gdb: Use add_setshow_zuinteger_unlimited_cmd in remote.c
[binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
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 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49 @end direntry
50
51 @copying
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @c man end
66 @end copying
67
68 @ifnottex
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 @end ifset
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78 @insertcopying
79 @end ifnottex
80
81 @titlepage
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @sp 1
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @sp 1
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @end ifset
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91 @page
92 @tex
93 {\parskip=0pt
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97 }
98 @end tex
99
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106 @insertcopying
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) 1988-2018 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 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @end ifset
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 @end ifclear
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194 @end menu
195
196 @end ifnottex
197
198 @contents
199
200 @node Summary
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210 @itemize @bullet
211 @item
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214 @item
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217 @item
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220 @item
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 @end itemize
224
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230 @ref{D,,D}.
231
232 @cindex Modula-2
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239 @cindex Pascal
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243 syntax.
244
245 @cindex Fortran
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 underscore.
249
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253 @menu
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257 @end menu
258
259 @node Free Software
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 from anyone else.
274
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 gaps today.
286
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
292
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
298
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 community.
319
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 of the manual.
329
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
335
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
342
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366 @node Contributors
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
376
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379 @quotation
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 @end quotation
384
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 releases:
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 support.
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 libraries.
440
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
443
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
451
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 symbols.
458
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 processors.
466
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 watchpoints.
475
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Hat.
515
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Weigand.
535
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544 Initial support for the FreeBSD/mips target and native configuration
545 was developed by SRI International and the University of Cambridge
546 Computer Laboratory under DARPA/AFRL contract FA8750-10-C-0237
547 ("CTSRD"), as part of the DARPA CRASH research programme.
548
549 The original port to the OpenRISC 1000 is believed to be due to
550 Alessandro Forin and Per Bothner. More recent ports have been the work
551 of Jeremy Bennett, Franck Jullien, Stefan Wallentowitz and
552 Stafford Horne.
553
554 @node Sample Session
555 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
556
557 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
558 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
559 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
560
561 @iftex
562 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
563 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
564 @end iftex
565
566 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
567 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
568
569 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
570 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
571 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
572 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
573 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
574 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
575 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
576 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
577 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
578
579 @smallexample
580 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
581 $ @b{./m4}
582 @b{define(foo,0000)}
583
584 @b{foo}
585 0000
586 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
587
588 @b{bar}
589 0000
590 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
591
592 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
593 @b{baz}
594 @b{Ctrl-d}
595 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
596 @end smallexample
597
598 @noindent
599 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
600
601 @smallexample
602 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
603 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
604 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
605 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
606 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
607 the conditions.
608 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
609 for details.
610
611 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
612 (@value{GDBP})
613 @end smallexample
614
615 @noindent
616 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
617 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
618 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
619 that examples fit in this manual.
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
627 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
628 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
629 @code{break} command.
630
631 @smallexample
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
633 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
634 @end smallexample
635
636 @noindent
637 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
638 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
639 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
640
641 @smallexample
642 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
643 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
644 @b{define(foo,0000)}
645
646 @b{foo}
647 0000
648 @end smallexample
649
650 @noindent
651 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
652 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
653 context where it stops.
654
655 @smallexample
656 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
657
658 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
659 at builtin.c:879
660 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
661 @end smallexample
662
663 @noindent
664 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
665 the next line of the current function.
666
667 @smallexample
668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
669 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
670 : nil,
671 @end smallexample
672
673 @noindent
674 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
675 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
676 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
677 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
678
679 @smallexample
680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
681 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
682 at input.c:530
683 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
684 @end smallexample
685
686 @noindent
687 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
688 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
689 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
690 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
691 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
692 stack frame for each active subroutine.
693
694 @smallexample
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
696 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
697 at input.c:530
698 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
699 at builtin.c:882
700 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
701 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
702 at macro.c:71
703 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
704 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
709 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
710 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
711
712 @smallexample
713 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
714 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
715 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
716 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
717 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
718 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
719 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
720 : xstrdup(rq);
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
722 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
723 @end smallexample
724
725 @noindent
726 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
727 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
728 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
729 (@code{print}) to see their values.
730
731 @smallexample
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
733 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
735 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
736 @end smallexample
737
738 @noindent
739 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
740 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
741 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
742
743 @smallexample
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
745 533 xfree(rquote);
746 534
747 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
748 : xstrdup (lq);
749 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
750 : xstrdup (rq);
751 537
752 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
753 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
754 540 @}
755 541
756 542 void
757 @end smallexample
758
759 @noindent
760 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
761 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
762
763 @smallexample
764 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
765 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
766 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
767 540 @}
768 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
769 $3 = 9
770 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
771 $4 = 7
772 @end smallexample
773
774 @noindent
775 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
776 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
777 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
778 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
779 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
780 assignments.
781
782 @smallexample
783 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
784 $5 = 7
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
786 $6 = 9
787 @end smallexample
788
789 @noindent
790 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
791 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
792 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
793 example that caused trouble initially:
794
795 @smallexample
796 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
797 Continuing.
798
799 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
800
801 baz
802 0000
803 @end smallexample
804
805 @noindent
806 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
807 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
808 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
809
810 @smallexample
811 @b{Ctrl-d}
812 Program exited normally.
813 @end smallexample
814
815 @noindent
816 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
817 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
818 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
819
820 @smallexample
821 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
822 @end smallexample
823
824 @node Invocation
825 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
826
827 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
828 The essentials are:
829 @itemize @bullet
830 @item
831 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
832 @item
833 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
834 @end itemize
835
836 @menu
837 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
838 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
839 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
840 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
841 @end menu
842
843 @node Invoking GDB
844 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
845
846 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
847 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
848
849 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
850 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
851
852 The command-line options described here are designed
853 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
854 options may effectively be unavailable.
855
856 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
857 specifying an executable program:
858
859 @smallexample
860 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
861 @end smallexample
862
863 @noindent
864 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
865 specified:
866
867 @smallexample
868 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
869 @end smallexample
870
871 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
872 to debug a running process:
873
874 @smallexample
875 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
876 @end smallexample
877
878 @noindent
879 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
880 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
881
882 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
883 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
884 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
885 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
886 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
887
888 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
889 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
890 option processing.
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
893 @end smallexample
894 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
895 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
896
897 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
898 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
899 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
900
901 @smallexample
902 @value{GDBP} --silent
903 @end smallexample
904
905 @noindent
906 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
907 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
908
909 @noindent
910 Type
911
912 @smallexample
913 @value{GDBP} -help
914 @end smallexample
915
916 @noindent
917 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
918 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
919
920 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
921 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
922 @samp{-x} option is used.
923
924
925 @menu
926 * File Options:: Choosing files
927 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
928 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
929 @end menu
930
931 @node File Options
932 @subsection Choosing Files
933
934 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
935 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
936 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
937 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
938 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
939 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
940 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
941 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
942 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
943 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
944 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
945 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
946 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
947
948 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
949 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
950 argument and ignore it.
951
952 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
953 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
954 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
955 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
956 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
957
958 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
959 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
960 @c it.
961
962 @table @code
963 @item -symbols @var{file}
964 @itemx -s @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--symbols}
966 @cindex @code{-s}
967 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
968
969 @item -exec @var{file}
970 @itemx -e @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--exec}
972 @cindex @code{-e}
973 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
974 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
975
976 @item -se @var{file}
977 @cindex @code{--se}
978 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
979 file.
980
981 @item -core @var{file}
982 @itemx -c @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--core}
984 @cindex @code{-c}
985 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
986
987 @item -pid @var{number}
988 @itemx -p @var{number}
989 @cindex @code{--pid}
990 @cindex @code{-p}
991 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
992
993 @item -command @var{file}
994 @itemx -x @var{file}
995 @cindex @code{--command}
996 @cindex @code{-x}
997 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
998 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
999 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
1000
1001 @item -eval-command @var{command}
1002 @itemx -ex @var{command}
1003 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
1004 @cindex @code{-ex}
1005 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
1006
1007 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
1008 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
1009
1010 @smallexample
1011 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1012 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1013 @end smallexample
1014
1015 @item -init-command @var{file}
1016 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1017 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1018 @cindex @code{-ix}
1019 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1020 after loading gdbinit files).
1021 @xref{Startup}.
1022
1023 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1024 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1025 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1026 @cindex @code{-iex}
1027 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1028 after loading gdbinit files).
1029 @xref{Startup}.
1030
1031 @item -directory @var{directory}
1032 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1033 @cindex @code{--directory}
1034 @cindex @code{-d}
1035 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1036
1037 @item -r
1038 @itemx -readnow
1039 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1040 @cindex @code{-r}
1041 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1042 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1043 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1044
1045 @item --readnever
1046 @anchor{--readnever}
1047 @cindex @code{--readnever}, command-line option
1048 Do not read each symbol file's symbolic debug information. This makes
1049 startup faster but at the expense of not being able to perform
1050 symbolic debugging. DWARF unwind information is also not read,
1051 meaning backtraces may become incomplete or inaccurate. One use of
1052 this is when a user simply wants to do the following sequence: attach,
1053 dump core, detach. Loading the debugging information in this case is
1054 an unnecessary cause of delay.
1055 @end table
1056
1057 @node Mode Options
1058 @subsection Choosing Modes
1059
1060 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1061 batch mode or quiet mode.
1062
1063 @table @code
1064 @anchor{-nx}
1065 @item -nx
1066 @itemx -n
1067 @cindex @code{--nx}
1068 @cindex @code{-n}
1069 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1070 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1071
1072 @table @code
1073 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1074 This is the system-wide init file.
1075 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1076 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1077 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1078 have been processed.
1079 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1080 This is the init file in your home directory.
1081 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1082 command options have been processed.
1083 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1084 This is the init file in the current directory.
1085 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1086 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1087 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1088 @end table
1089
1090 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1091 For documentation on how to write command files,
1092 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1093
1094 @anchor{-nh}
1095 @item -nh
1096 @cindex @code{--nh}
1097 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1098 in your home directory.
1099 @xref{Startup}.
1100
1101 @item -quiet
1102 @itemx -silent
1103 @itemx -q
1104 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1105 @cindex @code{--silent}
1106 @cindex @code{-q}
1107 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1108 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1109
1110 @item -batch
1111 @cindex @code{--batch}
1112 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1113 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1114 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1115 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1116 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1117 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1118 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1119
1120 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1121 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1122 make this more useful, the message
1123
1124 @smallexample
1125 Program exited normally.
1126 @end smallexample
1127
1128 @noindent
1129 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1130 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1131 mode.
1132
1133 @item -batch-silent
1134 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1135 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1136 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1137 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1138 for an interactive session.
1139
1140 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1141 messages, for example.
1142
1143 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1144 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1145
1146 @item -return-child-result
1147 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1148 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1149 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1150
1151 @itemize @bullet
1152 @item
1153 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1154 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1155 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1156 @item
1157 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1158 @item
1159 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1160 the exit code will be -1.
1161 @end itemize
1162
1163 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1164 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1165 interface.
1166
1167 @item -nowindows
1168 @itemx -nw
1169 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1170 @cindex @code{-nw}
1171 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1172 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1173 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1174
1175 @item -windows
1176 @itemx -w
1177 @cindex @code{--windows}
1178 @cindex @code{-w}
1179 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1180 used if possible.
1181
1182 @item -cd @var{directory}
1183 @cindex @code{--cd}
1184 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1185 instead of the current directory.
1186
1187 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1188 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1189 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1190 @cindex @code{-D}
1191 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1192 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1193 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1194
1195 @item -fullname
1196 @itemx -f
1197 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1198 @cindex @code{-f}
1199 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1200 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1201 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1202 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1203 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1204 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1205 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1206 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1207 frame.
1208
1209 @item -annotate @var{level}
1210 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1211 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1212 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1213 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1214 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1215 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1216 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1217 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1218 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1219
1220 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1221 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1222
1223 @item --args
1224 @cindex @code{--args}
1225 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1226 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1227 This option stops option processing.
1228
1229 @item -baud @var{bps}
1230 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1231 @cindex @code{--baud}
1232 @cindex @code{-b}
1233 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1234 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1235
1236 @item -l @var{timeout}
1237 @cindex @code{-l}
1238 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1239 for remote debugging.
1240
1241 @item -tty @var{device}
1242 @itemx -t @var{device}
1243 @cindex @code{--tty}
1244 @cindex @code{-t}
1245 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1246 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1247
1248 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1249 @item -tui
1250 @cindex @code{--tui}
1251 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1252 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1253 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1254 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1255 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1256 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1257
1258 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1259 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1260 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1261 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1262 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1263 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1264
1265 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1266 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1267 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1268 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1269 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1270 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1271
1272 @item -write
1273 @cindex @code{--write}
1274 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1275 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1276 (@pxref{Patching}).
1277
1278 @item -statistics
1279 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1280 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1281 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1282
1283 @item -version
1284 @cindex @code{--version}
1285 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1286 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1287
1288 @item -configuration
1289 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1290 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1291 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1292 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1293
1294 @end table
1295
1296 @node Startup
1297 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1298 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1299
1300 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1301
1302 @enumerate
1303 @item
1304 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1305 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1306
1307 @item
1308 @cindex init file
1309 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1310 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1311 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1312 that file.
1313
1314 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1315 @item
1316 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1317 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1318 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1319 that file.
1320
1321 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1322 @item
1323 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1324 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1325 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1326 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1327 gets loaded.
1328
1329 @item
1330 Processes command line options and operands.
1331
1332 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1333 @item
1334 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1335 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1336 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1337 This is only done if the current directory is
1338 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1339 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1340 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1341 @value{GDBN}.
1342
1343 @item
1344 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1345 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1346 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1347 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1348
1349 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1350 you must do something like the following:
1351
1352 @smallexample
1353 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1354 @end smallexample
1355
1356 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1357 off too late.
1358
1359 @item
1360 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1361 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1362 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1363
1364 @item
1365 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1366 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1367 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1368 @end enumerate
1369
1370 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1371 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1372 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1373 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1374 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1375 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1376
1377 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1378 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1379
1380 @cindex init file name
1381 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1382 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1383 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1384 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1385 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1386 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1387 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1388 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1389
1390
1391 @node Quitting GDB
1392 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1393 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1394 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1395
1396 @table @code
1397 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1398 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1399 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1400 @itemx q
1401 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1402 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1403 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1404 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1405 error code.
1406 @end table
1407
1408 @cindex interrupt
1409 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1410 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1411 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1412 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1413 until a time when it is safe.
1414
1415 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1416 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1417 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1418
1419 @node Shell Commands
1420 @section Shell Commands
1421
1422 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1423 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1424 just use the @code{shell} command.
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex shell
1428 @kindex !
1429 @cindex shell escape
1430 @item shell @var{command-string}
1431 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1432 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1433 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1434 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1435 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1436 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1437 @end table
1438
1439 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1440 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1441 @value{GDBN}:
1442
1443 @table @code
1444 @kindex make
1445 @cindex calling make
1446 @item make @var{make-args}
1447 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1448 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1449 @end table
1450
1451 @node Logging Output
1452 @section Logging Output
1453 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1454 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1455
1456 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1457 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1458
1459 @table @code
1460 @kindex set logging
1461 @item set logging on
1462 Enable logging.
1463 @item set logging off
1464 Disable logging.
1465 @cindex logging file name
1466 @item set logging file @var{file}
1467 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1468 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1469 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1470 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1471 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1472 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1473 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1474 @kindex show logging
1475 @item show logging
1476 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1477 @end table
1478
1479 @node Commands
1480 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1481
1482 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1483 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1484 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1485 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1486 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1487
1488 @menu
1489 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1490 * Completion:: Command completion
1491 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1492 @end menu
1493
1494 @node Command Syntax
1495 @section Command Syntax
1496
1497 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1498 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1499 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1500 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1501 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1502 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1503
1504 @cindex abbreviation
1505 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1506 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1507 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1508 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1509 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1510 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1511 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1512
1513 @cindex repeating commands
1514 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1515 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1516 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1517 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1518 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1519 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1520 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1521
1522 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1523 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1524 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1525
1526 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1527 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1528 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1529 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1530 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1531
1532 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1533 @cindex comment
1534 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1535 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1536 Files,,Command Files}).
1537
1538 @cindex repeating command sequences
1539 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1540 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1541 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1542 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1543 for editing.
1544
1545 @node Completion
1546 @section Command Completion
1547
1548 @cindex completion
1549 @cindex word completion
1550 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1551 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1552 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1553 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1554
1555 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1556 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1557 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1558 enter it). For example, if you type
1559
1560 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1561 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1562 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1563 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1564 @smallexample
1565 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1566 @end smallexample
1567
1568 @noindent
1569 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1570 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1571
1572 @smallexample
1573 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1574 @end smallexample
1575
1576 @noindent
1577 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1578 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1579 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1580 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1581 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1582 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1583
1584 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1585 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1586 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1587 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1588 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1589 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1590 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1591 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1592 example:
1593
1594 @smallexample
1595 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1596 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1597 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1598 make_abs_section make_function_type
1599 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1600 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1601 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1602 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1603 @end smallexample
1604
1605 @noindent
1606 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1607 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1608 command.
1609
1610 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1611 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1612 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1613 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1614 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1615
1616 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1617 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1618 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1619
1620 @smallexample
1621 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1622 main
1623 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1624 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1625 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1626 @end smallexample
1627
1628 @noindent
1629 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1630
1631 @table @code
1632 @kindex set max-completions
1633 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1634 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1635 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1636 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1637 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1638 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1639 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1640 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1641 completion slow.
1642 @kindex show max-completions
1643 @item show max-completions
1644 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1645 during completion.
1646 @end table
1647
1648 @cindex quotes in commands
1649 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1650 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1651 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1652 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1653 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1654 @value{GDBN} commands.
1655
1656 A likely situation where you might need this is in typing an
1657 expression that involves a C@t{++} symbol name with template
1658 parameters. This is because when completing expressions, GDB treats
1659 the @samp{<} character as word delimiter, assuming that it's the
1660 less-than comparison operator (@pxref{C Operators, , C and C@t{++}
1661 Operators}).
1662
1663 For example, when you want to call a C@t{++} template function
1664 interactively using the @code{print} or @code{call} commands, you may
1665 need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that
1666 was specialized for @code{int}, @code{name<int>()}, or the version
1667 that was specialized for @code{float}, @code{name<float>()}. To use
1668 the word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1669 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1670 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1671 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1672
1673 @smallexample
1674 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func< @kbd{M-?}
1675 func<int>() func<float>()
1676 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func<
1677 @end smallexample
1678
1679 When setting breakpoints however (@pxref{Specify Location}), you don't
1680 usually need to type a quote before the function name, because
1681 @value{GDBN} understands that you want to set a breakpoint on a
1682 function:
1683
1684 @smallexample
1685 (@value{GDBP}) b func< @kbd{M-?}
1686 func<int>() func<float>()
1687 (@value{GDBP}) b func<
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 This is true even in the case of typing the name of C@t{++} overloaded
1691 functions (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by
1692 argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1693 don't need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1694 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1695 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}.
1696
1697 @smallexample
1698 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1699 bubble(int) bubble(double)
1700 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble(dou @kbd{M-?}
1701 bubble(double)
1702 @end smallexample
1703
1704 See @ref{quoting names} for a description of other scenarios that
1705 require quoting.
1706
1707 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1708 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1709 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1710 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1711
1712 @cindex completion of structure field names
1713 @cindex structure field name completion
1714 @cindex completion of union field names
1715 @cindex union field name completion
1716 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1717 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1718 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1719 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1720 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1721 left-hand-side:
1722
1723 @smallexample
1724 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1725 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1726 to_data to_isatty to_write
1727 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1728 to_flush to_read
1729 @end smallexample
1730
1731 @noindent
1732 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1733 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1734 follows:
1735
1736 @smallexample
1737 struct ui_file
1738 @{
1739 int *magic;
1740 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1741 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1742 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1743 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1744 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1745 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1746 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1747 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1748 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1749 void *to_data;
1750 @}
1751 @end smallexample
1752
1753
1754 @node Help
1755 @section Getting Help
1756 @cindex online documentation
1757 @kindex help
1758
1759 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1760 using the command @code{help}.
1761
1762 @table @code
1763 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1764 @item help
1765 @itemx h
1766 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1767 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1768
1769 @smallexample
1770 (@value{GDBP}) help
1771 List of classes of commands:
1772
1773 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1774 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1775 data -- Examining data
1776 files -- Specifying and examining files
1777 internals -- Maintenance commands
1778 obscure -- Obscure features
1779 running -- Running the program
1780 stack -- Examining the stack
1781 status -- Status inquiries
1782 support -- Support facilities
1783 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1784 stopping the program
1785 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1786
1787 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1788 commands in that class.
1789 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1790 documentation.
1791 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1792 (@value{GDBP})
1793 @end smallexample
1794 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1795
1796 @item help @var{class}
1797 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1798 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1799 help display for the class @code{status}:
1800
1801 @smallexample
1802 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1803 Status inquiries.
1804
1805 List of commands:
1806
1807 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1808 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1809 info -- Generic command for showing things
1810 about the program being debugged
1811 show -- Generic command for showing things
1812 about the debugger
1813
1814 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1815 documentation.
1816 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1817 (@value{GDBP})
1818 @end smallexample
1819
1820 @item help @var{command}
1821 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1822 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1823
1824 @kindex apropos
1825 @item apropos @var{args}
1826 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1827 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1828 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1829
1830 @smallexample
1831 apropos alias
1832 @end smallexample
1833
1834 @noindent
1835 results in:
1836
1837 @smallexample
1838 @c @group
1839 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1840 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1841 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1842 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1843 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1844 @c @end group
1845 @end smallexample
1846
1847 @kindex complete
1848 @item complete @var{args}
1849 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1850 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1851 command you want completed. For example:
1852
1853 @smallexample
1854 complete i
1855 @end smallexample
1856
1857 @noindent results in:
1858
1859 @smallexample
1860 @group
1861 if
1862 ignore
1863 info
1864 inspect
1865 @end group
1866 @end smallexample
1867
1868 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1869 @end table
1870
1871 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1872 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1873 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1874 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1875 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1876 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1877 Index}.
1878
1879 @c @group
1880 @table @code
1881 @kindex info
1882 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1883 @item info
1884 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1885 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1886 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1887 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1888 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1889 @w{@code{help info}}.
1890
1891 @kindex set
1892 @item set
1893 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1894 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1895 @code{set prompt $}.
1896
1897 @kindex show
1898 @item show
1899 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1900 @value{GDBN} itself.
1901 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1902 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1903 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1904 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1905
1906 @kindex info set
1907 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1908 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1909 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1910 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1911 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1912 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1913 @end table
1914 @c @end group
1915
1916 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1917 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1918
1919 @table @code
1920 @kindex show version
1921 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1922 @item show version
1923 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1924 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1925 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1926 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1927 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1928 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1929 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1930 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1931 @value{GDBN}.
1932
1933 @kindex show copying
1934 @kindex info copying
1935 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1936 @item show copying
1937 @itemx info copying
1938 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1939
1940 @kindex show warranty
1941 @kindex info warranty
1942 @item show warranty
1943 @itemx info warranty
1944 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1945 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1946
1947 @kindex show configuration
1948 @item show configuration
1949 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1950 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1951 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1952 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1953 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1954 your report.
1955
1956 @end table
1957
1958 @node Running
1959 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1960
1961 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1962 debugging information when you compile it.
1963
1964 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1965 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1966 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1967 kill a child process.
1968
1969 @menu
1970 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1971 * Starting:: Starting your program
1972 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1973 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1974
1975 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1976 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1977 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1978 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1979
1980 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1981 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1982 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1983 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1984 @end menu
1985
1986 @node Compilation
1987 @section Compiling for Debugging
1988
1989 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1990 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1991 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1992 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1993 and addresses in the executable code.
1994
1995 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1996 the compiler.
1997
1998 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1999 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
2000 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
2001 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
2002 executables containing debugging information.
2003
2004 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
2005 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
2006 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
2007 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
2008 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
2009
2010 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
2011 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
2012 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
2013
2014 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
2015 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
2016 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
2017 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
2018 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
2019 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
2020
2021 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
2022 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
2023 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
2024
2025 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
2026 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
2027 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
2028 format in @value{GDBN}.
2029
2030 @need 2000
2031 @node Starting
2032 @section Starting your Program
2033 @cindex starting
2034 @cindex running
2035
2036 @table @code
2037 @kindex run
2038 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2039 @item run
2040 @itemx r
2041 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2042 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2043 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2044 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2045 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2046
2047 @end table
2048
2049 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2050 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2051 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2052 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2053 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2054 message like this one:
2055
2056 @smallexample
2057 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2058 Try "help target" or "continue".
2059 @end smallexample
2060
2061 @noindent
2062 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2063 first (@pxref{load}).
2064
2065 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2066 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2067 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2068 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2069 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2070 divided into four categories:
2071
2072 @table @asis
2073 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2074 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2075 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2076 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2077 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2078 the arguments.
2079 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2080 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2081 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2082 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2083 below for details).
2084
2085 @item The @emph{environment.}
2086 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2087 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2088 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2089 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2090
2091 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2092 You can set your program's working directory with the command
2093 @kbd{set cwd}. If you do not set any working directory with this
2094 command, your program will inherit @value{GDBN}'s working directory if
2095 native debugging, or the remote server's working directory if remote
2096 debugging. @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working
2097 Directory}.
2098
2099 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2100 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2101 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2102 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2103 set a different device for your program.
2104 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2105
2106 @cindex pipes
2107 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2108 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2109 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2110 wrong program.
2111 @end table
2112
2113 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2114 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2115 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2116 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2117 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2118
2119 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2120 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2121 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2122 your current breakpoints.
2123
2124 @table @code
2125 @kindex start
2126 @item start
2127 @cindex run to main procedure
2128 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2129 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2130 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2131 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2132 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2133 procedure, depending on the language used.
2134
2135 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2136 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2137 the @samp{run} command.
2138
2139 @cindex elaboration phase
2140 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2141 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2142 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2143 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2144 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2145 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2146 will remain to halt execution.
2147
2148 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2149 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2150 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2151 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2152 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2153
2154 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2155 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution
2156 of your program too late, as the program would have already completed
2157 the elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, either insert
2158 breakpoints in your elaboration code before running your program or
2159 use the @code{starti} command.
2160
2161 @kindex starti
2162 @item starti
2163 @cindex run to first instruction
2164 The @samp{starti} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2165 breakpoint at the first instruction of a program's execution and then
2166 invoking the @samp{run} command. For programs containing an
2167 elaboration phase, the @code{starti} command will stop execution at
2168 the start of the elaboration phase.
2169
2170 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2171 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2172 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2173 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2174 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2175 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2176 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2177 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2178 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2179 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2180 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2181 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2182
2183 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2184 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2185 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2186 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2187
2188 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2189 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2190 environment:
2191
2192 @smallexample
2193 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2194 (@value{GDBP}) run
2195 @end smallexample
2196
2197 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2198 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2199
2200 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2201 @anchor{set startup-with-shell}
2202 @item set startup-with-shell
2203 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2204 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2205 @itemx show startup-with-shell
2206 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2207 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2208 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2209 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2210 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2211 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2212 startup failures such as:
2213
2214 @smallexample
2215 (@value{GDBP}) run
2216 Starting program: ./a.out
2217 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2218 @end smallexample
2219
2220 @noindent
2221 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2222 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2223 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2224 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2225 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2226 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2227
2228 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2229 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2230 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2231 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2232 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2233 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2234
2235 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2236 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2237 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2238 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2239 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2240 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2241
2242 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2243 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2244 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2245
2246 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2247 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2248
2249 @smallexample
2250 (@value{GDBP}) run
2251 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2252 @end smallexample
2253
2254 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2255 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2256
2257 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2258 @code{target native} command. For example,
2259
2260 @smallexample
2261 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2262 (@value{GDBP}) run
2263 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2264 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2265 (@value{GDBP}) run
2266 Starting program: ./a.out
2267 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2268 @end smallexample
2269
2270 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2271 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2272 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2273 disconnect.
2274
2275 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2276 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2277 proc}, @code{info os}.
2278
2279 @kindex set disable-randomization
2280 @item set disable-randomization
2281 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2282 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2283 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2284 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2285 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2286
2287 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2288 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2289
2290 @smallexample
2291 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2292 @end smallexample
2293
2294 @item set disable-randomization off
2295 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2296 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2297 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2298 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2299 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2300 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2301
2302 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2303 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2304 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2305 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2306 a code at its expected addresses.
2307
2308 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2309 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2310 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2311 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2312 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2313 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2314 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2315 a randomly chosen address.
2316
2317 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2318 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2319 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2320 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2321 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2322
2323 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2324 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2325
2326 @item show disable-randomization
2327 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2328 the virtual address space of the started program.
2329
2330 @end table
2331
2332 @node Arguments
2333 @section Your Program's Arguments
2334
2335 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2336 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2337 @code{run} command.
2338 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2339 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2340 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2341 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2342 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2343
2344 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2345 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2346 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2347 the program, not by the shell.
2348
2349 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2350 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2351
2352 @table @code
2353 @kindex set args
2354 @item set args
2355 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2356 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2357 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2358 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2359 it again without arguments.
2360
2361 @kindex show args
2362 @item show args
2363 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2364 @end table
2365
2366 @node Environment
2367 @section Your Program's Environment
2368
2369 @cindex environment (of your program)
2370 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2371 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2372 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2373 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2374 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2375 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2376 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2377
2378 @table @code
2379 @kindex path
2380 @item path @var{directory}
2381 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2382 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2383 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2384 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2385 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2386 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2387 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2388
2389 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2390 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2391 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2392 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2393 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2394 @var{directory} to the search path.
2395 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2396 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2397
2398 @kindex show paths
2399 @item show paths
2400 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2401 environment variable).
2402
2403 @kindex show environment
2404 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2405 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2406 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2407 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2408 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2409
2410 @kindex set environment
2411 @anchor{set environment}
2412 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2413 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2414 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2415 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2416 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2417 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2418 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2419 null value.
2420 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2421 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2422
2423 For example, this command:
2424
2425 @smallexample
2426 set env USER = foo
2427 @end smallexample
2428
2429 @noindent
2430 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2431 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2432 are not actually required.)
2433
2434 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2435 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2436 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2437 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2438 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2439
2440 Environment variables that are set by the user are also transmitted to
2441 @command{gdbserver} to be used when starting the remote inferior.
2442 @pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}.
2443
2444 @kindex unset environment
2445 @anchor{unset environment}
2446 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2447 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2448 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2449 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2450 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2451
2452 Environment variables that are unset by the user are also unset on
2453 @command{gdbserver} when starting the remote inferior.
2454 @pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}.
2455 @end table
2456
2457 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2458 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2459 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2460 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2461 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2462 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2463 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2464 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2465 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2466 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2467
2468 @node Working Directory
2469 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2470
2471 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2472 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, the inferior will be
2473 initialized with the current working directory specified by the
2474 @kbd{set cwd} command. If no directory has been specified by this
2475 command, then the inferior will inherit @value{GDBN}'s current working
2476 directory as its working directory if native debugging, or it will
2477 inherit the remote server's current working directory if remote
2478 debugging.
2479
2480 @table @code
2481 @kindex set cwd
2482 @cindex change inferior's working directory
2483 @anchor{set cwd command}
2484 @item set cwd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2485 Set the inferior's working directory to @var{directory}, which will be
2486 @code{glob}-expanded in order to resolve tildes (@file{~}). If no
2487 argument has been specified, the command clears the setting and resets
2488 it to an empty state. This setting has no effect on @value{GDBN}'s
2489 working directory, and it only takes effect the next time you start
2490 the inferior. The @file{~} in @var{directory} is a short for the
2491 @dfn{home directory}, usually pointed to by the @env{HOME} environment
2492 variable. On MS-Windows, if @env{HOME} is not defined, @value{GDBN}
2493 uses the concatenation of @env{HOMEDRIVE} and @env{HOMEPATH} as
2494 fallback.
2495
2496 You can also change @value{GDBN}'s current working directory by using
2497 the @code{cd} command.
2498 @xref{cd command}.
2499
2500 @kindex show cwd
2501 @cindex show inferior's working directory
2502 @item show cwd
2503 Show the inferior's working directory. If no directory has been
2504 specified by @kbd{set cwd}, then the default inferior's working
2505 directory is the same as @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
2506
2507 @kindex cd
2508 @cindex change @value{GDBN}'s working directory
2509 @anchor{cd command}
2510 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2511 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2512 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2513
2514 The @value{GDBN} working directory serves as a default for the
2515 commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on.
2516 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
2517 @xref{set cwd command}.
2518
2519 @kindex pwd
2520 @item pwd
2521 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2522 @end table
2523
2524 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2525 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2526 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} supports
2527 the @code{info proc} command (@pxref{Process Information}), you can
2528 use the @code{info proc} command to find out the
2529 current working directory of the debuggee.
2530
2531 @node Input/Output
2532 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2533
2534 @cindex redirection
2535 @cindex i/o
2536 @cindex terminal
2537 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2538 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2539 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2540 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2541 running your program.
2542
2543 @table @code
2544 @kindex info terminal
2545 @item info terminal
2546 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2547 program is using.
2548 @end table
2549
2550 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2551 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2552
2553 @smallexample
2554 run > outfile
2555 @end smallexample
2556
2557 @noindent
2558 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2559
2560 @kindex tty
2561 @cindex controlling terminal
2562 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2563 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2564 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2565 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2566 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2567
2568 @smallexample
2569 tty /dev/ttyb
2570 @end smallexample
2571
2572 @noindent
2573 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2574 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2575 that as their controlling terminal.
2576
2577 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2578 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2579 terminal.
2580
2581 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2582 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2583 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2584 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2585
2586 @cindex inferior tty
2587 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2588 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2589 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2590 program.
2591
2592 @table @code
2593 @item set inferior-tty [ @var{tty} ]
2594 @kindex set inferior-tty
2595 Set the tty for the program being debugged to @var{tty}. Omitting @var{tty}
2596 restores the default behavior, which is to use the same terminal as
2597 @value{GDBN}.
2598
2599 @item show inferior-tty
2600 @kindex show inferior-tty
2601 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2602 @end table
2603
2604 @node Attach
2605 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2606 @kindex attach
2607 @cindex attach
2608
2609 @table @code
2610 @item attach @var{process-id}
2611 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2612 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2613 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2614 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2615 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2616
2617 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2618 executing the command.
2619 @end table
2620
2621 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2622 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2623 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2624 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2625
2626 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2627 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2628 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2629 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2630 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2631 Specify Files}.
2632
2633 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2634 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2635 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2636 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2637 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2638 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2639 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2640
2641 @table @code
2642 @kindex detach
2643 @item detach
2644 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2645 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2646 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2647 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2648 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2649 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2650 executing the command.
2651 @end table
2652
2653 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2654 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2655 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2656 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2657 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2658 Messages}).
2659
2660 @node Kill Process
2661 @section Killing the Child Process
2662
2663 @table @code
2664 @kindex kill
2665 @item kill
2666 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2667 @end table
2668
2669 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2670 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2671 is running.
2672
2673 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2674 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2675 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2676 outside the debugger.
2677
2678 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2679 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2680 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2681 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2682 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2683 breakpoint settings).
2684
2685 @node Inferiors and Programs
2686 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2687
2688 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2689 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2690 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2691 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2692 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2693 from multiple executables.
2694
2695 @cindex inferior
2696 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2697 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2698 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2699 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2700 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2701 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2702 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2703 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2704 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2705 threads running in it.
2706
2707 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2708 inferiors}}:
2709
2710 @table @code
2711 @kindex info inferiors [ @var{id}@dots{} ]
2712 @item info inferiors
2713 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2714 By default all inferiors are printed, but the argument @var{id}@dots{}
2715 -- a space separated list of inferior numbers -- can be used to limit
2716 the display to just the requested inferiors.
2717
2718 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2719
2720 @enumerate
2721 @item
2722 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2723
2724 @item
2725 the target system's inferior identifier
2726
2727 @item
2728 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2729
2730 @end enumerate
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2734 indicates the current inferior.
2735
2736 For example,
2737 @end table
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2739
2740 @smallexample
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2742 Num Description Executable
2743 2 process 2307 hello
2744 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2745 @end smallexample
2746
2747 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2748
2749 @table @code
2750 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2751 @item inferior @var{infno}
2752 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2753 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2754 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2755 @end table
2756
2757 @vindex $_inferior@r{, convenience variable}
2758 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_inferior} contains the
2759 number of the current inferior. You may find this useful in writing
2760 breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth.
2761 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2762 information on convenience variables.
2763
2764 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2765 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2766 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2767 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2768 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2769 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2770
2771 @table @code
2772 @kindex add-inferior
2773 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2774 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2775 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2776 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2777 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2778 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2779
2780 @kindex clone-inferior
2781 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2782 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2783 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2784 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2785 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2786
2787 @smallexample
2788 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2789 Num Description Executable
2790 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2791 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2792 Added inferior 2.
2793 1 inferiors added.
2794 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2795 Num Description Executable
2796 2 <null> helloworld
2797 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2798 @end smallexample
2799
2800 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2801
2802 @kindex remove-inferiors
2803 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2804 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2805 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2806 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2807
2808 @end table
2809
2810 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2811 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2812 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2813 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2814
2815 @table @code
2816 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2817 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2818 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2819 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2820 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2821 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2822
2823 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2824 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2825 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2826 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2827 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2828 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2829 @end table
2830
2831 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2832 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2833 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2834 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2835
2836
2837 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2838 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2839
2840 @table @code
2841 @kindex set print inferior-events
2842 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2843 @item set print inferior-events
2844 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2845 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2846 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2847 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2848 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2849 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2850
2851 @kindex show print inferior-events
2852 @item show print inferior-events
2853 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2854 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2855 @end table
2856
2857 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2858 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2859 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2860
2861
2862 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2863 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2864 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2865 info program-spaces}} command.
2866
2867 @table @code
2868 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2869 @item maint info program-spaces
2870 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2871 @value{GDBN}.
2872
2873 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2874
2875 @enumerate
2876 @item
2877 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2878
2879 @item
2880 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2881 the @code{file} command.
2882
2883 @end enumerate
2884
2885 @noindent
2886 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2887 indicates the current program space.
