
28152 @node Annotations for Running
28153 @section Running the Program
28154 @cindex annotations for running programs
28155
28156 @findex starting annotation
28157 @findex stopping annotation
28158 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
28159 @code{step} or @code{continue},
28160
28161 @smallexample
28162 ^Z^Zstarting
28163 @end smallexample
28164
28165 is output. When the program stops,
28166
28167 @smallexample
28168 ^Z^Zstopped
28169 @end smallexample
28170
28171 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
28172 annotations describe how the program stopped.
28173
28174 @table @code
28175 @findex exited annotation
28176 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
28177 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
28178 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
28179
28180 @findex signalled annotation
28181 @findex signal-name annotation
28182 @findex signal-name-end annotation
28183 @findex signal-string annotation
28184 @findex signal-string-end annotation
28185 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
28186 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
28187 annotation continues:
28188
28189 @smallexample
28190 @var{intro-text}
28191 ^Z^Zsignal-name
28192 @var{name}
28193 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
28194 @var{middle-text}
28195 ^Z^Zsignal-string
28196 @var{string}
28197 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
28198 @var{end-text}
28199 @end smallexample
28200
28201 @noindent
28202 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
28203 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
28204 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
28205 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
28206 user's benefit and have no particular format.
28207
28208 @findex signal annotation
28209 @item ^Z^Zsignal
28210 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
28211 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
28212 terminated with it.
28213
28214 @findex breakpoint annotation
28215 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
28216 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
28217
28218 @findex watchpoint annotation
28219 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
28220 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
28221 @end table
28222
28223 @node Source Annotations
28224 @section Displaying Source
28225 @cindex annotations for source display
28226
28227 @findex source annotation
28228 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
28229
28230 @smallexample
28231 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
28232 @end smallexample
28233
28234 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
28235 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
28236 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
28237 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
28238 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
28239 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
28240 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
28241 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
28242 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
28243 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
28244 depend on the language).
28245
28246 @node JIT Interface
28247 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
28248 @cindex just-in-time compilation
28249 @cindex JIT compilation interface
28250
28251 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
28252 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
28253 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
28254 performance while maintaining platform independence.
28255
28256 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
28257 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
28258 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
28259 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
28260 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
28261 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
28262
28263 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
28264 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
28265 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
28266 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
28267 LLVM JIT.
28268
28269 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
28270 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
28271 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
28272 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
28273 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
28274 out about additional code.
28275
28276 @menu
28277 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
28278 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
28279 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
28280 @end menu
28281
28282 @node Declarations
28283 @section JIT Declarations
28284
28285 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
28286 implement the interface:
28287
28288 @smallexample
28289 typedef enum
28290 @{
28291 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
28292 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
28293 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
28294 @} jit_actions_t;
28295
28296 struct jit_code_entry
28297 @{
28298 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
28299 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
28300 const char *symfile_addr;
28301 uint64_t symfile_size;
28302 @};
28303
28304 struct jit_descriptor
28305 @{
28306 uint32_t version;
28307 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
28308 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
28309 uint32_t action_flag;
28310 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
28311 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
28312 @};
28313
28314 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
28315 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
28316
28317 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
28318 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
28319 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
28320 @end smallexample
28321
28322 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
28323 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
28324 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
28325
28326 @node Registering Code
28327 @section Registering Code
28328
28329 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
28330
28331 @itemize @bullet
28332 @item
28333 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
28334 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
28335
28336 @item
28337 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
28338 file.
28339
28340 @item
28341 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
28342
28343 @item
28344 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
28345
28346 @item
28347 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
28348 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28349 @end itemize
28350
28351 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
28352 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
28353 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
28354 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
28355
28356 @node Unregistering Code
28357 @section Unregistering Code
28358
28359 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
28360
28361 @itemize @bullet
28362 @item
28363 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
28364
28365 @item
28366 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
28367
28368 @item
28369 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
28370 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28371 @end itemize
28372
28373 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
28374 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
28375
28376 @node GDB Bugs
28377 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
28378 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
28379 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
28380
28381 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
28382
28383 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
28384 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
28385 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
28386 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
28387
28388 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
28389 information that enables us to fix the bug.
28390
28391 @menu
28392 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
28393 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
28394 @end menu
28395
28396 @node Bug Criteria
28397 @section Have You Found a Bug?
28398 @cindex bug criteria
28399
28400 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
28401
28402 @itemize @bullet
28403 @cindex fatal signal
28404 @cindex debugger crash
28405 @cindex crash of debugger
28406 @item
28407 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
28408 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
28409
28410 @cindex error on valid input
28411 @item
28412 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
28413 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
28414 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
28415
28416 @cindex invalid input
28417 @item
28418 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
28419 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
28420 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
28421 for traditional practice''.
28422
28423 @item
28424 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
28425 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
28426 @end itemize
28427
28428 @node Bug Reporting
28429 @section How to Report Bugs
28430 @cindex bug reports
28431 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
28432
28433 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
28434 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
28435 contact that organization first.
28436
28437 You can find contact information for many support companies and
28438 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
28439 distribution.
28440 @c should add a web page ref...
28441
28442 @ifset BUGURL
28443 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
28444 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28445 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
28446 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
28447 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
28448 be used.
28449
28450 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
28451 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
28452 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
28453 @samp{bug-gdb}.
28454
28455 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
28456 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
28457 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
28458 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
28459 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
28460 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
28461 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
28462 bug reports to the mailing list.
28463 @end ifset
28464 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
28465 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28466 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
28467 @end ifclear
28468 @end ifset
28469
28470 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
28471 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
28472 fact or leave it out, state it!
28473
28474 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
28475 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
28476 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
28477 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
28478 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
28479 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
28480 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
28481 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
28482 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
28483
28484 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
28485 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
28486 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
28487 self-contained.
28488
28489 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
28490 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
28491 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
28492 bugs properly.
28493
28494 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
28495
28496 @itemize @bullet
28497 @item
28498 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
28499 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
28500 version}.
28501
28502 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
28503 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
28504
28505 @item
28506 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
28507 version number.
28508
28509 @item
28510 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
28511 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
28512
28513 @item
28514 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
28515 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
28516 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
28517 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
28518 those compilers.
28519
28520 @item
28521 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
28522 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
28523 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
28524 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
28525
28526 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
28527 and then we might not encounter the bug.
28528
28529 @item
28530 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
28531 reproduce the bug.
28532
28533 @item
28534 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
28535 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
28536
28537 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
28538 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
28539 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
28540 a chance to make a mistake.
28541
28542 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
28543 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
28544 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
28545 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
28546 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
28547 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
28548 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
28549 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
28550
28551 @pindex script
28552 @cindex recording a session script
28553 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
28554 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
28555 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
28556 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
28557
28558 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
28559 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
28560
28561 @item
28562 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
28563 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
28564 it by context, not by line number.
28565
28566 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
28567 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
28568
28569 @end itemize
28570
28571 Here are some things that are not necessary:
28572
28573 @itemize @bullet
28574 @item
28575 A description of the envelope of the bug.
28576
28577 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
28578 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
28579 changes will not affect it.
28580
28581 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
28582 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
28583 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
28584 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
28585
28586 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
28587 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
28588 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
28589 less time, and so on.
28590
28591 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
28592 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
28593
28594 @item
28595 A patch for the bug.
28596
28597 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
28598 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
28599 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
28600 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
28601
28602 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
28603 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
28604 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
28605 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
28606
28607 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
28608 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
28609 help us to understand.
28610
28611 @item
28612 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
28613
28614 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
28615 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
28616 @end itemize
28617
28618 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
28619 @c and consists of the two following files:
28620 @c rluser.texinfo
28621 @c inc-hist.texinfo
28622 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
28623 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
28624 @include rluser.texi
28625 @include inc-hist.texinfo
28626
28627
28628 @node Formatting Documentation
28629 @appendix Formatting Documentation
28630
28631 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
28632 @cindex reference card
28633 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
28634 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
28635 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
28636 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
28637 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
28638 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
28639
28640 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
28641 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
28642
28643 @smallexample
28644 make refcard.dvi
28645 @end smallexample
28646
28647 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
28648 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
28649 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
28650 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
28651 your @sc{dvi} output program.
28652
28653 @cindex documentation
28654
28655 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
28656 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
28657 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
28658 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
28659 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
28660 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
28661
28662 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
28663 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
28664 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
28665 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
28666 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
28667 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
28668 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
28669 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
28670
28671 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
28672 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
28673 @code{makeinfo}.
28674
28675 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
28676 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
28677 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
28678
28679 @smallexample
28680 cd gdb
28681 make gdb.info
28682 @end smallexample
28683
28684 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
28685 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
28686 Texinfo definitions file.
28687
28688 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
28689 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
28690 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
28691 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
28692 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
28693 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
28694 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
28695
28696 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
28697 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
28698 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
28699 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
28700 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
28701 directory.
28702
28703 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
28704 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
28705 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
28706 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
28707
28708 @smallexample
28709 make gdb.dvi
28710 @end smallexample
28711
28712 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
28713
28714 @node Installing GDB
28715 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
28716 @cindex installation
28717
28718 @menu
28719 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
28720 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
28721 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
28722 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
28723 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
28724 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
28725 @end menu
28726
28727 @node Requirements
28728 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
28729 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
28730
28731 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
28732 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
28733
28734 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
28735 @table @asis
28736 @item ISO C90 compiler
28737 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
28738 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
28739
28740 @end table
28741
28742 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
28743 @table @asis
28744 @item Expat
28745 @anchor{Expat}
28746 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
28747 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
28748 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
28749 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
28750 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
28751 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
28752
28753 Expat is used for:
28754
28755 @itemize @bullet
28756 @item
28757 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
28758 @item
28759 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
28760 @item
28761 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
28762 @item
28763 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
28764 @end itemize
28765
28766 @item zlib
28767 @cindex compressed debug sections
28768 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
28769 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
28770 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
28771 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
28772 information in such binaries.
28773
28774 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
28775 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
28776 @url{http://zlib.net}.
28777
28778 @item iconv
28779 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
28780 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
28781 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
28782 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
28783
28784 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
28785 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
28786 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
28787
28788 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
28789 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
28790 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
28791 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
28792 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
28793 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
28794 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
28795 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
28796 @end table
28797
28798 @node Running Configure
28799 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
28800 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
28801 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
28802 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
28803 build the @code{gdb} program.
28804 @iftex
28805 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
28806 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
28807 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
28808 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
28809 @end iftex
28810
28811 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
28812 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
28813 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
28814
28815 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
28816 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
28817
28818 @table @code
28819 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
28820 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
28821
28822 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
28823 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
28824
28825 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
28826 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
28827
28828 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
28829 @sc{gnu} include files
28830
28831 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
28832 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
28833
28834 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
28835 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
28836
28837 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
28838 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
28839
28840 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
28841 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
28842
28843 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
28844 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
28845 @end table
28846
28847 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
28848 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
28849 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
28850
28851 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
28852 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
28853 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
28854 argument.
28855
28856 For example:
28857
28858 @smallexample
28859 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
28860 ./configure @var{host}
28861 make
28862 @end smallexample
28863
28864 @noindent
28865 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
28866 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
28867 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
28868 correct value by examining your system.)
28869
28870 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
28871 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
28872 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
28873 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
28874
28875 @need 750
28876 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
28877 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
28878 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
28879
28880 @smallexample
28881 sh configure @var{host}
28882 @end smallexample
28883
28884 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
28885 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
28886 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
28887 @file{configure}
28888 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
28889 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
28890
28891 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
28892 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
28893 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
28894 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
28895 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
28896 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
28897 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
28898 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
28899 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
28900
28901 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
28902 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
28903 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
28904 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
28905 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
28906
28907 @node Separate Objdir
28908 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
28909
28910 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
28911 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
28912 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
28913 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
28914 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
28915 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
28916 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
28917 program specified there.
28918
28919 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
28920 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
28921 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
28922 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
28923 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
28924 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
28925
28926 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
28927 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
28928
28929 @smallexample
28930 @group
28931 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
28932 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
28933 cd ../gdb-sun4
28934 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
28935 make
28936 @end group
28937 @end smallexample
28938
28939 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
28940 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
28941 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
28942 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
28943 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
28944 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
28945
28946 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
28947 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
28948 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
28949 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
28950 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
28951
28952 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
28953 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
28954 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
28955 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
28956 You specify a cross-debugging target by
28957 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
28958
28959 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
28960 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
28961 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
28962
28963 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
28964 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
28965 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
28966 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
28967 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
28968
28969 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
28970 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
28971 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
28972 with each other.