2888
2889 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2890 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2891 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2892
2893 @smallexample
2894 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2895 Id Executable
2896 * 1 hello
2897 2 goodbye
2898 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2899 @end smallexample
2900
2901 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2902 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2903 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2904 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2905 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2906
2907 @smallexample
2908 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2909 Id Executable
2910 * 1 vfork-test
2911 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2912 @end smallexample
2913
2914 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2915 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2916 @end table
2917
2918 @node Threads
2919 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2920
2921 @cindex threads of execution
2922 @cindex multiple threads
2923 @cindex switching threads
2924 In some operating systems, such as GNU/Linux and Solaris, a single program
2925 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2926 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2927 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2928 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2929 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2930 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2931
2932 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2933 programs:
2934
2935 @itemize @bullet
2936 @item automatic notification of new threads
2937 @item @samp{thread @var{thread-id}}, a command to switch among threads
2938 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2939 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{thread-id-list}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2940 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2941 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2942 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2943 messages on thread start and exit.
2944 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2945 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2946 isn't compatible with the program.
2947 @end itemize
2948
2949 @cindex focus of debugging
2950 @cindex current thread
2951 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2952 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2953 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2954 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2955 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2956
2957 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2958 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2959 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2960 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2961 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2962 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2963 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2964 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2965 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2966 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2967
2968 @smallexample
2969 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2970 @end smallexample
2971
2972 @noindent
2973 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on other systems,
2974 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2975 further qualifier.
2976
2977 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2978 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2979 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2980 @c program?
2981 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2982 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2983 @c threads ab initio?
2984
2985 @anchor{thread numbers}
2986 @cindex thread number, per inferior
2987 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2988 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread number
2989 ---always a single integer---with each thread of an inferior. This
2990 number is unique between all threads of an inferior, but not unique
2991 between threads of different inferiors.
2992
2993 @cindex qualified thread ID
2994 You can refer to a given thread in an inferior using the qualified
2995 @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} syntax, also known as
2996 @dfn{qualified thread ID}, with @var{inferior-num} being the inferior
2997 number and @var{thread-num} being the thread number of the given
2998 inferior. For example, thread @code{2.3} refers to thread number 3 of
2999 inferior 2. If you omit @var{inferior-num} (e.g., @code{thread 3}),
3000 then @value{GDBN} infers you're referring to a thread of the current
3001 inferior.
3002
3003 Until you create a second inferior, @value{GDBN} does not show the
3004 @var{inferior-num} part of thread IDs, even though you can always use
3005 the full @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} form to refer to threads
3006 of inferior 1, the initial inferior.
3007
3008 @anchor{thread ID lists}
3009 @cindex thread ID lists
3010 Some commands accept a space-separated @dfn{thread ID list} as
3011 argument. A list element can be:
3012
3013 @enumerate
3014 @item
3015 A thread ID as shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads}
3016 display, with or without an inferior qualifier. E.g., @samp{2.1} or
3017 @samp{1}.
3018
3019 @item
3020 A range of thread numbers, again with or without an inferior
3021 qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@var{thr1}-@var{thr2} or
3022 @var{thr1}-@var{thr2}. E.g., @samp{1.2-4} or @samp{2-4}.
3023
3024 @item
3025 All threads of an inferior, specified with a star wildcard, with or
3026 without an inferior qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@code{*} (e.g.,
3027 @samp{1.*}) or @code{*}. The former refers to all threads of the
3028 given inferior, and the latter form without an inferior qualifier
3029 refers to all threads of the current inferior.
3030
3031 @end enumerate
3032
3033 For example, if the current inferior is 1, and inferior 7 has one
3034 thread with ID 7.1, the thread list @samp{1 2-3 4.5 6.7-9 7.*}
3035 includes threads 1 to 3 of inferior 1, thread 5 of inferior 4, threads
3036 7 to 9 of inferior 6 and all threads of inferior 7. That is, in
3037 expanded qualified form, the same as @samp{1.1 1.2 1.3 4.5 6.7 6.8 6.9
3038 7.1}.
3039
3040
3041 @anchor{global thread numbers}
3042 @cindex global thread number
3043 @cindex global thread identifier (GDB)
3044 In addition to a @emph{per-inferior} number, each thread is also
3045 assigned a unique @emph{global} number, also known as @dfn{global
3046 thread ID}, a single integer. Unlike the thread number component of
3047 the thread ID, no two threads have the same global ID, even when
3048 you're debugging multiple inferiors.
3049
3050 From @value{GDBN}'s perspective, a process always has at least one
3051 thread. In other words, @value{GDBN} assigns a thread number to the
3052 program's ``main thread'' even if the program is not multi-threaded.
3053
3054 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
3055 @vindex $_gthread@r{, convenience variable}
3056 The debugger convenience variables @samp{$_thread} and
3057 @samp{$_gthread} contain, respectively, the per-inferior thread number
3058 and the global thread number of the current thread. You may find this
3059 useful in writing breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts,
3060 and so forth. @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for
3061 general information on convenience variables.
3062
3063 If @value{GDBN} detects the program is multi-threaded, it augments the
3064 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint with the ID and name of
3065 the thread that hit the breakpoint.
3066
3067 @smallexample
3068 Thread 2 "client" hit Breakpoint 1, send_message () at client.c:68
3069 @end smallexample
3070
3071 Likewise when the program receives a signal:
3072
3073 @smallexample
3074 Thread 1 "main" received signal SIGINT, Interrupt.
3075 @end smallexample
3076
3077 @table @code
3078 @kindex info threads
3079 @item info threads @r{[}@var{thread-id-list}@r{]}
3080
3081 Display information about one or more threads. With no arguments
3082 displays information about all threads. You can specify the list of
3083 threads that you want to display using the thread ID list syntax
3084 (@pxref{thread ID lists}).
3085
3086 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
3087
3088 @enumerate
3089 @item
3090 the per-inferior thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3091
3092 @item
3093 the global thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}, if the @samp{-gid}
3094 option was specified
3095
3096 @item
3097 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
3098
3099 @item
3100 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
3101 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
3102 program itself.
3103
3104 @item
3105 the current stack frame summary for that thread
3106 @end enumerate
3107
3108 @noindent
3109 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
3110 indicates the current thread.
3111
3112 For example,
3113 @end table
3114 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
3115
3116 @smallexample
3117 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3118 Id Target Id Frame
3119 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3120 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3121 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3122 at threadtest.c:68
3123 @end smallexample
3124
3125 If you're debugging multiple inferiors, @value{GDBN} displays thread
3126 IDs using the qualified @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} format.
3127 Otherwise, only @var{thread-num} is shown.
3128
3129 If you specify the @samp{-gid} option, @value{GDBN} displays a column
3130 indicating each thread's global thread ID:
3131
3132 @smallexample
3133 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3134 Id GId Target Id Frame
3135 1.1 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3136 1.2 3 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3137 1.3 4 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3138 * 2.1 2 process 65 thread 1 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3139 @end smallexample
3140
3141 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
3142 Solaris-specific command:
3143
3144 @table @code
3145 @item maint info sol-threads
3146 @kindex maint info sol-threads
3147 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
3148 Display info on Solaris user threads.
3149 @end table
3150
3151 @table @code
3152 @kindex thread @var{thread-id}
3153 @item thread @var{thread-id}
3154 Make thread ID @var{thread-id} the current thread. The command
3155 argument @var{thread-id} is the @value{GDBN} thread ID, as shown in
3156 the first field of the @samp{info threads} display, with or without an
3157 inferior qualifier (e.g., @samp{2.1} or @samp{1}).
3158
3159 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the
3160 thread you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
3161
3162 @smallexample
3163 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
3164 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
3165 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
3166 8 printf ("hello\n");
3167 @end smallexample
3168
3169 @noindent
3170 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
3171 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
3172 threads.
3173
3174 @kindex thread apply
3175 @cindex apply command to several threads
3176 @item thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all [-ascending]] @var{command}
3177 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
3178 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the threads that you
3179 want affected using the thread ID list syntax (@pxref{thread ID
3180 lists}), or specify @code{all} to apply to all threads. To apply a
3181 command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
3182 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
3183 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
3184
3185
3186 @kindex thread name
3187 @cindex name a thread
3188 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3189 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3190 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3191 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3192
3193 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3194 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3195 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3196 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3197 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3198
3199 @kindex thread find
3200 @cindex search for a thread
3201 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3202 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3203 matches the supplied regular expression.
3204
3205 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3206 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3207 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3208 is the LWP id.
3209
3210 @smallexample
3211 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3212 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3213 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3214 Id Target Id Frame
3215 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3216 @end smallexample
3217
3218 @kindex set print thread-events
3219 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3220 @item set print thread-events
3221 @itemx set print thread-events on
3222 @itemx set print thread-events off
3223 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3224 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3225 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3226 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3227 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3228
3229 @kindex show print thread-events
3230 @item show print thread-events
3231 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3232 have started and exited.
3233 @end table
3234
3235 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3236 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3237 programs with multiple threads.
3238
3239 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3240 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3241
3242 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3243 @table @code
3244 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3245 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3246 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3247 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3248 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3249 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3250 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3251 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3252 macro.
3253
3254 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3255 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3256 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3257 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3258 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3259 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3260
3261 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3262 refers to the default system directories that are
3263 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3264 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3265 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3266
3267 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3268 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3269 was loaded in the inferior process.
3270
3271 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3272 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3273 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3274 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3275 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3276 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3277 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3278
3279 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3280 only on some platforms.
3281
3282 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3283 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3284 Display current libthread_db search path.
3285
3286 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3287 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3288 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3289 @item set debug libthread-db
3290 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3291 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3292 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3293 @end table
3294
3295 @node Forks
3296 @section Debugging Forks
3297
3298 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3299 @cindex multiple processes
3300 @cindex processes, multiple
3301 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3302 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3303 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3304 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3305 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3306 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3307 will cause it to terminate.
3308
3309 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3310 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3311 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3312 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3313 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3314 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3315 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3316 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3317 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3318 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3319
3320 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs
3321 that create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork}
3322 functions. On @sc{gnu}/Linux platforms, this feature is supported
3323 with kernel version 2.5.46 and later.
3324
3325 The fork debugging commands are supported in native mode and when
3326 connected to @code{gdbserver} in either @code{target remote} mode or
3327 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3328
3329 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3330 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3331
3332 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3333 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3334
3335 @table @code
3336 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3337 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3338 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3339 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3340 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3341
3342 @table @code
3343 @item parent
3344 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3345 unimpeded. This is the default.
3346
3347 @item child
3348 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3349 unimpeded.
3350
3351 @end table
3352
3353 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3354 @item show follow-fork-mode
3355 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3356 @end table
3357
3358 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3359 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3360 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3361
3362 @table @code
3363 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3364 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3365 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3366 retain debugger control over them both.
3367
3368 @table @code
3369 @item on
3370 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3371 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3372 independently. This is the default.
3373
3374 @item off
3375 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3376 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3377 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3378 is held suspended.
3379
3380 @end table
3381
3382 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3383 @item show detach-on-fork
3384 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3385 @end table
3386
3387 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3388 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3389 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3390 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3391 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3392 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3393
3394 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3395 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3396 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3397 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3398 and Programs}.
3399
3400 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3401 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3402 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3403 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3404 the child process's @code{main}.
3405
3406 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3407 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3408
3409 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3410 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3411 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3412 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3413 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3414 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3415 command.
3416
3417 @table @code
3418 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3419 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3420
3421 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3422 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3423
3424 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3425
3426 @table @code
3427 @item new
3428 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3429 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3430 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3431 original inferior.
3432
3433 For example:
3434
3435 @smallexample
3436 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3437 (gdb) info inferior
3438 Id Description Executable
3439 * 1 <null> prog1
3440 (@value{GDBP}) run
3441 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3442 Program exited normally.
3443 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3444 Id Description Executable
3445 1 <null> prog1
3446 * 2 <null> prog2
3447 @end smallexample
3448
3449 @item same
3450 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3451 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3452 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3453 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3454 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3455
3456 For example:
3457
3458 @smallexample
3459 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3460 Id Description Executable
3461 * 1 <null> prog1
3462 (@value{GDBP}) run
3463 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3464 Program exited normally.
3465 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3466 Id Description Executable
3467 * 1 <null> prog2
3468 @end smallexample
3469
3470 @end table
3471 @end table
3472
3473 @code{follow-exec-mode} is supported in native mode and
3474 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3475
3476 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3477 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3478 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3479
3480 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3481 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3482
3483 @cindex checkpoint
3484 @cindex restart
3485 @cindex bookmark
3486 @cindex snapshot of a process
3487 @cindex rewind program state
3488
3489 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3490 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3491 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3492 later.
3493
3494 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3495 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3496 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3497 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3498 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3499
3500 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3501 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3502 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3503 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3504 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3505 start again from there.
3506
3507 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3508 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3509
3510 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3511
3512 @table @code
3513 @kindex checkpoint
3514 @item checkpoint
3515 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3516 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3517 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3518
3519 @kindex info checkpoints
3520 @item info checkpoints
3521 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3522 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3523 listed:
3524
3525 @table @code
3526 @item Checkpoint ID
3527 @item Process ID
3528 @item Code Address
3529 @item Source line, or label
3530 @end table
3531
3532 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3533 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3534 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3535 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3536 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3537 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3538 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3539
3540 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3541 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3542 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3543 the debugger.
3544
3545 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3546 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3547 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3548
3549 @end table
3550
3551 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3552 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3553 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3554 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3555 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3556 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3557 previously read data can be read again.
3558
3559 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3560 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3561 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3562 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3563 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3564 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3565
3566 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3567 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3568 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3569 different execution path this time.
3570
3571 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3572 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3573 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3574 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3575 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3576 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3577 potentially pose a problem.
3578
3579 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3580
3581 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3582 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3583 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3584 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3585 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3586 next.
3587
3588 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3589 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3590 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3591 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3592 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3593
3594 @node Stopping
3595 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3596
3597 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3598 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3599 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3600
3601 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3602 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3603 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3604 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3605 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3606 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3607 explicitly request this information at any time.
3608
3609 @table @code
3610 @kindex info program
3611 @item info program
3612 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3613 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3614 @end table
3615
3616 @menu
3617 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3618 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3619 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3620 Skipping over functions and files
3621 * Signals:: Signals
3622 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3623 @end menu
3624
3625 @node Breakpoints
3626 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3627
3628 @cindex breakpoints
3629 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3630 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3631 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3632 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3633 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3634 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3635 program.
3636
3637 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3638 the executable is run.
3639
3640 @cindex watchpoints
3641 @cindex data breakpoints
3642 @cindex memory tracing
3643 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3644 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3645 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3646 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3647 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3648 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3649 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3650 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3651 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3652 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3653 same commands.
3654
3655 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3656 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3657 Automatic Display}.
3658
3659 @cindex catchpoints
3660 @cindex breakpoint on events
3661 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3662 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3663 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3664 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3665 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3666 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3667 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3668
3669 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3670 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3671 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3672 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3673 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3674 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3675 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3676 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3677 enable it again.
3678
3679 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3680 @cindex breakpoint lists
3681 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3682 @cindex lists of breakpoints
3683 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a space-separated list of breakpoints
3684 on which to operate. A list element can be either a single breakpoint number,
3685 like @samp{5}, or a range of such numbers, like @samp{5-7}.
3686 When a breakpoint list is given to a command, all breakpoints in that list
3687 are operated on.
3688
3689 @menu
3690 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3691 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3692 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3693 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3694 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3695 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3696 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3697 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3698 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3699 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3700 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3701 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3702 @end menu
3703
3704 @node Set Breaks
3705 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3706
3707 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3708 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3709 @c
3710 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3711
3712 @kindex break
3713 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3714 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3715 @cindex latest breakpoint
3716 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3717 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3718 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3719 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3720 convenience variables.
3721
3722 @table @code
3723 @item break @var{location}
3724 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3725 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3726 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3727 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3728 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3729
3730 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3731 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3732 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3733 that situation.
3734
3735 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3736 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3737 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3738
3739 @item break
3740 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3741 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3742 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3743 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3744 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3745 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3746 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3747 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3748 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3749 inside loops.
3750
3751 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3752 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3753 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3754 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3755 existed when your program stopped.
3756
3757 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3758 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3759 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3760 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3761 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3762 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3763 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3764
3765 @kindex tbreak
3766 @item tbreak @var{args}
3767 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3768 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3769 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3770 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3771
3772 @kindex hbreak
3773 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3774 @item hbreak @var{args}
3775 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3776 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3777 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3778 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3779 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3780 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3781 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3782 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3783 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3784 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3785 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3786 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3787 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3788 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3789 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3790 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3791 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3792 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3793
3794 @kindex thbreak
3795 @item thbreak @var{args}
3796 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3797 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3798 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3799 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3800 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3801 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3802 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3803 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3804
3805 @kindex rbreak
3806 @cindex regular expression
3807 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3808 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3809 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3810 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3811 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3812 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3813 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3814 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3815 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3816
3817 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3818 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3819 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3820 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3821 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3822 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3823
3824 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3825 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3826 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3827 classes.
3828
3829 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3830 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3831 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3832
3833 @smallexample
3834 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3835 @end smallexample
3836
3837 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3838 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3839 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3840 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3841 every function in a given file:
3842
3843 @smallexample
3844 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3845 @end smallexample
3846
3847 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3848 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3849
3850 @kindex info breakpoints
3851 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3852 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
3853 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
3854 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3855 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3856 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3857 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3858
3859 @table @emph
3860 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3861 @item Type
3862 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3863 @item Disposition
3864 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3865 @item Enabled or Disabled
3866 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3867 that are not enabled.
3868 @item Address
3869 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3870 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3871 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3872 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3873 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3874 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3875 @item What
3876 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3877 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3878 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3879 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3880 @end table
3881
3882 @noindent
3883 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3884 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3885 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3886 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3887 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3888 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3889
3890 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3891 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3892 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3893 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3894
3895 @noindent
3896 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3897 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3898 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3899 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3900 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3901
3902 @noindent
3903 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3904 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3905 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3906 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3907 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3908 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3909
3910 @noindent
3911 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3912 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3913
3914 @end table
3915
3916 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3917 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3918 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3919 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3920
3921 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3922 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3923 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3924 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3925
3926 @itemize @bullet
3927 @item
3928 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3929
3930 @item
3931 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3932 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3933
3934 @item
3935 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3936 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3937
3938 @item
3939 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3940 several places where that function is inlined.
3941 @end itemize
3942
3943 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3944 the relevant locations.
3945
3946 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3947 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3948 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3949 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3950 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3951 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3952 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3953
3954 For example:
3955
3956 @smallexample
3957 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3958 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3959 stop only if i==1
3960 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3961 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3962 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3963 @end smallexample
3964
3965 You cannot delete the individual locations from a breakpoint. However,
3966 each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3967 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3968 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. It's also possible to
3969 @code{enable} and @code{disable} a range of @var{location-number}
3970 locations using a @var{breakpoint-number} and two @var{location-number}s,
3971 in increasing order, separated by a hyphen, like
3972 @kbd{@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number1}-@var{location-number2}},
3973 in which case @value{GDBN} acts on all the locations in the range (inclusive).
3974 Disabling or enabling the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects
3975 all of the locations that belong to that breakpoint.
3976
3977 @cindex pending breakpoints
3978 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3979 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3980 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3981 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3982 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3983 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3984 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3985 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3986 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3987 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3988 is not yet resolved.
3989
3990 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3991 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3992 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3993 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3994 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3995 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3996
3997 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3998 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3999 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
4000 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
4001
4002 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
4003 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
4004 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
4005
4006 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
4007 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
4008 address specification to an address:
4009
4010 @kindex set breakpoint pending
4011 @kindex show breakpoint pending
4012 @table @code
4013 @item set breakpoint pending auto
4014 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
4015 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
4016
4017 @item set breakpoint pending on
4018 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
4019 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
4020
4021 @item set breakpoint pending off
4022 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
4023 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
4024 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
4025
4026 @item show breakpoint pending
4027 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
4028 @end table
4029
4030 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
4031 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
4032 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
4033
4034 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
4035 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
4036 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
4037 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
4038 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
4039 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
4040 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
4041 breakpoints.
4042
4043 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands:
4044
4045 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
4046 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
4047 @table @code
4048 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
4049 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
4050 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
4051 breakpoint must be used.
4052
4053 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
4054 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
4055 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
4056 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
4057 @end table
4058
4059 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
4060 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
4061 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
4062 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
4063 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
4064 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
4065 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
4066 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
4067 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
4068
4069 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
4070 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
4071 @table @code
4072 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
4073 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
4074 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
4075 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
4076
4077 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
4078 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
4079 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
4080 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
4081 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
4082 @end table
4083
4084 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
4085 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
4086 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
4087
4088 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
4089 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
4090
4091 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
4092
4093 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
4094 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
4095 @table @code
4096 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
4097 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
4098 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
4099 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
4100 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
4101
4102 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
4103 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
4104 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
4105 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
4106 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
4107 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
4108 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
4109 that is only known to the host. Examples include
4110 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
4111 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
4112 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
4113 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
4114 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
4115
4116 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
4117 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
4118 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
4119 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
4120 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
4121 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
4122 @end table
4123
4124
4125 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
4126 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
4127 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
4128 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
4129 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
4130 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
4131 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
4132 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
4133
4134
4135 @node Set Watchpoints
4136 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
4137
4138 @cindex setting watchpoints
4139 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
4140 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
4141 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
4142 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
4143 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
4144
4145 @itemize @bullet
4146 @item
4147 A reference to the value of a single variable.
4148
4149 @item
4150 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
4151 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
4152 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
4153
4154 @item
4155 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
4156 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
4157 language (@pxref{Languages}).
4158 @end itemize
4159
4160 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
4161 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
4162 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
4163 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
4164 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
4165 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
4166 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
4167 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
4168 the expression changes.
4169
4170 @cindex software watchpoints
4171 @cindex hardware watchpoints
4172 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
4173 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
4174 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
4175 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
4176 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
4177 culprit.)
4178
4179 On some systems, such as most PowerPC or x86-based targets,
4180 @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware watchpoints, which do not
4181 slow down the running of your program.
4182
4183 @table @code
4184 @kindex watch
4185 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4186 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
4187 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
4188 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
4189 to watch the value of a single variable:
4190
4191 @smallexample
4192 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4193 @end smallexample
4194
4195 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]}}
4196 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4197 @var{thread-id} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4198 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4199 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4200 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4201
4202 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4203 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4204 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4205 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4206 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4207 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4208 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4209 error.
4210
4211 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4212 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4213 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4214 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4215 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4216 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4217 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4218 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4219 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4220 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4221 Examples:
4222
4223 @smallexample
4224 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4225 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4226 @end smallexample
4227
4228 @kindex rwatch
4229 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4230 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4231 by the program.
4232
4233 @kindex awatch
4234 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4235 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4236 or written into by the program.
4237
4238 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4239 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4240 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4241 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4242 @end table
4243
4244 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4245 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4246 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4247 a never-changing value:
4248
4249 @smallexample
4250 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4251 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4252 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4253 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4254 @end smallexample
4255
4256 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4257 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4258 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4259 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4260 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4261 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4262
4263 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4264 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4265 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4266 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4267 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4268 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4269 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4270 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4271
4272 @table @code
4273 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4274 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4275 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4276
4277 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4278 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4279 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4280 @end table
4281
4282 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4283 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4284 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4285
4286 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4287
4288 @smallexample
4289 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4290 @end smallexample
4291
4292 @noindent
4293 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4294
4295 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4296 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4297 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4298 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4299 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4300 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4301 will print a message like this:
4302
4303 @smallexample
4304 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4305 @end smallexample
4306
4307 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4308 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4309 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4310 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4311 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4312 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4313 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4314 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4315
4316 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4317 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4318 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4319 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4320 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4321 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4322
4323 @smallexample
4324 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4325 @end smallexample
4326
4327 @noindent
4328 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4329
4330 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4331 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4332 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4333 expression with separately allocated resources.
4334
4335 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4336 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4337 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4338
4339 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4340 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4341 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4342 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4343 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4344 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4345 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4346 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4347 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4348
4349 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4350 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4351 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4352 watched expression from every thread.
4353
4354 @quotation
4355 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4356 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4357 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4358 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4359 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4360 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4361 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4362 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4363 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4364 @end quotation
4365
4366 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4367
4368 @node Set Catchpoints
4369 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4370 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4371 @cindex exception handlers
4372 @cindex event handling
4373
4374 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4375 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4376 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4377
4378 @table @code
4379 @kindex catch
4380 @item catch @var{event}
4381 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4382
4383 @table @code
4384 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4385 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4386 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4387 @kindex catch throw
4388 @kindex catch rethrow
4389 @kindex catch catch
4390 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4391 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4392
4393 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4394 regular expression will be caught.
4395
4396 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4397 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4398 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4399 exception being thrown.
4400
4401 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4402 @value{GDBN}:
4403
4404 @itemize @bullet
4405 @item
4406 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4407 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4408 supported.
4409
4410 @item
4411 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4412 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4413 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4414 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4415 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4416 built.
4417
4418 @item
4419 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4420 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4421
4422 @item
4423 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4424 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4425 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4426 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4427
4428 @item
4429 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4430 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4431 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4432 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4433 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4434 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4435 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4436 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4437 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4438
4439 @item
4440 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4441
4442 @item
4443 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4444 @end itemize
4445
4446 @item exception
4447 @kindex catch exception
4448 @cindex Ada exception catching
4449 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4450 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4451 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4452 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4453 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4454
4455 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4456 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4457 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4458 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4459 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4460 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4461 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4462 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4463
4464 @item handlers
4465 @kindex catch handlers
4466 @cindex Ada exception handlers catching
4467 @cindex catch Ada exceptions when handled
4468 An Ada exception being handled. If an exception name is
4469 specified at the end of the command
4470 (eg @kbd{catch handlers Program_Error}), the debugger will stop
4471 only when this specific exception is handled.
4472 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is handled.
4473
4474 When inserting a handlers catchpoint on a user-defined
4475 exception whose name is identical to one of the exceptions
4476 defined by the language, the fully qualified name must be used
4477 as the exception name. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will assume that it
4478 should stop on the pre-defined exception rather than the
4479 user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception called
4480 @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then the
4481 command to use to catch such exceptions handling is
4482 @kbd{catch handlers Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4483
4484 @item exception unhandled
4485 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4486 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4487
4488 @item assert
4489 @kindex catch assert
4490 A failed Ada assertion.
4491
4492 @item exec
4493 @kindex catch exec
4494 @cindex break on fork/exec
4495 A call to @code{exec}.
4496
4497 @item syscall
4498 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number} @r{|} @r{group:}@var{groupname} @r{|} @r{g:}@var{groupname}@r{]} @dots{}
4499 @kindex catch syscall
4500 @cindex break on a system call.
4501 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4502 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4503 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4504 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4505 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4506 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4507 will be caught.
4508
4509 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4510 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4511 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4512 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4513
4514 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4515 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4516 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4517 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4518
4519 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4520 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4521 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4522 available choices.
4523
4524 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4525 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4526 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4527 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4528 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4529 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4530 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4531 behind the OS upgrades).
4532
4533 You may specify a group of related syscalls to be caught at once using
4534 the @code{group:} syntax (@code{g:} is a shorter equivalent). For
4535 instance, on some platforms @value{GDBN} allows you to catch all
4536 network related syscalls, by passing the argument @code{group:network}
4537 to @code{catch syscall}. Note that not all syscall groups are
4538 available in every system. You can use the command completion
4539 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4540 syscall groups available on your environment.
4541
4542 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4543 arguments to it:
4544
4545 @smallexample
4546 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4547 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4548 (@value{GDBP}) r
4549 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4550
4551 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4552 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4553 (@value{GDBP}) c
4554 Continuing.
4555
4556 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4557 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4558 (@value{GDBP})
4559 @end smallexample
4560
4561 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4562
4563 @smallexample
4564 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4565 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4566 (@value{GDBP}) r
4567 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4568
4569 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4570 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4571 (@value{GDBP}) c
4572 Continuing.
4573
4574 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4575 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4576 (@value{GDBP})
4577 @end smallexample
4578
4579 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4580 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4581 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4582
4583 @smallexample
4584 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4585 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4586 (@value{GDBP}) r
4587 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4588
4589 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4590 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4591 (@value{GDBP}) c
4592 Continuing.
4593
4594 Program exited normally.
4595 (@value{GDBP})
4596 @end smallexample
4597
4598 Here is an example of catching a syscall group:
4599
4600 @smallexample
4601 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall group:process
4602 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'exit' [1] 'fork' [2] 'waitpid' [7]
4603 'execve' [11] 'wait4' [114] 'clone' [120] 'vfork' [190]
4604 'exit_group' [252] 'waitid' [284] 'unshare' [310])
4605 (@value{GDBP}) r
4606 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4607
4608 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall fork), 0x00007ffff7df4e27 in open64 ()
4609 from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
4610
4611 (@value{GDBP}) c
4612 Continuing.
4613 @end smallexample
4614
4615 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4616 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4617 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4618 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4619
4620 @smallexample
4621 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4622 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4623 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4624 (@value{GDBP})
4625 @end smallexample
4626
4627 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4628 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4629 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4630 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4631 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4632 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4633
4634 @smallexample
4635 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4636 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4637 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4638 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4639 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4640 (@value{GDBP})
4641 @end smallexample
4642
4643 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4644
4645 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4646 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4647
4648 @smallexample
4649 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4650 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4651 @end smallexample
4652
4653 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4654
4655 @item fork
4656 @kindex catch fork
4657 A call to @code{fork}.
4658
4659 @item vfork
4660 @kindex catch vfork
4661 A call to @code{vfork}.
4662
4663 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4664 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4665 @kindex catch load
4666 @kindex catch unload
4667 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4668 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4669 matches one of the affected libraries.
4670
4671 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4672 @kindex catch signal
4673 The delivery of a signal.
4674
4675 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4676 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4677 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4678
4679 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4680 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4681 signal names.
4682
4683 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4684 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4685 will be caught.
4686
4687 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4688 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4689 catchpoint.
4690
4691 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4692 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4693 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4694 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4695 commands.
4696
4697 @end table
4698
4699 @item tcatch @var{event}
4700 @kindex tcatch
4701 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4702 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4703
4704 @end table
4705
4706 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4707
4708
4709 @node Delete Breaks
4710 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4711
4712 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4713 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4714 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4715 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4716 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4717 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4718
4719 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4720 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4721 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4722 their breakpoint numbers.
4723
4724 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4725 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4726 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4727
4728 @table @code
4729 @kindex clear
4730 @item clear
4731 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4732 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4733 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4734 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4735
4736 @item clear @var{location}
4737 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4738 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4739 most useful ones are listed below:
4740
4741 @table @code
4742 @item clear @var{function}
4743 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4744 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4745
4746 @item clear @var{linenum}
4747 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4748 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4749 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4750 @end table
4751
4752 @cindex delete breakpoints
4753 @kindex delete
4754 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4755 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4756 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4757 list specified as argument. If no argument is specified, delete all
4758 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4759 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4760 @end table
4761
4762 @node Disabling
4763 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4764
4765 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4766 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4767 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4768 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4769 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4770
4771 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4772 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4773 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4774 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4775 do not know which numbers to use.
4776
4777 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4778 affects all of its locations.
4779
4780 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4781 different states of enablement:
4782
4783 @itemize @bullet
4784 @item
4785 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4786 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4787 @item
4788 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4789 @item
4790 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4791 disabled.
4792 @item
4793 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4794 N times, then becomes disabled.
4795 @item
4796 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4797 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4798 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4799 @end itemize
4800
4801 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4802 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4803
4804 @table @code
4805 @kindex disable
4806 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4807 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4808 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4809 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4810 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4811 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4812 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4813
4814 @kindex enable
4815 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4816 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4817 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4818
4819 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{list}@dots{}
4820 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4821 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4822
4823 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{list}@dots{}
4824 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4825 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4826 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4827 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4828 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4829 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4830
4831 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{list}@dots{}
4832 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4833 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4834 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4835 @end table
4836
4837 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4838 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4839 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4840 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4841 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4842 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4843 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4844 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4845 Stepping}.)
4846
4847 @node Conditions
4848 @subsection Break Conditions
4849 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4850 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4851
4852 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4853 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4854 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4855 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4856 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4857 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4858 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4859 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4860
4861 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4862 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4863 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4864 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4865 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4866
4867 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4868 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4869 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4870 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4871 one.
4872
4873 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4874 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4875 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4876 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4877 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4878 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4879 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4880 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4881 conditions for the
4882 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4883 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4884
4885 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4886 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4887 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4888 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4889 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4890 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4891
4892 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4893 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4894 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4895 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4896 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4897
4898 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4899 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4900 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4901 with the @code{condition} command.
4902
4903 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4904 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4905 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4906 catchpoint.
4907
4908 @table @code
4909 @kindex condition
4910 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4911 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4912 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4913 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4914 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4915 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4916 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4917 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4918 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4919 prints an error message:
4920
4921 @smallexample
4922 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4923 @end smallexample
4924
4925 @noindent
4926 @value{GDBN} does
4927 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4928 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4929 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4930
4931 @item condition @var{bnum}
4932 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4933 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4934 @end table
4935
4936 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4937 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4938 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4939 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4940 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4941 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4942 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4943 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4944 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4945 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4946 your program reaches it.
4947
4948 @table @code
4949 @kindex ignore
4950 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4951 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4952 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4953 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4954 takes no action.
4955
4956 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4957 a count of zero.
4958
4959 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4960 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4961 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4962 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4963
4964 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4965 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4966 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4967
4968 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4969 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4970 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4971 Variables}.
4972 @end table
4973
4974 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4975
4976
4977 @node Break Commands
4978 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4979
4980 @cindex breakpoint commands
4981 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4982 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4983 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4984 enable other breakpoints.
4985
4986 @table @code
4987 @kindex commands
4988 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4989 @item commands @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4990 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4991 @itemx end
4992 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4993 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4994 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4995
4996 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4997 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4998
4999 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
5000 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
5001 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
5002 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
5003 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
5004 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
5005 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
5006 Expressions}).
5007 @end table
5008
5009 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
5010 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
5011
5012 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
5013 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
5014 that resumes execution.
5015
5016 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
5017 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
5018 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
5019 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
5020 ambiguities about which list to execute.
5021
5022 @kindex silent
5023 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
5024 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
5025 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
5026 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
5027 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
5028 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
5029
5030 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
5031 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
5032 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
5033
5034 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
5035 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
5036
5037 @smallexample
5038 break foo if x>0
5039 commands
5040 silent
5041 printf "x is %d\n",x
5042 cont
5043 end
5044 @end smallexample
5045
5046 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
5047 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
5048 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
5049 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
5050 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
5051 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
5052 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
5053
5054 @smallexample
5055 break 403
5056 commands
5057 silent
5058 set x = y + 4
5059 cont
5060 end
5061 @end smallexample
5062
5063 @node Dynamic Printf
5064 @subsection Dynamic Printf
5065
5066 @cindex dynamic printf
5067 @cindex dprintf
5068 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
5069 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
5070 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
5071 having to recompile it.
5072
5073 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
5074 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
5075 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
5076 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
5077 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
5078 redirects to files and so forth.
5079
5080 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
5081 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
5082 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
5083 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
5084 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
5085 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
5086 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
5087
5088 @table @code
5089 @kindex dprintf
5090 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
5091 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
5092 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
5093 To print several values, separate them with commas.
5094
5095 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
5096 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
5097 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
5098 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
5099 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
5100 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
5101
5102 @table @code
5103 @item gdb
5104 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
5105 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
5106
5107 @item call
5108 @kindex dprintf-style call
5109 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
5110 @code{printf}).
5111
5112 @item agent
5113 @kindex dprintf-style agent
5114 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
5115 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
5116 support running commands on the target.
5117 @end table
5118
5119 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
5120 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
5121 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
5122 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
5123 command.
5124
5125 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
5126 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
5127 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
5128 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
5129 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
5130 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
5131
5132 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
5133 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
5134 you could do the following:
5135
5136 @example
5137 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
5138 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
5139 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
5140 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
5141 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
5142 (gdb) info break
5143 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
5144 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
5145 continue
5146 (gdb)
5147 @end example
5148
5149 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
5150 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
5151 the variable settings.
5152
5153 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
5154 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
5155 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
5156 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
5157 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
5158 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
5159
5160 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
5161 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
5162 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
5163
5164 @end table
5165
5166 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
5167 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
5168 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
5169 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
5170 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
5171 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
5172
5173 @node Save Breakpoints
5174 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
5175
5176 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
5177 breakpoints}} command.
5178
5179 @table @code
5180 @kindex save breakpoints
5181 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
5182 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
5183 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
5184 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
5185 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
5186 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
5187 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
5188 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
5189 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
5190 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
5191 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
5192 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
5193 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
5194 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
5195 that can no longer be recreated.
5196 @end table
5197
5198 @node Static Probe Points
5199 @subsection Static Probe Points
5200
5201 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
5202 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
5203 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
5204 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
5205 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
5206
5207 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
5208 ELF-compatible systems:
5209
5210 @itemize @bullet
5211
5212 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
5213 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
5214 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
5215 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
5216 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
5217 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
5218 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
5219 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
5220
5221 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
5222 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
5223 C@t{++} languages.
5224 @end itemize
5225
5226 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
5227 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
5228 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
5229 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
5230 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
5231 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
5232 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
5233 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
5234 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
5235
5236 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
5237 probes}, with optional arguments:
5238
5239 @table @code
5240 @kindex info probes
5241 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5242 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
5243 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
5244 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
5245
5246 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5247 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5248 probes from all providers are listed.
5249
5250 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5251 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5252 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5253
5254 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5255 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5256 given, all object files are considered.
5257
5258 @item info probes all
5259 List the available static probes, from all types.
5260 @end table
5261
5262 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5263 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5264 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5265 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5266 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5267
5268 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5269 commands, with optional arguments:
5270
5271 @table @code
5272 @kindex enable probes
5273 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5274 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5275 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5276 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5277
5278 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5279 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5280 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5281
5282 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5283 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5284 given, all object files are considered.
5285
5286 @kindex disable probes
5287 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5288 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5289 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5290 @end table
5291
5292 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5293 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5294 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5295 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5296 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5297 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5298 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5299 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5300 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5301 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5302 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5303 at the current probe point.
5304
5305 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5306 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5307 an error message.
5308
5309
5310 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5311 @node Error in Breakpoints
5312 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5313
5314 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5315 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5316
5317 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5318 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5319 @smallexample
5320 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5321 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5322 @end smallexample
5323
5324 @noindent
5325 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5326 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5327 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5328
5329 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5330 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5331
5332 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5333 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5334 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5335
5336 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5337 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5338 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5339 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5340
5341 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5342 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5343 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5344 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5345 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5346 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5347 first in the bundle.