28973
28974 @node Config Names
28975 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
28976
28977 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
28978 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
28979 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
28980 of information in the following pattern:
28981
28982 @smallexample
28983 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
28984 @end smallexample
28985
28986 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
28987 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
28988 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
28989
28990 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
28991 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
28992 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
28993 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
28994 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
28995 abbreviations---for example:
28996
28997 @smallexample
28998 % sh config.sub i386-linux
28999 i386-pc-linux-gnu
29000 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
29001 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
29002 % sh config.sub hp9k700
29003 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
29004 % sh config.sub sun4
29005 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
29006 % sh config.sub sun3
29007 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
29008 % sh config.sub i986v
29009 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
29010 @end smallexample
29011
29012 @noindent
29013 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
29014 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
29015
29016 @node Configure Options
29017 @section @file{configure} Options
29018
29019 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
29020 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
29021 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
29022 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
29023
29024 @smallexample
29025 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
29026 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29027 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29028 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
29029 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
29030 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
29031 @var{host}
29032 @end smallexample
29033
29034 @noindent
29035 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
29036 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
29037 @samp{--}.
29038
29039 @table @code
29040 @item --help
29041 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
29042
29043 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
29044 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
29045 @file{@var{dir}}.
29046
29047 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
29048 Configure the source to install programs under directory
29049 @file{@var{dir}}.
29050
29051 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
29052 @need 2000
29053 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
29054 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
29055 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
29056 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
29057 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
29058 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
29059 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
29060 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
29061 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
29062 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
29063 @var{dirname}.
29064
29065 @item --norecursion
29066 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
29067 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
29068
29069 @item --target=@var{target}
29070 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
29071 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
29072 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
29073
29074 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
29075
29076 @item @var{host} @dots{}
29077 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
29078
29079 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
29080 @end table
29081
29082 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
29083 needed for special purposes only.
29084
29085 @node System-wide configuration
29086 @section System-wide configuration and settings
29087 @cindex system-wide init file
29088
29089 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
29090 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
29091 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
29092
29093 Here is the corresponding configure option:
29094
29095 @table @code
29096 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
29097 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
29098 @var{file}.
29099 @end table
29100
29101 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
29102 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
29103
29104 @itemize @bullet
29105 @item
29106 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
29107 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
29108 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
29109 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
29110 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
29111 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
29112
29113 @item
29114 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
29115 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
29116 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29117 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29118 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
29119 @end itemize
29120
29121 @node Maintenance Commands
29122 @appendix Maintenance Commands
29123 @cindex maintenance commands
29124 @cindex internal commands
29125
29126 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
29127 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
29128 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
29129 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
29130 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
29131
29132 @table @code
29133 @kindex maint agent
29134 @kindex maint agent-eval
29135 @item maint agent @var{expression}
29136 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
29137 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
29138 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
29139 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
29140 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
29141 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
29142 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
29143 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
29144 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
29145 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
29146 addition and return the sum.
29147
29148 @kindex maint info breakpoints
29149 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
29150 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
29151 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
29152 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
29153 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
29154 is shown:
29155
29156 @table @code
29157 @item breakpoint
29158 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
29159
29160 @item watchpoint
29161 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
29162
29163 @item longjmp
29164 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
29165 @code{longjmp} calls.
29166
29167 @item longjmp resume
29168 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
29169
29170 @item until
29171 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
29172
29173 @item finish
29174 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
29175
29176 @item shlib events
29177 Shared library events.
29178
29179 @end table
29180
29181 @kindex set displaced-stepping
29182 @kindex show displaced-stepping
29183 @cindex displaced stepping support
29184 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
29185 @item set displaced-stepping
29186 @itemx show displaced-stepping
29187 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
29188 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
29189 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
29190 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
29191 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
29192
29193 @table @code
29194 @item set displaced-stepping on
29195 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
29196 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
29197
29198 @item set displaced-stepping off
29199 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
29200 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
29201
29202 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
29203 @item set displaced-stepping auto
29204 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
29205 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
29206 architecture supports displaced stepping.
29207 @end table
29208
29209 @kindex maint check-symtabs
29210 @item maint check-symtabs
29211 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
29212
29213 @kindex maint cplus first_component
29214 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
29215 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
29216
29217 @kindex maint cplus namespace
29218 @item maint cplus namespace
29219 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
29220
29221 @kindex maint demangle
29222 @item maint demangle @var{name}
29223 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
29224
29225 @kindex maint deprecate
29226 @kindex maint undeprecate
29227 @cindex deprecated commands
29228 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
29229 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
29230 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
29231 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
29232 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
29233 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
29234 the replacement as part of the warning.
29235
29236 @kindex maint dump-me
29237 @item maint dump-me
29238 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
29239 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
29240 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
29241 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
29242
29243 @kindex maint internal-error
29244 @kindex maint internal-warning
29245 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29246 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29247 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
29248 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
29249 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
29250 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
29251 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
29252 @value{GDBN} session.
29253
29254 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
29255 used as the text of the error or warning message.
29256
29257 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
29258
29259 @smallexample
29260 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
29261 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
29262 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
29263 debugging may prove unreliable.
29264 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29265 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29266 (@value{GDBP})
29267 @end smallexample
29268
29269 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
29270 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
29271
29272 @kindex maint set internal-error
29273 @kindex maint show internal-error
29274 @kindex maint set internal-warning
29275 @kindex maint show internal-warning
29276 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29277 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
29278 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29279 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
29280 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
29281 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
29282 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
29283 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
29284 described in the table below.
29285
29286 @table @samp
29287 @item quit
29288 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29289 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29290
29291 @item corefile
29292 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29293 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29294 @end table
29295
29296 @kindex maint packet
29297 @item maint packet @var{text}
29298 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
29299 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
29300 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
29301 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
29302 checksum.
29303
29304 @kindex maint print architecture
29305 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29306 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
29307 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
29308
29309 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
29310 @item maint print c-tdesc
29311 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
29312 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
29313 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
29314
29315 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
29316 @item maint print dummy-frames
29317 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
29318
29319 @smallexample
29320 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
29321 @dots{}
29322 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
29323 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
29324 58 return (a + b);
29325 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
29326 @dots{}
29327 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
29328 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
29329 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
29330 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
29331 (@value{GDBP})
29332 @end smallexample
29333
29334 Takes an optional file parameter.
29335
29336 @kindex maint print registers
29337 @kindex maint print raw-registers
29338 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
29339 @kindex maint print register-groups
29340 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29341 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29342 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29343 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29344 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
29345
29346 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
29347 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
29348 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
29349 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
29350 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
29351 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
29352 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
29353
29354 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
29355 write the information.
29356
29357 @kindex maint print reggroups
29358 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29359 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
29360 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
29361 information.
29362
29363 The register groups info looks like this:
29364
29365 @smallexample
29366 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
29367 Group Type
29368 general user
29369 float user
29370 all user
29371 vector user
29372 system user
29373 save internal
29374 restore internal
29375 @end smallexample
29376
29377 @kindex flushregs
29378 @item flushregs
29379 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
29380
29381 @kindex maint print objfiles
29382 @cindex info for known object files
29383 @item maint print objfiles
29384 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
29385 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
29386 and symtabs.
29387
29388 @kindex maint print statistics
29389 @cindex bcache statistics
29390 @item maint print statistics
29391 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
29392 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
29393 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
29394 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
29395 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
29396 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
29397 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
29398 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
29399 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
29400 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
29401 lengths.
29402
29403 @kindex maint print target-stack
29404 @cindex target stack description
29405 @item maint print target-stack
29406 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
29407 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
29408 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
29409 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
29410 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
29411 address.
29412
29413 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
29414 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
29415
29416 @kindex maint print type
29417 @cindex type chain of a data type
29418 @item maint print type @var{expr}
29419 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
29420 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
29421 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
29422 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
29423 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
29424
29425 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29426 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29427 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29428 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29429 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
29430
29431 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
29432 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
29433 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
29434 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
29435 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
29436 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
29437 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
29438 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
29439 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
29440
29441 @kindex maint set profile
29442 @kindex maint show profile
29443 @cindex profiling GDB
29444 @item maint set profile
29445 @itemx maint show profile
29446 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
29447
29448 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
29449 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
29450 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
29451 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
29452 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
29453 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
29454 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
29455
29456 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
29457 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
29458
29459 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
29460 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
29461 @cindex hardware debug registers
29462 @item maint set show-debug-regs
29463 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
29464 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
29465 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
29466 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
29467 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
29468 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
29469
29470 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
29471 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
29472 @item maint set show-all-tib
29473 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
29474 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
29475 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
29476 command.
29477
29478 @kindex maint space
29479 @cindex memory used by commands
29480 @item maint space
29481 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
29482 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
29483 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
29484 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
29485 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29486
29487 @kindex maint time
29488 @cindex time of command execution
29489 @item maint time
29490 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
29491 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
29492 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
29493 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
29494 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
29495 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
29496 it's not possibly currently
29497 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
29498 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29499
29500 @kindex maint translate-address
29501 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
29502 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
29503 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
29504 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
29505 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
29506 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
29507 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
29508
29509 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
29510 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
29511 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
29512
29513 @end table
29514
29515 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
29516 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
29517
29518 @table @code
29519 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
29520 @kindex set watchdog
29521 @cindex watchdog timer
29522 @cindex timeout for commands
29523 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
29524 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
29525 reports and error and the command is aborted.
29526
29527 @item show watchdog
29528 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
29529 @end table
29530
29531 @node Remote Protocol
29532 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
29533
29534 @menu
29535 * Overview::
29536 * Packets::
29537 * Stop Reply Packets::
29538 * General Query Packets::
29539 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
29540 * Tracepoint Packets::
29541 * Host I/O Packets::
29542 * Interrupts::
29543 * Notification Packets::
29544 * Remote Non-Stop::
29545 * Packet Acknowledgment::
29546 * Examples::
29547 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
29548 * Library List Format::
29549 * Memory Map Format::
29550 * Thread List Format::
29551 @end menu
29552
29553 @node Overview
29554 @section Overview
29555
29556 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
29557 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
29558 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
29559 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
29560
29561 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
29562 transmitted and received data, respectively.
29563
29564 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
29565 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
29566 @cindex remote serial protocol
29567 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
29568 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
29569 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
29570 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
29571 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
29572
29573 @smallexample
29574 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29575 @end smallexample
29576 @noindent
29577
29578 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
29579 @noindent
29580 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
29581 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
29582 eight bit unsigned checksum).
29583
29584 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
29585 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
29586
29587 @smallexample
29588 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29589 @end smallexample
29590
29591 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
29592 @noindent
29593 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
29594 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
29595 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
29596
29597 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
29598 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
29599 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
29600 retransmission):
29601
29602 @smallexample
29603 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29604 <- @code{+}
29605 @end smallexample
29606 @noindent
29607
29608 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
29609 once a connection is established.
29610 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
29611
29612 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
29613 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
29614 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
29615 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
29616 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
29617 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
29618 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
29619
29620 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
29621 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
29622 exceptions).
29623
29624 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
29625 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
29626 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
29627 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
29628
29629 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
29630 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
29631 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
29632
29633 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
29634 @anchor{Binary Data}
29635 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
29636 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
29637 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
29638 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
29639 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
29640 binary data.
29641
29642 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
29643 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
29644 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
29645 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
29646 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
29647 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
29648 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
29649 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
29650 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
29651 (described next).
29652
29653 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
29654 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
29655 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
29656 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
29657 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
29658 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
29659 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
29660 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
29661 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
29662 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
29663 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
29664 3}} more times.
29665
29666 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
29667 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
29668 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
29669 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
29670 @samp{0*"00}.
29671
29672 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
29673 error number. That number is not well defined.
29674
29675 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
29676 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
29677 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
29678 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
29679 on that response.
29680
29681 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
29682 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
29683 optional.
29684
29685 @node Packets
29686 @section Packets
29687
29688 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
29689 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
29690 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
29691 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
29692
29693 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
29694 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
29695 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
29696 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
29697 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
29698 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
29699 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
29700 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
29701 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
29702 @var{baz}.