5348
5349 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5350 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5351 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5352 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5353 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5354 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5355 is hit.
5356
5357 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5358 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5359
5360 @smallexample
5361 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5362 @end smallexample
5363
5364 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5365 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5366 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5367 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5368 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5369 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5370 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5371 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5372
5373 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5374 adjusted breakpoints:
5375
5376 @smallexample
5377 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5378 to 0x00010410.
5379 @end smallexample
5380
5381 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5382 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5383 frequently than expected.
5384
5385 @node Continuing and Stepping
5386 @section Continuing and Stepping
5387
5388 @cindex stepping
5389 @cindex continuing
5390 @cindex resuming execution
5391 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5392 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5393 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5394 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5395 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5396 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5397 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5398 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5399 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5400 handlers}).)
5401
5402 @table @code
5403 @kindex continue
5404 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5405 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5406 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5407 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5408 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5409 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5410 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5411 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5412 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5413 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5414
5415 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5416 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5417 @code{continue} is ignored.
5418
5419 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5420 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5421 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5422 @code{continue}.
5423 @end table
5424
5425 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5426 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5427 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5428 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5429
5430 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5431 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5432 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5433 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5434 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5435 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5436
5437 @table @code
5438 @kindex step
5439 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5440 @item step
5441 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5442 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5443 abbreviated @code{s}.
5444
5445 @quotation
5446 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5447 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5448 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5449 @c distinction here.
5450 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5451 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5452 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5453 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5454 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5455 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5456 below.
5457 @end quotation
5458
5459 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5460 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5461 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5462 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5463 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5464 called within the line.
5465
5466 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5467 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5468 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5469 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5470 was any debugging information about the routine.
5471
5472 @item step @var{count}
5473 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5474 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5475 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5476
5477 @kindex next
5478 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5479 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5480 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5481 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5482 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5483 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5484 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5485 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5486
5487 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5488
5489
5490 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5491 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5492 @c
5493 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5494 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5495 @c function are executed without stopping.
5496
5497 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5498 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5499 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5500
5501 @kindex set step-mode
5502 @item set step-mode
5503 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5504 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5505 @itemx set step-mode on
5506 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5507 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5508 information rather than stepping over it.
5509
5510 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5511 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5512 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5513
5514 @item set step-mode off
5515 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5516 debug information. This is the default.
5517
5518 @item show step-mode
5519 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5520 source line debug information.
5521
5522 @kindex finish
5523 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5524 @item finish
5525 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5526 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5527 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5528
5529 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5530 ,Returning from a Function}).
5531
5532 @kindex until
5533 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5534 @cindex run until specified location
5535 @item until
5536 @itemx u
5537 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5538 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5539 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5540 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5541 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5542 than the address of the jump.
5543
5544 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5545 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5546 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5547 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5548 through the next iteration.
5549
5550 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5551 stack frame.
5552
5553 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5554 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5555 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5556 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5557 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5558
5559 @smallexample
5560 (@value{GDBP}) f
5561 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5562 206 expand_input();
5563 (@value{GDBP}) until
5564 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5565 @end smallexample
5566
5567 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5568 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5569 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5570 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5571 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5572 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5573 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5574
5575 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5576 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5577 argument.
5578
5579 @item until @var{location}
5580 @itemx u @var{location}
5581 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5582 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5583 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5584 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5585 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5586 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5587 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5588 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5589 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5590 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5591 invocations have returned.
5592
5593 @smallexample
5594 94 int factorial (int value)
5595 95 @{
5596 96 if (value > 1) @{
5597 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5598 98 @}
5599 99 return (value);
5600 100 @}
5601 @end smallexample
5602
5603
5604 @kindex advance @var{location}
5605 @item advance @var{location}
5606 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5607 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5608 @ref{Specify Location}.
5609 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5610 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5611 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5612 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5613
5614
5615 @kindex stepi
5616 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5617 @item stepi
5618 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5619 @itemx si
5620 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5621
5622 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5623 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5624 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5625 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5626
5627 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5628
5629 @need 750
5630 @kindex nexti
5631 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5632 @item nexti
5633 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5634 @itemx ni
5635 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5636 proceed until the function returns.
5637
5638 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5639
5640 @end table
5641
5642 @anchor{range stepping}
5643 @cindex range stepping
5644 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5645 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5646 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5647 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5648 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5649 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5650 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5651 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5652 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5653 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5654 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5655 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5656 if necessary:
5657
5658 @table @code
5659 @kindex set range-stepping
5660 @kindex show range-stepping
5661 @item set range-stepping
5662 @itemx show range-stepping
5663 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5664
5665 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5666 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5667 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5668 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5669 default is @code{on}.
5670
5671 @end table
5672
5673 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5674 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5675 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5676
5677 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5678 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} command lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5679 skip a function, all functions in a file or a particular function in
5680 a particular file when stepping.
5681
5682 For example, consider the following C function:
5683
5684 @smallexample
5685 101 int func()
5686 102 @{
5687 103 foo(boring());
5688 104 bar(boring());
5689 105 @}
5690 @end smallexample
5691
5692 @noindent
5693 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5694 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5695 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5696 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5697
5698 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5699 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5700 is called from many places.
5701
5702 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5703 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5704 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5705 @code{foo}.
5706
5707 Functions may be skipped by providing either a function name, linespec
5708 (@pxref{Specify Location}), regular expression that matches the function's
5709 name, file name or a @code{glob}-style pattern that matches the file name.
5710
5711 On Posix systems the form of the regular expression is
5712 ``Extended Regular Expressions''. See for example @samp{man 7 regex}
5713 on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. On non-Posix systems the form of the regular
5714 expression is whatever is provided by the @code{regcomp} function of
5715 the underlying system.
5716 See for example @samp{man 7 glob} on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems for a
5717 description of @code{glob}-style patterns.
5718
5719 @table @code
5720 @kindex skip
5721 @item skip @r{[}@var{options}@r{]}
5722 The basic form of the @code{skip} command takes zero or more options
5723 that specify what to skip.
5724 The @var{options} argument is any useful combination of the following:
5725
5726 @table @code
5727 @item -file @var{file}
5728 @itemx -fi @var{file}
5729 Functions in @var{file} will be skipped over when stepping.
5730
5731 @item -gfile @var{file-glob-pattern}
5732 @itemx -gfi @var{file-glob-pattern}
5733 @cindex skipping over files via glob-style patterns
5734 Functions in files matching @var{file-glob-pattern} will be skipped
5735 over when stepping.
5736
5737 @smallexample
5738 (gdb) skip -gfi utils/*.c
5739 @end smallexample
5740
5741 @item -function @var{linespec}
5742 @itemx -fu @var{linespec}
5743 Functions named by @var{linespec} or the function containing the line
5744 named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when stepping.
5745 @xref{Specify Location}.
5746
5747 @item -rfunction @var{regexp}
5748 @itemx -rfu @var{regexp}
5749 @cindex skipping over functions via regular expressions
5750 Functions whose name matches @var{regexp} will be skipped over when stepping.
5751
5752 This form is useful for complex function names.
5753 For example, there is generally no need to step into C@t{++} @code{std::string}
5754 constructors or destructors. Plus with C@t{++} templates it can be hard to
5755 write out the full name of the function, and often it doesn't matter what
5756 the template arguments are. Specifying the function to be skipped as a
5757 regular expression makes this easier.
5758
5759 @smallexample
5760 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::(allocator|basic_string)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
5761 @end smallexample
5762
5763 If you want to skip every templated C@t{++} constructor and destructor
5764 in the @code{std} namespace you can do:
5765
5766 @smallexample
5767 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::([a-zA-z0-9_]+)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
5768 @end smallexample
5769 @end table
5770
5771 If no options are specified, the function you're currently debugging
5772 will be skipped.
5773
5774 @kindex skip function
5775 @item skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5776 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5777 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5778 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5779
5780 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5781 will be skipped.
5782
5783 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5784 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5785
5786 @kindex skip file
5787 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5788 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5789 will be skipped over when stepping.
5790
5791 @smallexample
5792 (gdb) skip file boring.c
5793 File boring.c will be skipped when stepping.
5794 @end smallexample
5795
5796 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5797 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5798 @end table
5799
5800 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5801 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5802
5803 @table @code
5804 @kindex info skip
5805 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5806 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5807 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5808 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5809
5810 @table @emph
5811 @item Identifier
5812 A number identifying this skip.
5813 @item Enabled or Disabled
5814 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}.
5815 Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5816 @item Glob
5817 If the file name is a @samp{glob} pattern this is @samp{y}.
5818 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
5819 @item File
5820 The name or @samp{glob} pattern of the file to be skipped.
5821 If no file is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
5822 @item RE
5823 If the function name is a @samp{regular expression} this is @samp{y}.
5824 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
5825 @item Function
5826 The name or regular expression of the function to skip.
5827 If no function is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
5828 @end table
5829
5830 @kindex skip delete
5831 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5832 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5833 skips.
5834
5835 @kindex skip enable
5836 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5837 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5838 skips.
5839
5840 @kindex skip disable
5841 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5842 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5843 skips.
5844
5845 @end table
5846
5847 @node Signals
5848 @section Signals
5849 @cindex signals
5850
5851 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5852 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5853 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5854 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5855 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5856 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5857 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5858 requested an alarm).
5859
5860 @cindex fatal signals
5861 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5862 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5863 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5864 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5865 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5866 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5867
5868 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5869 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5870 signal.
5871
5872 @cindex handling signals
5873 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5874 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5875 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5876 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5877 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5878
5879 @table @code
5880 @kindex info signals
5881 @kindex info handle
5882 @item info signals
5883 @itemx info handle
5884 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5885 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5886 the defined types of signals.
5887
5888 @item info signals @var{sig}
5889 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5890
5891 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5892
5893 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5894 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5895 for details about this command.
5896
5897 @kindex handle
5898 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5899 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5900 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5901 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5902 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5903 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5904 say what change to make.
5905 @end table
5906
5907 @c @group
5908 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5909 Their full names are:
5910
5911 @table @code
5912 @item nostop
5913 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5914 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5915
5916 @item stop
5917 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5918 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5919
5920 @item print
5921 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5922
5923 @item noprint
5924 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5925 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5926
5927 @item pass
5928 @itemx noignore
5929 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5930 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5931 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5932
5933 @item nopass
5934 @itemx ignore
5935 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5936 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5937 @end table
5938 @c @end group
5939
5940 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5941 program until you
5942 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5943 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5944 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5945 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5946 program sees that signal when you continue.
5947
5948 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5949 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5950 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5951 erroneous signals.
5952
5953 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5954 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5955 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5956 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5957 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5958 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5959 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5960 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5961 Program a Signal}.
5962
5963 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
5964 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
5965
5966 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
5967 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
5968 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
5969 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
5970 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
5971 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
5972 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
5973 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
5974 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
5975 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
5976 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
5977 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
5978 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
5979
5980 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
5981
5982 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
5983 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
5984 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
5985 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
5986
5987 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
5988 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
5989 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
5990 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
5991
5992 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
5993 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
5994
5995 @smallexample
5996 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
5997 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
5998 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
5999 (@value{GDBP}) c
6000 Continuing.
6001
6002 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
6003 main () sigusr1.c:28
6004 28 p = 0;
6005 (@value{GDBP}) si
6006 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6007 9 @{
6008 @end smallexample
6009
6010 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
6011 program to receive the signal first:
6012
6013 @smallexample
6014 (@value{GDBP}) n
6015 28 p = 0;
6016 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
6017 (@value{GDBP}) si
6018 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6019 9 @{
6020 (@value{GDBP})
6021 @end smallexample
6022
6023 @cindex extra signal information
6024 @anchor{extra signal information}
6025
6026 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
6027 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
6028 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
6029 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
6030 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
6031 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
6032 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
6033 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
6034 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
6035 system header.
6036
6037 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
6038 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
6039
6040 @smallexample
6041 @group
6042 (@value{GDBP}) continue
6043 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
6044 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
6045 69 *(int *)p = 0;
6046 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
6047 type = struct @{
6048 int si_signo;
6049 int si_errno;
6050 int si_code;
6051 union @{
6052 int _pad[28];
6053 struct @{...@} _kill;
6054 struct @{...@} _timer;
6055 struct @{...@} _rt;
6056 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
6057 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
6058 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
6059 @} _sifields;
6060 @}
6061 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
6062 type = struct @{
6063 void *si_addr;
6064 @}
6065 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
6066 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
6067 @end group
6068 @end smallexample
6069
6070 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
6071
6072 @cindex Intel MPX boundary violations
6073 @cindex boundary violations, Intel MPX
6074 On some targets, a @code{SIGSEGV} can be caused by a boundary
6075 violation, i.e., accessing an address outside of the allowed range.
6076 In those cases @value{GDBN} may displays additional information,
6077 depending on how @value{GDBN} has been told to handle the signal.
6078 With @code{handle stop SIGSEGV}, @value{GDBN} displays the violation
6079 kind: "Upper" or "Lower", the memory address accessed and the
6080 bounds, while with @code{handle nostop SIGSEGV} no additional
6081 information is displayed.
6082
6083 The usual output of a segfault is:
6084 @smallexample
6085 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6086 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6087 68 value = *(p + len);
6088 @end smallexample
6089
6090 While a bound violation is presented as:
6091 @smallexample
6092 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6093 Upper bound violation while accessing address 0x7fffffffc3b3
6094 Bounds: [lower = 0x7fffffffc390, upper = 0x7fffffffc3a3]
6095 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6096 68 value = *(p + len);
6097 @end smallexample
6098
6099 @node Thread Stops
6100 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
6101
6102 @cindex stopped threads
6103 @cindex threads, stopped
6104
6105 @cindex continuing threads
6106 @cindex threads, continuing
6107
6108 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
6109 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
6110 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
6111 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
6112 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
6113 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
6114 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
6115 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
6116 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
6117
6118 @menu
6119 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
6120 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
6121 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
6122 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
6123 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
6124 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
6125 @end menu
6126
6127 @node All-Stop Mode
6128 @subsection All-Stop Mode
6129
6130 @cindex all-stop mode
6131
6132 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
6133 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
6134 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
6135 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
6136 underfoot.
6137
6138 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
6139 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
6140 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
6141
6142 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
6143 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
6144 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
6145 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
6146 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
6147 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
6148 stops.
6149
6150 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
6151 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
6152 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
6153 first thread completes whatever you requested.
6154
6155 @cindex automatic thread selection
6156 @cindex switching threads automatically
6157 @cindex threads, automatic switching
6158 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
6159 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
6160 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
6161 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
6162 thread.
6163
6164 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
6165 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
6166
6167 @table @code
6168 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
6169 @cindex scheduler locking mode
6170 @cindex lock scheduler
6171 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
6172 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
6173 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
6174 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
6175 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
6176 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
6177 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
6178 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
6179 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
6180 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
6181 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
6182 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
6183 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
6184 @code{on} in replay mode.
6185
6186 @item show scheduler-locking
6187 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
6188 @end table
6189
6190 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
6191 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
6192 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
6193 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
6194 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
6195 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
6196 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
6197 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
6198 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
6199 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
6200 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
6201 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
6202 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
6203 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
6204
6205 @table @code
6206 @kindex set schedule-multiple
6207 @item set schedule-multiple
6208 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
6209 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
6210 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
6211 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
6212 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
6213 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
6214
6215 @item show schedule-multiple
6216 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
6217 multiple processes.
6218 @end table
6219
6220 @node Non-Stop Mode
6221 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
6222
6223 @cindex non-stop mode
6224
6225 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
6226 @c with more details.
6227
6228 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
6229 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
6230 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
6231 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
6232 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
6233 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
6234
6235 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
6236 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
6237 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
6238 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
6239 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
6240 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
6241 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
6242 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
6243 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
6244 independently and simultaneously.
6245
6246 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
6247 or attach to your program:
6248
6249 @smallexample
6250 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
6251 set pagination off
6252
6253 # Finally, turn it on!
6254 set non-stop on
6255 @end smallexample
6256
6257 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
6258
6259 @table @code
6260 @kindex set non-stop
6261 @item set non-stop on
6262 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
6263 @item set non-stop off
6264 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
6265 @kindex show non-stop
6266 @item show non-stop
6267 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
6268 @end table
6269
6270 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
6271 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
6272 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
6273 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
6274 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
6275 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
6276 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
6277 default.
6278
6279 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
6280 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
6281 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
6282
6283 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
6284 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
6285 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
6286 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
6287 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
6288
6289 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
6290 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
6291 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
6292 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
6293 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
6294
6295 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
6296
6297 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
6298 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
6299 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
6300 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
6301 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
6302 previously current thread.
6303
6304 @node Background Execution
6305 @subsection Background Execution
6306
6307 @cindex foreground execution
6308 @cindex background execution
6309 @cindex asynchronous execution
6310 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
6311
6312 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
6313 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
6314 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
6315 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
6316 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
6317 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
6318
6319 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
6320 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
6321
6322 @cindex @code{&}, background execution of commands
6323 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
6324 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
6325 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
6326 are:
6327
6328 @table @code
6329 @kindex run&
6330 @item run
6331 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
6332
6333 @item attach
6334 @kindex attach&
6335 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
6336
6337 @item step
6338 @kindex step&
6339 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
6340
6341 @item stepi
6342 @kindex stepi&
6343 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6344
6345 @item next
6346 @kindex next&
6347 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6348
6349 @item nexti
6350 @kindex nexti&
6351 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6352
6353 @item continue
6354 @kindex continue&
6355 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6356
6357 @item finish
6358 @kindex finish&
6359 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6360
6361 @item until
6362 @kindex until&
6363 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6364
6365 @end table
6366
6367 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6368 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6369 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6370 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6371 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6372 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6373
6374 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6375 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6376
6377 @table @code
6378 @kindex interrupt
6379 @item interrupt
6380 @itemx interrupt -a
6381
6382 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6383 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6384 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6385 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6386 @end table
6387
6388 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6389 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6390
6391 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6392 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6393 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6394
6395 @table @code
6396 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6397 @cindex thread breakpoints
6398 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{thread-id}
6399 @item break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id}
6400 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id} if @dots{}
6401 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6402 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6403 specify some source line.
6404
6405 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} with a breakpoint command
6406 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6407 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{thread-id} specifier
6408 is one of the thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6409 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6410
6411 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} when you set a
6412 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6413 program.
6414
6415 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6416 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} before or
6417 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6418
6419 @smallexample
6420 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6421 @end smallexample
6422
6423 @end table
6424
6425 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6426 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6427 thread list. For example:
6428
6429 @smallexample
6430 (@value{GDBP}) c
6431 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6432 @end smallexample
6433
6434 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6435 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6436 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6437 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6438 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6439 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6440 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6441 command.
6442
6443 @node Interrupted System Calls
6444 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6445
6446 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6447 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6448 @cindex premature return from system calls
6449 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6450 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6451 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6452 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6453 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6454 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6455 stop execution.
6456
6457 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6458 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6459 style anyways.
6460
6461 For example, do not write code like this:
6462
6463 @smallexample
6464 sleep (10);
6465 @end smallexample
6466
6467 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6468 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6469
6470 Instead, write this:
6471
6472 @smallexample
6473 int unslept = 10;
6474 while (unslept > 0)
6475 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6476 @end smallexample
6477
6478 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6479 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6480 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6481 @value{GDBN}.
6482
6483 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6484 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6485 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6486 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6487
6488 @node Observer Mode
6489 @subsection Observer Mode
6490
6491 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6492 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6493 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6494 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6495 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6496
6497 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6498 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6499 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6500 mode.
6501
6502 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6503 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6504 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6505 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6506 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6507
6508 @table @code
6509
6510 @kindex observer
6511 @item set observer on
6512 @itemx set observer off
6513 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6514 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6515 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6516 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6517
6518 @item show observer
6519 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6520
6521 @kindex may-write-registers
6522 @item set may-write-registers on
6523 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6524 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6525 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6526 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6527
6528 @item show may-write-registers
6529 Show the current permission to write registers.
6530
6531 @kindex may-write-memory
6532 @item set may-write-memory on
6533 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6534 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6535 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6536 defaults to @code{on}.
6537
6538 @item show may-write-memory
6539 Show the current permission to write memory.
6540
6541 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6542 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6543 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6544 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6545 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6546 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6547
6548 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6549 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6550
6551 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6552 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6553 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6554 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6555 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6556 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6557 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6558
6559 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6560 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6561
6562 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6563 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6564 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6565 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6566 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6567 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6568 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6569
6570 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6571 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6572
6573 @kindex may-interrupt
6574 @item set may-interrupt on
6575 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6576 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6577 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6578 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6579 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6580
6581 @item show may-interrupt
6582 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6583
6584 @end table
6585
6586 @node Reverse Execution
6587 @chapter Running programs backward
6588 @cindex reverse execution
6589 @cindex running programs backward
6590
6591 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6592 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6593 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6594 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6595
6596 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6597 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6598 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6599 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6600 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6601 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6602
6603 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6604 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6605 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6606 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6607 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6608 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6609 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6610 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6611 prior values@footnote{
6612 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6613 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6614 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6615
6616 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6617 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6618 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6619 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6620 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6621 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6622 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6623 }.
6624
6625 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6626 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6627
6628 @table @code
6629 @kindex reverse-continue
6630 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6631 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6632 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6633 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6634 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6635 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6636 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6637
6638 @kindex reverse-step
6639 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6640 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6641 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6642 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6643
6644 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6645 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6646 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6647 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6648 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6649 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6650
6651 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6652 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6653
6654 @kindex reverse-stepi
6655 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6656 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6657 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6658 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6659 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6660 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6661 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6662
6663 @kindex reverse-next
6664 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6665 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6666 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6667 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6668 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6669 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6670 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6671 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6672 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6673 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6674
6675 @kindex reverse-nexti
6676 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6677 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6678 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6679 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6680 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6681 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6682 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6683 frame) is reached.
6684
6685 @kindex reverse-finish
6686 @item reverse-finish
6687 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6688 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6689 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6690 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6691
6692 @kindex set exec-direction
6693 @item set exec-direction
6694 Set the direction of target execution.
6695 @item set exec-direction reverse
6696 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6697 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6698 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6699 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6700 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6701 @item set exec-direction forward
6702 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6703 This is the default.
6704 @end table
6705
6706
6707 @node Process Record and Replay
6708 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6709 @cindex process record and replay
6710 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6711
6712 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6713 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6714 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6715
6716 @cindex replay mode
6717 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6718 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6719 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6720 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6721 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6722 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6723 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6724 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6725 execution log.
6726
6727 @cindex record mode
6728 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6729 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6730 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6731 for future replay.
6732
6733 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6734 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6735 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6736 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6737 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6738 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6739
6740 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6741 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6742 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6743 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6744
6745 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6746 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6747
6748 @table @code
6749 @kindex target record
6750 @kindex target record-full
6751 @kindex target record-btrace
6752 @kindex record
6753 @kindex record full
6754 @kindex record btrace
6755 @kindex record btrace bts
6756 @kindex record btrace pt
6757 @kindex record bts
6758 @kindex record pt
6759 @kindex rec
6760 @kindex rec full
6761 @kindex rec btrace
6762 @kindex rec btrace bts
6763 @kindex rec btrace pt
6764 @kindex rec bts
6765 @kindex rec pt
6766 @item record @var{method}
6767 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6768 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6769 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6770 recording methods are available:
6771
6772 @table @code
6773 @item full
6774 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6775 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6776 execution.
6777
6778 @item btrace @var{format}
6779 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6780 data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6781 be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited reverse
6782 execution. Variables and registers are not available during reverse
6783 execution. In remote debugging, recording continues on disconnect.
6784 Recorded data can be inspected after reconnecting. The recording may
6785 be stopped using @code{record stop}.
6786
6787 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6788 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
6789 formats are available:
6790
6791 @table @code
6792 @item bts
6793 @cindex branch trace store
6794 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
6795 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
6796 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
6797
6798 @item pt
6799 @cindex Intel Processor Trace
6800 Use the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} recording format. In this
6801 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
6802 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
6803
6804 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
6805 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
6806 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
6807
6808 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
6809 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
6810 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
6811 buffer-size with care.
6812 @end table
6813
6814 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
6815 @end table
6816
6817 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6818 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6819 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6820 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6821
6822 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6823 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6824 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6825 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6826 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6827
6828 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6829 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6830 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6831 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6832 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6833 does not support these two modes.
6834
6835 @kindex record stop
6836 @kindex rec s
6837 @item record stop
6838 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6839 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6840 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6841
6842 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6843 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6844 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6845 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6846 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6847
6848 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6849 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6850 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6851 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6852 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6853
6854 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6855 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6856
6857 @kindex record goto
6858 @item record goto
6859 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6860 ways to specify the location to go to:
6861
6862 @table @code
6863 @item record goto begin
6864 @itemx record goto start
6865 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6866
6867 @item record goto end
6868 Go to the end of the execution log.
6869
6870 @item record goto @var{n}
6871 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6872 @end table
6873
6874 @kindex record save
6875 @item record save @var{filename}
6876 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6877 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6878 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6879
6880 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6881
6882 @kindex record restore
6883 @item record restore @var{filename}
6884 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6885 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6886
6887 @kindex set record full
6888 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6889 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6890 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6891 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6892
6893 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6894 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6895 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6896 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6897 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6898 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6899 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6900 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6901
6902 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6903 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6904 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6905
6906 @kindex show record full
6907 @item show record full insn-number-max
6908 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6909 recording method.
6910
6911 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6912 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6913 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6914 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6915 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6916 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6917 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6918 oldest one to be deleted.
6919
6920 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6921 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6922
6923 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6924 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6925
6926 @item set record full memory-query
6927 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6928 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6929 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6930 case.
6931
6932 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6933 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6934 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6935 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6936 results.
6937
6938 @item show record full memory-query
6939 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6940
6941 @kindex set record btrace
6942 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
6943 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
6944 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
6945 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
6946 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
6947 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
6948 You can use the following command for that:
6949
6950 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
6951 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
6952 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
6953 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
6954 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
6955 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
6956 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
6957 position.
6958
6959 @item set record btrace cpu @var{identifier}
6960 Set the processor to be used for enabling workarounds for processor
6961 errata when decoding the trace.
6962
6963 Processor errata are defects in processor operation, caused by its
6964 design or manufacture. They can cause a trace not to match the
6965 specification. This, in turn, may cause trace decode to fail.
6966 @value{GDBN} can detect erroneous trace packets and correct them, thus
6967 avoiding the decoding failures. These corrections are known as
6968 @dfn{errata workarounds}, and are enabled based on the processor on
6969 which the trace was recorded.
6970
6971 By default, @value{GDBN} attempts to detect the processor
6972 automatically, and apply the necessary workarounds for it. However,
6973 you may need to specify the processor if @value{GDBN} does not yet
6974 support it. This command allows you to do that, and also allows to
6975 disable the workarounds.
6976
6977 The argument @var{identifier} identifies the @sc{cpu} and is of the
6978 form: @code{@var{vendor}:@var{procesor identifier}}. In addition,
6979 there are two special identifiers, @code{none} and @code{auto}
6980 (default).
6981
6982 The following vendor identifiers and corresponding processor
6983 identifiers are currently supported:
6984
6985 @multitable @columnfractions .1 .9
6986
6987 @item @code{intel}
6988 @tab @var{family}/@var{model}[/@var{stepping}]
6989
6990 @end multitable
6991
6992 On GNU/Linux systems, the processor @var{family}, @var{model}, and
6993 @var{stepping} can be obtained from @code{/proc/cpuinfo}.
6994
6995 If @var{identifier} is @code{auto}, enable errata workarounds for the
6996 processor on which the trace was recorded. If @var{identifier} is
6997 @code{none}, errata workarounds are disabled.
6998
6999 For example, when using an old @value{GDBN} on a new system, decode
7000 may fail because @value{GDBN} does not support the new processor. It
7001 often suffices to specify an older processor that @value{GDBN}
7002 supports.
7003
7004 @smallexample
7005 (gdb) info record
7006 Active record target: record-btrace
7007 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7008 Buffer size: 16kB.
7009 Failed to configure the Intel Processor Trace decoder: unknown cpu.
7010 (gdb) set record btrace cpu intel:6/158
7011 (gdb) info record
7012 Active record target: record-btrace
7013 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7014 Buffer size: 16kB.
7015 Recorded 84872 instructions in 3189 functions (0 gaps) for thread 1 (...).
7016 @end smallexample
7017
7018 @kindex show record btrace
7019 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
7020 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
7021
7022 @item show record btrace cpu
7023 Show the processor to be used for enabling trace decode errata
7024 workarounds.
7025
7026 @kindex set record btrace bts
7027 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7028 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
7029 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
7030 format. Default is 64KB.
7031
7032 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7033 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7034 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
7035 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
7036 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
7037 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
7038 the @acronym{BTS} format.
7039
7040 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7041 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7042
7043 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7044 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7045
7046 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7047 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7048 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
7049
7050 @kindex set record btrace pt
7051 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7052 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
7053 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel
7054 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
7055
7056 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7057 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7058 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel Processor Trace
7059 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
7060 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
7061 actual buffer size for each thread.
7062
7063 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7064 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7065
7066 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7067 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7068
7069 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7070 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7071 tracing in Intel Processor Trace format.
7072
7073 @kindex info record
7074 @item info record
7075 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
7076 method:
7077
7078 @table @code
7079 @item full
7080 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
7081 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
7082
7083 @itemize @bullet
7084 @item
7085 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7086 @item
7087 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
7088 @item
7089 Highest recorded instruction number.
7090 @item
7091 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
7092 @item
7093 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
7094 @item
7095 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
7096 @end itemize
7097
7098 @item btrace
7099 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
7100
7101 @itemize @bullet
7102 @item
7103 Recording format.
7104 @item
7105 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
7106 @item
7107 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
7108 instructions.
7109 @item
7110 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7111 @end itemize
7112
7113 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
7114 @itemize @bullet
7115 @item
7116 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7117 @end itemize
7118
7119 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
7120 @itemize @bullet
7121 @item
7122 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7123 @end itemize
7124 @end table
7125
7126 @kindex record delete
7127 @kindex rec del
7128 @item record delete
7129 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
7130 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
7131 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
7132 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
7133
7134 @kindex record instruction-history
7135 @kindex rec instruction-history
7136 @item record instruction-history
7137 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
7138 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
7139 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
7140 are printed in execution order.
7141
7142 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
7143 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
7144 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
7145
7146 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
7147 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
7148 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
7149 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
7150 @code{/p} modifier.
7151
7152 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
7153 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
7154 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
7155
7156 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
7157 feature is not available for all recording formats.
7158
7159 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
7160 disassemble:
7161
7162 @table @code
7163 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
7164 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
7165 @var{insn}.
7166
7167 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
7168 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
7169 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
7170 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
7171 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
7172 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
7173
7174 @item record instruction-history
7175 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
7176
7177 @item record instruction-history -
7178 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
7179
7180 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7181 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
7182 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
7183 number @var{end} is included.
7184 @end table
7185
7186 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7187
7188 @kindex set record
7189 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
7190 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
7191 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7192 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
7193 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
7194
7195 @kindex show record
7196 @item show record instruction-history-size
7197 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7198 instruction-history} command.
7199
7200 @kindex record function-call-history
7201 @kindex rec function-call-history
7202 @item record function-call-history
7203 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
7204 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
7205 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
7206 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
7207 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
7208 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
7209 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
7210 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
7211 given together.
7212
7213 @smallexample
7214 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
7215 1 void foo (void)
7216 2 @{
7217 3 @}
7218 4
7219 5 void bar (void)
7220 6 @{
7221 7 ...
7222 8 foo ();
7223 9 ...
7224 10 @}
7225 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
7226 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
7227 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
7228 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
7229 @end smallexample
7230
7231 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
7232 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
7233 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
7234 to print:
7235
7236 @table @code
7237 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
7238 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
7239
7240 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
7241 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
7242 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
7243 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
7244 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
7245
7246 @item record function-call-history
7247 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
7248
7249 @item record function-call-history -
7250 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
7251
7252 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7253 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
7254 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
7255 @end table
7256
7257 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7258
7259 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
7260 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
7261 Define how many lines to print in the
7262 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
7263 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
7264
7265 @item show record function-call-history-size
7266 Show how many lines to print in the
7267 @code{record function-call-history} command.
7268 @end table
7269
7270
7271 @node Stack
7272 @chapter Examining the Stack
7273
7274 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
7275 stopped and how it got there.
7276
7277 @cindex call stack
7278 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
7279 is generated.
7280 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
7281 the arguments of the call,
7282 and the local variables of the function being called.
7283 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
7284 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
7285 stack}.
7286
7287 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
7288 stack allow you to see all of this information.
7289
7290 @cindex selected frame
7291 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
7292 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
7293 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
7294 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
7295 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
7296 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7297
7298 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
7299 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
7300 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
7301
7302 @menu
7303 * Frames:: Stack frames
7304 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
7305 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
7306 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
7307 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
7308
7309 @end menu
7310
7311 @node Frames
7312 @section Stack Frames
7313
7314 @cindex frame, definition
7315 @cindex stack frame
7316 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
7317 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
7318 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
7319 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
7320 which the function is executing.
7321
7322 @cindex initial frame
7323 @cindex outermost frame
7324 @cindex innermost frame
7325 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
7326 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
7327 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
7328 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
7329 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
7330 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
7331 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
7332 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
7333
7334 @cindex frame pointer
7335 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
7336 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
7337 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
7338 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
7339 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
7340 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
7341
7342 @cindex frame number
7343 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
7344 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
7345 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
7346 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
7347 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
7348
7349 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
7350 @c underflow problems.
7351 @cindex frameless execution
7352 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
7353 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
7354 @smallexample
7355 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
7356 @end smallexample
7357 generates functions without a frame.)
7358 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
7359 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
7360 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
7361 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
7362 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
7363 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
7364 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
7365
7366 @node Backtrace
7367 @section Backtraces
7368
7369 @cindex traceback
7370 @cindex call stack traces
7371 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
7372 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
7373 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
7374 stack.
7375
7376 @anchor{backtrace-command}
7377 @kindex backtrace
7378 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
7379 To print a backtrace of the entire stack, use the @code{backtrace}
7380 command, or its alias @code{bt}. This command will print one line per
7381 frame for frames in the stack. By default, all stack frames are
7382 printed. You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system
7383 interrupt character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
7384
7385 @table @code
7386 @item backtrace [@var{args}@dots{}]
7387 @itemx bt [@var{args}@dots{}]
7388 Print the backtrace of the entire stack. The optional @var{args} can
7389 be one of the following:
7390
7391 @table @code
7392 @item @var{n}
7393 @itemx @var{n}
7394 Print only the innermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7395 number.
7396
7397 @item -@var{n}
7398 @itemx -@var{n}
7399 Print only the outermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7400 number.
7401
7402 @item full
7403 Print the values of the local variables also. This can be combined
7404 with a number to limit the number of frames shown.
7405
7406 @item no-filters
7407 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7408 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7409 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7410 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7411 support.
7412
7413 @item hide
7414 A Python frame filter might decide to ``elide'' some frames. Normally
7415 such elided frames are still printed, but they are indented relative
7416 to the filtered frames that cause them to be elided. The @code{hide}
7417 option causes elided frames to not be printed at all.
7418 @end table
7419 @end table
7420
7421 @kindex where
7422 @kindex info stack
7423 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7424 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7425
7426 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7427 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7428 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7429 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7430 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7431 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7432 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7433 multi-threaded program.
7434
7435 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7436 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7437 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7438 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7439 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7440 line number.
7441
7442 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7443 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7444
7445 @smallexample
7446 @group
7447 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7448 at builtin.c:993
7449 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7450 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7451 at macro.c:71
7452 (More stack frames follow...)
7453 @end group
7454 @end smallexample
7455
7456 @noindent
7457 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7458 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7459 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7460
7461 @noindent
7462 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7463 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7464 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7465 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7466 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7467
7468 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7469 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7470 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7471 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7472 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7473 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7474 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7475 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7476 such a backtrace might look like:
7477
7478 @smallexample
7479 @group
7480 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7481 at builtin.c:993
7482 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7483 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7484 at macro.c:71
7485 (More stack frames follow...)
7486 @end group
7487 @end smallexample
7488
7489 @noindent
7490 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7491 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7492
7493 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7494 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7495 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7496
7497 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7498 @cindex program entry point
7499 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7500 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7501 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7502 @code{main}@footnote{
7503 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7504 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7505 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7506 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7507 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7508 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7509
7510 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7511 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7512
7513 @table @code
7514 @item set backtrace past-main
7515 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7516 @kindex set backtrace
7517 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7518
7519 @item set backtrace past-main off
7520 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7521 default.
7522
7523 @item show backtrace past-main
7524 @kindex show backtrace
7525 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7526
7527 @item set backtrace past-entry
7528 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7529 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7530 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7531 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7532
7533 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7534 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7535 application. This is the default.
7536
7537 @item show backtrace past-entry
7538 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7539
7540 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7541 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7542 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7543 @cindex backtrace limit
7544 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7545 or zero means unlimited levels.
7546
7547 @item show backtrace limit
7548 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7549 @end table
7550
7551 You can control how file names are displayed.
7552
7553 @table @code
7554 @item set filename-display
7555 @itemx set filename-display relative
7556 @cindex filename-display
7557 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7558
7559 @item set filename-display basename
7560 Display only basename of a filename.
7561
7562 @item set filename-display absolute
7563 Display an absolute filename.
7564
7565 @item show filename-display
7566 Show the current way to display filenames.
7567 @end table
7568
7569 @node Selection
7570 @section Selecting a Frame
7571
7572 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7573 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7574 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7575 of the stack frame just selected.
7576
7577 @table @code
7578 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7579 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7580 @item frame @var{n}
7581 @itemx f @var{n}
7582 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7583 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7584 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7585 @code{main}.
7586
7587 @item frame @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7588 @itemx f @var{stack-addr} [ @var{pc-addr} ]
7589 Select the frame at address @var{stack-addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7590 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7591 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7592 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7593 switches between them. The optional @var{pc-addr} can also be given to
7594 specify the value of PC for the stack frame.
7595
7596 @kindex up
7597 @item up @var{n}
7598 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7599 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7600 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7601
7602 @kindex down
7603 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7604 @item down @var{n}
7605 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7606 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7607 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7608 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7609 @end table
7610
7611 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7612 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7613 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7614 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7615
7616 @need 1000
7617 For example:
7618
7619 @smallexample
7620 @group
7621 (@value{GDBP}) up
7622 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7623 at env.c:10
7624 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7625 @end group
7626 @end smallexample
7627
7628 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7629 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7630 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7631 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7632 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7633 for details.
7634
7635 @table @code
7636 @kindex select-frame
7637 @item select-frame
7638 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
7639 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
7640 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
7641 output might be unnecessary and distracting.
7642
7643 @kindex down-silently
7644 @kindex up-silently
7645 @item up-silently @var{n}
7646 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7647 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7648 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7649 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7650 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7651 distracting.
7652 @end table
7653
7654 @node Frame Info
7655 @section Information About a Frame
7656
7657 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7658 stack frame.
7659
7660 @table @code
7661 @item frame
7662 @itemx f
7663 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7664 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7665 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7666 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7667 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7668
7669 @kindex info frame
7670 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7671 @item info frame
7672 @itemx info f
7673 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7674 including:
7675
7676 @itemize @bullet
7677 @item
7678 the address of the frame
7679 @item
7680 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7681 @item
7682 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7683 @item
7684 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7685 @item
7686 the address of the frame's arguments
7687 @item
7688 the address of the frame's local variables
7689 @item
7690 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7691 @item
7692 which registers were saved in the frame
7693 @end itemize
7694
7695 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7696 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7697 the usual conventions.
7698
7699 @item info frame @var{addr}
7700 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7701 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7702 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7703 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7704 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7705 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7706
7707 @kindex info args
7708 @item info args
7709 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7710
7711 @item info locals
7712 @kindex info locals
7713 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7714 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7715 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7716
7717 @end table
7718
7719 @node Frame Filter Management
7720 @section Management of Frame Filters.
7721 @cindex managing frame filters
7722
7723 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
7724 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
7725
7726 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
7727 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
7728
7729 @table @code
7730 @kindex info frame-filter
7731 @item info frame-filter
7732 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
7733 their name, priority and enabled status.
7734
7735 @kindex disable frame-filter
7736 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
7737 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7738 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7739 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7740 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7741 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7742 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
7743 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
7744 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7745 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
7746 may be enabled again later.
7747
7748 @kindex enable frame-filter
7749 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7750 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7751 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
7752 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
7753 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7754 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
7755 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
7756 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
7757 @var{filter-dictionary}.
7758
7759 Example:
7760
7761 @smallexample
7762 (gdb) info frame-filter
7763
7764 global frame-filters:
7765 Priority Enabled Name
7766 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7767 100 Yes Reverse
7768
7769 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7770 Priority Enabled Name
7771 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7772
7773 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7774 Priority Enabled Name
7775 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
7776
7777 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
7778 (gdb) info frame-filter
7779
7780 global frame-filters:
7781 Priority Enabled Name
7782 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
7783 100 Yes Reverse
7784
7785 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7786 Priority Enabled Name
7787 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7788
7789 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7790 Priority Enabled Name
7791 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7792
7793 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7794 (gdb) info frame-filter
7795
7796 global frame-filters:
7797 Priority Enabled Name
7798 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7799 100 Yes Reverse
7800
7801 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7802 Priority Enabled Name
7803 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7804
7805 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7806 Priority Enabled Name
7807 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7808 @end smallexample
7809
7810 @kindex set frame-filter priority
7811 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
7812 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7813 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7814 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7815 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7816 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
7817
7818 @kindex show frame-filter priority
7819 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7820 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7821 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7822 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7823 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7824 dictionary resides.
7825
7826 Example:
7827
7828 @smallexample
7829 (gdb) info frame-filter
7830
7831 global frame-filters:
7832 Priority Enabled Name
7833 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7834 100 Yes Reverse
7835
7836 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7837 Priority Enabled Name
7838 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7839
7840 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7841 Priority Enabled Name
7842 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7843
7844 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
7845 (gdb) info frame-filter
7846
7847 global frame-filters:
7848 Priority Enabled Name
7849 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7850 50 Yes Reverse
7851
7852 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7853 Priority Enabled Name
7854 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7855
7856 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7857 Priority Enabled Name
7858 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7859 @end smallexample
7860 @end table
7861
7862 @node Source
7863 @chapter Examining Source Files
7864
7865 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7866 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7867 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7868 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7869 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7870 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7871 source files by explicit command.
7872
7873 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7874 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7875 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7876
7877 @menu
7878 * List:: Printing source lines
7879 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7880 * Edit:: Editing source files
7881 * Search:: Searching source files
7882 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7883 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7884 @end menu
7885
7886 @node List
7887 @section Printing Source Lines
7888
7889 @kindex list
7890 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7891 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7892 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7893 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7894 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7895
7896 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7897
7898 @table @code
7899 @item list @var{linenum}
7900 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7901 current source file.
7902
7903 @item list @var{function}
7904 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7905 @var{function}.
7906
7907 @item list
7908 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7909 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7910 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7911 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7912 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7913
7914 @item list -
7915 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7916 @end table
7917
7918 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7919 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7920 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7921
7922 @table @code
7923 @kindex set listsize
7924 @item set listsize @var{count}
7925 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7926 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7927 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7928 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7929
7930 @kindex show listsize
7931 @item show listsize
7932 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7933 @end table
7934
7935 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7936 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7937 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7938 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7939 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7940
7941 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7942 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
7943 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7944 to specify some source line.
7945
7946 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7947
7948 @table @code
7949 @item list @var{location}
7950 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
7951
7952 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7953 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7954 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
7955 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
7956 the same source file as the first location.
7957
7958 @item list ,@var{last}
7959 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7960
7961 @item list @var{first},
7962 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7963
7964 @item list +
7965 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7966
7967 @item list -
7968 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7969
7970 @item list
7971 As described in the preceding table.
7972 @end table
7973
7974 @node Specify Location
7975 @section Specifying a Location
7976 @cindex specifying location
7977 @cindex location
7978 @cindex source location
7979
7980 @menu
7981 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
7982 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
7983 * Address Locations:: Address locations
7984 @end menu
7985
7986 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7987 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7988 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
7989 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
7990 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
7991
7992 @node Linespec Locations
7993 @subsection Linespec Locations
7994 @cindex linespec locations
7995
7996 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
7997 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
7998 specifying a linespec:
7999
8000 @table @code
8001 @item @var{linenum}
8002 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
8003
8004 @item -@var{offset}
8005 @itemx +@var{offset}
8006 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
8007 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
8008 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
8009 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
8010 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
8011 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
8012 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
8013 linespec.
8014
8015 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
8016 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
8017 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
8018 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
8019 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
8020 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
8021 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
8022
8023 @item @var{function}
8024 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
8025 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
8026
8027 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8028 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8029 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8030 means in all packages.
8031
8032 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8033 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8034 func}} and @w{@kbd{break B::func}} set a breakpoint on both symbols.
8035
8036 Commands that accept a linespec let you override this with the
8037 @code{-qualified} option. For example, @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8038 func}} sets a breakpoint on a free-function named @code{func} ignoring
8039 any C@t{++} class methods and namespace functions called @code{func}.
8040
8041 @xref{Explicit Locations}.
8042
8043 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
8044 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
8045
8046 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
8047 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
8048 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
8049 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
8050 functions in different source files.
8051
8052 @item @var{label}
8053 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
8054 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
8055 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
8056 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
8057
8058 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
8059 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
8060 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
8061 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
8062 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
8063 specifies the location of such a static probe.
8064
8065 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
8066 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
8067 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
8068 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
8069 each one of those probes.
8070 @end table
8071
8072 @node Explicit Locations
8073 @subsection Explicit Locations
8074 @cindex explicit locations
8075
8076 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
8077 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
8078
8079 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
8080 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
8081 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
8082 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
8083 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
8084
8085 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
8086 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
8087 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
8088 the symbol table to know.
8089
8090 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
8091 following table:
8092
8093 @table @code
8094 @item -source @var{filename}
8095 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
8096 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
8097 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
8098 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
8099 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
8100
8101 @item -function @var{function}
8102 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
8103 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
8104 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
8105 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
8106
8107 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8108 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8109 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8110 means in all packages.
8111
8112 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8113 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8114 -function func}} and @w{@kbd{break -function B::func}} set a
8115 breakpoint on both symbols.
8116
8117 You can use the @kbd{-qualified} flag to override this (see below).
8118
8119 @item -qualified
8120
8121 This flag makes @value{GDBN} interpret a function name specified with
8122 @kbd{-function} as a complete fully-qualified name.
8123
8124 For example, assuming a C@t{++} program with symbols named
8125 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, the @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8126 -function B::func}} command sets a breakpoint on @code{B::func}, only.
8127
8128 (Note: the @kbd{-qualified} option can precede a linespec as well
8129 (@pxref{Linespec Locations}), so the particular example above could be
8130 simplified as @w{@kbd{break -qualified B::func}}.)
8131
8132 @item -label @var{label}
8133 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
8134 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
8135 selected stack frame.
8136
8137 @item -line @var{number}
8138 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
8139 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
8140 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
8141 relative to the current line.
8142 @end table
8143
8144 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
8145 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @w{@kbd{break -s main.c -li 3}}.
8146
8147 @node Address Locations
8148 @subsection Address Locations
8149 @cindex address locations
8150
8151 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
8152 the generalized form *@var{address}.
8153
8154 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
8155 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
8156 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
8157 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
8158 source files.
8159
8160 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
8161 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
8162 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
8163 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
8164 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
8165 of @var{address}:
8166
8167 @table @code
8168 @item @var{expression}
8169 Any expression valid in the current working language.
8170
8171 @item @var{funcaddr}
8172 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
8173 C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
8174 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
8175 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
8176 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
8177 (although the Pascal form also works).
8178
8179 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
8180 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
8181
8182 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
8183 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
8184 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
8185 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
8186 functions with identical names in different source files.
8187 @end table
8188
8189 @node Edit
8190 @section Editing Source Files
8191 @cindex editing source files
8192
8193 @kindex edit
8194 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
8195 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
8196 The editing program of your choice
8197 is invoked with the current line set to
8198 the active line in the program.
8199 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
8200 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
8201
8202 @table @code
8203 @item edit @var{location}
8204 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
8205 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
8206 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
8207 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
8208 command most commonly used:
8209
8210 @table @code
8211 @item edit @var{number}
8212 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
8213
8214 @item edit @var{function}
8215 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
8216 @end table
8217
8218 @end table
8219
8220 @subsection Choosing your Editor
8221 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
8222 @footnote{
8223 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
8224 following command-line syntax:
8225 @smallexample
8226 ex +@var{number} file
8227 @end smallexample
8228 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
8229 the file where to start editing.}.
8230 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
8231 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
8232 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
8233 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
8234 @smallexample
8235 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
8236 export EDITOR
8237 gdb @dots{}
8238 @end smallexample
8239 or in the @code{csh} shell,
8240 @smallexample
8241 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
8242 gdb @dots{}
8243 @end smallexample
8244
8245 @node Search
8246 @section Searching Source Files
8247 @cindex searching source files
8248
8249 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
8250 regular expression.
8251
8252 @table @code
8253 @kindex search
8254 @kindex forward-search
8255 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
8256 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
8257 @itemx search @var{regexp}
8258 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
8259 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
8260 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
8261 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
8262 @code{fo}.
8263
8264 @kindex reverse-search
8265 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
8266 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
8267 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
8268 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
8269 this command as @code{rev}.
8270 @end table
8271
8272 @node Source Path
8273 @section Specifying Source Directories
8274
8275 @cindex source path
8276 @cindex directories for source files
8277 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
8278 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
8279 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
8280 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
8281 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
8282 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
8283 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
8284
8285 For example, suppose an executable references the file
8286 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
8287 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
8288 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
8289 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
8290 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
8291 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
8292 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
8293 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
8294 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
8295 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
8296
8297 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
8298 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
8299 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
8300 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
8301 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
8302 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
8303
8304 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
8305 source files.
8306
8307 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
8308 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
8309 each line is in the file.
8310
8311 @kindex directory
8312 @kindex dir
8313 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
8314 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
8315 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
8316
8317 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
8318 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
8319
8320 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
8321 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
8322 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
8323 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
8324 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
8325 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
8326 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
8327 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
8328 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
8329 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
8330 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
8331 name to look up the sources.
8332
8333 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
8334 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
8335 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
8336 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
8337 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
8338 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
8339 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
8340 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
8341
8342 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
8343 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
8344 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
8345 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
8346 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
8347 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
8348 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
8349
8350 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
8351 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
8352 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
8353 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
8354 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
8355 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
8356 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
8357 command.
8358
8359 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
8360 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
8361 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
8362 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
8363 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
8364 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
8365 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
8366
8367 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
8368 @cindex default source path substitution
8369 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
8370 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
8371 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
8372 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
8373 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
8374 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
8375 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
8376 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
8377 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
8378 together.
8379
8380 @table @code
8381 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
8382 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
8383 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
8384 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
8385 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
8386 part of absolute file names) or
8387 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
8388 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
8389
8390 @kindex cdir
8391 @kindex cwd
8392 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
8393 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
8394 @cindex compilation directory
8395 @cindex current directory
8396 @cindex working directory
8397 @cindex directory, current
8398 @cindex directory, compilation
8399 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
8400 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
8401 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
8402 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
8403 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
8404 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
8405
8406 @item directory
8407 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
8408
8409 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
8410 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
8411
8412 @item set directories @var{path-list}
8413 @kindex set directories
8414 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
8415 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
8416
8417 @item show directories
8418 @kindex show directories
8419 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
8420
8421 @anchor{set substitute-path}
8422 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
8423 @kindex set substitute-path
8424 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
8425 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
8426 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
8427
8428 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
8429 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
8430
8431 @smallexample
8432 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
8433 @end smallexample
8434
8435 @noindent
8436 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
8437 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
8438 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
8439
8440 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
8441 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
8442 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
8443 the substitution.
8444
8445 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
8446
8447 @smallexample
8448 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
8449 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
8450 @end smallexample
8451
8452 @noindent
8453 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
8454 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
8455 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
8456 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
8457
8458
8459 @item unset substitute-path [path]
8460 @kindex unset substitute-path
8461 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
8462 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
8463 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
8464
8465 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
8466
8467 @item show substitute-path [path]
8468 @kindex show substitute-path
8469 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
8470 which would rewrite that path, if any.
8471
8472 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
8473 rules.
8474
8475 @end table
8476
8477 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
8478 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
8479 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
8480
8481 @enumerate
8482 @item
8483 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
8484
8485 @item
8486 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
8487 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
8488 directories in one command.
8489 @end enumerate
8490
8491 @node Machine Code
8492 @section Source and Machine Code
8493 @cindex source line and its code address
8494
8495 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
8496 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
8497 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
8498 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
8499 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
8500 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
8501 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
8502 well as hex.
8503
8504 @table @code
8505 @kindex info line
8506 @item info line
8507 @itemx info line @var{location}
8508 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
8509 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
8510 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}. With no @var{location}
8511 information about the current source line is printed.
8512 @end table
8513
8514 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
8515 the object code for the first line of function
8516 @code{m4_changequote}:
8517
8518 @smallexample
8519 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
8520 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c <m4_changequote> and \
8521 ends at 0x6350 <m4_changequote+4>.
8522 @end smallexample
8523
8524 @noindent
8525 @cindex code address and its source line
8526 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
8527 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
8528 @smallexample
8529 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
8530 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 <m4_changequote+152> and \
8531 ends at 0x6404 <m4_changequote+184>.
8532 @end smallexample
8533
8534 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
8535 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
8536 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
8537 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
8538 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
8539 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
8540 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
8541 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8542 Variables}).
8543
8544 @cindex info line, repeated calls
8545 After @code{info line}, using @code{info line} again without
8546 specifying a location will display information about the next source
8547 line.
8548
8549 @table @code
8550 @kindex disassemble
8551 @cindex assembly instructions
8552 @cindex instructions, assembly
8553 @cindex machine instructions
8554 @cindex listing machine instructions
8555 @item disassemble
8556 @itemx disassemble /m
8557 @itemx disassemble /s
8558 @itemx disassemble /r
8559 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
8560 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
8561 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
8562 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
8563 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
8564 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
8565 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
8566 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
8567 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
8568 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
8569
8570 @table @code
8571 @item @var{start},@var{end}
8572 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
8573 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
8574 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
8575 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
8576 @end table
8577
8578 @noindent
8579 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
8580 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
8581
8582 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
8583 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
8584
8585 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
8586 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
8587 @end table
8588
8589 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
8590 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
8591
8592 @smallexample
8593 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
8594 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
8595 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
8596 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
8597 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8598 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
8599 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
8600 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
8601 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
8602 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
8603 End of assembler dump.
8604 @end smallexample
8605
8606 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
8607 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
8608 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
8609
8610 @smallexample
8611 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8612 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8613 5 @{
8614 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
8615 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
8616 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
8617 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
8618 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
8619
8620 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
8621 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
8622 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
8623
8624 7 return 0;
8625 8 @}
8626 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
8627 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
8628 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
8629
8630 End of assembler dump.
8631 @end smallexample
8632
8633 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
8634 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
8635 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
8636 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
8637 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
8638 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
8639 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
8640 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
8641 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
8642
8643 @file{foo.h}:
8644
8645 @smallexample
8646 int
8647 foo (int a)
8648 @{
8649 if (a < 0)
8650 return a * 2;
8651 if (a == 0)
8652 return 1;
8653 return a + 10;
8654 @}
8655 @end smallexample
8656
8657 @file{foo.c}:
8658
8659 @smallexample
8660 #include "foo.h"
8661 volatile int x, y;
8662 int
8663 main ()
8664 @{
8665 x = foo (y);
8666 return 0;
8667 @}
8668 @end smallexample
8669
8670 @smallexample
8671 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
8672 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8673 5 @{
8674
8675 6 x = foo (y);
8676 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8677 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8678
8679 7 return 0;
8680 8 @}
8681 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8682 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8683 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8684 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8685
8686 End of assembler dump.
8687 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
8688 Dump of assembler code for function main:
8689 foo.c:
8690 5 @{
8691 6 x = foo (y);
8692 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
8693
8694 foo.h:
8695 4 if (a < 0)
8696 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
8697 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
8698
8699 6 if (a == 0)
8700 7 return 1;
8701 8 return a + 10;
8702 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
8703 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
8704 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
8705 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
8706
8707 foo.c:
8708 6 x = foo (y);
8709 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
8710
8711 7 return 0;
8712 8 @}
8713 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
8714 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
8715
8716 foo.h:
8717 5 return a * 2;
8718 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
8719 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
8720 End of assembler dump.
8721 @end smallexample
8722
8723 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
8724
8725 @smallexample
8726 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
8727 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
8728 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
8729 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
8730 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
8731 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
8732 End of assembler dump.
8733 @end smallexample
8734
8735 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
8736 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
8737 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
8738 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
8739
8740 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
8741 mnemonics or other syntax.
8742
8743 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
8744 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
8745 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
8746 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
8747 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
8748
8749 @table @code
8750 @kindex set disassembler-options
8751 @cindex disassembler options
8752 @item set disassembler-options @var{option1}[,@var{option2}@dots{}]
8753 This command controls the passing of target specific information to
8754 the disassembler. For a list of valid options, please refer to the
8755 @code{-M}/@code{--disassembler-options} section of the @samp{objdump}
8756 manual and/or the output of @kbd{objdump --help}
8757 (@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils.info,The GNU Binary Utilities}).
8758 The default value is the empty string.
8759
8760 If it is necessary to specify more than one disassembler option, then
8761 multiple options can be placed together into a comma separated list.
8762 Currently this command is only supported on targets ARM, MIPS, PowerPC
8763 and S/390.
8764
8765 @kindex show disassembler-options
8766 @item show disassembler-options
8767 Show the current setting of the disassembler options.
8768 @end table
8769
8770 @table @code
8771 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
8772 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
8773 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
8774 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
8775 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
8776 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
8777
8778 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
8779 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
8780 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
8781 assemblers for x86-based targets.
8782
8783 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
8784 @item show disassembly-flavor
8785 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
8786 @end table
8787
8788 @table @code
8789 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
8790 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
8791 @item set disassemble-next-line
8792 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
8793 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
8794 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
8795 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
8796 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
8797 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
8798 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
8799 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
8800 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
8801 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
8802 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
8803 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
8804 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
8805 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
8806 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
8807 instruction.
8808 @end table
8809
8810
8811 @node Data
8812 @chapter Examining Data
8813
8814 @cindex printing data
8815 @cindex examining data
8816 @kindex print
8817 @kindex inspect
8818 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
8819 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
8820 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
8821 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
8822 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
8823 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
8824
8825 @table @code
8826 @item print @var{expr}
8827 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
8828 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
8829 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
8830 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
8831 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
8832 Formats}.
8833
8834 @item print
8835 @itemx print /@var{f}
8836 @cindex reprint the last value
8837 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
8838 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
8839 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
8840 @end table
8841
8842 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
8843 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
8844 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8845
8846 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
8847 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
8848 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
8849 Table}.
8850
8851 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
8852 @kindex explore
8853 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
8854 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
8855 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
8856 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
8857 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
8858 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
8859 embedded in the higher level data types.
8860
8861 @table @code
8862 @item explore @var{arg}
8863 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
8864 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
8865 @end table
8866
8867 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
8868 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
8869 C program as
8870
8871 @smallexample
8872 struct SimpleStruct
8873 @{
8874 int i;
8875 double d;
8876 @};
8877
8878 struct ComplexStruct
8879 @{
8880 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
8881 int arr[10];
8882 @};
8883 @end smallexample
8884
8885 @noindent
8886 followed by variable declarations as
8887
8888 @smallexample
8889 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
8890 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
8891 @end smallexample
8892
8893 @noindent
8894 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
8895 @code{explore} command as follows.
8896
8897 @smallexample
8898 (gdb) explore cs
8899 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
8900 the following fields:
8901
8902 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
8903 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
8904
8905 Enter the field number of choice:
8906 @end smallexample
8907
8908 @noindent
8909 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
8910 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
8911 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
8912 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
8913 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
8914 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
8915 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
8916 field will be explored as if it were an array.
8917
8918 @smallexample
8919 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
8920 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
8921 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
8922 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
8923
8924 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
8925 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
8926
8927 Press enter to return to parent value:
8928 @end smallexample
8929
8930 @noindent
8931 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
8932 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
8933 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
8934 to explore.
8935
8936 @smallexample
8937 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
8938 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
8939
8940 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
8941
8942 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
8943
8944 Press enter to return to parent value:
8945 @end smallexample
8946
8947 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
8948 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
8949 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
8950 level data structure).
8951
8952 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
8953 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
8954 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
8955 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
8956 same example as above, your can explore the type
8957 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
8958 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
8959
8960 @smallexample
8961 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
8962 @end smallexample
8963
8964 @noindent
8965 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
8966 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
8967 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
8968 example.
8969
8970 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
8971 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
8972 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
8973 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
8974 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
8975
8976 @table @code
8977 @item explore value @var{expr}
8978 @cindex explore value
8979 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
8980 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
8981 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
8982 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
8983 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
8984
8985 @item explore type @var{arg}
8986 @cindex explore type
8987 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
8988 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
8989 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
8990 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
8991 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
8992 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
8993 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
8994 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
8995 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
8996 @end table
8997
8998 @menu
8999 * Expressions:: Expressions
9000 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
9001 * Variables:: Program variables
9002 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
9003 * Output Formats:: Output formats
9004 * Memory:: Examining memory
9005 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
9006 * Print Settings:: Print settings
9007 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
9008 * Value History:: Value history
9009 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
9010 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
9011 * Registers:: Registers
9012 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
9013 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
9014 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
9015 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
9016 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
9017 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
9018 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
9019 character set than GDB does
9020 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
9021 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
9022 * Value Sizes:: Managing memory allocated for values
9023 @end menu
9024
9025 @node Expressions
9026 @section Expressions
9027
9028 @cindex expressions
9029 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
9030 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
9031 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
9032 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
9033 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
9034 you compiled your program to include this information; see
9035 @ref{Compilation}.
9036
9037 @cindex arrays in expressions
9038 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
9039 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
9040 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
9041 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
9042 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
9043 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
9044
9045 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
9046 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
9047 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
9048 languages.
9049
9050 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
9051 expressions regardless of your programming language.
9052
9053 @cindex casts, in expressions
9054 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
9055 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
9056 at that address in memory.
9057 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
9058
9059 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
9060 to programming languages:
9061
9062 @table @code
9063 @item @@
9064 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
9065 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
9066
9067 @item ::
9068 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
9069 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
9070
9071 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
9072 @cindex type casting memory
9073 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
9074 @cindex casts, to view memory
9075 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
9076 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
9077 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
9078 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
9079 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
9080 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
9081 @end table
9082
9083 @node Ambiguous Expressions
9084 @section Ambiguous Expressions
9085 @cindex ambiguous expressions
9086
9087 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
9088 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
9089 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
9090 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
9091 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
9092 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
9093 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
9094
9095 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
9096 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
9097 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
9098 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
9099 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
9100 as well.
9101
9102 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
9103 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
9104 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
9105 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
9106 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
9107 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
9108 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
9109 choices.
9110
9111 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
9112 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
9113 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
9114
9115 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
9116 @smallexample
9117 @group
9118 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
9119 [0] cancel
9120 [1] all
9121 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
9122 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
9123 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
9124 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
9125 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
9126 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
9127 > 2 4 6
9128 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
9129 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
9130 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
9131 Multiple breakpoints were set.
9132 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
9133 breakpoints.
9134 (@value{GDBP})
9135 @end group
9136 @end smallexample
9137
9138 @table @code
9139 @kindex set multiple-symbols
9140 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
9141 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
9142
9143 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
9144 is ambiguous.
9145
9146 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
9147 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
9148 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
9149 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
9150 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
9151 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
9152 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
9153 in the use of the menu.
9154
9155 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
9156 when an ambiguity is detected.
9157
9158 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
9159 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
9160
9161 @kindex show multiple-symbols
9162 @item show multiple-symbols
9163 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
9164 @end table
9165
9166 @node Variables
9167 @section Program Variables
9168
9169 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
9170 in your program.
9171
9172 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
9173 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
9174
9175 @itemize @bullet
9176 @item
9177 global (or file-static)
9178 @end itemize
9179
9180 @noindent or
9181
9182 @itemize @bullet
9183 @item
9184 visible according to the scope rules of the
9185 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
9186 @end itemize
9187
9188 @noindent This means that in the function
9189
9190 @smallexample
9191 foo (a)
9192 int a;
9193 @{
9194 bar (a);
9195 @{
9196 int b = test ();
9197 bar (b);
9198 @}
9199 @}
9200 @end smallexample
9201
9202 @noindent
9203 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
9204 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
9205 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
9206 the block where @code{b} is declared.
9207
9208 @cindex variable name conflict
9209 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
9210 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
9211 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
9212 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
9213 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
9214 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
9215 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
9216
9217 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
9218 @ifnotinfo
9219 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
9220 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
9221 @end ifnotinfo
9222 @smallexample
9223 @var{file}::@var{variable}
9224 @var{function}::@var{variable}
9225 @end smallexample
9226
9227 @noindent
9228 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
9229 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
9230 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
9231 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
9235 @end smallexample
9236
9237 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
9238 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
9239 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
9240 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
9241 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
9242
9243 @smallexample
9244 void
9245 foo (int a)
9246 @{
9247 if (a < 10)
9248 bar (a);
9249 else
9250 process (a); /* Stop here */
9251 @}
9252
9253 int
9254 bar (int a)
9255 @{
9256 foo (a + 5);
9257 @}
9258 @end smallexample
9259
9260 @noindent
9261 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
9262 here is what you might see
9263 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
9264
9265 @smallexample
9266 (@value{GDBP}) p a
9267 $1 = 10
9268 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9269 $2 = 5
9270 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
9271 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
9272 (@value{GDBP}) p a
9273 $3 = 5
9274 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9275 $4 = 0
9276 @end smallexample
9277
9278 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
9279 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
9280 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
9281 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
9282 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
9283
9284 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
9285 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
9286 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
9287 @code{some_global}.
9288
9289 @smallexample
9290 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
9291 $1 = 23
9292 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
9293 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
9294 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
9295 $2 = 27
9296 @end smallexample
9297
9298 @cindex wrong values
9299 @cindex variable values, wrong
9300 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
9301 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
9302 @quotation
9303 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
9304 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
9305 scope, and just before exit.
9306 @end quotation
9307 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
9308 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
9309 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
9310 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
9311 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
9312 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
9313 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
9314 variable definitions may be gone.
9315
9316 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
9317 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
9318 when compiling.
9319
9320 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
9321 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
9322 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
9323 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
9324 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
9325 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
9326 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
9327
9328 @smallexample
9329 No symbol "foo" in current context.
9330 @end smallexample
9331
9332 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
9333 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
9334 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
9335 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
9336 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
9337
9338 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
9339 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
9340 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
9341 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
9342
9343 @cindex no debug info variables
9344 If you try to examine or use the value of a (global) variable for
9345 which @value{GDBN} has no type information, e.g., because the program
9346 includes no debug information, @value{GDBN} displays an error message.
9347 @xref{Symbols, unknown type}, for more about unknown types. If you
9348 cast the variable to its declared type, @value{GDBN} gets the
9349 variable's value using the cast-to type as the variable's type. For
9350 example, in a C program:
9351
9352 @smallexample
9353 (@value{GDBP}) p var
9354 'var' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
9355 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) var
9356 $1 = 3.14
9357 @end smallexample
9358
9359 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
9360 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
9361 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
9362 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
9363 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
9364
9365 @smallexample
9366 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
9367 29 i++;
9368 (gdb) next
9369 30 e (i);
9370 (gdb) print i
9371 $1 = 31
9372 (gdb) print i@@entry
9373 $2 = 30
9374 @end smallexample
9375
9376 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
9377 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
9378 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
9379 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
9380 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
9381 For program code
9382
9383 @smallexample
9384 char var0[] = "A";
9385 signed char var1[] = "A";
9386 @end smallexample
9387
9388 You get during debugging
9389 @smallexample
9390 (gdb) print var0
9391 $1 = "A"
9392 (gdb) print var1
9393 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
9394 @end smallexample
9395
9396 @node Arrays
9397 @section Artificial Arrays
9398
9399 @cindex artificial array
9400 @cindex arrays
9401 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
9402 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
9403 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
9404 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
9405 program.
9406
9407 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
9408 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
9409 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
9410 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
9411 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
9412 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
9413 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
9414 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
9415 example. If a program says
9416
9417 @smallexample
9418 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
9419 @end smallexample
9420
9421 @noindent
9422 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
9423
9424 @smallexample
9425 p *array@@len
9426 @end smallexample
9427
9428 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
9429 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
9430 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
9431 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
9432 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
9433
9434 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
9435 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
9436 The value need not be in memory:
9437 @smallexample
9438 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
9439 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
9440 @end smallexample
9441
9442 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
9443 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
9444 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
9445 @smallexample
9446 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
9447 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
9448 @end smallexample
9449
9450 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
9451 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
9452 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
9453 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
9454 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
9455 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
9456 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
9457 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
9458 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
9459 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
9460
9461 @smallexample
9462 set $i = 0
9463 p dtab[$i++]->fv
9464 @key{RET}
9465 @key{RET}
9466 @dots{}
9467 @end smallexample
9468
9469 @node Output Formats
9470 @section Output Formats
9471
9472 @cindex formatted output
9473 @cindex output formats
9474 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
9475 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
9476 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
9477 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
9478 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
9479
9480 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
9481 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
9482 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
9483 letters supported are:
9484
9485 @table @code
9486 @item x
9487 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
9488 hexadecimal.
9489
9490 @item d
9491 Print as integer in signed decimal.
9492
9493 @item u
9494 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
9495
9496 @item o
9497 Print as integer in octal.
9498
9499 @item t
9500 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
9501 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
9502 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
9503 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
9504
9505 @item a
9506 @cindex unknown address, locating
9507 @cindex locate address
9508 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
9509 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
9510 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
9511
9512 @smallexample
9513 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
9514 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
9515 @end smallexample
9516
9517 @noindent
9518 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
9519 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
9520
9521 @item c
9522 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
9523 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
9524 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
9525 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
9526
9527 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
9528 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
9529 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
9530 data.
9531
9532 @item f
9533 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
9534 using typical floating point syntax.
9535
9536 @item s
9537 @cindex printing strings
9538 @cindex printing byte arrays
9539 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
9540 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
9541 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
9542 natural types.
9543
9544 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
9545 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
9546 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
9547 array.
9548
9549 @item z
9550 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
9551 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
9552 to the size of the integer type.
9553
9554 @item r
9555 @cindex raw printing
9556 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
9557 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
9558 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
9559 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
9560 pretty-printer which might exist.
9561 @end table
9562
9563 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
9564
9565 @smallexample
9566 p/x $pc
9567 @end smallexample
9568
9569 @noindent
9570 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
9571 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
9572
9573 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
9574 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
9575 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
9576
9577 @node Memory
9578 @section Examining Memory
9579
9580 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
9581 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
9582
9583 @cindex examining memory
9584 @table @code
9585 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
9586 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
9587 @itemx x @var{addr}
9588 @itemx x
9589 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
9590 @end table
9591
9592 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
9593 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
9594 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
9595 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
9596 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
9597
9598 @table @r
9599 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
9600 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
9601 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display. If a negative
9602 number is specified, memory is examined backward from @var{addr}.
9603 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
9604 @c 4.1.2.
9605
9606 @item @var{f}, the display format
9607 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
9608 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
9609 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
9610 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
9611 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
9612
9613 @item @var{u}, the unit size
9614 The unit size is any of
9615
9616 @table @code
9617 @item b
9618 Bytes.
9619 @item h
9620 Halfwords (two bytes).
9621 @item w
9622 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
9623 @item g
9624 Giant words (eight bytes).
9625 @end table
9626
9627 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
9628 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
9629 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
9630 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
9631 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
9632 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
9633 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
9634 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
9635 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
9636 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
9637 be altered.
9638
9639 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
9640 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
9641 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
9642 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
9643 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
9644 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
9645 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
9646 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
9647 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
9648 a value from memory).
9649 @end table
9650
9651 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
9652 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
9653 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
9654 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
9655 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
9656
9657 You can also specify a negative repeat count to examine memory backward
9658 from the given address. For example, @samp{x/-3uh 0x54320} prints three
9659 halfwords (@code{h}) at @code{0x54314}, @code{0x54328}, and @code{0x5431c}.
9660
9661 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
9662 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
9663 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
9664 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
9665 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
9666
9667 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
9668 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
9669 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
9670 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
9671 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
9672 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
9673 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
9674 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
9675 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
9676
9677 If a negative repeat count is specified for the formats @samp{s} or @samp{i},
9678 the command displays null-terminated strings or instructions before the given
9679 address as many as the absolute value of the given number. For the @samp{i}
9680 format, we use line number information in the debug info to accurately locate
9681 instruction boundaries while disassembling backward. If line info is not
9682 available, the command stops examining memory with an error message.
9683
9684 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
9685 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
9686 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
9687 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
9688 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
9689 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
9690 for successive uses of @code{x}.
9691
9692 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
9693 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
9694
9695 @smallexample
9696 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
9697 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
9698 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
9699 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
9700 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
9701 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
9702 @end smallexample
9703
9704 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
9705 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
9706 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
9707 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
9708 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
9709 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
9710 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
9711 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
9712 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
9713
9714 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
9715 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
9716 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
9717
9718 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
9719 @cindex addressable memory unit
9720 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
9721 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
9722 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
9723 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
9724 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
9725 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
9726 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
9727 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
9728 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
9729
9730 @cindex remote memory comparison
9731 @cindex target memory comparison
9732 @cindex verify remote memory image
9733 @cindex verify target memory image
9734 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
9735 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
9736 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
9737 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
9738 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
9739 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
9740
9741 @table @code
9742 @kindex compare-sections
9743 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
9744 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
9745 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
9746 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
9747 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
9748 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
9749
9750 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
9751 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
9752 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
9753 @end table
9754
9755 @node Auto Display
9756 @section Automatic Display
9757 @cindex automatic display
9758 @cindex display of expressions
9759
9760 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
9761 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
9762 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
9763 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
9764 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
9765 The automatic display looks like this:
9766
9767 @smallexample
9768 2: foo = 38
9769 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
9770 @end smallexample
9771
9772 @noindent
9773 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
9774 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
9775 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
9776 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
9777 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
9778 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
9779
9780 @table @code
9781 @kindex display
9782 @item display @var{expr}
9783 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
9784 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
9785
9786 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9787
9788 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
9789 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
9790 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
9791 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
9792 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
9793
9794 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
9795 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
9796 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
9797 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
9798 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9799 @end table
9800
9801 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
9802 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
9803 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9804
9805 @table @code
9806 @kindex delete display
9807 @kindex undisplay
9808 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
9809 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9810 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
9811 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
9812 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
9813 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
9814 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9815
9816 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9817 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
9818
9819 @kindex disable display
9820 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9821 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
9822 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
9823 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
9824 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
9825 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
9826 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
9827 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9828
9829 @kindex enable display
9830 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
9831 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
9832 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
9833 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
9834 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
9835 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
9836 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
9837
9838 @item display
9839 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
9840 done when your program stops.
9841
9842 @kindex info display
9843 @item info display
9844 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
9845 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
9846 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
9847 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
9848 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
9849 @end table
9850
9851 @cindex display disabled out of scope
9852 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
9853 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
9854 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
9855 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
9856 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
9857 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
9858 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
9859 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
9860 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
9861 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
9862
9863 @node Print Settings
9864 @section Print Settings
9865
9866 @cindex format options
9867 @cindex print settings
9868 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
9869 and symbols are printed.
9870
9871 @noindent
9872 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
9873
9874 @table @code
9875 @kindex set print
9876 @item set print address
9877 @itemx set print address on
9878 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
9879 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
9880 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
9881 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
9882 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
9883 @code{set print address on}:
9884
9885 @smallexample
9886 @group
9887 (@value{GDBP}) f
9888 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
9889 at input.c:530
9890 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9891 @end group
9892 @end smallexample
9893
9894 @item set print address off
9895 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
9896 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
9897
9898 @smallexample
9899 @group
9900 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
9901 (@value{GDBP}) f
9902 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
9903 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
9904 @end group
9905 @end smallexample
9906
9907 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
9908 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
9909 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
9910 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
9911
9912 @kindex show print
9913 @item show print address
9914 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
9915 @end table
9916
9917 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
9918 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
9919 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
9920 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9921 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
9922 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
9923 it prints a symbolic address:
9924
9925 @table @code
9926 @item set print symbol-filename on
9927 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
9928 @cindex symbol, source file and line
9929 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
9930 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9931
9932 @item set print symbol-filename off
9933 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
9934 default.