29703
29704 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
29705 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
29706 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
29707 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
29708 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
29709 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
29710 pick any thread.
29711
29712 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
29713 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
29714 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
29715 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
29716 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
29717 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
29718 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
29719 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
29720 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
29721 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
29722 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
29723 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
29724 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
29725
29726 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
29727 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
29728 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
29729 more information.
29730
29731 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
29732 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
29733
29734 Here are the packet descriptions.
29735
29736 @table @samp
29737
29738 @item !
29739 @cindex @samp{!} packet
29740 @anchor{extended mode}
29741 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
29742 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
29743 debugged.
29744
29745 Reply:
29746 @table @samp
29747 @item OK
29748 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
29749 @end table
29750
29751 @item ?
29752 @cindex @samp{?} packet
29753 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
29754 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
29755 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
29756
29757 Reply:
29758 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29759
29760 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
29761 @cindex @samp{A} packet
29762 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
29763 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
29764 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
29765
29766 Reply:
29767 @table @samp
29768 @item OK
29769 The arguments were set.
29770 @item E @var{NN}
29771 An error occurred.
29772 @end table
29773
29774 @item b @var{baud}
29775 @cindex @samp{b} packet
29776 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
29777 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
29778
29779 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
29780 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
29781 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
29782
29783 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
29784 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
29785 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
29786 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
29787 of view, nothing actually happened.}
29788
29789 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
29790 @cindex @samp{B} packet
29791 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
29792 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
29793
29794 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
29795 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
29796
29797 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
29798 @anchor{bc}
29799 @item bc
29800 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
29801 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29802
29803 Reply:
29804 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29805
29806 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
29807 @anchor{bs}
29808 @item bs
29809 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
29810 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29811
29812 Reply:
29813 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29814
29815 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
29816 @cindex @samp{c} packet
29817 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
29818 resume at current address.
29819
29820 Reply:
29821 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29822
29823 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
29824 @cindex @samp{C} packet
29825 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
29826 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
29827
29828 Reply:
29829 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29830
29831 @item d
29832 @cindex @samp{d} packet
29833 Toggle debug flag.
29834
29835 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
29836 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
29837
29838 @item D
29839 @itemx D;@var{pid}
29840 @cindex @samp{D} packet
29841 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
29842 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
29843 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
29844
29845 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
29846 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
29847 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
29848 big-endian hex string.
29849
29850 Reply:
29851 @table @samp
29852 @item OK
29853 for success
29854 @item E @var{NN}
29855 for an error
29856 @end table
29857
29858 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
29859 @cindex @samp{F} packet
29860 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
29861 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
29862 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
29863
29864 @item g
29865 @anchor{read registers packet}
29866 @cindex @samp{g} packet
29867 Read general registers.
29868
29869 Reply:
29870 @table @samp
29871 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29872 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
29873 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
29874 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
29875 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
29876 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
29877 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
29878 @item E @var{NN}
29879 for an error.
29880 @end table
29881
29882 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
29883 @cindex @samp{G} packet
29884 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
29885 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
29886
29887 Reply:
29888 @table @samp
29889 @item OK
29890 for success
29891 @item E @var{NN}
29892 for an error
29893 @end table
29894
29895 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
29896 @cindex @samp{H} packet
29897 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
29898 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
29899 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
29900 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
29901 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29902
29903 Reply:
29904 @table @samp
29905 @item OK
29906 for success
29907 @item E @var{NN}
29908 for an error
29909 @end table
29910
29911 @c FIXME: JTC:
29912 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
29913 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
29914 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
29915 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
29916 @c described. For example:
29917 @c
29918 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
29919 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
29920 @c otherwise returns current registers.
29921 @c
29922 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
29923 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
29924 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
29925
29926 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
29927 @anchor{cycle step packet}
29928 @cindex @samp{i} packet
29929 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
29930 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
29931 step starting at that address.
29932
29933 @item I
29934 @cindex @samp{I} packet
29935 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
29936 step packet}.
29937
29938 @item k
29939 @cindex @samp{k} packet
29940 Kill request.
29941
29942 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
29943 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
29944 thread?)}.
29945
29946 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
29947 @cindex @samp{m} packet
29948 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
29949 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
29950
29951 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
29952 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
29953 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
29954 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
29955 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
29956 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
29957 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
29958 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
29959
29960 Reply:
29961 @table @samp
29962 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29963 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
29964 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
29965 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
29966 @item E @var{NN}
29967 @var{NN} is errno
29968 @end table
29969
29970 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29971 @cindex @samp{M} packet
29972 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
29973 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
29974 hexadecimal number.
29975
29976 Reply:
29977 @table @samp
29978 @item OK
29979 for success
29980 @item E @var{NN}
29981 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
29982 written).
29983 @end table
29984
29985 @item p @var{n}
29986 @cindex @samp{p} packet
29987 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
29988 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
29989 register value is encoded.
29990
29991 Reply:
29992 @table @samp
29993 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29994 the register's value
29995 @item E @var{NN}
29996 for an error
29997 @item
29998 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
29999 @end table
30000
30001 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
30002 @anchor{write register packet}
30003 @cindex @samp{P} packet
30004 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
30005 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
30006 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
30007
30008 Reply:
30009 @table @samp
30010 @item OK
30011 for success
30012 @item E @var{NN}
30013 for an error
30014 @end table
30015
30016 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30017 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30018 @cindex @samp{q} packet
30019 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
30020 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
30021 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
30022
30023 @item r
30024 @cindex @samp{r} packet
30025 Reset the entire system.
30026
30027 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
30028
30029 @item R @var{XX}
30030 @cindex @samp{R} packet
30031 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
30032 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30033
30034 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
30035
30036 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30037 @cindex @samp{s} packet
30038 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
30039 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
30040
30041 Reply:
30042 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30043
30044 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30045 @anchor{step with signal packet}
30046 @cindex @samp{S} packet
30047 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
30048 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
30049
30050 Reply:
30051 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30052
30053 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
30054 @cindex @samp{t} packet
30055 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
30056 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
30057 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
30058
30059 @item T @var{thread-id}
30060 @cindex @samp{T} packet
30061 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30062
30063 Reply:
30064 @table @samp
30065 @item OK
30066 thread is still alive
30067 @item E @var{NN}
30068 thread is dead
30069 @end table
30070
30071 @item v
30072 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
30073 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
30074
30075 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
30076 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
30077 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
30078 The process ID is a
30079 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
30080 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
30081 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
30082
30083 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
30084 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
30085 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
30086 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
30087 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
30088 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
30089 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
30090 @c stopping or restarting threads.
30091
30092 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30093
30094 Reply:
30095 @table @samp
30096 @item E @var{nn}
30097 for an error
30098 @item @r{Any stop packet}
30099 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30100 @item OK
30101 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
30102 @end table
30103
30104 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
30105 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
30106 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
30107 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
30108 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
30109 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
30110 in their current state in non-stop mode.
30111 Specifying multiple
30112 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
30113 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30114
30115 Currently supported actions are:
30116
30117 @table @samp
30118 @item c
30119 Continue.
30120 @item C @var{sig}
30121 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30122 @item s
30123 Step.
30124 @item S @var{sig}
30125 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30126 @item t
30127 Stop.
30128 @end table
30129
30130 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
30131 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
30132 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
30133
30134 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
30135 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
30136 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
30137 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
30138 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
30139 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
30140 as an implementation detail.
30141
30142 Reply:
30143 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30144
30145 @item vCont?
30146 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
30147 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
30148
30149 Reply:
30150 @table @samp
30151 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
30152 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
30153 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
30154 @item
30155 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
30156 @end table
30157
30158 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
30159 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
30160 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
30161 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
30162
30163 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
30164 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
30165 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
30166 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
30167 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
30168 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
30169 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
30170 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
30171 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30172 packet is received.
30173
30174 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
30175 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
30176 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
30177 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
30178 @var{thread-id}.
30179
30180 Reply:
30181 @table @samp
30182 @item OK
30183 for success
30184 @item E @var{NN}
30185 for an error
30186 @end table
30187
30188 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30189 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
30190 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
30191 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
30192 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
30193 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
30194 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
30195 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
30196 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
30197 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
30198 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
30199 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
30200
30201
30202 Reply:
30203 @table @samp
30204 @item OK
30205 for success
30206 @item E.memtype
30207 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
30208 @item E @var{NN}
30209 for an error
30210 @end table
30211
30212 @item vFlashDone
30213 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
30214 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
30215 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
30216 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
30217 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
30218 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30219 request is completed.
30220
30221 @item vKill;@var{pid}
30222 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
30223 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
30224 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
30225 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
30226 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30227
30228 Reply:
30229 @table @samp
30230 @item E @var{nn}
30231 for an error
30232 @item OK
30233 for success
30234 @end table
30235
30236 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
30237 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
30238 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
30239 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
30240 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
30241 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
30242 state.
30243
30244 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
30245
30246 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30247
30248 Reply:
30249 @table @samp
30250 @item E @var{nn}
30251 for an error
30252 @item @r{Any stop packet}
30253 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30254 @end table
30255
30256 @item vStopped
30257 @anchor{vStopped packet}
30258 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
30259
30260 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
30261 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
30262
30263 Reply:
30264 @table @samp
30265 @item @r{Any stop packet}
30266 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30267 @item OK
30268 if there are no unreported stop events
30269 @end table
30270
30271 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30272 @anchor{X packet}
30273 @cindex @samp{X} packet
30274 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
30275 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
30276 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
30277
30278 Reply:
30279 @table @samp
30280 @item OK
30281 for success
30282 @item E @var{NN}
30283 for an error
30284 @end table
30285
30286 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
30287 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
30288 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
30289 @cindex @samp{z} packet
30290 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
30291 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
30292 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
30293
30294 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
30295 separately.
30296
30297 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
30298 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
30299 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
30300 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
30301 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
30302 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
30303
30304 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30305 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30306 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
30307 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
30308 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
30309 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
30310
30311 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
30312 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
30313 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
30314 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
30315 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
30316 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
30317 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
30318
30319 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
30320 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
30321 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
30322 target, is not defined.}
30323
30324 Reply:
30325 @table @samp
30326 @item OK
30327 success
30328 @item
30329 not supported
30330 @item E @var{NN}
30331 for an error
30332 @end table
30333
30334 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30335 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30336 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
30337 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
30338 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
30339 address @var{addr}.
30340
30341 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
30342 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
30343 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
30344
30345 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
30346 movement.}
30347
30348 Reply:
30349 @table @samp
30350 @item OK
30351 success
30352 @item
30353 not supported
30354 @item E @var{NN}
30355 for an error
30356 @end table
30357
30358 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30359 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30360 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
30361 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
30362 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30363 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30364
30365 Reply:
30366 @table @samp
30367 @item OK
30368 success
30369 @item
30370 not supported
30371 @item E @var{NN}
30372 for an error
30373 @end table
30374
30375 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30376 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30377 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
30378 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
30379 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30380 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30381
30382 Reply:
30383 @table @samp
30384 @item OK
30385 success
30386 @item
30387 not supported
30388 @item E @var{NN}
30389 for an error
30390 @end table
30391
30392 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30393 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30394 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
30395 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
30396 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30397 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30398
30399 Reply:
30400 @table @samp
30401 @item OK
30402 success
30403 @item
30404 not supported
30405 @item E @var{NN}
30406 for an error
30407 @end table
30408
30409 @end table
30410
30411 @node Stop Reply Packets
30412 @section Stop Reply Packets
30413 @cindex stop reply packets
30414
30415 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
30416 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
30417 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
30418 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
30419 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
30420 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
30421 @value{GDBN} source code.
30422
30423 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
30424 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
30425 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
30426 components.
30427
30428 @table @samp
30429
30430 @item S @var{AA}
30431 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30432 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
30433 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
30434
30435 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
30436 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
30437 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30438 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
30439 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
30440 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
30441 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
30442 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
30443
30444 @itemize @bullet
30445 @item
30446 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
30447 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
30448 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
30449 two-digit hex number.
30450
30451 @item
30452 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
30453 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30454
30455 @item
30456 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
30457 the core on which the stop event was detected.
30458
30459 @item
30460 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
30461 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
30462 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
30463 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
30464
30465 @item
30466 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
30467 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
30468 future.
30469 @end itemize
30470
30471 The currently defined stop reasons are:
30472
30473 @table @samp
30474 @item watch
30475 @itemx rwatch
30476 @itemx awatch
30477 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
30478 hex.
30479
30480 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
30481 @item library
30482 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
30483 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
30484 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
30485
30486 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
30487 @item replaylog
30488 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
30489 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
30490 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
30491 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
30492 for more information.
30493 @end table
30494
30495 @item W @var{AA}
30496 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30497 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
30498 applicable to certain targets.
30499
30500 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
30501 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
30502 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30503 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30504
30505 @item X @var{AA}
30506 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30507 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
30508
30509 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
30510 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
30511 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
30512 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30513
30514 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
30515 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
30516 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
30517 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
30518 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
30519
30520 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
30521 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
30522 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
30523 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
30524 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
30525 system calls.
30526
30527 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
30528 this very system call.
30529
30530 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
30531 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
30532 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
30533 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30534 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
30535 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
30536
30537 @end table
30538
30539 @node General Query Packets
30540 @section General Query Packets
30541 @cindex remote query requests
30542
30543 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
30544 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
30545 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
30546 sending information to and from the stub.
30547
30548 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
30549 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
30550 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
30551 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
30552 conventions:
30553
30554 @itemize @bullet
30555 @item
30556 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
30557 @item
30558 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
30559 letter.
30560 @item
30561 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
30562 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
30563 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
30564 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
30565 @end itemize
30566
30567 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
30568 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
30569 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
30570 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
30571 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
30572 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
30573 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
30574 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
30575 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
30576 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
30577 packet.}.
30578
30579 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
30580 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
30581 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
30582 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
30583 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
30584
30585 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
30586
30587 @table @samp
30588
30589 @item qC
30590 @cindex current thread, remote request
30591 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
30592 Return the current thread ID.
30593
30594 Reply:
30595 @table @samp
30596 @item QC @var{thread-id}
30597 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
30598 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30599 @item @r{(anything else)}
30600 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
30601 @end table
30602
30603 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
30604 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
30605 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
30606 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
30607 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
30608 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
30609 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
30610
30611 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
30612 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
30613 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
30614 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
30615 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
30616 detect trailing zeros.
30617
30618 Reply:
30619 @table @samp
30620 @item E @var{NN}
30621 An error (such as memory fault)
30622 @item C @var{crc32}
30623 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
30624 @end table
30625
30626 @item qfThreadInfo
30627 @itemx qsThreadInfo
30628 @cindex list active threads, remote request
30629 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
30630 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
30631 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
30632 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
30633 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
30634 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
30635 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
30636 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
30637
30638 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
30639
30640 Reply:
30641 @table @samp
30642 @item m @var{thread-id}
30643 A single thread ID
30644 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
30645 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
30646 @item l
30647 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
30648 @end table
30649
30650 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
30651 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
30652 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
30653 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
30654 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
30655 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
30656 fields.
30657
30658 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
30659 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
30660 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
30661 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
30662 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
30663
30664 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
30665 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30666
30667 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
30668 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
30669 information associated with the variable.)
30670
30671 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
30672 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
30673 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
30674 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
30675 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
30676 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
30677
30678 Reply:
30679 @table @samp
30680 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
30681 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
30682 local storage requested.
30683
30684 @item E @var{nn}
30685 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30686
30687 @item
30688 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
30689 @end table
30690
30691 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
30692 @cindex get thread information block address
30693 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
30694 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
30695
30696 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
30697
30698 Reply:
30699 @table @samp
30700 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
30701 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
30702 thread information block.
30703
30704 @item E @var{nn}
30705 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
30706 address could not be retrieved.
30707
30708 @item
30709 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
30710 @end table
30711
30712 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
30713 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
30714 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
30715 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
30716 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
30717 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
30718 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
30719
30720 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
30721
30722 Reply:
30723 @table @samp
30724 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
30725 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
30726 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
30727 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
30728 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
30729 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
30730 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
30731 @end table
30732
30733 @item qOffsets
30734 @cindex section offsets, remote request
30735 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
30736 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
30737 image.
30738
30739 Reply:
30740 @table @samp
30741 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
30742 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
30743 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
30744 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
30745 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
30746 segments by the supplied offsets.
30747
30748 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
30749 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
30750 to the @code{Bss} section.}
30751
30752 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
30753 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
30754 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
30755 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
30756 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
30757 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
30758 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
30759 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
30760 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
30761 @end table
30762
30763 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
30764 @cindex thread information, remote request
30765 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
30766 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
30767 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
30768 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
30769
30770 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
30771 (see below).
30772
30773 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
30774
30775 @item QNonStop:1
30776 @item QNonStop:0
30777 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
30778 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
30779 @anchor{QNonStop}
30780 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
30781 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
30782
30783 Reply:
30784 @table @samp
30785 @item OK
30786 The request succeeded.
30787
30788 @item E @var{nn}
30789 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30790
30791 @item
30792 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
30793 the stub.
30794 @end table
30795
30796 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30797 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30798 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
30799 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
30800
30801 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
30802 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
30803 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
30804 @anchor{QPassSignals}
30805 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
30806 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
30807 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
30808 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
30809 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
30810 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
30811 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
30812 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
30813 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
30814
30815 Reply:
30816 @table @samp
30817 @item OK
30818 The request succeeded.
30819
30820 @item E @var{nn}
30821 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30822
30823 @item
30824 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
30825 the stub.
30826 @end table
30827
30828 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
30829 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
30830 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30831 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30832
30833 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
30834 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
30835 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
30836 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
30837 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
30838 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
30839 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
30840 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
30841 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
30842
30843 Reply:
30844 @table @samp
30845 @item OK
30846 A command response with no output.
30847 @item @var{OUTPUT}
30848 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
30849 @item E @var{NN}
30850 Indicate a badly formed request.
30851 @item
30852 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
30853 @end table
30854
30855 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
30856 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
30857 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
30858 packets.)
30859
30860 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
30861 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
30862 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
30863 @anchor{qSearch memory}
30864 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
30865 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
30866 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
30867
30868 Reply:
30869 @table @samp
30870 @item 0
30871 The pattern was not found.
30872 @item 1,address
30873 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
30874 @item E @var{NN}
30875 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
30876 @item
30877 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
30878 @end table
30879
30880 @item QStartNoAckMode
30881 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
30882 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
30883 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
30884 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
30885
30886 Reply:
30887 @table @samp
30888 @item OK
30889 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
30890 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
30891 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
30892 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
30893 @item
30894 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
30895 @end table
30896
30897 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
30898 @cindex supported packets, remote query
30899 @cindex features of the remote protocol
30900 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
30901 @anchor{qSupported}
30902 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
30903 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
30904 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
30905 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
30906 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
30907 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
30908 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
30909 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
30910 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
30911 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
30912 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
30913 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
30914 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
30915 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
30916
30917 Reply:
30918 @table @samp
30919 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
30920 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
30921 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
30922 possible forms).
30923 @item
30924 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
30925 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
30926 @end table
30927
30928 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
30929 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
30930 are:
30931
30932 @table @samp
30933 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
30934 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
30935 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
30936 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
30937 @item @var{name}+
30938 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
30939 need an associated value.
30940 @item @var{name}-
30941 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
30942 @item @var{name}?
30943 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
30944 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
30945 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
30946 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
30947 @end table
30948
30949 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
30950 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
30951 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
30952 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
30953 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
30954
30955 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
30956 are defined:
30957
30958 @table @samp
30959 @item multiprocess
30960 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
30961 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
30962 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
30963 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
30964 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
30965
30966 @item xmlRegisters
30967 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
30968 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
30969 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
30970 description.
30971 @end table
30972
30973 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
30974 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
30975 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
30976 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
30977 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
30978 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
30979 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
30980 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
30981 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
30982 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
30983 all the features it supports.
30984
30985 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
30986 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
30987
30988 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
30989 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
30990 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
30991 form response.
30992
30993 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
30994 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
30995 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
30996 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
30997
30998 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
30999 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
31000 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
31001 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
31002 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
31003
31004 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
31005
31006 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
31007 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
31008 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
31009 @item Feature Name
31010 @tab Value Required
31011 @tab Default
31012 @tab Probe Allowed
31013
31014 @item @samp{PacketSize}
31015 @tab Yes
31016 @tab @samp{-}
31017 @tab No
31018
31019 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
31020 @tab No
31021 @tab @samp{-}
31022 @tab Yes
31023
31024 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
31025 @tab No
31026 @tab @samp{-}
31027 @tab Yes
31028
31029 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
31030 @tab No
31031 @tab @samp{-}
31032 @tab Yes
31033
31034 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
31035 @tab No
31036 @tab @samp{-}
31037 @tab Yes
31038
31039 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
31040 @tab No
31041 @tab @samp{-}
31042 @tab Yes
31043
31044 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
31045 @tab No
31046 @tab @samp{-}
31047 @tab Yes
31048
31049 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
31050 @tab No
31051 @tab @samp{-}
31052 @tab Yes
31053
31054 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
31055 @tab No
31056 @tab @samp{-}
31057 @tab Yes
31058
31059 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
31060 @tab No
31061 @tab @samp{-}
31062 @tab Yes
31063
31064
31065 @item @samp{QNonStop}
31066 @tab No
31067 @tab @samp{-}
31068 @tab Yes
31069
31070 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
31071 @tab No
31072 @tab @samp{-}
31073 @tab Yes
31074
31075 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
31076 @tab No
31077 @tab @samp{-}
31078 @tab Yes
31079
31080 @item @samp{multiprocess}
31081 @tab No
31082 @tab @samp{-}
31083 @tab No
31084
31085 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
31086 @tab No
31087 @tab @samp{-}
31088 @tab No
31089
31090 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
31091 @tab No
31092 @tab @samp{-}
31093 @tab No
31094
31095 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
31096 @tab No
31097 @tab @samp{-}
31098 @tab No
31099
31100 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
31101 @tab No
31102 @tab @samp{-}
31103 @tab No
31104
31105 @end multitable
31106
31107 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
31108
31109 @table @samp
31110 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
31111 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
31112 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
31113 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
31114 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
31115 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
31116 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
31117 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
31118 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
31119 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
31120
31121 @item qXfer:auxv:read
31122 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
31123 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
31124
31125 @item qXfer:features:read
31126 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
31127 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
31128
31129 @item qXfer:libraries:read
31130 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
31131 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
31132
31133 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
31134 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
31135 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
31136
31137 @item qXfer:spu:read
31138 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
31139 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
31140
31141 @item qXfer:spu:write
31142 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
31143 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
31144
31145 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
31146 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
31147 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
31148
31149 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
31150 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
31151 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
31152
31153 @item qXfer:threads:read
31154 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
31155 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
31156
31157 @item QNonStop
31158 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
31159 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
31160
31161 @item QPassSignals
31162 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31163 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
31164
31165 @item QStartNoAckMode
31166 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
31167 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
31168
31169 @item multiprocess
31170 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
31171 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
31172 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
31173 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
31174 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
31175 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
31176 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
31177 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
31178 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
31179 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
31180 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
31181
31182 @item qXfer:osdata:read
31183 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
31184 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
31185
31186 @item ConditionalTracepoints
31187 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
31188 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
31189
31190 @item ReverseContinue
31191 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
31192 (@pxref{bc}).
31193
31194 @item ReverseStep
31195 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
31196 (@pxref{bs}).
31197
31198 @item TracepointSource
31199 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
31200 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
31201
31202 @end table
31203
31204 @item qSymbol::
31205 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
31206 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
31207 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
31208 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
31209
31210 Reply:
31211 @table @samp
31212 @item OK
31213 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31214 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31215 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
31216 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
31217 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
31218 below.
31219 @end table
31220
31221 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
31222 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
31223
31224 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
31225 target has previously requested.
31226
31227 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
31228 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
31229 will be empty.