9935
9936 @item show print symbol-filename
9937 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
9938 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9939 @end table
9940
9941 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
9942 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
9943 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
9944
9945 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
9946 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
9947
9948 @table @code
9949 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
9950 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
9951 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
9952 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
9953 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
9954 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
9955 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
9956 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
9957
9958 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
9959 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
9960 symbolic address.
9961 @end table
9962
9963 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
9964 @cindex pointer, finding referent
9965 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
9966 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
9967 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
9968 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
9969 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
9970 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9971
9972 @smallexample
9973 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
9974 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
9975 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
9976 @end smallexample
9977
9978 @quotation
9979 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
9980 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
9981 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
9982 @end quotation
9983
9984 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
9985 @samp{set print symbol on}:
9986
9987 @table @code
9988 @item set print symbol on
9989 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
9990 one exists.
9991
9992 @item set print symbol off
9993 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
9994 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
9995 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
9996
9997 @item show print symbol
9998 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
9999 address.
10000 @end table
10001
10002 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
10003
10004 @table @code
10005 @item set print array
10006 @itemx set print array on
10007 @cindex pretty print arrays
10008 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
10009 but uses more space. The default is off.
10010
10011 @item set print array off
10012 Return to compressed format for arrays.
10013
10014 @item show print array
10015 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
10016 arrays.
10017
10018 @cindex print array indexes
10019 @item set print array-indexes
10020 @itemx set print array-indexes on
10021 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
10022 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
10023 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
10024
10025 @item set print array-indexes off
10026 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
10027
10028 @item show print array-indexes
10029 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
10030 arrays.
10031
10032 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
10033 @itemx set print elements unlimited
10034 @cindex number of array elements to print
10035 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
10036 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
10037 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
10038 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
10039 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
10040 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
10041 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
10042 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
10043
10044 @item show print elements
10045 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
10046 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
10047
10048 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
10049 @kindex set print frame-arguments
10050 @cindex printing frame argument values
10051 @cindex print all frame argument values
10052 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
10053 @cindex do not print frame argument values
10054 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
10055 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
10056 values are:
10057
10058 @table @code
10059 @item all
10060 The values of all arguments are printed.
10061
10062 @item scalars
10063 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
10064 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
10065 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
10066 only scalar arguments are shown:
10067
10068 @smallexample
10069 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
10070 at frame-args.c:23
10071 @end smallexample
10072
10073 @item none
10074 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
10075 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
10076
10077 @smallexample
10078 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
10079 at frame-args.c:23
10080 @end smallexample
10081 @end table
10082
10083 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
10084 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
10085 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
10086 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
10087 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
10088 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
10089 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
10090 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
10091 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
10092 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
10093
10094 @item show print frame-arguments
10095 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
10096
10097 @item set print raw frame-arguments on
10098 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
10099
10100 @item set print raw frame-arguments off
10101 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
10102 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
10103 otherwise print the value in raw form.
10104 This is the default.
10105
10106 @item show print raw frame-arguments
10107 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
10108
10109 @anchor{set print entry-values}
10110 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
10111 @kindex set print entry-values
10112 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
10113 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
10114 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
10115 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
10116 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
10117
10118 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
10119 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
10120 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
10121 @code{no} setting.
10122
10123 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10124 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
10125 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10126 this information.
10127
10128 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
10129
10130 @table @code
10131 @item no
10132 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
10133 point.
10134 @smallexample
10135 #0 equal (val=5)
10136 #0 different (val=6)
10137 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
10138 #0 born (val=10)
10139 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10140 @end smallexample
10141
10142 @item only
10143 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
10144 values are never printed.
10145 @smallexample
10146 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10147 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10148 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10149 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10150 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10151 @end smallexample
10152
10153 @item preferred
10154 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
10155 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
10156 value for such parameter.
10157 @smallexample
10158 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10159 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10160 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10161 #0 born (val=10)
10162 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10163 @end smallexample
10164
10165 @item if-needed
10166 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
10167 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
10168 parameter.
10169 @smallexample
10170 #0 equal (val=5)
10171 #0 different (val=6)
10172 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10173 #0 born (val=10)
10174 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10175 @end smallexample
10176
10177 @item both
10178 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
10179 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
10180 optimizations.
10181 @smallexample
10182 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
10183 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10184 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10185 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10186 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10187 @end smallexample
10188
10189 @item compact
10190 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
10191 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
10192 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
10193 values are known and identical, print the shortened
10194 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10195 @smallexample
10196 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10197 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10198 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10199 #0 born (val=10)
10200 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10201 @end smallexample
10202
10203 @item default
10204 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
10205 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
10206 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
10207 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10208 @smallexample
10209 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10210 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10211 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10212 #0 born (val=10)
10213 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10214 @end smallexample
10215 @end table
10216
10217 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
10218 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
10219
10220 @item show print entry-values
10221 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
10222 entry.
10223
10224 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
10225 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
10226 @cindex repeated array elements
10227 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
10228 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
10229 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
10230 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
10231 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
10232 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
10233 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
10234 is 10.
10235
10236 @item show print repeats
10237 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
10238 elements.
10239
10240 @item set print null-stop
10241 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
10242 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
10243 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
10244 contain only short strings.
10245 The default is off.
10246
10247 @item show print null-stop
10248 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
10249 @sc{null} character.
10250
10251 @item set print pretty on
10252 @cindex print structures in indented form
10253 @cindex indentation in structure display
10254 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
10255 per line, like this:
10256
10257 @smallexample
10258 @group
10259 $1 = @{
10260 next = 0x0,
10261 flags = @{
10262 sweet = 1,
10263 sour = 1
10264 @},
10265 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
10266 @}
10267 @end group
10268 @end smallexample
10269
10270 @item set print pretty off
10271 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
10272
10273 @smallexample
10274 @group
10275 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
10276 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
10277 @end group
10278 @end smallexample
10279
10280 @noindent
10281 This is the default format.
10282
10283 @item show print pretty
10284 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
10285
10286 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
10287 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
10288 @cindex octal escapes in strings
10289 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
10290 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
10291 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
10292 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
10293 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
10294
10295 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
10296 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
10297 international character sets, and is the default.
10298
10299 @item show print sevenbit-strings
10300 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
10301
10302 @item set print union on
10303 @cindex unions in structures, printing
10304 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
10305 and other unions. This is the default setting.
10306
10307 @item set print union off
10308 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
10309 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
10310 instead.
10311
10312 @item show print union
10313 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
10314 structures and other unions.
10315
10316 For example, given the declarations
10317
10318 @smallexample
10319 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
10320 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
10321 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
10322 Bug_forms;
10323
10324 struct thing @{
10325 Species it;
10326 union @{
10327 Tree_forms tree;
10328 Bug_forms bug;
10329 @} form;
10330 @};
10331
10332 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
10333 @end smallexample
10334
10335 @noindent
10336 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
10337
10338 @smallexample
10339 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
10340 @end smallexample
10341
10342 @noindent
10343 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
10344
10345 @smallexample
10346 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
10347 @end smallexample
10348
10349 @noindent
10350 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
10351 and in Pascal.
10352 @end table
10353
10354 @need 1000
10355 @noindent
10356 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
10357
10358 @table @code
10359 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
10360 @item set print demangle
10361 @itemx set print demangle on
10362 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
10363 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
10364 linkage. The default is on.
10365
10366 @item show print demangle
10367 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
10368
10369 @item set print asm-demangle
10370 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
10371 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
10372 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
10373 The default is off.
10374
10375 @item show print asm-demangle
10376 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
10377 or demangled form.
10378
10379 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
10380 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
10381 @kindex set demangle-style
10382 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
10383 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
10384 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
10385
10386 @table @code
10387 @item auto
10388 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
10389 This is the default.
10390
10391 @item gnu
10392 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
10393
10394 @item hp
10395 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
10396
10397 @item lucid
10398 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
10399
10400 @item arm
10401 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
10402 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
10403 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
10404 require further enhancement to permit that.
10405
10406 @end table
10407 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
10408
10409 @item show demangle-style
10410 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
10411
10412 @item set print object
10413 @itemx set print object on
10414 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
10415 @cindex display derived types
10416 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
10417 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
10418 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
10419 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
10420 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
10421 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
10422 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
10423
10424 @item set print object off
10425 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
10426 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
10427
10428 @item show print object
10429 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
10430
10431 @item set print static-members
10432 @itemx set print static-members on
10433 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
10434 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
10435
10436 @item set print static-members off
10437 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
10438
10439 @item show print static-members
10440 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
10441
10442 @item set print pascal_static-members
10443 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
10444 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
10445 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
10446 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
10447
10448 @item set print pascal_static-members off
10449 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
10450
10451 @item show print pascal_static-members
10452 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
10453
10454 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
10455 @item set print vtbl
10456 @itemx set print vtbl on
10457 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
10458 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
10459 @cindex VTBL display
10460 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
10461 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
10462 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
10463
10464 @item set print vtbl off
10465 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
10466
10467 @item show print vtbl
10468 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
10469 @end table
10470
10471 @node Pretty Printing
10472 @section Pretty Printing
10473
10474 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
10475 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
10476 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
10477
10478 @menu
10479 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
10480 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
10481 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
10482 @end menu
10483
10484 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
10485 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
10486
10487 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
10488 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
10489 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
10490
10491 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
10492 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
10493 pretty-printers with their names.
10494 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
10495 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
10496 Each such subprinter has its own name.
10497 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
10498
10499 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
10500 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
10501 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
10502 do anything special.
10503
10504 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
10505
10506 @itemize @bullet
10507 @item
10508 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
10509 all inferiors.
10510
10511 @item
10512 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
10513 when debugging that program.
10514 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
10515
10516 @item
10517 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
10518 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
10519 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
10520 @end itemize
10521
10522 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
10523 pretty-printers are selected,
10524
10525 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
10526 for new types.
10527
10528 @node Pretty-Printer Example
10529 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
10530
10531 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
10532
10533 @smallexample
10534 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10535 $1 = @{
10536 static npos = 4294967295,
10537 _M_dataplus = @{
10538 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
10539 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
10540 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
10541 @},
10542 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
10543 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
10544 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
10545 @}
10546 @}
10547 @end smallexample
10548
10549 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
10550
10551 @smallexample
10552 (@value{GDBP}) print s
10553 $2 = "abcd"
10554 @end smallexample
10555
10556 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
10557 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
10558 @cindex pretty-printer commands
10559
10560 @table @code
10561 @kindex info pretty-printer
10562 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10563 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
10564 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
10565
10566 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
10567 whose pretty-printers to list.
10568 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
10569 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
10570 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
10571 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
10572 looks up a printer from these three objects.
10573
10574 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
10575 to list.
10576
10577 @kindex disable pretty-printer
10578 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10579 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10580 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
10581
10582 @kindex enable pretty-printer
10583 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
10584 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
10585 @end table
10586
10587 Example:
10588
10589 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
10590 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
10591 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
10592 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
10593
10594 @smallexample
10595 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10596 library1.so:
10597 foo
10598 library2.so:
10599 bar
10600 bar1
10601 bar2
10602 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10603 library2.so:
10604 bar
10605 bar1
10606 bar2
10607 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
10608 1 printer disabled
10609 2 of 3 printers enabled
10610 (gdb) info pretty-printer
10611 library1.so:
10612 foo [disabled]
10613 library2.so:
10614 bar
10615 bar1
10616 bar2
10617 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
10618 1 printer disabled
10619 1 of 3 printers enabled
10620 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10621 library1.so:
10622 foo [disabled]
10623 library2.so:
10624 bar
10625 bar1 [disabled]
10626 bar2
10627 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
10628 1 printer disabled
10629 0 of 3 printers enabled
10630 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
10631 library1.so:
10632 foo [disabled]
10633 library2.so:
10634 bar [disabled]
10635 bar1 [disabled]
10636 bar2
10637 @end smallexample
10638
10639 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
10640 as can each individual subprinter.
10641
10642 @node Value History
10643 @section Value History
10644
10645 @cindex value history
10646 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
10647 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
10648 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
10649 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
10650 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
10651 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
10652 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
10653 symbol table.
10654
10655 @cindex @code{$}
10656 @cindex @code{$$}
10657 @cindex history number
10658 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
10659 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
10660 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
10661 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
10662 history number.
10663
10664 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
10665 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
10666 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
10667 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
10668 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
10669 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
10670 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
10671
10672 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
10673 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
10674
10675 @smallexample
10676 p *$
10677 @end smallexample
10678
10679 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
10680 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
10681
10682 @smallexample
10683 p *$.next
10684 @end smallexample
10685
10686 @noindent
10687 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
10688 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
10689
10690 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
10691 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
10692
10693 @smallexample
10694 print x
10695 set x=5
10696 @end smallexample
10697
10698 @noindent
10699 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
10700 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
10701
10702 @table @code
10703 @kindex show values
10704 @item show values
10705 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
10706 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
10707 values} does not change the history.
10708
10709 @item show values @var{n}
10710 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
10711
10712 @item show values +
10713 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
10714 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
10715 @end table
10716
10717 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
10718 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
10719
10720 @node Convenience Vars
10721 @section Convenience Variables
10722
10723 @cindex convenience variables
10724 @cindex user-defined variables
10725 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
10726 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
10727 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
10728 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
10729 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
10730
10731 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
10732 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
10733 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10734 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
10735 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
10736
10737 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
10738 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
10739 For example:
10740
10741 @smallexample
10742 set $foo = *object_ptr
10743 @end smallexample
10744
10745 @noindent
10746 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
10747 @code{object_ptr}.
10748
10749 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
10750 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
10751 value with another assignment at any time.
10752
10753 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
10754 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
10755 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
10756 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
10757
10758 @table @code
10759 @kindex show convenience
10760 @cindex show all user variables and functions
10761 @item show convenience
10762 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
10763 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
10764 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
10765
10766 @kindex init-if-undefined
10767 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
10768 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
10769 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
10770 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
10771 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
10772 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
10773 override default values used in a command script.
10774
10775 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
10776 any side-effects do not occur.
10777 @end table
10778
10779 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
10780 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
10781 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
10782
10783 @smallexample
10784 set $i = 0
10785 print bar[$i++]->contents
10786 @end smallexample
10787
10788 @noindent
10789 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
10790
10791 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
10792 values likely to be useful.
10793
10794 @table @code
10795 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
10796 @item $_
10797 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
10798 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
10799 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
10800 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
10801 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
10802 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
10803 to the type of @code{$__}.
10804
10805 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
10806 @item $__
10807 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
10808 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
10809 to match the format in which the data was printed.
10810
10811 @item $_exitcode
10812 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
10813 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
10814 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
10815 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
10816
10817 @item $_exitsignal
10818 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
10819 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
10820 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
10821 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
10822
10823 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
10824 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
10825 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
10826 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
10827 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
10828
10829 @smallexample
10830 #include <signal.h>
10831
10832 int
10833 main (int argc, char *argv[])
10834 @{
10835 raise (SIGALRM);
10836 return 0;
10837 @}
10838 @end smallexample
10839
10840 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
10841 or signalled would be:
10842
10843 @smallexample
10844 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
10845 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
10846 End with a line saying just ``end''.
10847 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
10848 >echo The program has exited\n
10849 >else
10850 >echo The program has signalled\n
10851 >end
10852 >end
10853 (@value{GDBP}) run
10854 Starting program:
10855
10856 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
10857 The program no longer exists.
10858 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10859 The program has signalled
10860 @end smallexample
10861
10862 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
10863 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
10864 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
10865 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
10866
10867 @smallexample
10868 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
10869 The program has exited
10870 @end smallexample
10871
10872 @item $_exception
10873 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
10874 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
10875
10876 @item $_probe_argc
10877 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
10878 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
10879
10880 @item $_sdata
10881 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
10882 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
10883 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
10884 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
10885 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
10886
10887 @item $_siginfo
10888 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
10889 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
10890 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
10891 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
10892 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
10893
10894 @item $_tlb
10895 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
10896 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
10897 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
10898 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
10899 @xref{General Query Packets}.
10900 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
10901
10902 @item $_inferior
10903 The number of the current inferior. @xref{Inferiors and
10904 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}.
10905
10906 @item $_thread
10907 The thread number of the current thread. @xref{thread numbers}.
10908
10909 @item $_gthread
10910 The global number of the current thread. @xref{global thread numbers}.
10911
10912 @end table
10913
10914 @node Convenience Funs
10915 @section Convenience Functions
10916
10917 @cindex convenience functions
10918 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
10919 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
10920 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
10921 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
10922 @value{GDBN}.
10923
10924 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10925 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
10926
10927 @table @code
10928
10929 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
10930 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
10931 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
10932 returns zero.
10933
10934 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
10935 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
10936 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
10937 it is @code{void}:
10938
10939 @smallexample
10940 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10941 $1 = void
10942 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10943 $2 = 1
10944 (@value{GDBP}) run
10945 Starting program: ./a.out
10946 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
10947 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10948 $3 = 0
10949 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10950 $4 = 0
10951 @end smallexample
10952
10953 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
10954 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
10955 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
10956 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
10957 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
10958 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
10959 anymore.
10960
10961 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
10962 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
10963
10964 @smallexample
10965 void
10966 foo (void)
10967 @{
10968 @}
10969 @end smallexample
10970
10971 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
10972
10973 @smallexample
10974 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
10975 $1 = void
10976 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
10977 $2 = 1
10978 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
10979 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
10980 $3 = void
10981 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
10982 $4 = 1
10983 @end smallexample
10984
10985 @end table
10986
10987 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10988 @code{Python} support.
10989
10990 @table @code
10991
10992 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
10993 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
10994 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
10995 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
10996 Otherwise it returns zero.
10997
10998 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
10999 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
11000 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
11001 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11002 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
11003 regular expression support.
11004
11005 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
11006 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
11007 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
11008 Otherwise it returns zero.
11009
11010 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
11011 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
11012 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
11013
11014 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11015 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11016 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11017 Otherwise it returns zero.
11018
11019 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11020 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11021 The default is 1.
11022
11023 Example:
11024
11025 @smallexample
11026 (gdb) backtrace
11027 #0 bottom_func ()
11028 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
11029 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
11030 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
11031 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
11032 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
11033 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
11034 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
11035 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
11036 $1 = 1
11037 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
11038 $1 = 1
11039 @end smallexample
11040
11041 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11042 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11043 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
11044 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11045
11046 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11047 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11048 The default is 1.
11049
11050 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11051 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11052 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11053 Otherwise it returns zero.
11054
11055 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11056 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11057 The default is 1.
11058
11059 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
11060 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11061 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
11062 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11063
11064 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11065 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11066 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
11067 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11068
11069 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11070 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11071 The default is 1.
11072
11073 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
11074 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11075 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
11076 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11077
11078 @item $_as_string(@var{value})
11079 @findex $_as_string@r{, convenience function}
11080 Return the string representation of @var{value}.
11081
11082 This function is useful to obtain the textual label (enumerator) of an
11083 enumeration value. For example, assuming the variable @var{node} is of
11084 an enumerated type:
11085
11086 @smallexample
11087 (gdb) printf "Visiting node of type %s\n", $_as_string(node)
11088 Visiting node of type NODE_INTEGER
11089 @end smallexample
11090
11091 @end table
11092
11093 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
11094 convenience functions.
11095
11096 @table @code
11097 @item help function
11098 @kindex help function
11099 @cindex show all convenience functions
11100 Print a list of all convenience functions.
11101 @end table
11102
11103 @node Registers
11104 @section Registers
11105
11106 @cindex registers
11107 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
11108 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
11109 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
11110 your machine.
11111
11112 @table @code
11113 @kindex info registers
11114 @item info registers
11115 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
11116 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11117
11118 @kindex info all-registers
11119 @cindex floating point registers
11120 @item info all-registers
11121 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
11122 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11123
11124 @item info registers @var{reggroup} @dots{}
11125 Print the name and value of the registers in each of the specified
11126 @var{reggroup}s. The @var{reggoup} can be any of those returned by
11127 @code{maint print reggroups} (@pxref{Maintenance Commands}).
11128
11129 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
11130 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
11131 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
11132 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
11133 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
11134 @end table
11135
11136 @anchor{standard registers}
11137 @cindex stack pointer register
11138 @cindex program counter register
11139 @cindex process status register
11140 @cindex frame pointer register
11141 @cindex standard registers
11142 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
11143 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
11144 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
11145 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
11146 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
11147 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
11148 register that contains the processor status. For example,
11149 you could print the program counter in hex with
11150
11151 @smallexample
11152 p/x $pc
11153 @end smallexample
11154
11155 @noindent
11156 or print the instruction to be executed next with
11157
11158 @smallexample
11159 x/i $pc
11160 @end smallexample
11161
11162 @noindent
11163 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
11164 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
11165 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
11166 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
11167 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
11168 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
11169 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
11170
11171 @smallexample
11172 set $sp += 4
11173 @end smallexample
11174
11175 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
11176 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
11177 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
11178 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
11179 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
11180 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
11181 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
11182
11183 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
11184 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
11185 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
11186 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
11187 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
11188 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
11189 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
11190
11191 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
11192 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
11193 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
11194 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
11195 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
11196 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
11197 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
11198 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
11199 prints the data in both formats.
11200
11201 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
11202 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
11203 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
11204 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
11205 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
11206 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
11207 registers in @code{struct} notation:
11208
11209 @smallexample
11210 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
11211 $1 = @{
11212 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
11213 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
11214 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
11215 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
11216 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
11217 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
11218 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
11219 @}
11220 @end smallexample
11221
11222 @noindent
11223 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
11224 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
11225 value to a @code{struct} member:
11226
11227 @smallexample
11228 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
11229 @end smallexample
11230
11231 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
11232 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
11233 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
11234 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
11235 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
11236 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
11237
11238 @cindex caller-saved registers
11239 @cindex call-clobbered registers
11240 @cindex volatile registers
11241 @cindex <not saved> values
11242 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
11243 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
11244 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
11245 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
11246 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
11247 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
11248 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
11249 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
11250 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
11251 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
11252 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
11253 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
11254 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
11255 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
11256 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
11257 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
11258 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
11259 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
11260 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
11261 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
11262 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
11263 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
11264 represent the value the register had just before the call.
11265
11266 @node Floating Point Hardware
11267 @section Floating Point Hardware
11268 @cindex floating point
11269
11270 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
11271 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
11272
11273 @table @code
11274 @kindex info float
11275 @item info float
11276 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
11277 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
11278 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
11279 the ARM and x86 machines.
11280 @end table
11281
11282 @node Vector Unit
11283 @section Vector Unit
11284 @cindex vector unit
11285
11286 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
11287 more information about the status of the vector unit.
11288
11289 @table @code
11290 @kindex info vector
11291 @item info vector
11292 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
11293 layout vary depending on the hardware.
11294 @end table
11295
11296 @node OS Information
11297 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
11298 @cindex OS information
11299
11300 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
11301 you debug your program.
11302
11303 @cindex auxiliary vector
11304 @cindex vector, auxiliary
11305 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
11306 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
11307 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
11308 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
11309 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
11310 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
11311 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
11312 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
11313 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
11314 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
11315 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
11316
11317 @table @code
11318 @kindex info auxv
11319 @item info auxv
11320 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
11321 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
11322 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
11323 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
11324 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
11325 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
11326 an unrecognized tag.
11327 @end table
11328
11329 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
11330 information and show it to you. The types of information available
11331 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
11332 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
11333 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
11334 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
11335 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
11336
11337 @table @code
11338 @kindex info os
11339 @item info os @var{infotype}
11340
11341 Display OS information of the requested type.
11342
11343 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
11344
11345 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
11346 @table @code
11347 @kindex info os cpus
11348 @item cpus
11349 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
11350 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
11351 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
11352 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
11353 kernel initialization.
11354
11355 @kindex info os files
11356 @item files
11357 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
11358 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
11359 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
11360 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
11361
11362 @kindex info os modules
11363 @item modules
11364 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
11365 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
11366 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
11367 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
11368 in memory.
11369
11370 @kindex info os msg
11371 @item msg
11372 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
11373 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
11374 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
11375 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
11376 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
11377 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
11378 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
11379 the message queue was last changed.
11380
11381 @kindex info os processes
11382 @item processes
11383 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
11384 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
11385 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
11386 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
11387 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
11388 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
11389
11390 @kindex info os procgroups
11391 @item procgroups
11392 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
11393 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
11394 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
11395 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
11396 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
11397 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
11398 and the process group leader is listed first.
11399
11400 @kindex info os semaphores
11401 @item semaphores
11402 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
11403 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
11404 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
11405 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
11406 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
11407
11408 @kindex info os shm
11409 @item shm
11410 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
11411 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
11412 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
11413 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
11414 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
11415 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
11416 attached to, detach from, and changed.
11417
11418 @kindex info os sockets
11419 @item sockets
11420 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
11421 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
11422 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
11423 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
11424 connection.
11425
11426 @kindex info os threads
11427 @item threads
11428 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
11429 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
11430 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
11431 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
11432 process is not listed.
11433 @end table
11434
11435 @item info os
11436 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
11437 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
11438 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
11439 types, this command will report an error.
11440 @end table
11441
11442 @node Memory Region Attributes
11443 @section Memory Region Attributes
11444 @cindex memory region attributes
11445
11446 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
11447 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
11448 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
11449 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
11450 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
11451 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
11452 user can override the fetched regions.
11453
11454 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
11455 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
11456 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
11457 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
11458 all memory.
11459
11460 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
11461 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
11462
11463 @table @code
11464 @kindex mem
11465 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
11466 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
11467 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
11468 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
11469 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
11470 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
11471
11472 @item mem auto
11473 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
11474 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
11475
11476 @kindex delete mem
11477 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11478 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
11479 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
11480
11481 @kindex disable mem
11482 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11483 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
11484 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
11485 It may be enabled again later.
11486
11487 @kindex enable mem
11488 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
11489 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
11490
11491 @kindex info mem
11492 @item info mem
11493 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
11494 for each region:
11495
11496 @table @emph
11497 @item Memory Region Number
11498 @item Enabled or Disabled.
11499 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
11500 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
11501
11502 @item Lo Address
11503 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
11504
11505 @item Hi Address
11506 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
11507
11508 @item Attributes
11509 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
11510 @end table
11511 @end table
11512
11513
11514 @subsection Attributes
11515
11516 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
11517 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
11518 write accesses to a memory region.
11519
11520 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
11521 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
11522 etc.@: from accessing memory.
11523
11524 @table @code
11525 @item ro
11526 Memory is read only.
11527 @item wo
11528 Memory is write only.
11529 @item rw
11530 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
11531 @end table
11532
11533 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
11534 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
11535 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
11536 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
11537 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
11538
11539 @table @code
11540 @item 8
11541 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
11542 @item 16
11543 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
11544 @item 32
11545 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
11546 @item 64
11547 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
11548 @end table
11549
11550 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
11551 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11552 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
11553 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
11554 @c
11555 @c @table @code
11556 @c @item hwbreak
11557 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
11558 @c @item swbreak (default)
11559 @c @end table
11560
11561 @subsubsection Data Cache
11562 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
11563 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
11564 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
11565 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
11566 registers.
11567
11568 @table @code
11569 @item cache
11570 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
11571 @item nocache
11572 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
11573 @end table
11574
11575 @subsection Memory Access Checking
11576 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
11577 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
11578 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
11579 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
11580
11581 @table @code
11582 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
11583 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
11584 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
11585 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
11586 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
11587 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
11588 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
11589 The default value is @code{on}.
11590 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
11591 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
11592 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
11593 @end table
11594
11595
11596 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
11597 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
11598 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
11599 @c
11600 @c @table @code
11601 @c @item verify
11602 @c @item noverify (default)
11603 @c @end table
11604
11605 @node Dump/Restore Files
11606 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
11607 @cindex dump/restore files
11608 @cindex append data to a file
11609 @cindex dump data to a file
11610 @cindex restore data from a file
11611
11612 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
11613 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
11614 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
11615 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
11616 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
11617 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
11618 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
11619
11620 @table @code
11621
11622 @kindex dump
11623 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11624 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11625 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11626 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
11627
11628 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
11629 @table @code
11630 @item binary
11631 Raw binary form.
11632 @item ihex
11633 Intel hex format.
11634 @item srec
11635 Motorola S-record format.
11636 @item tekhex
11637 Tektronix Hex format.
11638 @item verilog
11639 Verilog Hex format.
11640 @end table
11641
11642 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
11643 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
11644 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
11645 form.
11646
11647 @kindex append
11648 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
11649 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
11650 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
11651 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
11652 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
11653
11654 @kindex restore
11655 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
11656 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
11657 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
11658 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
11659 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
11660
11661 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
11662 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
11663 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
11664 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
11665 from that location.
11666
11667 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
11668 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
11669 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
11670 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
11671
11672 @end table
11673
11674 @node Core File Generation
11675 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
11676 @cindex dump core from inferior
11677
11678 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
11679 image of a running process and its process status (register values
11680 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
11681 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
11682 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
11683 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
11684 the post-mortem debugging mode.
11685
11686 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
11687 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
11688 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
11689
11690 @table @code
11691 @kindex gcore
11692 @kindex generate-core-file
11693 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
11694 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
11695 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
11696 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
11697 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
11698 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
11699
11700 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
11701 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
11702
11703 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
11704 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
11705 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}), and by default honors the
11706 @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag for mappings where it is present in the file
11707 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} (@pxref{set dump-excluded-mappings}).
11708
11709 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
11710 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
11711 @item set use-coredump-filter on
11712 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
11713 Enable or disable the use of the file
11714 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
11715 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
11716 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
11717 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
11718
11719 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
11720 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
11721 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
11722 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
11723 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
11724 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
11725 about the bits that can be set in the
11726 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
11727 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
11728
11729 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
11730 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
11731 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
11732 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
11733 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
11734 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
11735 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
11736 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
11737
11738 @kindex set dump-excluded-mappings
11739 @anchor{set dump-excluded-mappings}
11740 @item set dump-excluded-mappings on
11741 @itemx set dump-excluded-mappings off
11742 If @code{on} is specified, @value{GDBN} will dump memory mappings
11743 marked with the @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag. This flag is represented in
11744 the file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} with the acronym @code{dd}.
11745
11746 The default value is @code{off}.
11747 @end table
11748
11749 @node Character Sets
11750 @section Character Sets
11751 @cindex character sets
11752 @cindex charset
11753 @cindex translating between character sets
11754 @cindex host character set
11755 @cindex target character set
11756
11757 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
11758 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
11759 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
11760 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
11761 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
11762 @dfn{target character set}.
11763
11764 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
11765 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
11766 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
11767 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
11768 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
11769 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
11770 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
11771 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
11772 character and string literals in expressions.
11773
11774 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
11775 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
11776 target-charset} command, described below.
11777
11778 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
11779 support:
11780
11781 @table @code
11782 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
11783 @kindex set target-charset
11784 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
11785 list of supported target character sets, type
11786 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11787
11788 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
11789 @kindex set host-charset
11790 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
11791
11792 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
11793 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
11794 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
11795 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
11796 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
11797
11798 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
11799 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11800 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
11801
11802 @item set charset @var{charset}
11803 @kindex set charset
11804 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
11805 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
11806 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
11807 for both host and target.
11808
11809 @item show charset
11810 @kindex show charset
11811 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
11812
11813 @item show host-charset
11814 @kindex show host-charset
11815 Show the name of the current host character set.
11816
11817 @item show target-charset
11818 @kindex show target-charset
11819 Show the name of the current target character set.
11820
11821 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
11822 @kindex set target-wide-charset
11823 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
11824 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
11825 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
11826 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
11827
11828 @item show target-wide-charset
11829 @kindex show target-wide-charset
11830 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
11831 @end table
11832
11833 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
11834 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
11835 @file{charset-test.c}:
11836
11837 @smallexample
11838 #include <stdio.h>
11839
11840 char ascii_hello[]
11841 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
11842 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
11843 char ibm1047_hello[]
11844 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
11845 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
11846
11847 main ()
11848 @{
11849 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11850 @}
11851 @end smallexample
11852
11853 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
11854 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
11855 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
11856
11857 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
11858
11859 @smallexample
11860 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
11861 $ gdb -nw charset-test
11862 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
11863 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11864 @dots{}
11865 (@value{GDBP})
11866 @end smallexample
11867
11868 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
11869 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
11870 strings:
11871
11872 @smallexample
11873 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11874 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
11875 (@value{GDBP})
11876 @end smallexample
11877
11878 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
11879 initial character set:
11880 @smallexample
11881 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
11882 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11883 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
11884 (@value{GDBP})
11885 @end smallexample
11886
11887 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
11888 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
11889 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
11890 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
11891 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
11892
11893 @smallexample
11894 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11895 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
11896 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11897 $2 = 72 'H'
11898 (@value{GDBP})
11899 @end smallexample
11900
11901 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
11902 literals you use in expressions:
11903
11904 @smallexample
11905 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11906 $3 = 43 '+'
11907 (@value{GDBP})
11908 @end smallexample
11909
11910 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
11911 character.
11912
11913 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
11914 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
11915 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
11916
11917 @smallexample
11918 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11919 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
11920 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11921 $5 = 200 '\310'
11922 (@value{GDBP})
11923 @end smallexample
11924
11925 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
11926 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
11927
11928 @smallexample
11929 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11930 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
11931 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
11932 @end smallexample
11933
11934 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
11935 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
11936 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
11937 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
11938 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
11939
11940 @smallexample
11941 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
11942 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
11943 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
11944 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
11945 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
11946 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
11947 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
11948 $7 = 72 '\110'
11949 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
11950 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
11951 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
11952 $9 = 200 'H'
11953 (@value{GDBP})
11954 @end smallexample
11955
11956 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
11957 string literals you use in expressions:
11958
11959 @smallexample
11960 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
11961 $10 = 78 '+'
11962 (@value{GDBP})
11963 @end smallexample
11964
11965 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
11966 character.
11967
11968 @node Caching Target Data
11969 @section Caching Data of Targets
11970 @cindex caching data of targets
11971
11972 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
11973 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
11974 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
11975 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
11976 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
11977 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
11978 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
11979 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
11980 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
11981 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
11982 is executing.
11983 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
11984 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
11985 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
11986 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
11987 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
11988 in the code segment.
11989 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
11990 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
11991
11992 @table @code
11993 @kindex set remotecache
11994 @item set remotecache on
11995 @itemx set remotecache off
11996 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
11997 with old scripts.
11998
11999 @kindex show remotecache
12000 @item show remotecache
12001 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
12002
12003 @kindex set stack-cache
12004 @item set stack-cache on
12005 @itemx set stack-cache off
12006 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
12007 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
12008
12009 @kindex show stack-cache
12010 @item show stack-cache
12011 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
12012
12013 @kindex set code-cache
12014 @item set code-cache on
12015 @itemx set code-cache off
12016 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
12017 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
12018 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
12019
12020 @kindex show code-cache
12021 @item show code-cache
12022 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
12023 accesses.
12024
12025 @kindex info dcache
12026 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
12027 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
12028 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
12029 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
12030 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
12031 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
12032
12033 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
12034 printed in hex.
12035
12036 @item set dcache size @var{size}
12037 @cindex dcache size
12038 @kindex set dcache size
12039 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
12040
12041 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
12042 @cindex dcache line-size
12043 @kindex set dcache line-size
12044 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
12045 Must be a power of 2.
12046
12047 @item show dcache size
12048 @kindex show dcache size
12049 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
12050
12051 @item show dcache line-size
12052 @kindex show dcache line-size
12053 Show default size of dcache lines.
12054
12055 @end table
12056
12057 @node Searching Memory
12058 @section Search Memory
12059 @cindex searching memory
12060
12061 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
12062 @code{find} command.
12063
12064 @table @code
12065 @kindex find
12066 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12067 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12068 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
12069 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
12070 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
12071 @end table
12072
12073 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
12074 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
12075
12076 @table @r
12077 @item @var{s}, search query size
12078 The size of each search query value.
12079
12080 @table @code
12081 @item b
12082 bytes
12083 @item h
12084 halfwords (two bytes)
12085 @item w
12086 words (four bytes)
12087 @item g
12088 giant words (eight bytes)
12089 @end table
12090
12091 All values are interpreted in the current language.
12092 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
12093 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
12094 The null terminator can be removed from searching by using casts,
12095 e.g.: @samp{@{char[5]@}"hello"}.
12096
12097 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
12098 value's type in the current language.
12099 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
12100 pattern as a mixture of types.
12101 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
12102 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
12103 which is typically four bytes.
12104
12105 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
12106 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
12107 @end table
12108
12109 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
12110 (@code{"}).
12111 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
12112 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
12113
12114 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
12115 number of matches found.
12116
12117 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
12118 @samp{$_}.
12119 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
12120
12121 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
12122
12123 @smallexample
12124 void
12125 hello ()
12126 @{
12127 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
12128 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
12129 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
12130 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
12131 printf ("%s\n", hello);
12132 @}
12133 @end smallexample
12134
12135 @noindent
12136 you get during debugging:
12137
12138 @smallexample
12139 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
12140 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12141 1 pattern found
12142 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
12143 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12144 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12145 2 patterns found.
12146 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), @{char[5]@}"hello"
12147 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12148 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12149 2 patterns found.
12150 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
12151 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12152 1 pattern found
12153 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
12154 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
12155 1 pattern found
12156 (gdb) print $numfound
12157 $1 = 1
12158 (gdb) print $_
12159 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
12160 @end smallexample
12161
12162 @node Value Sizes
12163 @section Value Sizes
12164
12165 Whenever @value{GDBN} prints a value memory will be allocated within
12166 @value{GDBN} to hold the contents of the value. It is possible in
12167 some languages with dynamic typing systems, that an invalid program
12168 may indicate a value that is incorrectly large, this in turn may cause
12169 @value{GDBN} to try and allocate an overly large ammount of memory.
12170
12171 @table @code
12172 @kindex set max-value-size
12173 @item set max-value-size @var{bytes}
12174 @itemx set max-value-size unlimited
12175 Set the maximum size of memory that @value{GDBN} will allocate for the
12176 contents of a value to @var{bytes}, trying to display a value that
12177 requires more memory than that will result in an error.
12178
12179 Setting this variable does not effect values that have already been
12180 allocated within @value{GDBN}, only future allocations.
12181
12182 There's a minimum size that @code{max-value-size} can be set to in
12183 order that @value{GDBN} can still operate correctly, this minimum is
12184 currently 16 bytes.
12185
12186 The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions as well as to
12187 complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting a simple
12188 integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
12189 @var{x.y} is dynamic and exceeds @var{bytes}. On the other hand,
12190 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A[i]}, where
12191 @var{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
12192 succeed regardless of the bounds on @var{A}, as long as the component
12193 size is less than @var{bytes}.
12194
12195 The default value of @code{max-value-size} is currently 64k.
12196
12197 @kindex show max-value-size
12198 @item show max-value-size
12199 Show the maximum size of memory, in bytes, that @value{GDBN} will
12200 allocate for the contents of a value.
12201 @end table
12202
12203 @node Optimized Code
12204 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
12205 @cindex optimized code, debugging
12206 @cindex debugging optimized code
12207
12208 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
12209 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
12210 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
12211 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
12212 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
12213 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
12214 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
12215
12216 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
12217 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
12218 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
12219 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
12220
12221 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
12222 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
12223 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
12224 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
12225 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
12226 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
12227
12228 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
12229 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
12230 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
12231 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
12232 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
12233
12234 @menu
12235 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
12236 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
12237 @end menu
12238
12239 @node Inline Functions
12240 @section Inline Functions
12241 @cindex inline functions, debugging
12242
12243 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
12244 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
12245 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
12246 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
12247 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
12248 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
12249 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
12250 @code{info frame} command.
12251
12252 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
12253 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
12254 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
12255 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
12256 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
12257 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
12258 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
12259 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
12260 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
12261 local variables in the caller.
12262
12263 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
12264 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
12265 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
12266 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
12267 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
12268 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
12269 instructions are executed.
12270
12271 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
12272 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
12273 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
12274 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
12275
12276 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
12277 function calls are the same as normal calls:
12278
12279 @itemize @bullet
12280 @item
12281 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
12282 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
12283 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
12284 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
12285 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
12286 or inside the inlined function instead.
12287
12288 @item
12289 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
12290 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
12291 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
12292 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
12293
12294 @end itemize
12295
12296 @node Tail Call Frames
12297 @section Tail Call Frames
12298 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
12299
12300 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
12301 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
12302 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
12303 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
12304 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
12305
12306 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
12307 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
12308 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
12309 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
12310 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
12311 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
12312 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
12313
12314 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
12315 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
12316 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
12317 this information.
12318
12319 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
12320 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
12321
12322 @smallexample
12323 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
12324 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
12325 (gdb) info frame
12326 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
12327 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
12328 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
12329 source language c++.
12330 Arglist at unknown address.
12331 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
12332 @end smallexample
12333
12334 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
12335 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
12336 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
12337 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
12338 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
12339 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
12340
12341 @table @code
12342 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
12343 @item set debug entry-values
12344 @kindex set debug entry-values
12345 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
12346 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
12347 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
12348 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
12349 result.
12350
12351 @item show debug entry-values
12352 @kindex show debug entry-values
12353 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
12354 values at function entry and tail calls.
12355 @end table
12356
12357 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
12358 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
12359 reference by variable @code{x}):
12360
12361 @smallexample
12362 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
12363 void (*x) (void) = c;
12364 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
12365 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
12366 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
12367
12368 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_entry_value resolving cannot find
12369 DW_TAG_call_site 0x40039a in main
12370 a () at t.c:3
12371 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
12372 (gdb) bt
12373 #0 a () at t.c:3
12374 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
12375 @end smallexample
12376
12377 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
12378
12379 @smallexample
12380 int i;
12381 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
12382 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
12383 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
12384 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
12385 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
12386 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
12387 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
12388 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
12389
12390 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
12391 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
12392 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
12393 (gdb) bt
12394 #0 f () at t.c:2
12395 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
12396 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
12397 @end smallexample
12398
12399 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
12400 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
12401
12402 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
12403 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
12404 @set ARROW @click{}
12405 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
12406 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
12407 @end ifset
12408 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
12409 @set ARROW ->
12410 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
12411 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
12412 @end ifclear
12413
12414 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
12415 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
12416 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
12417
12418 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
12419 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
12420 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
12421 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
12422 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
12423 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
12424
12425 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
12426 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
12427 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
12428 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
12429 omitted.
12430
12431 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
12432 entry may fail:
12433
12434 @smallexample
12435 int v;
12436 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
12437 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
12438 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
12439 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
12440 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
12441 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
12442
12443 (gdb) bt
12444 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
12445 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_entry_value resolving has found
12446 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
12447 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
12448 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
12449 @end smallexample
12450
12451 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
12452 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
12453 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
12454 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
12455 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
12456
12457 @node Macros
12458 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
12459
12460 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
12461 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
12462 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
12463 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
12464 where it was defined.
12465
12466 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
12467 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
12468 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
12469 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
12470
12471 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
12472 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
12473 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
12474 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
12475 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
12476 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
12477 see @ref{List}.
12478
12479 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
12480 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
12481 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
12482
12483 @table @code
12484
12485 @kindex macro expand
12486 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
12487 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
12488 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
12489 @item macro expand @var{expression}
12490 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
12491 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
12492 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
12493 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
12494 it can be any string of tokens.
12495
12496 @kindex macro exp1
12497 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
12498 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
12499 @cindex expand macro once
12500 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
12501 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
12502 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
12503 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
12504 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
12505 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
12506 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
12507 can be any string of tokens.
12508
12509 @kindex info macro
12510 @cindex macro definition, showing
12511 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
12512 @cindex macros, from debug info
12513 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
12514 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
12515 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
12516 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
12517 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
12518 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
12519
12520 @kindex info macros
12521 @item info macros @var{location}
12522 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
12523 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
12524 command-line where those definitions were established.
12525
12526 @kindex macro define
12527 @cindex user-defined macros
12528 @cindex defining macros interactively
12529 @cindex macros, user-defined
12530 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
12531 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
12532 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
12533 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
12534 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
12535 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
12536 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
12537 @var{arglist}.
12538
12539 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
12540 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
12541 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
12542 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
12543 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
12544
12545 @kindex macro undef
12546 @item macro undef @var{macro}
12547 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
12548 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
12549 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
12550 in the program being debugged.
12551
12552 @kindex macro list
12553 @item macro list
12554 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
12555 @end table
12556
12557 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
12558 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
12559 show our source files:
12560
12561 @smallexample
12562 $ cat sample.c
12563 #include <stdio.h>
12564 #include "sample.h"
12565
12566 #define M 42
12567 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12568
12569 main ()
12570 @{
12571 #define N 28
12572 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12573 #undef N
12574 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12575 #define N 1729
12576 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12577 @}
12578 $ cat sample.h
12579 #define Q <
12580 $
12581 @end smallexample
12582
12583 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
12584 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
12585 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
12586 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
12587 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
12588 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
12589 information.
12590
12591 @smallexample
12592 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
12593 $
12594 @end smallexample
12595
12596 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
12597
12598 @smallexample
12599 $ gdb -nw sample
12600 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
12601 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12602 GDB is free software, @dots{}
12603 (@value{GDBP})
12604 @end smallexample
12605
12606 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
12607 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
12608 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
12609
12610 @smallexample
12611 (@value{GDBP}) list main
12612 3
12613 4 #define M 42
12614 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12615 6
12616 7 main ()
12617 8 @{
12618 9 #define N 28
12619 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12620 11 #undef N
12621 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12622 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
12623 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
12624 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
12625 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
12626 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
12627 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
12628 #define Q <
12629 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
12630 expands to: (42 + 1)
12631 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
12632 expands to: once (M + 1)
12633 (@value{GDBP})
12634 @end smallexample
12635
12636 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
12637 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
12638 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
12639 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
12640
12641 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
12642 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
12643
12644 @smallexample
12645 (@value{GDBP}) break main
12646 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
12647 (@value{GDBP}) run
12648 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
12649
12650 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
12651 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12652 (@value{GDBP})
12653 @end smallexample
12654
12655 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
12656
12657 @smallexample
12658 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12659 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
12660 #define N 28
12661 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12662 expands to: 28 < 42
12663 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12664 $1 = 1
12665 (@value{GDBP})
12666 @end smallexample
12667
12668 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
12669 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
12670 thereof) in force at each point:
12671
12672 @smallexample
12673 (@value{GDBP}) next
12674 Hello, world!
12675 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
12676 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12677 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
12678 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
12679 (@value{GDBP}) next
12680 We're so creative.
12681 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
12682 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
12683 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
12684 #define N 1729
12685 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
12686 expands to: 1729 < 42
12687 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
12688 $2 = 0
12689 (@value{GDBP})
12690 @end smallexample
12691
12692 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
12693 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
12694 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
12695 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
12696
12697 @smallexample
12698 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
12699 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
12700 -D__STDC__=1
12701 (@value{GDBP})
12702 @end smallexample
12703
12704
12705 @node Tracepoints
12706 @chapter Tracepoints
12707 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
12708 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
12709
12710 @cindex tracepoints
12711 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
12712 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
12713 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
12714 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
12715 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
12716 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
12717 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
12718
12719 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
12720 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
12721 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
12722 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
12723 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
12724 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
12725 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
12726 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
12727 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
12728 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
12729 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
12730
12731 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
12732 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
12733 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
12734 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
12735 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
12736 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
12737 Packets}.
12738
12739 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
12740 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
12741 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
12742
12743 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
12744
12745 @menu
12746 * Set Tracepoints::
12747 * Analyze Collected Data::
12748 * Tracepoint Variables::
12749 * Trace Files::
12750 @end menu
12751
12752 @node Set Tracepoints
12753 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
12754
12755 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
12756 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
12757 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
12758 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
12759 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
12760 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
12761 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
12762
12763 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
12764 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
12765 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
12766 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
12767 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
12768 tracepoint was hit.
12769
12770 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
12771 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
12772 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
12773 either.
12774
12775 @cindex fast tracepoints
12776 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
12777 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
12778 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
12779
12780 @cindex static tracepoints
12781 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
12782 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
12783 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
12784 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
12785 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
12786 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
12787 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
12788 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
12789 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
12790 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
12791 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
12792 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
12793 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
12794 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
12795 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
12796 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
12797 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
12798 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
12799 static tracepoint marker.
12800
12801 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
12802 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
12803
12804 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
12805 conditions and actions.
12806
12807 @menu
12808 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
12809 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
12810 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
12811 * Tracepoint Conditions::
12812 * Trace State Variables::
12813 * Tracepoint Actions::
12814 * Listing Tracepoints::
12815 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
12816 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
12817 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
12818 @end menu
12819
12820 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
12821 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
12822
12823 @table @code
12824 @cindex set tracepoint
12825 @kindex trace
12826 @item trace @var{location}
12827 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
12828 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
12829 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
12830 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
12831 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
12832 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
12833 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
12834 in tracing}).
12835 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
12836 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
12837 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
12838 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
12839 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
12840 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
12841 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
12842 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
12843 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
12844 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
12845 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
12846 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
12847
12848 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
12849
12850 @smallexample
12851 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
12852
12853 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
12854
12855 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
12856
12857 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
12858
12859 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
12860 @end smallexample
12861
12862 @noindent
12863 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
12864
12865 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
12866 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
12867 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
12868 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
12869 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
12870 information on tracepoint conditions.
12871
12872 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12873 @cindex set fast tracepoint
12874 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
12875 @kindex ftrace
12876 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
12877 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
12878 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
12879 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
12880 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
12881 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
12882 message.
12883
12884 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
12885 @code{trace}.
12886
12887 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
12888 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
12889 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
12890 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
12891 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
12892 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
12893 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
12894 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
12895
12896 @example
12897 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
12898 @end example
12899
12900 @noindent
12901 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
12902 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
12903
12904 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
12905 @cindex set static tracepoint
12906 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
12907 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
12908 @kindex strace
12909 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
12910 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
12911 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
12912 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
12913 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
12914
12915 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
12916 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
12917 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
12918 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
12919 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
12920 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
12921 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
12922 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
12923 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
12924 tracing engine:
12925
12926 @smallexample
12927 main ()
12928 @{
12929 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
12930 @}
12931 @end smallexample
12932
12933 @noindent
12934 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
12935 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
12936
12937 @smallexample
12938 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12939 Cnt Enb ID Address What
12940 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
12941 Data: "str %s"
12942 [etc...]
12943 @end smallexample
12944
12945 @noindent
12946 so you may probe the marker above with:
12947
12948 @smallexample
12949 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
12950 @end smallexample
12951
12952 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
12953 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
12954 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
12955 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
12956 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
12957 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
12958 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
12959 the @samp{Data:} field.
12960
12961 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
12962 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
12963 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
12964
12965 @vindex $tpnum
12966 @cindex last tracepoint number
12967 @cindex recent tracepoint number
12968 @cindex tracepoint number
12969 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
12970 of the most recently set tracepoint.
12971
12972 @kindex delete tracepoint
12973 @cindex tracepoint deletion
12974 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12975 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
12976 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
12977 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
12978
12979 Examples:
12980
12981 @smallexample
12982 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
12983
12984 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
12985 @end smallexample
12986
12987 @noindent
12988 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
12989 @end table
12990
12991 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12992 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
12993
12994 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
12995
12996 @table @code
12997 @kindex disable tracepoint
12998 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12999 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
13000 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
13001 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
13002 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
13003 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
13004 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
13005 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
13006 next trace experiment.
13007
13008 @kindex enable tracepoint
13009 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13010 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
13011 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
13012 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
13013 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
13014 next time a trace experiment is run.
13015 @end table
13016
13017 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
13018 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
13019
13020 @table @code
13021 @kindex passcount
13022 @cindex tracepoint pass count
13023 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
13024 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
13025 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
13026 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
13027 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
13028 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
13029 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
13030 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
13031 user.
13032
13033 Examples:
13034
13035 @smallexample
13036 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
13037 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
13038
13039 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
13040 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
13041 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13042 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
13043 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
13044 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
13045 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
13046 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
13047 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
13048 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
13049 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
13050 @end smallexample
13051 @end table
13052
13053 @node Tracepoint Conditions
13054 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
13055 @cindex conditional tracepoints
13056 @cindex tracepoint conditions
13057
13058 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
13059 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
13060 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
13061 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
13062 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
13063 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
13064 is true.
13065
13066 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
13067 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
13068 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
13069 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
13070 just as with breakpoints.
13071
13072 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
13073 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
13074 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
13075 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
13076 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
13077 accesses, and so forth.
13078
13079 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
13080 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
13081 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
13082 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
13083 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
13084 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
13085 search through.
13086
13087 @smallexample
13088 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
13089 @end smallexample
13090
13091 @node Trace State Variables
13092 @subsection Trace State Variables
13093 @cindex trace state variables
13094
13095 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
13096 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
13097 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
13098 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
13099 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
13100 integers.
13101
13102 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
13103 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
13104 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
13105 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
13106
13107 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
13108 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
13109 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
13110 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
13111 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
13112 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
13113 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
13114 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
13115 variable with the same name.
13116
13117 @table @code
13118
13119 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
13120 @kindex tvariable
13121 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
13122 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
13123 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
13124 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
13125 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
13126 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
13127 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
13128 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
13129 value. The default initial value is 0.
13130
13131 @item info tvariables
13132 @kindex info tvariables
13133 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
13134 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
13135 currently running.
13136
13137 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
13138 @kindex delete tvariable
13139 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
13140 are specified.
13141
13142 @end table
13143
13144 @node Tracepoint Actions
13145 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
13146
13147 @table @code
13148 @kindex actions
13149 @cindex tracepoint actions
13150 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13151 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
13152 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
13153 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
13154 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
13155 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
13156 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
13157 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
13158 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
13159 @code{while-stepping}.
13160
13161 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
13162 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
13163 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
13164
13165 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
13166 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
13167 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
13168
13169 @smallexample
13170 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
13171
13172 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
13173
13174 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
13175 @end smallexample
13176
13177 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
13178 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
13179 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
13180 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
13181 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
13182 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
13183 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
13184 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
13185
13186 @smallexample
13187 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13188 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13189 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
13190 > collect bar,baz
13191 > collect $regs
13192 > while-stepping 12
13193 > collect $pc, arr[i]
13194 > end
13195 end
13196 @end smallexample
13197
13198 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
13199 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13200 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
13201 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
13202 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
13203 special arguments are supported:
13204
13205 @table @code
13206 @item $regs
13207 Collect all registers.
13208
13209 @item $args
13210 Collect all function arguments.
13211
13212 @item $locals
13213 Collect all local variables.
13214
13215 @item $_ret
13216 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
13217 of a backtrace.
13218
13219 @emph{Note:} The return address location can not always be reliably
13220 determined up front, and the wrong address / registers may end up
13221 collected instead. On some architectures the reliability is higher
13222 for tracepoints at function entry, while on others it's the opposite.
13223 When this happens, backtracing will stop because the return address is
13224 found unavailable (unless another collect rule happened to match it).
13225
13226 @item $_probe_argc
13227 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
13228 tracepoint is located.
13229 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13230
13231 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
13232 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
13233 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
13234 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13235
13236 @item $_sdata
13237 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
13238 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
13239 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
13240 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
13241 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
13242 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
13243 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
13244 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
13245 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
13246
13247 @smallexample
13248 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
13249 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
13250 @end smallexample
13251
13252 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
13253 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
13254 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
13255 @value{GDBN}.
13256 @end table
13257
13258 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
13259 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
13260 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
13261
13262 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
13263 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
13264 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
13265 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
13266 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
13267 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
13268 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
13269 @samp{mystr}.
13270
13271 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
13272 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
13273
13274 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
13275 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13276 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
13277 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
13278 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
13279 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
13280 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
13281 action were used.
13282
13283 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
13284 @item while-stepping @var{n}
13285 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
13286 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
13287 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
13288 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
13289
13290 @smallexample
13291 > while-stepping 12
13292 > collect $regs, myglobal
13293 > end
13294 >
13295 @end smallexample
13296
13297 @noindent
13298 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
13299 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
13300 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
13301 @code{stepping}.
13302
13303 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13304 @kindex set default-collect
13305 @cindex default collection action
13306 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
13307 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
13308 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
13309 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
13310 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
13311 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
13312
13313 @item show default-collect
13314 @kindex show default-collect
13315 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
13316 tracepoint hit.
13317
13318 @end table
13319
13320 @node Listing Tracepoints
13321 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
13322
13323 @table @code
13324 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
13325 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
13326 @cindex information about tracepoints
13327 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
13328 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
13329 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
13330 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
13331 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
13332 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
13333
13334 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
13335 tracing:
13336
13337 @itemize @bullet
13338 @item
13339 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
13340
13341 @item
13342 the state about installed on target of each location
13343 @end itemize
13344
13345 @smallexample
13346 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
13347 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
13348 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
13349 while-stepping 20
13350 collect globfoo, $regs
13351 end
13352 collect globfoo2
13353 end
13354 pass count 1200
13355 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
13356 collect $eip
13357 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
13358 installed on target
13359 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
13360 installed on target
13361 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
13362 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
13363 not installed on target
13364 (@value{GDBP})
13365 @end smallexample
13366
13367 @noindent
13368 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
13369 @end table
13370
13371 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
13372 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
13373
13374 @table @code
13375 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
13376 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
13377 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
13378 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
13379 program.
13380
13381 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
13382
13383 @table @emph
13384 @item Count
13385 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
13386 stable identifier.
13387 @item ID
13388 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
13389 @item Enabled or Disabled
13390 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
13391 that are not enabled.
13392 @item Address
13393 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
13394 @item What
13395 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
13396 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
13397 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
13398 will be left blank.
13399 @end table
13400
13401 @noindent
13402 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
13403
13404 @table @emph
13405 @item Data
13406 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
13407 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
13408 marker call.
13409 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
13410 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
13411 @end table
13412
13413 @smallexample
13414 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
13415 Cnt ID Enb Address What
13416 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
13417 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
13418 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
13419 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
13420 Data: str %s
13421 (@value{GDBP})
13422 @end smallexample
13423 @end table
13424
13425 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
13426 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
13427
13428 @table @code
13429 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
13430 @cindex start a new trace experiment
13431 @cindex collected data discarded
13432 @item tstart
13433 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
13434 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
13435 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
13436 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
13437 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
13438 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
13439 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
13440 information, and so forth.
13441
13442 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
13443 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
13444 @item tstop
13445 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
13446 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
13447 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
13448 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
13449 needs to be stopped quickly.
13450
13451 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
13452 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
13453 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
13454
13455 @kindex tstatus
13456 @cindex status of trace data collection
13457 @cindex trace experiment, status of
13458 @item tstatus
13459 This command displays the status of the current trace data
13460 collection.
13461 @end table
13462
13463 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
13464
13465 @smallexample
13466 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
13467 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13468 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
13469 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
13470 > while-stepping 11
13471 > collect $regs
13472 > end
13473 > end
13474 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
13475 [time passes @dots{}]
13476 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
13477 @end smallexample
13478
13479 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
13480 @cindex disconnected tracing
13481 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
13482 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
13483 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
13484 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
13485 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
13486 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
13487 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
13488 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
13489
13490 @table @code
13491 @item set disconnected-tracing on
13492 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
13493 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
13494 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
13495 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
13496 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
13497 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
13498 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
13499
13500 @item show disconnected-tracing
13501 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
13502 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
13503
13504 @end table
13505
13506 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
13507 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
13508 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
13509 it will continue after reconnection.
13510
13511 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
13512 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
13513 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
13514 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
13515 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
13516 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
13517 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
13518 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
13519 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
13520 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
13521
13522 @cindex circular trace buffer
13523 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
13524 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
13525 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
13526 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
13527 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
13528 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
13529 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
13530 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
13531 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
13532 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
13533 the next run.
13534
13535 @table @code
13536 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
13537 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
13538 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
13539 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
13540 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
13541 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
13542 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
13543
13544 @item show circular-trace-buffer
13545 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
13546 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
13547 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
13548 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
13549 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
13550
13551 @end table
13552
13553 @table @code
13554 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
13555 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
13556 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
13557 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
13558 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
13559 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
13560 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
13561 likes. This is also the default.
13562
13563 @item show trace-buffer-size
13564 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
13565 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
13566 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
13567 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
13568 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
13569 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
13570 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
13571 @end table
13572
13573 @table @code
13574 @item set trace-user @var{text}
13575 @kindex set trace-user
13576
13577 @item show trace-user
13578 @kindex show trace-user
13579
13580 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
13581 @kindex set trace-notes
13582 Set the trace run's notes.
13583
13584 @item show trace-notes
13585 @kindex show trace-notes
13586 Show the trace run's notes.
13587
13588 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
13589 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
13590 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
13591 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
13592 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
13593
13594 @item show trace-stop-notes
13595 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
13596 Show the trace run's stop notes.
13597
13598 @end table
13599
13600 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
13601 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
13602
13603 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
13604 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
13605 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
13606 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
13607 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
13608 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
13609 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
13610 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
13611 mentioned here.
13612
13613 @itemize @bullet
13614
13615 @item
13616 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
13617 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
13618 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
13619 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
13620 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
13621 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
13622 cannot be collected either.
13623
13624 @item
13625 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
13626 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
13627 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
13628 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
13629 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
13630 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
13631 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
13632 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
13633 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
13634 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
13635
13636 @item
13637 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
13638 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
13639 in a misleading way.
13640
13641 @item
13642 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
13643 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
13644 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
13645 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
13646 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
13647 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
13648 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
13649 by @code{ptr}.
13650
13651 @item
13652 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
13653 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
13654 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
13655 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
13656 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
13657 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
13658 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
13659 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
13660 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
13661 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
13662 invalid address.
13663
13664 @item
13665 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
13666 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
13667 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
13668 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
13669 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
13670 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
13671 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
13672 it to zero.
13673
13674 @end itemize
13675
13676 @node Analyze Collected Data
13677 @section Using the Collected Data
13678
13679 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
13680 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
13681 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
13682 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
13683 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
13684 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
13685 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
13686 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
13687 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
13688 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
13689 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
13690 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
13691 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
13692 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
13693 the buffer will fail.
13694
13695 @menu
13696 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
13697 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
13698 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
13699 @end menu
13700
13701 @node tfind
13702 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
13703
13704 @kindex tfind
13705 @cindex select trace snapshot
13706 @cindex find trace snapshot
13707 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
13708 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
13709 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
13710 snapshot is selected.
13711
13712 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
13713
13714 @table @code
13715 @item tfind start
13716 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
13717 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
13718
13719 @item tfind none
13720 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
13721
13722 @item tfind end
13723 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
13724
13725 @item tfind
13726 No argument means find the next trace snapshot or find the first
13727 one if no trace snapshot is selected.
13728
13729 @item tfind -
13730 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
13731 retracing earlier steps.
13732
13733 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
13734 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
13735 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
13736 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
13737 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
13738
13739 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
13740 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
13741 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
13742 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
13743 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
13744
13745 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13746 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
13747 addresses (exclusive).
13748
13749 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
13750 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
13751 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
13752
13753 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
13754 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
13755 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
13756 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
13757 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
13758 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
13759 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
13760 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
13761 @end table
13762
13763 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
13764 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
13765 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
13766 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
13767 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
13768 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
13769 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
13770 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
13771 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
13772 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
13773 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
13774 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
13775 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
13776 tracepoint as the current one.
13777
13778 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
13779 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
13780 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
13781 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
13782 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
13783
13784 @smallexample
13785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13787 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
13788 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
13789 > tfind
13790 > end
13791
13792 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
13793 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
13794 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
13795 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
13796 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
13797 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
13798 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
13799 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
13800 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
13801 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
13802 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
13803 @end smallexample
13804
13805 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
13806 the buffer:
13807
13808 @smallexample
13809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
13811 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
13812 > tfind line
13813 > end
13814
13815 Frame 0, X = 1
13816 Frame 7, X = 2
13817 Frame 13, X = 255
13818 @end smallexample
13819
13820 @node tdump
13821 @subsection @code{tdump}
13822 @kindex tdump
13823 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
13824 @cindex tracepoint data, display
13825
13826 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
13827 the current trace snapshot.
13828
13829 @smallexample
13830 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
13831 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13832 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
13833 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
13834 > end
13835
13836 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
13837
13838 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
13839 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
13840 at gdb_test.c:444
13841 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
13842
13843 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
13844 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
13845 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
13846 d1 0x18 24
13847 d2 0x80 128
13848 d3 0x33 51
13849 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
13850 d5 0x22 34
13851 d6 0xe0 224
13852 d7 0x380035 3670069
13853 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
13854 a1 0x3000668 50333288
13855 a2 0x100 256
13856 a3 0x322000 3284992
13857 a4 0x3000698 50333336
13858 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
13859 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
13860 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
13861 ps 0x0 0
13862 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
13863 fpcontrol 0x0 0
13864 fpstatus 0x0 0
13865 fpiaddr 0x0 0
13866 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
13867 p1 = (void *) 0x11
13868 p2 = (void *) 0x22
13869 p3 = (void *) 0x33
13870 p4 = (void *) 0x44
13871 p5 = (void *) 0x55
13872 p6 = (void *) 0x66
13873 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
13874
13875 (@value{GDBP})
13876 @end smallexample
13877
13878 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
13879 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
13880 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
13881 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
13882
13883 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
13884 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
13885 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
13886 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
13887 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
13888 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
13889 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
13890 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
13891 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
13892 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
13893
13894 @node save tracepoints
13895 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
13896 @kindex save tracepoints
13897 @kindex save-tracepoints
13898 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
13899
13900 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
13901 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
13902 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
13903 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
13904 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
13905 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
13906
13907 @node Tracepoint Variables
13908 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
13909 @cindex tracepoint variables
13910 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
13911
13912 @table @code
13913 @vindex $trace_frame
13914 @item (int) $trace_frame
13915 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
13916 snapshot is selected.
13917
13918 @vindex $tracepoint
13919 @item (int) $tracepoint
13920 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
13921
13922 @vindex $trace_line
13923 @item (int) $trace_line
13924 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
13925
13926 @vindex $trace_file
13927 @item (char []) $trace_file
13928 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
13929
13930 @vindex $trace_func
13931 @item (char []) $trace_func
13932 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
13933 @end table
13934
13935 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
13936 use @code{output} instead.
13937
13938 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
13939 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
13940 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
13941 which are managed by the target.
13942
13943 @smallexample
13944 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
13945
13946 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
13947 > output $trace_file
13948 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
13949 > tfind
13950 > end
13951 @end smallexample
13952
13953 @node Trace Files
13954 @section Using Trace Files
13955 @cindex trace files
13956
13957 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
13958 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
13959 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
13960 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
13961 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
13962
13963 @table @code
13964
13965 @kindex tsave
13966 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
13967 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
13968 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
13969 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
13970 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
13971 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
13972 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
13973 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
13974 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
13975 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
13976 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
13977 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save data in CTF
13978 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
13979 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
13980 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
13981
13982 @kindex target tfile
13983 @kindex tfile
13984 @kindex target ctf
13985 @kindex ctf
13986 @item target tfile @var{filename}
13987 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
13988 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
13989 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
13990 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
13991 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
13992 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
13993 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
13994 the host.
13995
13996 @smallexample
13997 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
13998 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
13999 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
14000 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
14001 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
14002 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
14003 i = 0
14004 a = 0
14005 b = 1 '\001'
14006 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
14007 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
14008 (@value{GDBP}) p b
14009 $1 = 1
14010 @end smallexample
14011
14012 @end table
14013
14014 @node Overlays
14015 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
14016 @cindex overlays
14017
14018 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
14019 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
14020 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
14021 use overlays.
14022
14023 @menu
14024 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
14025 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
14026 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
14027 mapped by asking the inferior.
14028 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
14029 @end menu
14030
14031 @node How Overlays Work
14032 @section How Overlays Work
14033 @cindex mapped overlays
14034 @cindex unmapped overlays
14035 @cindex load address, overlay's
14036 @cindex mapped address
14037 @cindex overlay area
14038
14039 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
14040 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
14041 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
14042 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
14043 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
14044
14045 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
14046 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
14047 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
14048 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
14049 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
14050 largest overlay as well.
14051
14052 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
14053 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
14054 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
14055 there.
14056
14057 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
14058 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
14059 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
14060
14061 @smallexample
14062 @group
14063 Data Instruction Larger
14064 Address Space Address Space Address Space
14065 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
14066 | | | | | |
14067 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
14068 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
14069 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
14070 | and heap | | | | | |
14071 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
14072 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
14073 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
14074 | | | | | |
14075 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
14076 address | | | | | |
14077 | overlay | <-' | | |
14078 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
14079 | | <---. | | load address
14080 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
14081 | | | |
14082 +-----------+ | |
14083 +-----------+
14084 | |
14085 +-----------+
14086
14087 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
14088 @end group
14089 @end smallexample
14090
14091 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
14092 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
14093 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
14094 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
14095 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
14096 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
14097 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
14098 program and the overlay area.
14099
14100 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
14101 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
14102 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
14103 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
14104 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
14105 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
14106 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
14107
14108 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
14109 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
14110 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
14111
14112 @itemize @bullet
14113
14114 @item
14115 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
14116 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
14117 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
14118 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
14119
14120 @item
14121 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
14122 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
14123 your program's performance.
14124
14125 @item
14126 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
14127 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
14128 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
14129 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
14130 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
14131 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
14132 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
14133
14134 @item
14135 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
14136 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
14137 instruction and data spaces.
14138
14139 @end itemize
14140
14141 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
14142 improved in many ways:
14143
14144 @itemize @bullet
14145
14146 @item
14147 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
14148 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
14149 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
14150 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
14151 area in the usual way.
14152
14153 @item
14154 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
14155 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
14156
14157 @item
14158 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
14159 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
14160 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
14161 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
14162 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
14163 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
14164 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
14165
14166 @end itemize
14167
14168
14169 @node Overlay Commands
14170 @section Overlay Commands
14171
14172 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
14173 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
14174 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
14175 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
14176 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
14177 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
14178
14179 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
14180 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
14181
14182 @table @code
14183 @item overlay off
14184 @kindex overlay
14185 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
14186 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
14187 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
14188 overlay support is disabled.
14189
14190 @item overlay manual
14191 @cindex manual overlay debugging
14192 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14193 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
14194 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
14195 commands described below.
14196
14197 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
14198 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
14199 @cindex map an overlay
14200 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
14201 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
14202 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
14203 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
14204 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
14205 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
14206
14207 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
14208 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
14209 @cindex unmap an overlay
14210 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
14211 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
14212 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
14213 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
14214
14215 @item overlay auto
14216 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14217 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
14218 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
14219 Overlay Debugging}.
14220
14221 @item overlay load-target
14222 @itemx overlay load
14223 @cindex reloading the overlay table
14224 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
14225 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
14226 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
14227 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
14228 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
14229
14230 @item overlay list-overlays
14231 @itemx overlay list
14232 @cindex listing mapped overlays
14233 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
14234 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
14235
14236 @end table
14237
14238 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
14239 of the function the address falls in:
14240
14241 @smallexample
14242 (@value{GDBP}) print main
14243 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
14244 @end smallexample
14245 @noindent
14246 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
14247 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
14248 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
14249 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
14250
14251 @smallexample
14252 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
14253 No sections are mapped.
14254 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
14255 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
14256 @end smallexample
14257 @noindent
14258 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
14259 name normally:
14260
14261 @smallexample
14262 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
14263 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
14264 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
14265 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
14266 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
14267 @end smallexample
14268
14269 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
14270 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
14271 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
14272 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
14273 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
14274
14275 @itemize @bullet
14276 @item
14277 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
14278 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
14279 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
14280 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
14281 @item
14282 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
14283 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
14284 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
14285 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
14286 breakpoints properly.
14287 @end itemize
14288
14289
14290 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
14291 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
14292 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
14293
14294 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
14295 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
14296 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
14297 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
14298 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
14299 current state of the overlays.
14300
14301 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
14302 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
14303
14304 @table @asis
14305
14306 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
14307 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
14308
14309 @smallexample
14310 struct
14311 @{
14312 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
14313 unsigned long vma;
14314
14315 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
14316 unsigned long size;
14317
14318 /* The overlay's load address. */
14319 unsigned long lma;
14320
14321 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
14322 zero otherwise. */
14323 unsigned long mapped;
14324 @}
14325 @end smallexample
14326
14327 @item @code{_novlys}:
14328 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
14329 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
14330
14331 @end table
14332
14333 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
14334 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
14335 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
14336 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
14337 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
14338 currently mapped.
14339
14340 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
14341 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
14342 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
14343 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
14344 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
14345 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
14346 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
14347 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
14348 are not being executed.
14349
14350 @node Overlay Sample Program
14351 @section Overlay Sample Program
14352 @cindex overlay example program
14353
14354 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
14355 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
14356 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
14357 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
14358 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
14359 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
14360 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
14361
14362 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
14363 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
14364 suite. The program consists of the following files from
14365 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
14366
14367 @table @file
14368 @item overlays.c
14369 The main program file.
14370 @item ovlymgr.c
14371 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
14372 @item foo.c
14373 @itemx bar.c
14374 @itemx baz.c
14375 @itemx grbx.c
14376 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
14377 @item d10v.ld
14378 @itemx m32r.ld
14379 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
14380 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
14381 @end table
14382
14383 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
14384 cross-compiler like this:
14385
14386 @smallexample
14387 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
14388 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
14389 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
14390 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
14391 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
14392 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
14393 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
14394 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
14395 @end smallexample
14396
14397 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
14398 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
14399 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
14400
14401
14402 @node Languages
14403 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
14404 @cindex languages
14405
14406 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
14407 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
14408 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
14409 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
14410 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
14411 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
14412
14413 @cindex working language
14414 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
14415 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
14416 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
14417 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
14418 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
14419 language}.
14420
14421 @menu
14422 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
14423 * Show:: Displaying the language
14424 * Checks:: Type and range checks
14425 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
14426 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
14427 @end menu
14428
14429 @node Setting
14430 @section Switching Between Source Languages
14431
14432 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
14433 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
14434 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
14435 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
14436 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
14437 are printed, etc.
14438
14439 In addition to the working language, every source file that
14440 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
14441 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
14442 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
14443 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
14444 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
14445 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
14446 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
14447 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
14448 Displaying the Language}.
14449
14450 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
14451 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
14452 another language. In that case, make the
14453 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
14454 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
14455 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
14456
14457 @menu
14458 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
14459 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
14460 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
14461 @end menu
14462
14463 @node Filenames
14464 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
14465
14466 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
14467 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
14468
14469 @table @file
14470 @item .ada
14471 @itemx .ads
14472 @itemx .adb
14473 @itemx .a
14474 Ada source file.
14475
14476 @item .c
14477 C source file
14478
14479 @item .C
14480 @itemx .cc
14481 @itemx .cp
14482 @itemx .cpp
14483 @itemx .cxx
14484 @itemx .c++
14485 C@t{++} source file
14486
14487 @item .d
14488 D source file
14489
14490 @item .m
14491 Objective-C source file
14492
14493 @item .f
14494 @itemx .F
14495 Fortran source file
14496
14497 @item .mod
14498 Modula-2 source file
14499
14500 @item .s
14501 @itemx .S
14502 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
14503 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
14504 @end table
14505
14506 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
14507 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
14508
14509 @node Manually
14510 @subsection Setting the Working Language
14511
14512 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
14513 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
14514 your program.
14515
14516 @kindex set language
14517 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
14518 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
14519 a language, such as
14520 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
14521 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
14522
14523 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
14524 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
14525 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
14526 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
14527 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
14528 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
14529 command such as:
14530
14531 @smallexample
14532 print a = b + c
14533 @end smallexample
14534
14535 @noindent
14536 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
14537 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
14538 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
14539 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
14540
14541 @node Automatically
14542 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
14543
14544 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
14545 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
14546 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
14547 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
14548 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
14549 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
14550 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
14551 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
14552 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
14553
14554 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
14555 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
14556 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
14557 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
14558 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
14559
14560 @node Show
14561 @section Displaying the Language
14562
14563 The following commands help you find out which language is the
14564 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
14565
14566 @table @code
14567 @item show language
14568 @anchor{show language}
14569 @kindex show language
14570 Display the current working language. This is the
14571 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
14572 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
14573
14574 @item info frame
14575 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
14576 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
14577 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
14578 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
14579 information listed here.