31230
31231 Reply:
31232 @table @samp
31233 @item OK
31234 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31235 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31236 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
31237 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
31238 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
31239 @end table
31240
31241 @item qTBuffer
31242 @item QTBuffer
31243 @item QTDisconnected
31244 @itemx QTDP
31245 @itemx QTDPsrc
31246 @itemx QTDV
31247 @itemx qTfP
31248 @itemx qTfV
31249 @itemx QTFrame
31250 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
31251
31252 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
31253 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
31254 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
31255 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
31256 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
31257 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
31258 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
31259 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
31260 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
31261 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
31262 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
31263
31264 Reply:
31265 @table @samp
31266 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
31267 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
31268 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
31269 the thread's attributes.
31270 @end table
31271
31272 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
31273 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
31274 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
31275 packets.)
31276
31277 @item QTSave
31278 @item qTsP
31279 @item qTsV
31280 @itemx QTStart
31281 @itemx QTStop
31282 @itemx QTinit
31283 @itemx QTro
31284 @itemx qTStatus
31285 @itemx qTV
31286 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
31287
31288 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31289 @cindex read special object, remote request
31290 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
31291 @anchor{qXfer read}
31292 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
31293 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
31294 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
31295 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
31296 additional details about what data to access.
31297
31298 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
31299 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
31300 formats, listed below.
31301
31302 @table @samp
31303 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31304 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
31305 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
31306 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
31307
31308 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31309 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31310
31311 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31312 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
31313 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
31314 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
31315 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
31316
31317 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31318 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31319
31320 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31321 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
31322 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
31323 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31324 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
31325
31326 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
31327 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
31328 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
31329
31330 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31331 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31332
31333 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31334 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
31335 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
31336 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31337 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
31338
31339 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31340 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31341
31342 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31343 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
31344 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
31345 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
31346 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
31347
31348 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31349 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31350 (@pxref{qSupported}).
31351
31352 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31353 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
31354 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
31355 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
31356 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
31357 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
31358 in that context to be accessed.
31359
31360 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31361 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31362 (@pxref{qSupported}).
31363
31364 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31365 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
31366 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
31367 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31368 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
31369
31370 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31371 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31372
31373 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31374 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
31375 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
31376 @xref{Operating System Information}.
31377
31378 @end table
31379
31380 Reply:
31381 @table @samp
31382 @item m @var{data}
31383 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
31384 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
31385 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
31386 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
31387 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
31388 request.
31389
31390 @item l @var{data}
31391 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
31392 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
31393 than the @var{length} in the request.
31394
31395 @item l
31396 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
31397 There is no more data to be read.
31398
31399 @item E00
31400 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31401
31402 @item E @var{nn}
31403 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
31404 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31405
31406 @item
31407 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
31408 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
31409 @end table
31410
31411 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31412 @cindex write data into object, remote request
31413 @anchor{qXfer write}
31414 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
31415 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
31416 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
31417 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
31418 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
31419 to access.
31420
31421 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
31422 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
31423 formats, listed below.
31424
31425 @table @samp
31426 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31427 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
31428 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
31429 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
31430 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
31431
31432 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31433 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31434 (@pxref{qSupported}).
31435
31436 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31437 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
31438 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
31439 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
31440 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
31441 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
31442 in that context to be accessed.
31443
31444 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31445 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31446 @end table
31447
31448 Reply:
31449 @table @samp
31450 @item @var{nn}
31451 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
31452 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
31453
31454 @item E00
31455 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31456
31457 @item E @var{nn}
31458 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
31459 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31460
31461 @item
31462 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
31463 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
31464 @end table
31465
31466 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
31467 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
31468 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
31469 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
31470 must respond with an empty packet.
31471
31472 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
31473 @cindex query attached, remote request
31474 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
31475 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
31476 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
31477 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
31478 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
31479 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
31480 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
31481
31482 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
31483 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
31484 the @code{quit} command.
31485
31486 Reply:
31487 @table @samp
31488 @item 1
31489 The remote server attached to an existing process.
31490 @item 0
31491 The remote server created a new process.
31492 @item E @var{NN}
31493 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
31494 @end table
31495
31496 @end table
31497
31498 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31499 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31500
31501 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
31502 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
31503 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
31504
31505 @subsection ARM
31506
31507 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
31508
31509 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
31510
31511 @table @r
31512
31513 @item 2
31514 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
31515
31516 @item 3
31517 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
31518
31519 @item 4
31520 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
31521
31522 @end table
31523
31524 @subsection MIPS
31525
31526 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
31527
31528 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
31529 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
31530 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
31531 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
31532 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
31533 most-significant - least-significant.
31534
31535 @table @r
31536
31537 @item MIPS32
31538
31539 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
31540 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
31541 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
31542
31543 @item MIPS64
31544
31545 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
31546 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
31547 as @code{MIPS32}.
31548
31549 @end table
31550
31551 @node Tracepoint Packets
31552 @section Tracepoint Packets
31553 @cindex tracepoint packets
31554 @cindex packets, tracepoint
31555
31556 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
31557 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
31558
31559 @table @samp
31560
31561 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
31562 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
31563 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
31564 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
31565 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
31566 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
31567 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
31568 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
31569 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
31570 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
31571 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
31572 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
31573 actions.
31574
31575 Replies:
31576 @table @samp
31577 @item OK
31578 The packet was understood and carried out.
31579 @item
31580 The packet was not recognized.
31581 @end table
31582
31583 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
31584 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
31585 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
31586 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
31587 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
31588 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
31589 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
31590
31591 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
31592 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
31593 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
31594 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
31595 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
31596 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
31597 tracepoint actions.
31598
31599 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
31600 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
31601 following forms:
31602
31603 @table @samp
31604
31605 @item R @var{mask}
31606 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
31607 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
31608 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
31609 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
31610 not fit in a 32-bit word.
31611
31612 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
31613 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
31614 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
31615 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
31616 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
31617 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
31618 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
31619
31620 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
31621 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
31622 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
31623 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
31624 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
31625 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
31626 packet).
31627
31628 @end table
31629
31630 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
31631 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
31632 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
31633 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
31634 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
31635 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
31636 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
31637 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
31638
31639 Replies:
31640 @table @samp
31641 @item OK
31642 The packet was understood and carried out.
31643 @item
31644 The packet was not recognized.
31645 @end table
31646
31647 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
31648 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
31649 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
31650 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
31651 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
31652 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
31653 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
31654 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
31655
31656 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
31657 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
31658 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
31659 fit in a single packet.
31660 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
31661 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
31662
31663 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
31664 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
31665 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
31666 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
31667
31668 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
31669 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
31670 query packets.
31671
31672 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
31673 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
31674 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
31675 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
31676 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
31677 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
31678 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
31679 be found.
31680
31681 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
31682 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
31683 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
31684 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
31685 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
31686 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
31687 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
31688 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
31689 mentioned in expressions.
31690
31691 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
31692 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
31693 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
31694 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
31695
31696 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
31697 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
31698 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
31699 one of the following forms:
31700
31701 @table @samp
31702 @item F @var{f}
31703 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
31704 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
31705 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
31706
31707 @item T @var{t}
31708 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
31709 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
31710
31711 @end table
31712
31713 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
31714 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31715 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
31716 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
31717
31718 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
31719 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31720 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
31721 is a hexadecimal number.
31722
31723 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
31724 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31725 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
31726 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
31727 numbers.
31728
31729 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
31730 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
31731 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
31732
31733 @item QTStart
31734 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
31735 hits in the trace frame buffer.
31736
31737 @item QTStop
31738 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
31739
31740 @item QTinit
31741 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
31742
31743 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
31744 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
31745 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
31746 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
31747
31748 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
31749 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
31750 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
31751 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
31752
31753 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
31754 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
31755 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
31756 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
31757 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
31758
31759 @item qTStatus
31760 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
31761
31762 The reply has the form:
31763
31764 @table @samp
31765
31766 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
31767 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
31768 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
31769 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
31770
31771 @end table
31772
31773 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
31774 explanations as one of the optional fields:
31775
31776 @table @samp
31777
31778 @item tnotrun:0
31779 No trace has been run yet.
31780
31781 @item tstop:0
31782 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
31783
31784 @item tfull:0
31785 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
31786
31787 @item tdisconnected:0
31788 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
31789
31790 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
31791 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
31792
31793 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
31794 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
31795 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
31796 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
31797 @var{text} is hex encoded.
31798
31799 @item tunknown:0
31800 The trace stopped for some other reason.
31801
31802 @end table
31803
31804 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
31805 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
31806 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
31807 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
31808 trace.
31809
31810 @table @samp
31811
31812 @item tframes:@var{n}
31813 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
31814
31815 @item tcreated:@var{n}
31816 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
31817 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
31818
31819 @item tsize:@var{n}
31820 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
31821
31822 @item tfree:@var{n}
31823 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
31824
31825 @item circular:@var{n}
31826 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31827 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31828 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31829 and may fill up.
31830
31831 @item disconn:@var{n}
31832 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31833 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31834 that the trace run will stop.
31835
31836 @end table
31837
31838 @item qTV:@var{var}
31839 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
31840 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
31841 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
31842
31843 Replies:
31844 @table @samp
31845 @item V@var{value}
31846 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
31847 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
31848 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
31849 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
31850 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
31851 program is running.
31852
31853 @item U
31854 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
31855 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
31856 was not collected.
31857 @end table
31858
31859 @item qTfP
31860 @itemx qTsP
31861 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
31862 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
31863 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
31864 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
31865 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
31866
31867 @item qTfV
31868 @itemx qTsV
31869 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
31870 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
31871 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
31872 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
31873 trace state variables.
31874
31875 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
31876 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
31877 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
31878 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
31879 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
31880
31881 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
31882 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
31883 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
31884 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
31885 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
31886 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
31887 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
31888 available.
31889
31890 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
31891 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
31892 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
31893
31894 @end table
31895
31896 @node Host I/O Packets
31897 @section Host I/O Packets
31898 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
31899 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
31900
31901 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
31902 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
31903 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
31904 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
31905 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
31906 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
31907 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
31908 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
31909 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
31910 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
31911
31912 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
31913 its arguments. They have this format:
31914
31915 @table @samp
31916
31917 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
31918 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
31919 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
31920 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
31921 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
31922 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
31923 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
31924 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
31925 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
31926
31927 @end table
31928
31929 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
31930
31931 @table @samp
31932
31933 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
31934 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
31935 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
31936 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
31937 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
31938 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
31939 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
31940 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
31941 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
31942 @var{attachment}.
31943
31944 @item
31945 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
31946
31947 @end table
31948
31949 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
31950
31951 @table @samp
31952 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
31953 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
31954 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
31955 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
31956 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
31957 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
31958 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
31959
31960 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
31961 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
31962 -1 if an error occurs.
31963
31964 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
31965 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
31966 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
31967 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
31968 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
31969 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
31970 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
31971 @var{count} was zero.
31972
31973 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
31974 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
31975 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
31976 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
31977 some characters were escaped.
31978
31979 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
31980 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
31981 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
31982 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
31983 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
31984 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
31985 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
31986 error occurred.
31987
31988 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
31989 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
31990 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
31991
31992 @end table
31993
31994 @node Interrupts
31995 @section Interrupts
31996 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
31997
31998 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
31999 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
32000 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
32001 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
32002
32003 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
32004 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
32005 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
32006 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
32007 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
32008
32009 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
32010 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
32011 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
32012 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
32013 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
32014 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
32015 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
32016 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
32017
32018 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
32019 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
32020 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
32021
32022 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
32023 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
32024 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
32025 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
32026 currently-executing threads and processes.
32027 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
32028 running program, it should send one of the stop
32029 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
32030 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
32031 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
32032 Interrupts received while the
32033 program is stopped are discarded.
32034
32035 @node Notification Packets
32036 @section Notification Packets
32037 @cindex notification packets
32038 @cindex packets, notification
32039
32040 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
32041 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
32042 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
32043 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
32044 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
32045 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
32046 is not a problem.
32047
32048 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
32049 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
32050 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
32051 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
32052 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
32053 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
32054 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
32055
32056 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
32057 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
32058
32059 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
32060 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
32061 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
32062 not they understand it.
32063
32064 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
32065 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
32066 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
32067 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
32068 recipients.
32069
32070 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
32071 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
32072 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
32073 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
32074 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
32075
32076 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
32077 defined:
32078
32079 @table @samp
32080 @item Stop: @var{reply}
32081 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
32082 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
32083 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
32084 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
32085 @value{GDBN}.
32086 @end table
32087
32088 @node Remote Non-Stop
32089 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
32090
32091 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
32092 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
32093 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
32094 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32095
32096 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
32097 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
32098 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
32099 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
32100 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
32101 probe the target state after a mode change.
32102
32103 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
32104 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
32105 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
32106 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
32107 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
32108 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
32109 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
32110 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
32111 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
32112 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
32113 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
32114
32115 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
32116 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
32117 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
32118 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
32119 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
32120 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
32121 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
32122 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
32123 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
32124 sending any queued stop events.
32125
32126 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
32127 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
32128 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
32129 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
32130 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
32131 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
32132 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
32133
32134 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
32135 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
32136 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
32137 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
32138 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
32139 process normally.
32140
32141 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
32142 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
32143 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
32144 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
32145 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
32146 should process normally.
32147
32148 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
32149 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
32150 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
32151 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
32152 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
32153
32154 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
32155 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
32156 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
32157 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
32158 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
32159 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
32160 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
32161 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
32162 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
32163 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
32164 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
32165 @samp{OK}.
32166
32167 @node Packet Acknowledgment
32168 @section Packet Acknowledgment
32169
32170 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32171 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32172 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
32173 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32174 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
32175 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
32176 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
32177
32178 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
32179 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
32180 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
32181 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
32182 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
32183
32184 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
32185 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
32186 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
32187 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
32188
32189 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
32190 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
32191 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
32192 @pxref{qSupported}.
32193 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
32194 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
32195 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
32196 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
32197 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
32198 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
32199 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
32200
32201 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
32202 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
32203 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
32204 connection.
32205 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
32206 new connection is established,
32207 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
32208 for the current connection, once disabled.
32209
32210 @node Examples
32211 @section Examples
32212
32213 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
32214 does not get any direct output:
32215
32216 @smallexample
32217 -> @code{R00}
32218 <- @code{+}
32219 @emph{target restarts}
32220 -> @code{?}
32221 <- @code{+}
32222 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
32223 -> @code{+}
32224 @end smallexample
32225
32226 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
32227
32228 @smallexample
32229 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
32230 <- @code{+}
32231 -> @code{s}
32232 <- @code{+}
32233 @emph{time passes}
32234 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
32235 -> @code{+}
32236 -> @code{g}
32237 <- @code{+}
32238 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
32239 -> @code{+}
32240 @end smallexample
32241
32242 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
32243 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
32244 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
32245
32246 @menu
32247 * File-I/O Overview::
32248 * Protocol Basics::
32249 * The F Request Packet::
32250 * The F Reply Packet::
32251 * The Ctrl-C Message::
32252 * Console I/O::
32253 * List of Supported Calls::
32254 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
32255 * Constants::
32256 * File-I/O Examples::
32257 @end menu
32258
32259 @node File-I/O Overview
32260 @subsection File-I/O Overview
32261 @cindex file-i/o overview
32262
32263 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
32264 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
32265 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
32266 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
32267 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
32268 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
32269
32270 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
32271 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
32272 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
32273 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
32274 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
32275
32276 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
32277 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32278 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
32279 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
32280 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
32281 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
32282 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
32283
32284 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
32285 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
32286 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
32287 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
32288 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
32289
32290 @smallexample
32291 (@value{GDBP}) continue
32292 <- target requests 'system call X'
32293 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
32294 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
32295 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
32296 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
32297 @end smallexample
32298
32299 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
32300 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
32301 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
32302 system are not supported by this protocol.
32303
32304 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
32305
32306 @node Protocol Basics
32307 @subsection Protocol Basics
32308 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
32309
32310 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
32311 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
32312 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
32313 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
32314 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
32315 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
32316 to call the appropriate host system call:
32317
32318 @itemize @bullet
32319 @item
32320 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
32321
32322 @item
32323 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
32324 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
32325 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
32326 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
32327
32328 @end itemize
32329
32330 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
32331
32332 @itemize @bullet
32333 @item
32334 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
32335 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
32336 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
32337 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
32338 packet.
32339
32340 @item
32341 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
32342 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
32343
32344 @item
32345 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
32346
32347 @item
32348 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
32349
32350 @item
32351 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
32352 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
32353 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
32354 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
32355 packet.
32356
32357 @end itemize
32358
32359 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
32360 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
32361
32362 @itemize @bullet
32363 @item
32364 Return value.
32365
32366 @item
32367 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
32368
32369 @item
32370 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
32371
32372 @end itemize
32373
32374 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
32375 the latest continue or step action.
32376
32377 @node The F Request Packet
32378 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
32379 @cindex file-i/o request packet
32380 @cindex @code{F} request packet
32381
32382 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
32383
32384 @table @samp
32385 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
32386
32387 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
32388 This is just the name of the function.
32389
32390 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
32391 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
32392 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
32393 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
32394 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
32395 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
32396 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
32397
32398 @end table
32399
32400
32401
32402 @node The F Reply Packet
32403 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
32404 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
32405 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
32406
32407 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
32408
32409 @table @samp
32410
32411 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
32412
32413 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
32414
32415 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
32416 representation.
32417 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
32418
32419 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
32420 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
32421 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
32422
32423 @smallexample
32424 F0,0,C
32425 @end smallexample
32426
32427 @noindent
32428 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
32429
32430 @smallexample
32431 F-1,4,C
32432 @end smallexample
32433
32434 @noindent
32435 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
32436
32437 @end table
32438
32439
32440 @node The Ctrl-C Message
32441 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
32442 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
32443
32444 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
32445 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
32446 the target should behave as if it had
32447 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
32448 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
32449 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
32450 packet.
32451
32452 It's important for the target to know in which
32453 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
32454
32455 @itemize @bullet
32456 @item
32457 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
32458
32459 @item
32460 The system call on the host has been finished.
32461
32462 @end itemize
32463
32464 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
32465 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
32466 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
32467 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
32468 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
32469 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
32470
32471 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
32472 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
32473 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
32474 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
32475 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
32476 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
32477 or the full action has been completed.
32478
32479 @node Console I/O
32480 @subsection Console I/O
32481 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
32482
32483 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
32484 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
32485 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
32486 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
32487 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
32488 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
32489 conditions is met:
32490
32491 @itemize @bullet
32492 @item
32493 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
32494 @code{read}
32495 system call is treated as finished.
32496
32497 @item
32498 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
32499 newline.
32500
32501 @item
32502 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
32503 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
32504
32505 @end itemize
32506
32507 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
32508 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
32509 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
32510 is stopped at the user's request.
32511
32512
32513 @node List of Supported Calls
32514 @subsection List of Supported Calls
32515 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
32516
32517 @menu
32518 * open::
32519 * close::
32520 * read::
32521 * write::
32522 * lseek::
32523 * rename::
32524 * unlink::
32525 * stat/fstat::
32526 * gettimeofday::
32527 * isatty::
32528 * system::
32529 @end menu
32530
32531 @node open
32532 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
32533 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
32534
32535 @table @asis
32536 @item Synopsis:
32537 @smallexample
32538 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
32539 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
32540 @end smallexample
32541
32542 @item Request:
32543 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
32544
32545 @noindent
32546 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32547
32548 @table @code
32549 @item O_CREAT
32550 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
32551 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
32552 are concerned.
32553
32554 @item O_EXCL
32555 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
32556 an error and open() fails.
32557
32558 @item O_TRUNC
32559 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
32560 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
32561 truncated to zero length.
32562
32563 @item O_APPEND
32564 The file is opened in append mode.
32565
32566 @item O_RDONLY
32567 The file is opened for reading only.
32568
32569 @item O_WRONLY
32570 The file is opened for writing only.
32571
32572 @item O_RDWR
32573 The file is opened for reading and writing.
32574 @end table
32575
32576 @noindent
32577 Other bits are silently ignored.
32578
32579
32580 @noindent
32581 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32582
32583 @table @code
32584 @item S_IRUSR
32585 User has read permission.
32586
32587 @item S_IWUSR
32588 User has write permission.
32589
32590 @item S_IRGRP
32591 Group has read permission.
32592
32593 @item S_IWGRP
32594 Group has write permission.
32595
32596 @item S_IROTH
32597 Others have read permission.
32598
32599 @item S_IWOTH
32600 Others have write permission.
32601 @end table
32602
32603 @noindent
32604 Other bits are silently ignored.
32605
32606
32607 @item Return value:
32608 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
32609 occurred.
32610
32611 @item Errors:
32612
32613 @table @code
32614 @item EEXIST
32615 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
32616
32617 @item EISDIR
32618 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
32619
32620 @item EACCES
32621 The requested access is not allowed.
32622
32623 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32624 @var{pathname} was too long.
32625
32626 @item ENOENT
32627 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
32628
32629 @item ENODEV
32630 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
32631
32632 @item EROFS
32633 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
32634 write access was requested.
32635
32636 @item EFAULT
32637 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
32638
32639 @item ENOSPC
32640 No space on device to create the file.
32641
32642 @item EMFILE
32643 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
32644
32645 @item ENFILE
32646 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
32647 has been reached.
32648
32649 @item EINTR
32650 The call was interrupted by the user.
32651 @end table
32652
32653 @end table
32654
32655 @node close
32656 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
32657 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
32658
32659 @table @asis
32660 @item Synopsis:
32661 @smallexample
32662 int close(int fd);
32663 @end smallexample
32664
32665 @item Request:
32666 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
32667
32668 @item Return value:
32669 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
32670
32671 @item Errors:
32672
32673 @table @code
32674 @item EBADF
32675 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
32676
32677 @item EINTR
32678 The call was interrupted by the user.
32679 @end table
32680
32681 @end table
32682
32683 @node read
32684 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
32685 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
32686
32687 @table @asis
32688 @item Synopsis:
32689 @smallexample
32690 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
32691 @end smallexample
32692
32693 @item Request:
32694 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
32695
32696 @item Return value:
32697 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
32698 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
32699 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
32700
32701 @item Errors:
32702
32703 @table @code
32704 @item EBADF
32705 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
32706 reading.
32707
32708 @item EFAULT
32709 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32710
32711 @item EINTR
32712 The call was interrupted by the user.
32713 @end table
32714
32715 @end table
32716
32717 @node write
32718 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
32719 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
32720
32721 @table @asis
32722 @item Synopsis:
32723 @smallexample
32724 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
32725 @end smallexample
32726
32727 @item Request:
32728 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
32729
32730 @item Return value:
32731 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
32732 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
32733 is returned.
32734
32735 @item Errors:
32736
32737 @table @code
32738 @item EBADF
32739 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
32740 writing.
32741
32742 @item EFAULT
32743 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32744
32745 @item EFBIG
32746 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
32747 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
32748
32749 @item ENOSPC
32750 No space on device to write the data.
32751
32752 @item EINTR
32753 The call was interrupted by the user.
32754 @end table
32755
32756 @end table
32757
32758 @node lseek
32759 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
32760 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
32761
32762 @table @asis
32763 @item Synopsis:
32764 @smallexample
32765 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
32766 @end smallexample
32767
32768 @item Request:
32769 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
32770
32771 @var{flag} is one of:
32772
32773 @table @code
32774 @item SEEK_SET
32775 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
32776
32777 @item SEEK_CUR
32778 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
32779 bytes.
32780
32781 @item SEEK_END
32782 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
32783 bytes.
32784 @end table
32785
32786 @item Return value:
32787 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
32788 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
32789 value of -1 is returned.
32790
32791 @item Errors:
32792
32793 @table @code
32794 @item EBADF
32795 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
32796
32797 @item ESPIPE
32798 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
32799
32800 @item EINVAL
32801 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
32802
32803 @item EINTR
32804 The call was interrupted by the user.
32805 @end table
32806
32807 @end table
32808
32809 @node rename
32810 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
32811 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
32812
32813 @table @asis
32814 @item Synopsis:
32815 @smallexample
32816 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
32817 @end smallexample
32818
32819 @item Request:
32820 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
32821
32822 @item Return value:
32823 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32824
32825 @item Errors:
32826
32827 @table @code
32828 @item EISDIR
32829 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
32830 directory.
32831
32832 @item EEXIST
32833 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
32834
32835 @item EBUSY
32836 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
32837 process.
32838
32839 @item EINVAL
32840 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
32841 of itself.