14580
14581 @item info source
14582 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
14583 Display the source language of this source file.
14584 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
14585 information listed here.
14586 @end table
14587
14588 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
14589 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
14590 with a language explicitly:
14591
14592 @table @code
14593 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
14594 @kindex set extension-language
14595 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
14596 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
14597
14598 @item info extensions
14599 @kindex info extensions
14600 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
14601 @end table
14602
14603 @node Checks
14604 @section Type and Range Checking
14605
14606 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
14607 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
14608 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
14609 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
14610 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
14611 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
14612 errors when your program is running.
14613
14614 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
14615 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
14616 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
14617 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
14618
14619 @menu
14620 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
14621 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
14622 @end menu
14623
14624 @cindex type checking
14625 @cindex checks, type
14626 @node Type Checking
14627 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
14628
14629 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
14630 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
14631 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
14632 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
14633
14634 @smallexample
14635 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
14636
14637 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
14638 $1 = 2
14639 @exdent but
14640 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
14641 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
14642 @end smallexample
14643
14644 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
14645 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
14646
14647 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14648 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
14649 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
14650 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
14651 expressions like the second example above.
14652
14653 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
14654 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
14655 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
14656 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
14657 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
14658 little sense to evaluate anyway.
14659
14660 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
14661
14662 @kindex set check type
14663 @kindex show check type
14664 @table @code
14665 @item set check type on
14666 @itemx set check type off
14667 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
14668 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
14669 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
14670
14671 @item show check type
14672 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
14673 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
14674 @end table
14675
14676 @cindex range checking
14677 @cindex checks, range
14678 @node Range Checking
14679 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
14680
14681 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
14682 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
14683 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
14684 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
14685 not exceed the bounds of the array.
14686
14687 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
14688 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
14689 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
14690 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
14691
14692 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
14693 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
14694 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
14695 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
14696 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
14697 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
14698
14699 @smallexample
14700 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
14701 @end smallexample
14702
14703 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
14704 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
14705 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
14706
14707 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
14708
14709 @kindex set check range
14710 @kindex show check range
14711 @table @code
14712 @item set check range auto
14713 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
14714 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
14715 each language.
14716
14717 @item set check range on
14718 @itemx set check range off
14719 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
14720 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
14721 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
14722 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
14723
14724 @item set check range warn
14725 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
14726 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
14727 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
14728 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
14729 systems).
14730
14731 @item show range
14732 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
14733 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
14734 @end table
14735
14736 @node Supported Languages
14737 @section Supported Languages
14738
14739 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran,
14740 OpenCL C, Pascal, Rust, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
14741 @c This is false ...
14742 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
14743 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
14744 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
14745 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
14746 language.
14747
14748 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
14749 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
14750 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
14751 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
14752 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
14753 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
14754 language reference or tutorial.
14755
14756 @menu
14757 * C:: C and C@t{++}
14758 * D:: D
14759 * Go:: Go
14760 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
14761 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
14762 * Fortran:: Fortran
14763 * Pascal:: Pascal
14764 * Rust:: Rust
14765 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
14766 * Ada:: Ada
14767 @end menu
14768
14769 @node C
14770 @subsection C and C@t{++}
14771
14772 @cindex C and C@t{++}
14773 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
14774
14775 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
14776 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
14777 together.
14778
14779 @cindex C@t{++}
14780 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
14781 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
14782 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
14783 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
14784 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
14785 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
14786 compiler (@code{aCC}).
14787
14788 @menu
14789 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
14790 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
14791 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
14792 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
14793 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
14794 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
14795 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
14796 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
14797 @end menu
14798
14799 @node C Operators
14800 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
14801
14802 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
14803
14804 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14805 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14806 often defined on groups of types.
14807
14808 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
14809
14810 @itemize @bullet
14811
14812 @item
14813 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
14814 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
14815
14816 @item
14817 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
14818 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
14819
14820 @item
14821 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
14822
14823 @item
14824 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
14825
14826 @end itemize
14827
14828 @noindent
14829 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
14830 in order of increasing precedence:
14831
14832 @table @code
14833 @item ,
14834 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
14835 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
14836 expression being the last expression evaluated.
14837
14838 @item =
14839 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
14840 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
14841
14842 @item @var{op}=
14843 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
14844 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
14845 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
14846 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
14847 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
14848
14849 @item ?:
14850 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
14851 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
14852 should be of an integral type.
14853
14854 @item ||
14855 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14856
14857 @item &&
14858 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14859
14860 @item |
14861 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14862
14863 @item ^
14864 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
14865
14866 @item &
14867 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
14868
14869 @item ==@r{, }!=
14870 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
14871 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
14872
14873 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
14874 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
14875 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
14876 and non-zero for true.
14877
14878 @item <<@r{, }>>
14879 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
14880
14881 @item @@
14882 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14883
14884 @item +@r{, }-
14885 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
14886 pointer types.
14887
14888 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
14889 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
14890 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
14891 integral types.
14892
14893 @item ++@r{, }--
14894 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
14895 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
14896 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
14897 operation takes place.
14898
14899 @item *
14900 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
14901 @code{++}.
14902
14903 @item &
14904 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
14905
14906 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
14907 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
14908 to examine the address
14909 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
14910 stored.
14911
14912 @item -
14913 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
14914 precedence as @code{++}.
14915
14916 @item !
14917 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14918 @code{++}.
14919
14920 @item ~
14921 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
14922 @code{++}.
14923
14924
14925 @item .@r{, }->
14926 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
14927 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
14928 pointer based on the stored type information.
14929 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
14930
14931 @item .*@r{, }->*
14932 Dereferences of pointers to members.
14933
14934 @item []
14935 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
14936 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14937
14938 @item ()
14939 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
14940
14941 @item ::
14942 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
14943 and @code{class} types.
14944
14945 @item ::
14946 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
14947 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
14948 above.
14949 @end table
14950
14951 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
14952 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
14953 predefined meaning.
14954
14955 @node C Constants
14956 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
14957
14958 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
14959
14960 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
14961 following ways:
14962
14963 @itemize @bullet
14964 @item
14965 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
14966 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
14967 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
14968 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
14969 @code{long} value.
14970
14971 @item
14972 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
14973 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
14974 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
14975 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
14976 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
14977 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
14978 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
14979 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
14980 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
14981 constant.
14982
14983 @item
14984 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
14985 integral equivalents.
14986
14987 @item
14988 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
14989 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
14990 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
14991 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
14992 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
14993 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
14994 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
14995 @samp{\n} for newline.
14996
14997 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
14998 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
14999 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
15000 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15001
15002 @item
15003 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
15004 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
15005 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
15006 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
15007 characters.
15008
15009 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
15010 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
15011 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15012
15013 @item
15014 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
15015 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
15016
15017 @item
15018 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
15019 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
15020 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
15021 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
15022 @end itemize
15023
15024 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
15025 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
15026
15027 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
15028 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
15029
15030 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
15031 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
15032 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
15033 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
15034 @quotation
15035 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
15036 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
15037 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
15038 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
15039 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
15040 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
15041 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
15042 code. @xref{Compilation}.
15043 @end quotation
15044
15045 @enumerate
15046
15047 @cindex member functions
15048 @item
15049 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
15050
15051 @smallexample
15052 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
15053 @end smallexample
15054
15055 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
15056 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
15057 @item
15058 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
15059 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
15060 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
15061 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
15062 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
15063
15064 @cindex call overloaded functions
15065 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
15066 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
15067 @item
15068 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
15069 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
15070 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
15071 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
15072 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
15073 default arguments.
15074
15075 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
15076 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
15077 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
15078 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
15079 number of function arguments.
15080
15081 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
15082 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
15083 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
15084
15085 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
15086 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
15087 @smallexample
15088 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
15089 @end smallexample
15090
15091 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
15092 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
15093
15094 @cindex reference declarations
15095 @item
15096 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} lvalue or rvalue
15097 references; you can use them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++}
15098 source---they are automatically dereferenced.
15099
15100 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
15101 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
15102 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
15103 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
15104 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
15105
15106 @item
15107 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
15108 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
15109 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
15110 necessary, for example in an expression like
15111 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
15112 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
15113 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
15114
15115 @item
15116 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
15117 specification.
15118 @end enumerate
15119
15120 @node C Defaults
15121 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
15122
15123 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
15124
15125 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
15126 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
15127 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15128 selects the working language.
15129
15130 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
15131 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
15132 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
15133 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
15134 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
15135 for further details.
15136
15137 @node C Checks
15138 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
15139
15140 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
15141
15142 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
15143 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
15144 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
15145 constants to pointers.
15146
15147 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
15148 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
15149 that is not itself an array.
15150
15151 @node Debugging C
15152 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
15153
15154 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
15155 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
15156 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
15157 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
15158
15159 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
15160 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
15161 ,Expressions}.
15162
15163 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
15164 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
15165
15166 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
15167
15168 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
15169 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
15170
15171 @table @code
15172 @cindex break in overloaded functions
15173 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
15174 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
15175 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
15176 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
15177 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
15178
15179 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
15180 @item rbreak @var{regex}
15181 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
15182 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
15183 classes.
15184 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15185
15186 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
15187 @item catch throw
15188 @itemx catch rethrow
15189 @itemx catch catch
15190 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
15191 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
15192
15193 @cindex inheritance
15194 @item ptype @var{typename}
15195 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
15196 @var{typename}.
15197 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
15198
15199 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
15200 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
15201 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
15202 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
15203 multiple inheritance is in use.
15204
15205 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
15206 @item demangle @var{name}
15207 Demangle @var{name}.
15208 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
15209
15210 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
15211 @item set print demangle
15212 @itemx show print demangle
15213 @itemx set print asm-demangle
15214 @itemx show print asm-demangle
15215 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
15216 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
15217 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15218
15219 @item set print object
15220 @itemx show print object
15221 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
15222 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15223
15224 @item set print vtbl
15225 @itemx show print vtbl
15226 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
15227 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15228 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
15229 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
15230
15231 @kindex set overload-resolution
15232 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
15233 @item set overload-resolution on
15234 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
15235 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
15236 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
15237 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
15238 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
15239 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
15240
15241 @item set overload-resolution off
15242 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
15243 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
15244 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
15245 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
15246 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
15247 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
15248 argument types.
15249
15250 @kindex show overload-resolution
15251 @item show overload-resolution
15252 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
15253
15254 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
15255 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
15256 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
15257 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
15258 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
15259 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
15260 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
15261
15262 @item @r{Breakpoints in functions with ABI tags}
15263
15264 The GNU C@t{++} compiler introduced the notion of ABI ``tags'', which
15265 correspond to changes in the ABI of a type, function, or variable that
15266 would not otherwise be reflected in a mangled name. See
15267 @url{https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2015/02/05/gcc5-and-the-c11-abi/}
15268 for more detail.
15269
15270 The ABI tags are visible in C@t{++} demangled names. For example, a
15271 function that returns a std::string:
15272
15273 @smallexample
15274 std::string function(int);
15275 @end smallexample
15276
15277 @noindent
15278 when compiled for the C++11 ABI is marked with the @code{cxx11} ABI
15279 tag, and @value{GDBN} displays the symbol like this:
15280
15281 @smallexample
15282 function[abi:cxx11](int)
15283 @end smallexample
15284
15285 You can set a breakpoint on such functions simply as if they had no
15286 tag. For example:
15287
15288 @smallexample
15289 (gdb) b function(int)
15290 Breakpoint 2 at 0x40060d: file main.cc, line 10.
15291 (gdb) info breakpoints
15292 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
15293 1 breakpoint keep y 0x0040060d in function[abi:cxx11](int)
15294 at main.cc:10
15295 @end smallexample
15296
15297 On the rare occasion you need to disambiguate between different ABI
15298 tags, you can do so by simply including the ABI tag in the function
15299 name, like:
15300
15301 @smallexample
15302 (@value{GDBP}) b ambiguous[abi:other_tag](int)
15303 @end smallexample
15304 @end table
15305
15306 @node Decimal Floating Point
15307 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
15308 @cindex decimal floating point format
15309
15310 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
15311 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
15312 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
15313 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
15314
15315 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
15316 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
15317 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
15318 configured target.
15319
15320 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
15321 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
15322 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
15323
15324 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
15325 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
15326 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
15327
15328 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
15329 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
15330 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
15331
15332 @node D
15333 @subsection D
15334
15335 @cindex D
15336 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
15337 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
15338 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
15339
15340 @node Go
15341 @subsection Go
15342
15343 @cindex Go (programming language)
15344 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
15345 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
15346
15347 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
15348
15349 @table @code
15350 @cindex current Go package
15351 @item The current Go package
15352 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
15353 specifying global variables and functions.
15354
15355 For example, given the program:
15356
15357 @example
15358 package main
15359 var myglob = "Shall we?"
15360 func main () @{
15361 // ...
15362 @}
15363 @end example
15364
15365 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
15366
15367 @example
15368 (gdb) p myglob
15369 (gdb) p main.myglob
15370 @end example
15371
15372 @cindex builtin Go types
15373 @item Builtin Go types
15374 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
15375 as a string.
15376
15377 @cindex builtin Go functions
15378 @item Builtin Go functions
15379 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
15380 function and handles it internally.
15381
15382 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
15383 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
15384 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
15385 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
15386 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
15387 @end table
15388
15389 @node Objective-C
15390 @subsection Objective-C
15391
15392 @cindex Objective-C
15393 This section provides information about some commands and command
15394 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
15395 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
15396 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
15397
15398 @menu
15399 * Method Names in Commands::
15400 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
15401 @end menu
15402
15403 @node Method Names in Commands
15404 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
15405
15406 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
15407 names as line specifications:
15408
15409 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
15410 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
15411 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
15412 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
15413 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
15414 @itemize
15415 @item @code{clear}
15416 @item @code{break}
15417 @item @code{info line}
15418 @item @code{jump}
15419 @item @code{list}
15420 @end itemize
15421
15422 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
15423
15424 @smallexample
15425 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
15426 @end smallexample
15427
15428 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
15429 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
15430 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
15431 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
15432 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
15433 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
15434 debugged, enter:
15435
15436 @smallexample
15437 break -[Fruit create]
15438 @end smallexample
15439
15440 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
15441 enter:
15442
15443 @smallexample
15444 list +[NSText initialize]
15445 @end smallexample
15446
15447 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
15448 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
15449 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
15450 is also possible to specify just a method name:
15451
15452 @smallexample
15453 break create
15454 @end smallexample
15455
15456 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
15457 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
15458 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
15459 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
15460 none apply.
15461
15462 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
15463 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
15464
15465 @smallexample
15466 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
15467 @end smallexample
15468
15469 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
15470 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
15471 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
15472 @kindex print-object
15473 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
15474
15475 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
15476
15477 @smallexample
15478 print -[@var{object} hash]
15479 @end smallexample
15480
15481 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
15482 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
15483 @noindent
15484 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
15485 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
15486 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
15487 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
15488 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
15489 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
15490
15491 @node OpenCL C
15492 @subsection OpenCL C
15493
15494 @cindex OpenCL C
15495 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
15496
15497 @menu
15498 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
15499 * OpenCL C Expressions::
15500 * OpenCL C Operators::
15501 @end menu
15502
15503 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
15504 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
15505
15506 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
15507 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
15508 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
15509 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
15510 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
15511
15512 @node OpenCL C Expressions
15513 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
15514
15515 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
15516 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
15517 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
15518 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
15519
15520 @node OpenCL C Operators
15521 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
15522
15523 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
15524 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
15525 vector data types.
15526
15527 @node Fortran
15528 @subsection Fortran
15529 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
15530
15531 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
15532 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
15533
15534 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
15535 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
15536 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
15537 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
15538 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
15539 underscore.
15540
15541 @menu
15542 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
15543 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
15544 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
15545 @end menu
15546
15547 @node Fortran Operators
15548 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
15549
15550 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
15551
15552 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15553 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
15554 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
15555
15556 @table @code
15557 @item **
15558 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
15559 of the second one.
15560
15561 @item :
15562 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
15563 represent a section of array.
15564
15565 @item %
15566 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
15567 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
15568 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
15569 union type.
15570 @end table
15571
15572 @node Fortran Defaults
15573 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
15574
15575 @cindex Fortran Defaults
15576
15577 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
15578 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
15579 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
15580 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
15581
15582 @node Special Fortran Commands
15583 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
15584
15585 @cindex Special Fortran commands
15586
15587 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
15588 such as displaying common blocks.
15589
15590 @table @code
15591 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
15592 @kindex info common
15593 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
15594 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
15595 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
15596 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
15597 printed.
15598 @end table
15599
15600 @node Pascal
15601 @subsection Pascal
15602
15603 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
15604 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
15605 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
15606 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
15607 syntax.
15608
15609 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
15610 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
15611 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
15612
15613 @node Rust
15614 @subsection Rust
15615
15616 @value{GDBN} supports the @url{https://www.rust-lang.org/, Rust
15617 Programming Language}. Type- and value-printing, and expression
15618 parsing, are reasonably complete. However, there are a few
15619 peculiarities and holes to be aware of.
15620
15621 @itemize @bullet
15622 @item
15623 Linespecs (@pxref{Specify Location}) are never relative to the current
15624 crate. Instead, they act as if there were a global namespace of
15625 crates, somewhat similar to the way @code{extern crate} behaves.
15626
15627 That is, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in a function in
15628 crate @samp{A}, module @samp{B}, then @code{break B::f} will attempt
15629 to set a breakpoint in a function named @samp{f} in a crate named
15630 @samp{B}.
15631
15632 As a consequence of this approach, linespecs also cannot refer to
15633 items using @samp{self::} or @samp{super::}.
15634
15635 @item
15636 Because @value{GDBN} implements Rust name-lookup semantics in
15637 expressions, it will sometimes prepend the current crate to a name.
15638 For example, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in the crate
15639 @samp{K}, then @code{print ::x::y} will try to find the symbol
15640 @samp{K::x::y}.
15641
15642 However, since it is useful to be able to refer to other crates when
15643 debugging, @value{GDBN} provides the @code{extern} extension to
15644 circumvent this. To use the extension, just put @code{extern} before
15645 a path expression to refer to the otherwise unavailable ``global''
15646 scope.
15647
15648 In the above example, if you wanted to refer to the symbol @samp{y} in
15649 the crate @samp{x}, you would use @code{print extern x::y}.
15650
15651 @item
15652 The Rust expression evaluator does not support ``statement-like''
15653 expressions such as @code{if} or @code{match}, or lambda expressions.
15654
15655 @item
15656 Tuple expressions are not implemented.
15657
15658 @item
15659 The Rust expression evaluator does not currently implement the
15660 @code{Drop} trait. Objects that may be created by the evaluator will
15661 never be destroyed.
15662
15663 @item
15664 @value{GDBN} does not implement type inference for generics. In order
15665 to call generic functions or otherwise refer to generic items, you
15666 will have to specify the type parameters manually.
15667
15668 @item
15669 @value{GDBN} currently uses the C@t{++} demangler for Rust. In most
15670 cases this does not cause any problems. However, in an expression
15671 context, completing a generic function name will give syntactically
15672 invalid results. This happens because Rust requires the @samp{::}
15673 operator between the function name and its generic arguments. For
15674 example, @value{GDBN} might provide a completion like
15675 @code{crate::f<u32>}, where the parser would require
15676 @code{crate::f::<u32>}.
15677
15678 @item
15679 As of this writing, the Rust compiler (version 1.8) has a few holes in
15680 the debugging information it generates. These holes prevent certain
15681 features from being implemented by @value{GDBN}:
15682 @itemize @bullet
15683
15684 @item
15685 Method calls cannot be made via traits.
15686
15687 @item
15688 Operator overloading is not implemented.
15689
15690 @item
15691 When debugging in a monomorphized function, you cannot use the generic
15692 type names.
15693
15694 @item
15695 The type @code{Self} is not available.
15696
15697 @item
15698 @code{use} statements are not available, so some names may not be
15699 available in the crate.
15700 @end itemize
15701 @end itemize
15702
15703 @node Modula-2
15704 @subsection Modula-2
15705
15706 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
15707
15708 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
15709 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
15710 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
15711 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15712 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
15713 table.
15714
15715 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
15716 @menu
15717 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
15718 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
15719 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
15720 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
15721 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
15722 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
15723 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
15724 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15725 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15726 @end menu
15727
15728 @node M2 Operators
15729 @subsubsection Operators
15730 @cindex Modula-2 operators
15731
15732 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15733 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
15734 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
15735 following definitions hold:
15736
15737 @itemize @bullet
15738
15739 @item
15740 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
15741 their subranges.
15742
15743 @item
15744 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
15745
15746 @item
15747 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
15748
15749 @item
15750 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
15751 @var{type}}.
15752
15753 @item
15754 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
15755
15756 @item
15757 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
15758
15759 @item
15760 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
15761 @end itemize
15762
15763 @noindent
15764 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
15765 increasing precedence:
15766
15767 @table @code
15768 @item ,
15769 Function argument or array index separator.
15770
15771 @item :=
15772 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
15773 @var{value}.
15774
15775 @item <@r{, }>
15776 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
15777 types.
15778
15779 @item <=@r{, }>=
15780 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
15781 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
15782 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
15783
15784 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
15785 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
15786 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
15787 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
15788 comment character.
15789
15790 @item IN
15791 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
15792 Same precedence as @code{<}.
15793
15794 @item OR
15795 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15796
15797 @item AND@r{, }&
15798 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
15799
15800 @item @@
15801 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15802
15803 @item +@r{, }-
15804 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
15805 and difference on set types.
15806
15807 @item *
15808 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
15809 on set types.
15810
15811 @item /
15812 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
15813 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
15814
15815 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
15816 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
15817 precedence as @code{*}.
15818
15819 @item -
15820 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
15821
15822 @item ^
15823 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
15824
15825 @item NOT
15826 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
15827 @code{^}.
15828
15829 @item .
15830 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
15831 precedence as @code{^}.
15832
15833 @item []
15834 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
15835
15836 @item ()
15837 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
15838 as @code{^}.
15839
15840 @item ::@r{, }.
15841 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
15842 @end table
15843
15844 @quotation
15845 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
15846 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
15847 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
15848 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
15849 @end quotation
15850
15851
15852 @node Built-In Func/Proc
15853 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
15854 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
15855
15856 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
15857 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
15858
15859 @table @var
15860
15861 @item a
15862 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
15863
15864 @item c
15865 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
15866
15867 @item i
15868 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
15869
15870 @item m
15871 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
15872 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
15873 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
15874
15875 @item n
15876 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
15877
15878 @item r
15879 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
15880
15881 @item t
15882 represents a type.
15883
15884 @item v
15885 represents a variable.
15886
15887 @item x
15888 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
15889 explanation of the function for details.
15890 @end table
15891
15892 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
15893
15894 @table @code
15895 @item ABS(@var{n})
15896 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
15897
15898 @item CAP(@var{c})
15899 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
15900 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
15901
15902 @item CHR(@var{i})
15903 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15904
15905 @item DEC(@var{v})
15906 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15907
15908 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
15909 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15910 new value.
15911
15912 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15913 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
15914 set.
15915
15916 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
15917 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
15918
15919 @item HIGH(@var{a})
15920 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
15921
15922 @item INC(@var{v})
15923 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
15924
15925 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
15926 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
15927 new value.
15928
15929 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
15930 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
15931 there. Returns the new set.
15932
15933 @item MAX(@var{t})
15934 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
15935
15936 @item MIN(@var{t})
15937 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
15938
15939 @item ODD(@var{i})
15940 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
15941
15942 @item ORD(@var{x})
15943 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
15944 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
15945 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
15946 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
15947
15948 @item SIZE(@var{x})
15949 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15950 variable or a type.
15951
15952 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
15953 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
15954
15955 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
15956 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
15957 variable or a type.
15958
15959 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
15960 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
15961 @end table
15962
15963 @quotation
15964 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
15965 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
15966 an error.
15967 @end quotation
15968
15969 @cindex Modula-2 constants
15970 @node M2 Constants
15971 @subsubsection Constants
15972
15973 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
15974 ways:
15975
15976 @itemize @bullet
15977
15978 @item
15979 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
15980 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
15981 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
15982 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
15983
15984 @item
15985 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
15986 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
15987 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
15988 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
15989 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
15990 digits.
15991
15992 @item
15993 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
15994 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
15995 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
15996 followed by a @samp{C}.
15997
15998 @item
15999 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
16000 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
16001 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
16002 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
16003 sequences.
16004
16005 @item
16006 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
16007
16008 @item
16009 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
16010 @code{FALSE}.
16011
16012 @item
16013 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
16014
16015 @item
16016 Set constants are not yet supported.
16017 @end itemize
16018
16019 @node M2 Types
16020 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
16021 @cindex Modula-2 types
16022
16023 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
16024 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
16025 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
16026 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
16027 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
16028 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
16029
16030 The first example contains the following section of code:
16031
16032 @smallexample
16033 VAR
16034 s: SET OF CHAR ;
16035 r: [20..40] ;
16036 @end smallexample
16037
16038 @noindent
16039 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
16040 @code{r} and @code{s}.
16041
16042 @smallexample
16043 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16044 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
16045 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16046 SET OF CHAR
16047 (@value{GDBP}) print r
16048 21
16049 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
16050 [20..40]
16051 @end smallexample
16052
16053 @noindent
16054 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
16055
16056 @smallexample
16057 VAR
16058 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
16059 @end smallexample
16060
16061 @noindent
16062 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
16063
16064 @smallexample
16065 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16066 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
16067 @end smallexample
16068
16069 @noindent
16070 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
16071 expressions using the debugger.
16072
16073 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
16074 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
16075
16076 @smallexample
16077 VAR
16078 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
16079 @end smallexample
16080
16081 @smallexample
16082 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16083 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
16084 @end smallexample
16085
16086 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
16087 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
16088 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
16089 above.
16090
16091 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
16092
16093 @smallexample
16094 TYPE
16095 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
16096 t = [blue..yellow] ;
16097 VAR
16098 s: t ;
16099 BEGIN
16100 s := blue ;
16101 @end smallexample
16102
16103 @noindent
16104 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
16105 and value of a variable.
16106
16107 @smallexample
16108 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16109 $1 = blue
16110 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
16111 type = [blue..yellow]
16112 @end smallexample
16113
16114 @noindent
16115 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
16116 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
16117 their @code{C} counterparts.
16118
16119 @smallexample
16120 VAR
16121 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16122 BEGIN
16123 s[1] := 1 ;
16124 @end smallexample
16125
16126 @smallexample
16127 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16128 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
16129 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16130 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16131 @end smallexample
16132
16133 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
16134 pointer types as shown in this example:
16135
16136 @smallexample
16137 VAR
16138 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16139 BEGIN
16140 NEW(s) ;
16141 s^[1] := 1 ;
16142 @end smallexample
16143
16144 @noindent
16145 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
16146
16147 @smallexample
16148 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16149 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16150 @end smallexample
16151
16152 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
16153 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
16154 types:
16155
16156 @smallexample
16157 TYPE
16158 foo = RECORD
16159 f1: CARDINAL ;
16160 f2: CHAR ;
16161 f3: myarray ;
16162 END ;
16163
16164 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
16165 myrange = [-2..2] ;
16166 VAR
16167 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
16168 @end smallexample
16169
16170 @noindent
16171 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
16172 below.
16173
16174 @smallexample
16175 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16176 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
16177 f1 : CARDINAL;
16178 f2 : CHAR;
16179 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
16180 END
16181 @end smallexample
16182
16183 @node M2 Defaults
16184 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
16185 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
16186
16187 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
16188 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
16189 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
16190 selected the working language.
16191
16192 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
16193 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
16194 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
16195 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
16196
16197 @node Deviations
16198 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
16199 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
16200
16201 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
16202 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
16203
16204 @itemize @bullet
16205 @item
16206 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
16207 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
16208 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
16209 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
16210 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
16211 returned a pointer.)
16212
16213 @item
16214 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
16215 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
16216 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
16217 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
16218
16219 @item
16220 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
16221 argument.
16222
16223 @item
16224 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
16225 @end itemize
16226
16227 @node M2 Checks
16228 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
16229 @cindex Modula-2 checks
16230
16231 @quotation
16232 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
16233 range checking.
16234 @end quotation
16235 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
16236
16237 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
16238
16239 @itemize @bullet
16240 @item
16241 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
16242 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
16243
16244 @item
16245 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
16246 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
16247 @end itemize
16248
16249 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
16250 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
16251
16252 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
16253 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
16254
16255 @node M2 Scope
16256 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
16257 @cindex scope
16258 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
16259 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
16260 @ifinfo
16261 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
16262 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
16263 @end ifinfo
16264 @ifnotinfo
16265 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
16266 @end ifnotinfo
16267
16268 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
16269 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
16270 similar syntax:
16271
16272 @smallexample
16273
16274 @var{module} . @var{id}
16275 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
16276 @end smallexample
16277
16278 @noindent
16279 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
16280 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
16281 identifier within your program, except another module.
16282
16283 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
16284 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
16285 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
16286 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
16287
16288 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
16289 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
16290 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
16291 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
16292 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
16293 @var{module}.
16294
16295 @node GDB/M2
16296 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
16297
16298 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
16299 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
16300 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
16301 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
16302 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
16303 analogue in Modula-2.
16304
16305 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
16306 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
16307 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
16308 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
16309 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
16310 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
16311
16312 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
16313 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
16314 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
16315
16316 @node Ada
16317 @subsection Ada
16318 @cindex Ada
16319
16320 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
16321 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
16322 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
16323 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
16324 to be difficult.
16325
16326
16327 @cindex expressions in Ada
16328 @menu
16329 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
16330 and semantics supported by Ada mode
16331 in @value{GDBN}.
16332 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
16333 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
16334 * Overloading support for Ada:: Support for expressions involving overloaded
16335 subprograms.
16336 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
16337 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
16338 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
16339 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
16340 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
16341 Profile
16342 * Ada Settings:: New settable GDB parameters for Ada.
16343 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
16344 @end menu
16345
16346 @node Ada Mode Intro
16347 @subsubsection Introduction
16348 @cindex Ada mode, general
16349
16350 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
16351 syntax, with some extensions.
16352 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
16353
16354 @itemize @bullet
16355 @item
16356 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
16357 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
16358 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
16359 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
16360
16361 @item
16362 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
16363 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
16364
16365 @item
16366 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
16367 @end itemize
16368
16369 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
16370 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
16371 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
16372 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
16373 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
16374
16375 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
16376 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
16377 was translated from an Ada source file.
16378
16379 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
16380 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
16381 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
16382 middle (to allow based literals).
16383
16384 @node Omissions from Ada
16385 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
16386 @cindex Ada, omissions from
16387
16388 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
16389
16390 @itemize @bullet
16391 @item
16392 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
16393
16394 @itemize @minus
16395 @item
16396 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
16397 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
16398
16399 @item
16400 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
16401
16402 @item
16403 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
16404
16405 @item
16406 @t{'Tag}.
16407
16408 @item
16409 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
16410 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
16411
16412 @item
16413 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
16414 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
16415
16416 @item
16417 @t{'Address}.
16418 @end itemize
16419
16420 @item
16421 The names in
16422 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
16423 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
16424 not currently available.
16425
16426 @item
16427 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
16428 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
16429 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
16430 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
16431 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
16432 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
16433 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
16434 indeterminate values.
16435
16436 @item
16437 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
16438 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
16439 are not implemented.
16440
16441 @item
16442 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
16443 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
16444 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
16445 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
16446 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
16447
16448 @smallexample
16449 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
16450 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
16451 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
16452 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
16453 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
16454 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
16455 @end smallexample
16456
16457 Changing a
16458 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
16459 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
16460 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
16461 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
16462 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
16463 declared to have a type such as:
16464
16465 @smallexample
16466 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
16467 Id : Integer;
16468 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
16469 end record;
16470 @end smallexample
16471
16472 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
16473 assignments:
16474
16475 @smallexample
16476 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
16477 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
16478 @end smallexample
16479
16480 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
16481 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
16482 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
16483 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
16484 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
16485 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
16486 redundant component associations, although which component values are
16487 assigned in such cases is not defined.
16488
16489 @item
16490 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
16491
16492 @item
16493 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
16494 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
16495 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
16496 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
16497 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
16498 the proper resolution.
16499
16500 @item
16501 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
16502
16503 @item
16504 Entry calls are not implemented.
16505
16506 @item
16507 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
16508 formats are not supported.
16509
16510 @item
16511 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
16512
16513 @item
16514 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
16515 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
16516 context.
16517 Should your program
16518 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
16519 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
16520 @end itemize
16521
16522 @node Additions to Ada
16523 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
16524 @cindex Ada, deviations from
16525
16526 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
16527 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
16528
16529 @itemize @bullet
16530 @item
16531 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
16532 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
16533 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
16534 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
16535 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
16536 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
16537 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
16538 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
16539
16540 @item
16541 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
16542 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
16543 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
16544
16545 @item
16546 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
16547 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
16548
16549 @item
16550 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
16551 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
16552 @end itemize
16553
16554 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
16555 additions specific to Ada:
16556
16557 @itemize @bullet
16558 @item
16559 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
16560 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
16561
16562 @smallexample
16563 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
16564 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
16565 @end smallexample
16566
16567 @item
16568 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
16569 the value of its right-hand operand.
16570 This allows, for example,
16571 complex conditional breaks:
16572
16573 @smallexample
16574 (@value{GDBP}) break f
16575 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
16576 @end smallexample
16577
16578 @item
16579 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
16580 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
16581 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
16582 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
16583 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
16584 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
16585 in strings. For example,
16586 @smallexample
16587 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
16588 @end smallexample
16589 @noindent
16590 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
16591 after each period.
16592
16593 @item
16594 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
16595 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
16596 to write
16597
16598 @smallexample
16599 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
16600 @end smallexample
16601
16602 @item
16603 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
16604 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
16605 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
16606 of 3 might print as
16607
16608 @smallexample
16609 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
16610 @end smallexample
16611
16612 @noindent
16613 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
16614 clause.
16615
16616 @item
16617 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
16618 multi-character subsequence of
16619 their names (an exact match gets preference).
16620 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
16621 in place of @t{a'length}.
16622
16623 @item
16624 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
16625 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
16626 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
16627 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
16628 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
16629 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
16630 For example,
16631 @smallexample
16632 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
16633 @end smallexample
16634
16635 @item
16636 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
16637 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
16638 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
16639 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
16640 object.
16641
16642 @end itemize
16643
16644 @node Overloading support for Ada
16645 @subsubsection Overloading support for Ada
16646 @cindex overloading, Ada
16647
16648 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
16649 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
16650 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
16651 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
16652 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
16653 functions to procedures elsewhere.
16654
16655 If, after narrowing, the set of matching definitions still contains more than
16656 one definition, @value{GDBN} will display a menu to query which one it should
16657 use, for instance:
16658
16659 @smallexample
16660 (@value{GDBP}) print f(1)
16661 Multiple matches for f
16662 [0] cancel
16663 [1] foo.f (integer) return boolean at foo.adb:23
16664 [2] foo.f (foo.new_integer) return boolean at foo.adb:28
16665 >
16666 @end smallexample
16667
16668 In this case, just select one menu entry either to cancel expression evaluation
16669 (type @kbd{0} and press @key{RET}) or to continue evaluation with a specific
16670 instance (type the corresponding number and press @key{RET}).
16671
16672 Here are a couple of commands to customize @value{GDBN}'s behavior in this
16673 case:
16674
16675 @table @code
16676
16677 @kindex set ada print-signatures
16678 @item set ada print-signatures
16679 Control whether parameter types and return types are displayed in overloads
16680 selection menus. It is @code{on} by default.
16681 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
16682
16683 @kindex show ada print-signatures
16684 @item show ada print-signatures
16685 Show the current setting for displaying parameter types and return types in
16686 overloads selection menu.
16687 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
16688
16689 @end table
16690
16691 @node Stopping Before Main Program
16692 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
16693
16694 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
16695 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
16696 before reaching the main procedure.
16697 As defined in the Ada Reference
16698 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
16699 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
16700 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
16701 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
16702
16703 @node Ada Exceptions
16704 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
16705
16706 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
16707
16708 @table @code
16709 @kindex info exceptions
16710 @item info exceptions
16711 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
16712 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
16713 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
16714 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
16715 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
16716 @end table
16717
16718 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
16719 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
16720 argument.
16721
16722 @smallexample
16723 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
16724 All defined Ada exceptions:
16725 constraint_error: 0x613da0
16726 program_error: 0x613d20
16727 storage_error: 0x613ce0
16728 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
16729 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
16730 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
16731 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
16732 constraint_error: 0x613da0
16733 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
16734 @end smallexample
16735
16736 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
16737 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
16738
16739 @node Ada Tasks
16740 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
16741 @cindex Ada, tasking
16742
16743 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
16744 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
16745
16746 @table @code
16747 @kindex info tasks
16748 @item info tasks
16749 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
16750
16751
16752 @smallexample
16753 @iftex
16754 @leftskip=0.5cm
16755 @end iftex
16756 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16757 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16758 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16759 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
16760 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
16761 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
16762
16763 @end smallexample
16764
16765 @noindent
16766 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
16767 task currently being inspected.
16768
16769 @table @asis
16770 @item ID
16771 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
16772
16773 @item TID
16774 The Ada task ID.
16775
16776 @item P-ID
16777 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
16778
16779 @item Pri
16780 The base priority of the task.
16781
16782 @item State
16783 Current state of the task.
16784
16785 @table @code
16786 @item Unactivated
16787 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
16788 executing.
16789
16790 @item Runnable
16791 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
16792 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
16793
16794 @item Terminated
16795 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
16796 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
16797 terminated themselves.
16798
16799 @item Child Activation Wait
16800 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
16801
16802 @item Accept Statement
16803 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
16804
16805 @item Waiting on entry call
16806 The task is waiting on an entry call.
16807
16808 @item Async Select Wait
16809 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
16810 select statement.
16811
16812 @item Delay Sleep
16813 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
16814 alternative open.
16815
16816 @item Child Termination Wait
16817 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
16818 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
16819 waiting on a terminate Phase.
16820
16821 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
16822 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
16823 finish terminating.