32842
32843 @item ENOTDIR
32844 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
32845 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
32846 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
32847
32848 @item EFAULT
32849 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
32850
32851 @item EACCES
32852 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32853
32854 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32855
32856 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
32857
32858 @item ENOENT
32859 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
32860
32861 @item EROFS
32862 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
32863
32864 @item ENOSPC
32865 The device containing the file has no room for the new
32866 directory entry.
32867
32868 @item EINTR
32869 The call was interrupted by the user.
32870 @end table
32871
32872 @end table
32873
32874 @node unlink
32875 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
32876 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
32877
32878 @table @asis
32879 @item Synopsis:
32880 @smallexample
32881 int unlink(const char *pathname);
32882 @end smallexample
32883
32884 @item Request:
32885 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
32886
32887 @item Return value:
32888 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32889
32890 @item Errors:
32891
32892 @table @code
32893 @item EACCES
32894 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32895
32896 @item EPERM
32897 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
32898
32899 @item EBUSY
32900 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
32901 being used by another process.
32902
32903 @item EFAULT
32904 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32905
32906 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32907 @var{pathname} was too long.
32908
32909 @item ENOENT
32910 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
32911
32912 @item ENOTDIR
32913 A component of the path is not a directory.
32914
32915 @item EROFS
32916 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
32917
32918 @item EINTR
32919 The call was interrupted by the user.
32920 @end table
32921
32922 @end table
32923
32924 @node stat/fstat
32925 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
32926 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
32927 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
32928
32929 @table @asis
32930 @item Synopsis:
32931 @smallexample
32932 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
32933 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
32934 @end smallexample
32935
32936 @item Request:
32937 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
32938 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
32939
32940 @item Return value:
32941 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32942
32943 @item Errors:
32944
32945 @table @code
32946 @item EBADF
32947 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
32948
32949 @item ENOENT
32950 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
32951 path is an empty string.
32952
32953 @item ENOTDIR
32954 A component of the path is not a directory.
32955
32956 @item EFAULT
32957 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32958
32959 @item EACCES
32960 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32961
32962 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32963 @var{pathname} was too long.
32964
32965 @item EINTR
32966 The call was interrupted by the user.
32967 @end table
32968
32969 @end table
32970
32971 @node gettimeofday
32972 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
32973 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
32974
32975 @table @asis
32976 @item Synopsis:
32977 @smallexample
32978 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
32979 @end smallexample
32980
32981 @item Request:
32982 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
32983
32984 @item Return value:
32985 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
32986
32987 @item Errors:
32988
32989 @table @code
32990 @item EINVAL
32991 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
32992
32993 @item EFAULT
32994 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32995 @end table
32996
32997 @end table
32998
32999 @node isatty
33000 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
33001 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
33002
33003 @table @asis
33004 @item Synopsis:
33005 @smallexample
33006 int isatty(int fd);
33007 @end smallexample
33008
33009 @item Request:
33010 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
33011
33012 @item Return value:
33013 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
33014
33015 @item Errors:
33016
33017 @table @code
33018 @item EINTR
33019 The call was interrupted by the user.
33020 @end table
33021
33022 @end table
33023
33024 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
33025 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
33026 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
33027 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
33028 needed.
33029
33030
33031 @node system
33032 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
33033 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
33034
33035 @table @asis
33036 @item Synopsis:
33037 @smallexample
33038 int system(const char *command);
33039 @end smallexample
33040
33041 @item Request:
33042 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
33043
33044 @item Return value:
33045 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
33046 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
33047 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
33048 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
33049 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
33050 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
33051 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
33052
33053 @item Errors:
33054
33055 @table @code
33056 @item EINTR
33057 The call was interrupted by the user.
33058 @end table
33059
33060 @end table
33061
33062 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
33063 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
33064 the host is simplified before it's returned
33065 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
33066 is discarded, and the return value consists
33067 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
33068
33069 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
33070 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
33071 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
33072
33073 @table @code
33074 @item set remote system-call-allowed
33075 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
33076 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
33077 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
33078
33079 @item show remote system-call-allowed
33080 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
33081 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
33082 protocol.
33083 @end table
33084
33085 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33086 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33087 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33088
33089 @menu
33090 * Integral Datatypes::
33091 * Pointer Values::
33092 * Memory Transfer::
33093 * struct stat::
33094 * struct timeval::
33095 @end menu
33096
33097 @node Integral Datatypes
33098 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
33099 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33100
33101 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
33102 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
33103 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
33104
33105 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
33106 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
33107
33108 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
33109
33110 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
33111 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
33112
33113 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
33114
33115 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
33116 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
33117 byte order.
33118
33119 @node Pointer Values
33120 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
33121 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
33122
33123 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
33124 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
33125 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
33126 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
33127
33128 @smallexample
33129 @code{1aaf/12}
33130 @end smallexample
33131
33132 @noindent
33133 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
33134 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
33135 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
33136 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
33137
33138 @smallexample
33139 @code{123456/d}
33140 @end smallexample
33141
33142 @node Memory Transfer
33143 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
33144 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
33145
33146 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
33147 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
33148 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
33149 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
33150 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
33151 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
33152 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
33153
33154
33155 @node struct stat
33156 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
33157 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
33158
33159 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
33160 is defined as follows:
33161
33162 @smallexample
33163 struct stat @{
33164 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
33165 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
33166 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
33167 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
33168 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
33169 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
33170 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
33171 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
33172 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
33173 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
33174 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
33175 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
33176 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
33177 @};
33178 @end smallexample
33179
33180 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
33181 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
33182 structure is of size 64 bytes.
33183
33184 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
33185 range of values.
33186
33187 @table @code
33188
33189 @item st_dev
33190 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
33191
33192 @item st_ino
33193 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
33194
33195 @item st_mode
33196 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
33197 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
33198
33199 @item st_uid
33200 @itemx st_gid
33201 @itemx st_rdev
33202 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
33203
33204 @item st_atime
33205 @itemx st_mtime
33206 @itemx st_ctime
33207 These values have a host and file system dependent
33208 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
33209 support exact timing values.
33210 @end table
33211
33212 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
33213 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
33214 continuing.
33215
33216 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
33217 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
33218 get truncated on the target.
33219
33220 @node struct timeval
33221 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
33222 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
33223
33224 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
33225 is defined as follows:
33226
33227 @smallexample
33228 struct timeval @{
33229 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
33230 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
33231 @};
33232 @end smallexample
33233
33234 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
33235 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
33236 structure is of size 8 bytes.
33237
33238 @node Constants
33239 @subsection Constants
33240 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
33241
33242 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
33243 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
33244 values before and after the call as needed.
33245
33246 @menu
33247 * Open Flags::
33248 * mode_t Values::
33249 * Errno Values::
33250 * Lseek Flags::
33251 * Limits::
33252 @end menu
33253
33254 @node Open Flags
33255 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
33256 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
33257
33258 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
33259
33260 @smallexample
33261 O_RDONLY 0x0
33262 O_WRONLY 0x1
33263 O_RDWR 0x2
33264 O_APPEND 0x8
33265 O_CREAT 0x200
33266 O_TRUNC 0x400
33267 O_EXCL 0x800
33268 @end smallexample
33269
33270 @node mode_t Values
33271 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
33272 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
33273
33274 All values are given in octal representation.
33275
33276 @smallexample
33277 S_IFREG 0100000
33278 S_IFDIR 040000
33279 S_IRUSR 0400
33280 S_IWUSR 0200
33281 S_IXUSR 0100
33282 S_IRGRP 040
33283 S_IWGRP 020
33284 S_IXGRP 010
33285 S_IROTH 04
33286 S_IWOTH 02
33287 S_IXOTH 01
33288 @end smallexample
33289
33290 @node Errno Values
33291 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
33292 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
33293
33294 All values are given in decimal representation.
33295
33296 @smallexample
33297 EPERM 1
33298 ENOENT 2
33299 EINTR 4
33300 EBADF 9
33301 EACCES 13
33302 EFAULT 14
33303 EBUSY 16
33304 EEXIST 17
33305 ENODEV 19
33306 ENOTDIR 20
33307 EISDIR 21
33308 EINVAL 22
33309 ENFILE 23
33310 EMFILE 24
33311 EFBIG 27
33312 ENOSPC 28
33313 ESPIPE 29
33314 EROFS 30
33315 ENAMETOOLONG 91
33316 EUNKNOWN 9999
33317 @end smallexample
33318
33319 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
33320 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
33321
33322 @node Lseek Flags
33323 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
33324 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
33325
33326 @smallexample
33327 SEEK_SET 0
33328 SEEK_CUR 1
33329 SEEK_END 2
33330 @end smallexample
33331
33332 @node Limits
33333 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
33334 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
33335
33336 All values are given in decimal representation.
33337
33338 @smallexample
33339 INT_MIN -2147483648
33340 INT_MAX 2147483647
33341 UINT_MAX 4294967295
33342 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
33343 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
33344 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
33345 @end smallexample
33346
33347 @node File-I/O Examples
33348 @subsection File-I/O Examples
33349 @cindex file-i/o examples
33350
33351 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
33352 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
33353
33354 @smallexample
33355 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
33356 @emph{request memory read from target}
33357 -> @code{m1234,6}
33358 <- XXXXXX
33359 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
33360 -> @code{F6}
33361 @end smallexample
33362
33363 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
33364 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
33365
33366 @smallexample
33367 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33368 @emph{request memory write to target}
33369 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
33370 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
33371 -> @code{F6}
33372 @end smallexample
33373
33374 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
33375 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
33376
33377 @smallexample
33378 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33379 -> @code{F-1,9}
33380 @end smallexample
33381
33382 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
33383 host is called:
33384
33385 @smallexample
33386 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33387 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
33388 <- @code{T02}
33389 @end smallexample
33390
33391 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
33392 host is called:
33393
33394 @smallexample
33395 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33396 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
33397 <- @code{T02}
33398 @end smallexample
33399
33400 @node Library List Format
33401 @section Library List Format
33402 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
33403
33404 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
33405 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
33406 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
33407 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
33408 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
33409 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
33410 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33411 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
33412 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
33413 are loaded.
33414
33415 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
33416 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
33417 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
33418 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
33419
33420 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
33421 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
33422 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
33423 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
33424 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
33425 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
33426
33427 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33428 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
33429
33430 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
33431 offset, looks like this:
33432
33433 @smallexample
33434 <library-list>
33435 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
33436 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
33437 </library>
33438 </library-list>
33439 @end smallexample
33440
33441 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
33442 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
33443
33444 @smallexample
33445 <library-list>
33446 <library name="sharedlib.o">
33447 <section address="0x10000000"/>
33448 <section address="0x20000000"/>
33449 <section address="0x30000000"/>
33450 </library>
33451 </library-list>
33452 @end smallexample
33453
33454 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
33455
33456 @smallexample
33457 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
33458 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
33459 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
33460 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
33461 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33462 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
33463 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33464 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
33465 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33466 @end smallexample
33467
33468 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
33469 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
33470 section for each library.
33471
33472 @node Memory Map Format
33473 @section Memory Map Format
33474 @cindex memory map format
33475
33476 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
33477 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
33478 memory map.
33479
33480 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33481 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
33482 lists memory regions.
33483
33484 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33485 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
33486
33487 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
33488
33489 @smallexample
33490 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33491 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
33492 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
33493 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
33494 <memory-map>
33495 region...
33496 </memory-map>
33497 @end smallexample
33498
33499 Each region can be either:
33500
33501 @itemize
33502
33503 @item
33504 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
33505 bytes from there:
33506
33507 @smallexample
33508 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33509 @end smallexample
33510
33511
33512 @item
33513 A region of read-only memory:
33514
33515 @smallexample
33516 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33517 @end smallexample
33518
33519
33520 @item
33521 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
33522 bytes in length:
33523
33524 @smallexample
33525 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
33526 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
33527 </memory>
33528 @end smallexample
33529
33530 @end itemize
33531
33532 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
33533 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
33534 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
33535
33536 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
33537
33538 @smallexample
33539 <!-- ................................................... -->
33540 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
33541 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
33542 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
33543 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
33544 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
33545 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
33546 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
33547 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
33548 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
33549 and its type, or device. -->
33550 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
33551 start CDATA #REQUIRED
33552 length CDATA #REQUIRED
33553 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
33554 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
33555 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
33556 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33557 @end smallexample
33558
33559 @node Thread List Format
33560 @section Thread List Format
33561 @cindex thread list format
33562
33563 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
33564 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33565 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
33566 the following structure:
33567
33568 @smallexample
33569 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33570 <threads>
33571 <thread id="id" core="0">
33572 ... description ...
33573 </thread>
33574 </threads>
33575 @end smallexample
33576
33577 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
33578 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
33579 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
33580 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
33581 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
33582
33583 @include agentexpr.texi
33584
33585 @node Trace File Format
33586 @appendix Trace File Format
33587 @cindex trace file format
33588
33589 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
33590 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
33591
33592 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
33593 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
33594 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
33595 in the future.
33596
33597 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
33598 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
33599 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
33600 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
33601 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
33602 of this section.
33603
33604 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
33605
33606 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
33607 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
33608 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
33609 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
33610 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
33611 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
33612 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
33613 endianness.
33614
33615 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
33616
33617 @table @code
33618 @item R @var{bytes}
33619 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
33620 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
33621 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
33622 hexadecimal encoding.
33623
33624 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
33625 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
33626 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
33627 @var{length} bytes.
33628
33629 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
33630 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
33631 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
33632
33633 @end table
33634
33635 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
33636 of blocks.
33637
33638 @node Target Descriptions
33639 @appendix Target Descriptions
33640 @cindex target descriptions
33641
33642 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
33643 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
33644 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
33645
33646 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
33647 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
33648 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
33649 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
33650 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
33651 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
33652 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
33653
33654 @itemize @bullet
33655 @item
33656 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
33657 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
33658 @item
33659 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
33660 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
33661 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
33662 @item
33663 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
33664 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
33665 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
33666 @end itemize
33667
33668 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
33669 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
33670 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
33671 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
33672 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
33673
33674 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33675 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
33676
33677 @menu
33678 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
33679 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
33680 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
33681 descriptions.
33682 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
33683 @end menu
33684
33685 @node Retrieving Descriptions
33686 @section Retrieving Descriptions
33687
33688 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
33689 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
33690 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
33691 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
33692 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
33693 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
33694 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
33695 Format}.
33696
33697 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
33698 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
33699 specify a file are:
33700
33701 @table @code
33702 @cindex set tdesc filename
33703 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
33704 Read the target description from @var{path}.
33705
33706 @cindex unset tdesc filename
33707 @item unset tdesc filename
33708 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
33709 will use the description supplied by the current target.
33710
33711 @cindex show tdesc filename
33712 @item show tdesc filename
33713 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
33714 @end table
33715
33716
33717 @node Target Description Format
33718 @section Target Description Format
33719 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
33720
33721 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
33722 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
33723 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
33724 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
33725 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
33726 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
33727 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
33728
33729 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
33730 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
33731 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
33732 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
33733 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
33734
33735 Here is a simple target description:
33736
33737 @smallexample
33738 <target version="1.0">
33739 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
33740 </target>
33741 @end smallexample
33742
33743 @noindent
33744 This minimal description only says that the target uses
33745 the x86-64 architecture.
33746
33747 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
33748 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
33749 are explained further below.
33750
33751 @smallexample
33752 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33753 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
33754 <target version="1.0">
33755 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
33756 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
33757 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
33758 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
33759 </target>
33760 @end smallexample
33761
33762 @noindent
33763 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
33764 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
33765 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
33766 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
33767 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
33768 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
33769 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
33770 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
33771 the version mismatch.
33772
33773 @subsection Inclusion
33774 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
33775 @cindex XInclude
33776 @ifnotinfo
33777 @cindex <xi:include>
33778 @end ifnotinfo
33779
33780 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
33781 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
33782 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
33783 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
33784 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
33785
33786 @smallexample
33787 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
33788 @end smallexample
33789
33790 @noindent
33791 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
33792 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
33793 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
33794 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
33795 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
33796 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
33797 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
33798 original description.
33799
33800 @subsection Architecture
33801 @cindex <architecture>
33802
33803 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
33804
33805 @smallexample
33806 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
33807 @end smallexample
33808
33809 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
33810 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
33811
33812 @subsection OS ABI
33813 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
33814
33815 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
33816 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
33817
33818 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
33819
33820 @smallexample
33821 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
33822 @end smallexample
33823
33824 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
33825 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
33826
33827 @subsection Compatible Architecture
33828 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
33829
33830 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
33831 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
33832
33833 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
33834
33835 @smallexample
33836 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
33837 @end smallexample
33838
33839 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
33840 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
33841
33842 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
33843 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
33844 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
33845 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
33846 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
33847 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
33848 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
33849
33850 @smallexample
33851 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
33852 <compatible>spu</compatible>
33853 @end smallexample
33854
33855 @subsection Features
33856 @cindex <feature>
33857
33858 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
33859 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
33860 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
33861 has this form:
33862
33863 @smallexample
33864 <feature name="@var{name}">
33865 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
33866 @var{reg}@dots{}
33867 </feature>
33868 @end smallexample
33869
33870 @noindent
33871 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
33872 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
33873 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
33874 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
33875
33876 @subsection Types
33877
33878 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
33879 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
33880 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
33881 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
33882 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
33883
33884 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
33885 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
33886 Types must be defined before they are used.
33887
33888 @cindex <vector>
33889 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
33890 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
33891 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
33892 @var{count}:
33893
33894 @smallexample
33895 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
33896 @end smallexample
33897
33898 @cindex <union>
33899 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
33900 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
33901 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
33902 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
33903
33904 @smallexample
33905 <union id="@var{id}">
33906 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
33907 @dots{}
33908 </union>
33909 @end smallexample
33910
33911 @cindex <struct>
33912 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
33913 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
33914 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
33915 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
33916 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
33917 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
33918 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
33919 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
33920
33921 @smallexample
33922 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
33923 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
33924 @dots{}
33925 </struct>
33926 @end smallexample
33927
33928 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
33929 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
33930
33931 @smallexample
33932 <struct id="@var{id}">
33933 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
33934 @dots{}
33935 </struct>
33936 @end smallexample
33937
33938 @cindex <flags>
33939 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
33940 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
33941 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
33942 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
33943 are supported.
33944
33945 @smallexample
33946 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
33947 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
33948 @dots{}
33949 </flags>
33950 @end smallexample
33951
33952 @subsection Registers
33953 @cindex <reg>
33954
33955 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
33956
33957 @smallexample
33958 <reg name="@var{name}"
33959 bitsize="@var{size}"
33960 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
33961 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
33962 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
33963 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
33964 @end smallexample
33965
33966 @noindent
33967 The components are as follows:
33968
33969 @table @var
33970
33971 @item name
33972 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
33973
33974 @item bitsize
33975 The register's size, in bits.
33976
33977 @item regnum
33978 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
33979 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
33980 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
33981 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
33982 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
33983 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
33984 in order of increasing register number.
33985
33986 @item save-restore
33987 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
33988 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
33989 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
33990 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
33991 ABI.
33992
33993 @item type
33994 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
33995 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
33996 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
33997 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
33998 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
33999 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
34000
34001 @item group
34002 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
34003 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
34004 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
34005 in @code{info registers}.
34006
34007 @end table
34008
34009 @node Predefined Target Types
34010 @section Predefined Target Types
34011 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
34012
34013 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
34014 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
34015 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
34016 types. The currently supported types are:
34017
34018 @table @code
34019
34020 @item int8
34021 @itemx int16
34022 @itemx int32
34023 @itemx int64
34024 @itemx int128
34025 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34026
34027 @item uint8
34028 @itemx uint16
34029 @itemx uint32
34030 @itemx uint64
34031 @itemx uint128
34032 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34033
34034 @item code_ptr
34035 @itemx data_ptr
34036 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
34037 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
34038 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
34039 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
34040 may be marked as data pointers.
34041
34042 @item ieee_single
34043 Single precision IEEE floating point.
34044
34045 @item ieee_double
34046 Double precision IEEE floating point.
34047
34048 @item arm_fpa_ext
34049 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
34050
34051 @item i387_ext
34052 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
34053
34054 @item i386_eflags
34055 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
34056
34057 @item i386_mxcsr
34058 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
34059
34060 @end table
34061
34062 @node Standard Target Features
34063 @section Standard Target Features
34064 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
34065
34066 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
34067 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
34068 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
34069 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
34070 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
34071 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
34072 can recognize them.
34073
34074 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
34075 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
34076 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
34077 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
34078 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
34079 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
34080 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
34081 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
34082
34083 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
34084 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
34085 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
34086
34087 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
34088 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
34089 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
34090 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
34091
34092 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
34093 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
34094 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
34095
34096 @menu
34097 * ARM Features::
34098 * i386 Features::
34099 * MIPS Features::
34100 * M68K Features::
34101 * PowerPC Features::
34102 @end menu
34103
34104
34105 @node ARM Features
34106 @subsection ARM Features
34107 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
34108
34109 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
34110 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
34111 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
34112
34113 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
34114 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
34115
34116 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
34117 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
34118 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
34119 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
34120
34121 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
34122 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
34123 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
34124 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
34125 halves of the double-precision registers.
34126
34127 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
34128 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
34129 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
34130 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
34131 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
34132 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
34133
34134 @node i386 Features
34135 @subsection i386 Features
34136 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
34137
34138 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
34139 targets. It should describe the following registers:
34140
34141 @itemize @minus
34142 @item
34143 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
34144 @item
34145 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
34146 @item
34147 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
34148 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
34149 @item
34150 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
34151 @item
34152 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
34153 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
34154 @end itemize
34155
34156 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
34157
34158 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
34159 describe registers:
34160
34161 @itemize @minus
34162 @item
34163 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
34164 @item
34165 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
34166 @item
34167 @samp{mxcsr}
34168 @end itemize
34169
34170 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
34171 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
34172 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
34173
34174 @itemize @minus
34175 @item
34176 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
34177 @item
34178 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
34179 @item
34180 @end itemize
34181
34182 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
34183 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
34184
34185 @node MIPS Features
34186 @subsection MIPS Features
34187 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
34188
34189 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
34190 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
34191 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
34192 on the target.
34193
34194 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
34195 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
34196 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34197
34198 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
34199 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
34200 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
34201 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34202
34203 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
34204 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
34205 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
34206
34207 @node M68K Features
34208 @subsection M68K Features
34209 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
34210
34211 @table @code
34212 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
34213 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
34214 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
34215 One of those features must be always present.
34216 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
34217 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
34218 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
34219 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
34220
34221 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
34222 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
34223 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
34224 @samp{fpiaddr}.
34225 @end table
34226
34227 @node PowerPC Features
34228 @subsection PowerPC Features
34229 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
34230
34231 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
34232 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
34233 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
34234 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34235
34236 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
34237 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
34238
34239 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
34240 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
34241 and @samp{vrsave}.
34242
34243 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
34244 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
34245 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
34246 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
34247 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
34248 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
34249
34250 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
34251 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
34252 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
34253 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
34254 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
34255 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
34256 user.
34257
34258 @node Operating System Information
34259 @appendix Operating System Information
34260 @cindex operating system information
34261
34262 @menu
34263 * Process list::
34264 @end menu
34265
34266 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
34267 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
34268 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
34269 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
34270 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
34271 on a different aspect of target.
34272
34273 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
34274 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
34275 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
34276 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
34277
34278 @node Process list
34279 @appendixsection Process list
34280 @cindex operating system information, process list
34281
34282 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
34283 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
34284 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
34285 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
34286
34287 An example document is:
34288
34289 @smallexample
34290 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34291 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
34292 <osdata type="processes">
34293 <item>
34294 <column name="pid">1</column>
34295 <column name="user">root</column>
34296 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
34297 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
34298 </item>
34299 </osdata>
34300 @end smallexample
34301
34302 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
34303 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
34304 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
34305 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
34306 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
34307 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
34308 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
34309
34310 @include gpl.texi
34311
34312 @raisesections
34313 @include fdl.texi
34314 @lowersections
34315
34316 @node Index
34317 @unnumbered Index
34318
34319 @printindex cp
34320
34321 @tex
34322 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
34323 % meantime:
34324 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
34325 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
34326 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
34327 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
34328 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
34329 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
34330 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
34331 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
34332 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
34333 \page\colophon
34334 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
34335 @end tex
34336
34337 @bye