16824
16825 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
16826 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
16827 @end table
16828
16829 @item Name
16830 Name of the task in the program.
16831
16832 @end table
16833
16834 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
16835 @item info task @var{taskno}
16836 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
16837 the following example:
16838 @smallexample
16839 @iftex
16840 @leftskip=0.5cm
16841 @end iftex
16842 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16843 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16844 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16845 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
16846 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
16847 Ada Task: 0x807c468
16848 Name: task_1
16849 Thread: 0x807f378
16850 Parent: 1 (main_task)
16851 Base Priority: 15
16852 State: Runnable
16853 @end smallexample
16854
16855 @item task
16856 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
16857 @cindex current Ada task ID
16858 This command prints the ID of the current task.
16859
16860 @smallexample
16861 @iftex
16862 @leftskip=0.5cm
16863 @end iftex
16864 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16865 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16866 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16867 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16868 (@value{GDBP}) task
16869 [Current task is 2]
16870 @end smallexample
16871
16872 @item task @var{taskno}
16873 @cindex Ada task switching
16874 This command is like the @code{thread @var{thread-id}}
16875 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
16876 from the current task to the given task.
16877
16878 @smallexample
16879 @iftex
16880 @leftskip=0.5cm
16881 @end iftex
16882 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16883 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16884 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16885 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
16886 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
16887 [Switching to task 1]
16888 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16889 (@value{GDBP}) bt
16890 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
16891 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
16892 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
16893 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
16894 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
16895 @end smallexample
16896
16897 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
16898 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
16899 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
16900 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
16901 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
16902 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
16903 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
16904 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
16905 in @ref{Specify Location}.
16906
16907 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
16908 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
16909 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
16910 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
16911 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
16912
16913 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
16914 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
16915 program.
16916
16917 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
16918 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
16919 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
16920
16921 For example,
16922
16923 @smallexample
16924 @iftex
16925 @leftskip=0.5cm
16926 @end iftex
16927 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16928 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16929 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16930 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
16931 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16932 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
16933 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
16934 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
16935 (@value{GDBP}) cont
16936 Continuing.
16937 task # 1 running
16938 task # 2 running
16939
16940 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
16941 15 flush;
16942 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
16943 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
16944 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
16945 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
16946 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
16947 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
16948 @end smallexample
16949 @end table
16950
16951 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
16952 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
16953 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
16954
16955 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
16956 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
16957 the platform being used.
16958 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
16959 switching is not supported.
16960
16961 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
16962 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
16963 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
16964 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
16965 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
16966 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
16967
16968 @node Ravenscar Profile
16969 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
16970 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
16971
16972 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
16973 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
16974 requirements.
16975
16976 @table @code
16977 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
16978 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
16979 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
16980 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16981 Profile. This is the default.
16982
16983 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
16984 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
16985 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
16986 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
16987 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
16988 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
16989 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
16990
16991 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
16992 @item show ravenscar task-switching
16993 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
16994 using the Ravenscar Profile.
16995
16996 @end table
16997
16998 @node Ada Settings
16999 @subsubsection Ada Settings
17000 @cindex Ada settings
17001
17002 @table @code
17003 @kindex set varsize-limit
17004 @item set varsize-limit @var{size}
17005 Prevent @value{GDBN} from attempting to evaluate objects whose size
17006 is above the given limit (@var{size}) when those sizes are computed
17007 from run-time quantities. This is typically the case when the object
17008 has a variable size, such as an array whose bounds are not known at
17009 compile time for example. Setting @var{size} to @code{unlimited}
17010 removes the size limitation. By default, the limit is about 65KB.
17011
17012 The purpose of having such a limit is to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17013 trying to grab enormous chunks of virtual memory when asked to evaluate
17014 a quantity whose bounds have been corrupted or have not yet been fully
17015 initialized. The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions
17016 as well as to complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting
17017 a simple integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
17018 @code{x.y} is variable and exceeds @code{size}. On the other hand,
17019 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A(i)}, where
17020 @code{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
17021 succeed regardless of the bounds on @code{A}, as long as the component
17022 size is less than @var{size}.
17023
17024 @kindex show varsize-limit
17025 @item show varsize-limit
17026 Show the limit on types whose size is determined by run-time quantities.
17027 @end table
17028
17029 @node Ada Glitches
17030 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
17031 @cindex Ada, problems
17032
17033 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
17034 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
17035 @value{GDBN},
17036 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
17037 and the GNU Ada compiler.
17038
17039 @itemize @bullet
17040 @item
17041 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
17042 storage are invisible to the debugger.
17043
17044 @item
17045 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
17046 argument lists are treated as positional).
17047
17048 @item
17049 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
17050
17051 @item
17052 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
17053 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
17054 the host machine.
17055
17056 @item
17057 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
17058 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
17059 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
17060 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
17061 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
17062 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
17063 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
17064 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
17065 you can usually resolve the confusion
17066 by qualifying the problematic names with package
17067 @code{Standard} explicitly.
17068 @end itemize
17069
17070 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
17071 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
17072 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
17073 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
17074 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
17075 enabled.
17076
17077 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17078 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17079 @table @code
17080
17081 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
17082 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
17083 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
17084 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
17085 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
17086 This is the default.
17087
17088 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
17089 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
17090 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
17091 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
17092 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
17093 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
17094 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
17095
17096 @end table
17097
17098 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
17099 @cindex GNAT encoding
17100 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
17101 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
17102 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
17103 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
17104 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
17105 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
17106
17107 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
17108 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
17109 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
17110 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
17111 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
17112 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
17113 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
17114 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
17115
17116 @table @code
17117
17118 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
17119 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
17120 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
17121 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
17122
17123 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17124 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17125 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
17126
17127 @end table
17128
17129 @node Unsupported Languages
17130 @section Unsupported Languages
17131
17132 @cindex unsupported languages
17133 @cindex minimal language
17134 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
17135 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
17136 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
17137 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
17138 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
17139 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
17140
17141 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
17142 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
17143 language.
17144
17145 @node Symbols
17146 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
17147
17148 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
17149 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
17150 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
17151 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
17152 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
17153 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
17154 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17155
17156 @cindex symbol names
17157 @cindex names of symbols
17158 @cindex quoting names
17159 @anchor{quoting names}
17160 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
17161 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
17162 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
17163 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
17164 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
17165 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
17166 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
17167 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
17168
17169 @smallexample
17170 p 'foo.c'::x
17171 @end smallexample
17172
17173 @noindent
17174 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
17175
17176 @table @code
17177 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
17178 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
17179 @kindex set case-sensitive
17180 @item set case-sensitive on
17181 @itemx set case-sensitive off
17182 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
17183 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
17184 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
17185 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
17186 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
17187 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
17188 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
17189 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
17190 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
17191 case-insensitive matches.
17192
17193 @kindex show case-sensitive
17194 @item show case-sensitive
17195 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
17196 lookups.
17197
17198 @kindex set print type methods
17199 @item set print type methods
17200 @itemx set print type methods on
17201 @itemx set print type methods off
17202 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
17203 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17204 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17205 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17206 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
17207 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
17208
17209 @kindex show print type methods
17210 @item show print type methods
17211 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
17212 classes.
17213
17214 @kindex set print type nested-type-limit
17215 @item set print type nested-type-limit @var{limit}
17216 @itemx set print type nested-type-limit unlimited
17217 Set the limit of displayed nested types that the type printer will
17218 show. A @var{limit} of @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} will show all
17219 nested definitions. By default, the type printer will not show any nested
17220 types defined in classes.
17221
17222 @kindex show print type nested-type-limit
17223 @item show print type nested-type-limit
17224 This command shows the current display limit of nested types when
17225 printing classes.
17226
17227 @kindex set print type typedefs
17228 @item set print type typedefs
17229 @itemx set print type typedefs on
17230 @itemx set print type typedefs off
17231
17232 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
17233 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17234 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17235 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17236 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
17237 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
17238 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
17239 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
17240 types.
17241
17242 @kindex show print type typedefs
17243 @item show print type typedefs
17244 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
17245 printing classes.
17246
17247 @kindex info address
17248 @cindex address of a symbol
17249 @item info address @var{symbol}
17250 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
17251 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
17252 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
17253 is always stored.
17254
17255 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
17256 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
17257 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
17258
17259 @kindex info symbol
17260 @cindex symbol from address
17261 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
17262 @item info symbol @var{addr}
17263 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
17264 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
17265 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
17266
17267 @smallexample
17268 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
17269 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
17270 @end smallexample
17271
17272 @noindent
17273 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
17274 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
17275
17276 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
17277 library containing the symbol is also printed:
17278
17279 @smallexample
17280 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
17281 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
17282 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
17283 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
17284 @end smallexample
17285
17286 @kindex demangle
17287 @cindex demangle
17288 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
17289 Demangle @var{name}.
17290 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
17291 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
17292
17293 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
17294 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
17295
17296 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
17297 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
17298
17299 @kindex whatis
17300 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
17301 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
17302 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
17303 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
17304
17305 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
17306 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
17307 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
17308
17309 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
17310 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
17311 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
17312 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
17313 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
17314 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
17315 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
17316 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
17317 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
17318
17319 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
17320 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
17321 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
17322 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
17323 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
17324 unroll it.
17325
17326 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
17327 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
17328 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
17329
17330 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
17331 Available flags are:
17332
17333 @table @code
17334 @item r
17335 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
17336 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
17337 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
17338
17339 @item m
17340 Do not print methods defined in the class.
17341
17342 @item M
17343 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
17344 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
17345
17346 @item t
17347 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
17348 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
17349 names are substituted when printing other types.
17350
17351 @item T
17352 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
17353 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
17354
17355 @item o
17356 Print the offsets and sizes of fields in a struct, similar to what the
17357 @command{pahole} tool does. This option implies the @code{/tm} flags.
17358
17359 For example, given the following declarations:
17360
17361 @smallexample
17362 struct tuv
17363 @{
17364 int a1;
17365 char *a2;
17366 int a3;
17367 @};
17368
17369 struct xyz
17370 @{
17371 int f1;
17372 char f2;
17373 void *f3;
17374 struct tuv f4;
17375 @};
17376
17377 union qwe
17378 @{
17379 struct tuv fff1;
17380 struct xyz fff2;
17381 @};
17382
17383 struct tyu
17384 @{
17385 int a1 : 1;
17386 int a2 : 3;
17387 int a3 : 23;
17388 char a4 : 2;
17389 int64_t a5;
17390 int a6 : 5;
17391 int64_t a7 : 3;
17392 @};
17393 @end smallexample
17394
17395 Issuing a @kbd{ptype /o struct tuv} command would print:
17396
17397 @smallexample
17398 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tuv
17399 /* offset | size */ type = struct tuv @{
17400 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
17401 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17402 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
17403 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
17404
17405 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17406 @}
17407 @end smallexample
17408
17409 Notice the format of the first column of comments. There, you can
17410 find two parts separated by the @samp{|} character: the @emph{offset},
17411 which indicates where the field is located inside the struct, in
17412 bytes, and the @emph{size} of the field. Another interesting line is
17413 the marker of a @emph{hole} in the struct, indicating that it may be
17414 possible to pack the struct and make it use less space by reorganizing
17415 its fields.
17416
17417 It is also possible to print offsets inside an union:
17418
17419 @smallexample
17420 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o union qwe
17421 /* offset | size */ type = union qwe @{
17422 /* 24 */ struct tuv @{
17423 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
17424 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17425 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
17426 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
17427
17428 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17429 @} fff1;
17430 /* 40 */ struct xyz @{
17431 /* 0 | 4 */ int f1;
17432 /* 4 | 1 */ char f2;
17433 /* XXX 3-byte hole */
17434 /* 8 | 8 */ void *f3;
17435 /* 16 | 24 */ struct tuv @{
17436 /* 16 | 4 */ int a1;
17437 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17438 /* 24 | 8 */ char *a2;
17439 /* 32 | 4 */ int a3;
17440
17441 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17442 @} f4;
17443
17444 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
17445 @} fff2;
17446
17447 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
17448 @}
17449 @end smallexample
17450
17451 In this case, since @code{struct tuv} and @code{struct xyz} occupy the
17452 same space (because we are dealing with an union), the offset is not
17453 printed for them. However, you can still examine the offset of each
17454 of these structures' fields.
17455
17456 Another useful scenario is printing the offsets of a struct containing
17457 bitfields:
17458
17459 @smallexample
17460 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tyu
17461 /* offset | size */ type = struct tyu @{
17462 /* 0:31 | 4 */ int a1 : 1;
17463 /* 0:28 | 4 */ int a2 : 3;
17464 /* 0: 5 | 4 */ int a3 : 23;
17465 /* 3: 3 | 1 */ signed char a4 : 2;
17466 /* XXX 3-bit hole */
17467 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
17468 /* 8 | 8 */ int64_t a5;
17469 /* 16:27 | 4 */ int a6 : 5;
17470 /* 16:56 | 8 */ int64_t a7 : 3;
17471
17472 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
17473 @}
17474 @end smallexample
17475
17476 Note how the offset information is now extended to also include how
17477 many bits are left to be used in each bitfield.
17478 @end table
17479
17480 @kindex ptype
17481 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
17482 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
17483 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
17484 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
17485
17486 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
17487 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
17488 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
17489 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
17490 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
17491 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
17492 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
17493 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
17494
17495 For example, for this variable declaration:
17496
17497 @smallexample
17498 typedef double real_t;
17499 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
17500 typedef struct complex complex_t;
17501 complex_t var;
17502 real_t *real_pointer_var;
17503 @end smallexample
17504
17505 @noindent
17506 the two commands give this output:
17507
17508 @smallexample
17509 @group
17510 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
17511 type = complex_t
17512 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
17513 type = struct complex @{
17514 real_t real;
17515 double imag;
17516 @}
17517 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
17518 type = struct complex
17519 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
17520 type = struct complex
17521 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
17522 type = struct complex @{
17523 real_t real;
17524 double imag;
17525 @}
17526 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
17527 type = real_t *
17528 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
17529 type = double *
17530 @end group
17531 @end smallexample
17532
17533 @noindent
17534 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
17535 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
17536
17537 @cindex incomplete type
17538 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
17539 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
17540 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
17541 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
17542 given these declarations:
17543
17544 @smallexample
17545 struct foo;
17546 struct foo *fooptr;
17547 @end smallexample
17548
17549 @noindent
17550 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
17551
17552 @smallexample
17553 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
17554 $1 = <incomplete type>
17555 @end smallexample
17556
17557 @noindent
17558 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
17559 completely specified.
17560
17561 @cindex unknown type
17562 Othertimes, information about a variable's type is completely absent
17563 from the debug information included in the program. This most often
17564 happens when the program or library where the variable is defined
17565 includes no debug information at all. @value{GDBN} knows the variable
17566 exists from inspecting the linker/loader symbol table (e.g., the ELF
17567 dynamic symbol table), but such symbols do not contain type
17568 information. Inspecting the type of a (global) variable for which
17569 @value{GDBN} has no type information shows:
17570
17571 @smallexample
17572 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
17573 type = <data variable, no debug info>
17574 @end smallexample
17575
17576 @xref{Variables, no debug info variables}, for how to print the values
17577 of such variables.
17578
17579 @kindex info types
17580 @item info types @var{regexp}
17581 @itemx info types
17582 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
17583 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
17584 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
17585 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
17586 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
17587 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
17588 name is @code{value}.
17589
17590 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
17591 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
17592 lists all source files and line numbers where a type is defined.
17593
17594 @kindex info type-printers
17595 @item info type-printers
17596 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
17597 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
17598 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
17599 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
17600 type printers.
17601
17602 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
17603
17604 @kindex enable type-printer
17605 @kindex disable type-printer
17606 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
17607 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
17608 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
17609
17610 @kindex info scope
17611 @cindex local variables
17612 @item info scope @var{location}
17613 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
17614 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
17615 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
17616 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
17617 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
17618
17619 @smallexample
17620 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
17621 Scope for command_line_handler:
17622 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
17623 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
17624 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
17625 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
17626 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
17627 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
17628 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
17629 @end smallexample
17630
17631 @noindent
17632 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
17633 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
17634 collect}.
17635
17636 @kindex info source
17637 @item info source
17638 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
17639 the function containing the current point of execution:
17640 @itemize @bullet
17641 @item
17642 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
17643 @item
17644 the directory it was compiled in,
17645 @item
17646 its length, in lines,
17647 @item
17648 which programming language it is written in,
17649 @item
17650 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
17651 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
17652 @item
17653 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
17654 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
17655 @item
17656 whether the debugging information includes information about
17657 preprocessor macros.
17658 @end itemize
17659
17660
17661 @kindex info sources
17662 @item info sources
17663 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
17664 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
17665 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
17666
17667 @kindex info functions
17668 @item info functions
17669 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
17670 Similarly to @samp{info types}, this command groups its output by source
17671 files and annotates each function definition with its source line
17672 number.
17673
17674 @item info functions @var{regexp}
17675 Like @samp{info functions}, but only print the names and data types of
17676 functions whose names contain a match for regular expression
17677 @var{regexp}. Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose
17678 names include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
17679 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters that
17680 conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
17681 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
17682
17683 @kindex info variables
17684 @item info variables
17685 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
17686 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
17687 The printed variables are grouped by source files and annotated with
17688 their respective source line numbers.
17689
17690 @item info variables @var{regexp}
17691 Like @kbd{info variables}, but only print the names and data types of
17692 non-local variables whose names contain a match for regular expression
17693 @var{regexp}.
17694
17695 @kindex info classes
17696 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
17697 @item info classes
17698 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
17699 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
17700 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
17701 expression.
17702
17703 @kindex info selectors
17704 @item info selectors
17705 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
17706 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
17707 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
17708 expression.
17709
17710 @ignore
17711 This was never implemented.
17712 @kindex info methods
17713 @item info methods
17714 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
17715 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
17716 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
17717 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
17718 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
17719 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
17720 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
17721 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
17722 @end ignore
17723
17724 @cindex opaque data types
17725 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
17726 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
17727 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
17728 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
17729 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
17730 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
17731 another source file. The default is on.
17732
17733 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
17734 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
17735
17736 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
17737 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
17738 is printed as follows:
17739 @smallexample
17740 @{<no data fields>@}
17741 @end smallexample
17742
17743 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
17744 @item show opaque-type-resolution
17745 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
17746
17747 @kindex set print symbol-loading
17748 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
17749 @item set print symbol-loading
17750 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
17751 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
17752 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
17753 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
17754 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
17755 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
17756 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
17757 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
17758 can be annoying.
17759 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
17760 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
17761 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
17762 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
17763
17764 @kindex show print symbol-loading
17765 @item show print symbol-loading
17766 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
17767 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
17768
17769 @kindex maint print symbols
17770 @cindex symbol dump
17771 @kindex maint print psymbols
17772 @cindex partial symbol dump
17773 @kindex maint print msymbols
17774 @cindex minimal symbol dump
17775 @item maint print symbols @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17776 @itemx maint print symbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17777 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17778 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17779 @itemx maint print msymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
17780 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename} or
17781 the terminal if @var{filename} is unspecified.
17782 If @code{-objfile @var{objfile}} is specified, only dump symbols for
17783 that objfile.
17784 If @code{-pc @var{address}} is specified, only dump symbols for the file
17785 with code at that address. Note that @var{address} may be a symbol like
17786 @code{main}.
17787 If @code{-source @var{source}} is specified, only dump symbols for that
17788 source file.
17789
17790 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code.
17791 These commands do not modify internal @value{GDBN} state, therefore
17792 @samp{maint print symbols} will only print symbols for already expanded symbol
17793 tables.
17794 You can use the command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are.
17795 If you use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information
17796 about symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols
17797 defined in files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely.
17798 Finally, @samp{maint print msymbols} just dumps ``minimal symbols'', e.g.,
17799 ``ELF symbols''.
17800
17801 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
17802 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
17803
17804 @kindex maint info symtabs
17805 @kindex maint info psymtabs
17806 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
17807 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
17808 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
17809 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
17810 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
17811 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
17812
17813 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
17814 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
17815 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
17816 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
17817 structure in more detail. For example:
17818
17819 @smallexample
17820 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
17821 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
17822 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
17823 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
17824 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
17825 readin no
17826 fullname (null)
17827 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
17828 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
17829 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
17830 dependencies (none)
17831 @}
17832 @}
17833 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
17834 (@value{GDBP})
17835 @end smallexample
17836 @noindent
17837 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
17838 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
17839 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
17840 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
17841 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
17842
17843 @smallexample
17844 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
17845 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
17846 line 1574.
17847 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
17848 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
17849 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
17850 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
17851 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
17852 dirname (null)
17853 fullname (null)
17854 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
17855 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
17856 debugformat DWARF 2
17857 @}
17858 @}
17859 (@value{GDBP})
17860 @end smallexample
17861
17862 @kindex maint info line-table
17863 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal line tables
17864 @cindex line tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
17865 @item maint info line-table @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
17866
17867 List the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}
17868 instances whose name matches @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
17869 given, list the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}.
17870
17871 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
17872 @cindex symbol cache size
17873 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
17874 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
17875 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
17876 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
17877 with different sizes.
17878
17879 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
17880 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
17881 Show the size of the symbol cache.
17882
17883 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
17884 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
17885 @item maint print symbol-cache
17886 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
17887 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
17888
17889 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
17890 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
17891 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
17892 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
17893 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
17894
17895 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
17896 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
17897 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
17898 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
17899 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
17900 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
17901
17902 @end table
17903
17904 @node Altering
17905 @chapter Altering Execution
17906
17907 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
17908 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
17909 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
17910 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
17911 program.
17912
17913 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
17914 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
17915 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
17916
17917 @menu
17918 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
17919 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
17920 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
17921 * Returning:: Returning from a function
17922 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
17923 * Patching:: Patching your program
17924 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
17925 @end menu
17926
17927 @node Assignment
17928 @section Assignment to Variables
17929
17930 @cindex assignment
17931 @cindex setting variables
17932 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
17933 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
17934
17935 @smallexample
17936 print x=4
17937 @end smallexample
17938
17939 @noindent
17940 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
17941 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
17942 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
17943 information on operators in supported languages.
17944
17945 @kindex set variable
17946 @cindex variables, setting
17947 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
17948 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
17949 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
17950 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
17951 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
17952
17953 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
17954 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
17955 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
17956 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
17957 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
17958 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
17959 command @code{set width}:
17960
17961 @smallexample
17962 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
17963 type = double
17964 (@value{GDBP}) p width
17965 $4 = 13
17966 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
17967 Invalid syntax in expression.
17968 @end smallexample
17969
17970 @noindent
17971 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
17972 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
17973
17974 @smallexample
17975 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
17976 @end smallexample
17977
17978 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
17979 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
17980 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
17981 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
17982 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
17983 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
17984
17985 @smallexample
17986 @group
17987 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
17988 type = double
17989 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17990 $1 = 1
17991 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
17992 (@value{GDBP}) p g
17993 $2 = 1
17994 (@value{GDBP}) r
17995 The program being debugged has been started already.
17996 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
17997 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
17998 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
17999 Invalid bfd target.
18000 (@value{GDBP}) show g
18001 The current BFD target is "=4".
18002 @end group
18003 @end smallexample
18004
18005 @noindent
18006 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
18007 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
18008 @code{g}, use
18009
18010 @smallexample
18011 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
18012 @end smallexample
18013
18014 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
18015 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
18016 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
18017 same length or shorter.
18018 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
18019 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
18020
18021 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
18022 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
18023 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
18024 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
18025 and representation in memory), and
18026
18027 @smallexample
18028 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
18029 @end smallexample
18030
18031 @noindent
18032 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
18033
18034 @node Jumping
18035 @section Continuing at a Different Address
18036
18037 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
18038 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
18039 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
18040
18041 @table @code
18042 @kindex jump
18043 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
18044 @item jump @var{location}
18045 @itemx j @var{location}
18046 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
18047 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
18048 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
18049 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
18050 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
18051
18052 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
18053 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
18054 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
18055 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
18056 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
18057 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
18058 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
18059 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
18060 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
18061 @end table
18062
18063 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
18064 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
18065 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
18066 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
18067 example,
18068
18069 @smallexample
18070 set $pc = 0x485
18071 @end smallexample
18072
18073 @noindent
18074 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
18075 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
18076 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
18077
18078 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
18079 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
18080 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
18081 detail.
18082
18083 @c @group
18084 @node Signaling
18085 @section Giving your Program a Signal
18086 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
18087
18088 @table @code
18089 @kindex signal
18090 @item signal @var{signal}
18091 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
18092 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
18093 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
18094 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18095
18096 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
18097 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
18098 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18099 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
18100 signal.
18101
18102 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
18103 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
18104 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
18105 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
18106 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
18107 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
18108 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
18109 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
18110
18111 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
18112 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
18113 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
18114 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
18115 passes the signal directly to your program.
18116
18117 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
18118 after executing the command.
18119
18120 @kindex queue-signal
18121 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
18122 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
18123 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
18124 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
18125 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18126 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
18127 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
18128 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
18129 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
18130
18131 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
18132 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
18133 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
18134 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18135 @code{continue} command.
18136
18137 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
18138 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
18139 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
18140 (@pxref{Signals}).
18141 @end table
18142 @c @end group
18143
18144 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
18145 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
18146
18147 @node Returning
18148 @section Returning from a Function
18149
18150 @table @code
18151 @cindex returning from a function
18152 @kindex return
18153 @item return
18154 @itemx return @var{expression}
18155 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
18156 command. If you give an
18157 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
18158 value.
18159 @end table
18160
18161 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
18162 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
18163 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
18164 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
18165
18166 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
18167 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
18168 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
18169 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
18170 of functions.
18171
18172 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
18173 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
18174 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
18175 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
18176 selected stack frame returns naturally.
18177
18178 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
18179 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
18180 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
18181 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
18182 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
18183 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
18184 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
18185 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
18186 assignment into the right register(s).
18187
18188 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
18189 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
18190 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
18191 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
18192 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
18193 into a @code{long long int}:
18194
18195 @smallexample
18196 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
18197 29 return 31;
18198 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
18199 Make func return now? (y or n) y
18200 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
18201 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
18202 (@value{GDBP})
18203 @end smallexample
18204
18205 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
18206 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
18207 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
18208 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
18209 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
18210 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
18211 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
18212 an appropriate cast explicitly:
18213
18214 @smallexample
18215 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
18216 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
18217 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
18218 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
18219 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
18220 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
18221 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
18222 (@value{GDBP})
18223 @end smallexample
18224
18225 @node Calling
18226 @section Calling Program Functions
18227
18228 @table @code
18229 @cindex calling functions
18230 @cindex inferior functions, calling
18231 @item print @var{expr}
18232 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
18233 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
18234 debugged.
18235
18236 @kindex call
18237 @item call @var{expr}
18238 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
18239 returned values.
18240
18241 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
18242 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
18243 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
18244 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
18245 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
18246 value history.
18247 @end table
18248
18249 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
18250 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
18251 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
18252 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
18253
18254 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
18255 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
18256 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
18257 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
18258 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
18259 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
18260 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
18261 in that case is controlled by the
18262 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
18263
18264 @table @code
18265 @item set unwindonsignal
18266 @kindex set unwindonsignal
18267 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
18268 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
18269 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
18270 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
18271 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
18272 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
18273 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
18274 received.
18275
18276 @item show unwindonsignal
18277 @kindex show unwindonsignal
18278 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
18279 @value{GDBN}.
18280
18281 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
18282 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
18283 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
18284 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
18285 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
18286 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
18287 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
18288 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
18289 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
18290 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
18291
18292 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
18293 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
18294 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
18295 @value{GDBN}.
18296
18297 @end table
18298
18299 @subsection Calling functions with no debug info
18300
18301 @cindex no debug info functions
18302 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is missing debug information.
18303 In such case, @value{GDBN} does not know the type of the function,
18304 including the types of the function's parameters. To avoid calling
18305 the inferior function incorrectly, which could result in the called
18306 function functioning erroneously and even crash, @value{GDBN} refuses
18307 to call the function unless you tell it the type of the function.
18308
18309 For prototyped (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) functions, there are two ways
18310 to do that. The simplest is to cast the call to the function's
18311 declared return type. For example:
18312
18313 @smallexample
18314 (@value{GDBP}) p getenv ("PATH")
18315 'getenv' has unknown return type; cast the call to its declared return type
18316 (@value{GDBP}) p (char *) getenv ("PATH")
18317 $1 = 0x7fffffffe7ba "/usr/local/bin:/"...
18318 @end smallexample
18319
18320 Casting the return type of a no-debug function is equivalent to
18321 casting the function to a pointer to a prototyped function that has a
18322 prototype that matches the types of the passed-in arguments, and
18323 calling that. I.e., the call above is equivalent to:
18324
18325 @smallexample
18326 (@value{GDBP}) p ((char * (*) (const char *)) getenv) ("PATH")
18327 @end smallexample
18328
18329 @noindent
18330 and given this prototyped C or C++ function with float parameters:
18331
18332 @smallexample
18333 float multiply (float v1, float v2) @{ return v1 * v2; @}
18334 @end smallexample
18335
18336 @noindent
18337 these calls are equivalent:
18338
18339 @smallexample
18340 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) multiply (2.0f, 3.0f)
18341 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) (float, float)) multiply) (2.0f, 3.0f)
18342 @end smallexample
18343
18344 If the function you wish to call is declared as unprototyped (i.e.@:
18345 old K&R style), you must use the cast-to-function-pointer syntax, so
18346 that @value{GDBN} knows that it needs to apply default argument
18347 promotions (promote float arguments to double). @xref{ABI, float
18348 promotion}. For example, given this unprototyped C function with
18349 float parameters, and no debug info:
18350
18351 @smallexample
18352 float
18353 multiply_noproto (v1, v2)
18354 float v1, v2;
18355 @{
18356 return v1 * v2;
18357 @}
18358 @end smallexample
18359
18360 @noindent
18361 you call it like this:
18362
18363 @smallexample
18364 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) ()) multiply_noproto) (2.0f, 3.0f)
18365 @end smallexample
18366
18367 @node Patching
18368 @section Patching Programs
18369
18370 @cindex patching binaries
18371 @cindex writing into executables
18372 @cindex writing into corefiles
18373
18374 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
18375 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
18376 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
18377 patching your program's binary.
18378
18379 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
18380 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
18381 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
18382 repairs.
18383
18384 @table @code
18385 @kindex set write
18386 @item set write on
18387 @itemx set write off
18388 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
18389 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
18390 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
18391
18392 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
18393 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
18394 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
18395
18396 @item show write
18397 @kindex show write
18398 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
18399 as well as reading.
18400 @end table
18401
18402 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
18403 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
18404 @cindex injecting code
18405 @cindex writing into executables
18406 @cindex compiling code
18407
18408 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
18409 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
18410 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
18411 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
18412
18413 @table @code
18414 @kindex compile code
18415 @item compile code @var{source-code}
18416 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
18417 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
18418 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
18419 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
18420 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
18421 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
18422 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
18423 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
18424 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
18425 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
18426 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
18427
18428 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
18429 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
18430 E.g.:
18431
18432 @smallexample
18433 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
18434 @end smallexample
18435
18436 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
18437 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
18438 from actual source code. E.g.:
18439
18440 @smallexample
18441 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
18442 @end smallexample
18443
18444 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
18445 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
18446 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
18447 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
18448 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
18449 editor.
18450
18451 @smallexample
18452 compile code
18453 >printf ("hello\n");
18454 >printf ("world\n");
18455 >end
18456 @end smallexample
18457
18458 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
18459 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
18460 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
18461 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
18462 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
18463 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
18464 inferior symbols otherwise.
18465
18466 @kindex compile file
18467 @item compile file @var{filename}
18468 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
18469 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
18470
18471 @smallexample
18472 compile file /home/user/example.c
18473 @end smallexample
18474 @end table
18475
18476 @table @code
18477 @item compile print @var{expr}
18478 @itemx compile print /@var{f} @var{expr}
18479 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
18480 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
18481 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
18482 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
18483 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
18484 Formats}.
18485
18486 @item compile print
18487 @itemx compile print /@var{f}
18488 @cindex reprint the last value
18489 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
18490 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
18491 command without any text following the command. This will start the
18492 multiple-line editor.
18493 @end table
18494
18495 @noindent
18496 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
18497
18498 @table @code
18499 @anchor{set debug compile}
18500 @item set debug compile
18501 @cindex compile command debugging info
18502 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
18503 injecting the code. The default is off.
18504
18505 @item show debug compile
18506 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
18507 compiling and injecting the code.
18508 @end table
18509
18510 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
18511
18512 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
18513 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
18514 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
18515 injecting process.
18516
18517 @noindent
18518 The options used, in increasing precedence:
18519
18520 @table @asis
18521 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
18522 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
18523 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
18524 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
18525
18526 @item compilation options recorded in the target
18527 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
18528 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
18529 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
18530 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
18531 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
18532 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
18533 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
18534
18535 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
18536 @end table
18537
18538 @noindent
18539 You can override compilation options using the following command:
18540
18541 @table @code
18542 @item set compile-args
18543 @cindex compile command options override
18544 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
18545 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
18546 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
18547 compilation.
18548
18549 @item show compile-args
18550 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
18551 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
18552 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
18553 @end table
18554
18555 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
18556
18557 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
18558 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
18559 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
18560
18561 @table @asis
18562 @item C code examples and caveats
18563 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
18564 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
18565 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
18566 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
18567 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
18568
18569 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
18570 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
18571 much like any other normal debugging session.
18572
18573 @smallexample
18574 void function1 (void)
18575 @{
18576 int i = 42;
18577 printf ("function 1\n");
18578 @}
18579
18580 void function2 (void)
18581 @{
18582 int j = 12;
18583 function1 ();
18584 @}
18585
18586 int main(void)
18587 @{
18588 int k = 6;
18589 int *p;
18590 function2 ();
18591 return 0;
18592 @}
18593 @end smallexample
18594
18595 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
18596 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
18597 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
18598
18599 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
18600 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
18601 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
18602 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
18603 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
18604
18605 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
18606 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
18607 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
18608 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
18609 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
18610 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
18611 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
18612 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
18613 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
18614 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
18615
18616 @smallexample
18617 compile code k = 3;
18618 @end smallexample
18619
18620 @noindent
18621 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
18622 something else in the example program changes it, or another
18623 @code{compile} command changes it.
18624
18625 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
18626 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
18627 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
18628 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
18629 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
18630
18631 @smallexample
18632 compile code j = 3;
18633 @end smallexample
18634
18635 @noindent
18636 will result in a compilation error message.
18637
18638 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
18639 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
18640 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
18641
18642 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
18643 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
18644 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
18645 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
18646
18647 @smallexample
18648 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
18649 @end smallexample
18650
18651 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
18652 command has completed:
18653
18654 @smallexample
18655 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
18656 @end smallexample
18657
18658 @noindent
18659 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
18660 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
18661 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
18662 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
18663 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
18664
18665 @smallexample
18666 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
18667 @end smallexample
18668
18669 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
18670 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
18671 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
18672 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
18673 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
18674 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
18675 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
18676 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
18677
18678 @smallexample
18679 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
18680 @end smallexample
18681
18682 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
18683 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
18684 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
18685 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
18686 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
18687 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
18688 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
18689
18690 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
18691 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
18692 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
18693 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
18694 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
18695 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
18696
18697 @smallexample
18698 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
18699 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
18700 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
18701 Compilation failed.
18702 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
18703 42
18704 @end smallexample
18705
18706 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
18707 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
18708 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
18709 will print to the console.
18710 @end table
18711
18712 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
18713
18714 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged
18715 which may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture
18716 than where @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} on
18717 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
18718 target architecture and operating system. This search can be overriden
18719 by @code{set compile-gcc} @value{GDBN} command below. @code{PATH} is
18720 taken from shell that executed @value{GDBN}, it is not the value set by
18721 @value{GDBN} command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}.
18722
18723
18724 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
18725 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
18726 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
18727 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
18728 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
18729 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
18730 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
18731
18732 On Posix hosts the compiler driver @value{GDBN} needs to find also
18733 shared library @file{libcc1.so} from the compiler. It is searched in
18734 default shared library search path (overridable with usual environment
18735 variable @code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}), unrelated to @code{PATH} or @code{set
18736 compile-gcc} settings. Contrary to it @file{libcc1plugin.so} is found
18737 according to the installation of the found compiler --- as possibly
18738 specified by the @code{set compile-gcc} command.
18739
18740 @table @code
18741 @item set compile-gcc
18742 @cindex compile command driver filename override
18743 Set compilation command used for compiling and injecting code with the
18744 @code{compile} commands. If this option is not set (it is set to
18745 an empty string), the search described above will occur --- that is the
18746 default.
18747
18748 @item show compile-gcc
18749 Displays the current compile command @value{NGCC} driver filename.
18750 If set, it is the main command @command{gcc}, found usually for example
18751 under name @file{x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc}.
18752 @end table
18753
18754 @node GDB Files
18755 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
18756
18757 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
18758 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
18759 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
18760 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
18761
18762 @menu
18763 * Files:: Commands to specify files
18764 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
18765 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
18766 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
18767 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
18768 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
18769 * Data Files:: GDB data files
18770 @end menu
18771
18772 @node Files
18773 @section Commands to Specify Files
18774
18775 @cindex symbol table
18776 @cindex core dump file
18777
18778 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
18779 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
18780 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
18781 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
18782
18783 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
18784 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
18785 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
18786 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
18787 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
18788 new files are useful.
18789
18790 @table @code
18791 @cindex executable file
18792 @kindex file
18793 @item file @var{filename}
18794 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
18795 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
18796 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
18797 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
18798 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
18799 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
18800 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
18801 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
18802
18803 @cindex unlinked object files
18804 @cindex patching object files
18805 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
18806 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
18807 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
18808 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
18809 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
18810 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
18811 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
18812 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
18813
18814 @item file
18815 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
18816 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
18817
18818 @kindex exec-file
18819 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
18820 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
18821 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
18822 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
18823 discard information on the executable file.
18824
18825 @kindex symbol-file
18826 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]]}
18827 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
18828 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
18829 table and program to run from the same file.
18830
18831 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
18832 address of each section in the symbol file. This is useful if the
18833 program is relocated at runtime, such as the Linux kernel with kASLR
18834 enabled.
18835
18836 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
18837 program's symbol table.
18838
18839 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
18840 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
18841 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
18842 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
18843 @value{GDBN}.
18844
18845 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
18846 executing it once.
18847
18848 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
18849 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
18850 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
18851 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
18852 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
18853 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
18854 optimized code.
18855
18856 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
18857 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
18858 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
18859 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
18860 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
18861
18862 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
18863 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
18864 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
18865 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
18866 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
18867 Warnings and Messages}.)
18868
18869 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
18870 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
18871 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
18872 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
18873 in stabs format.
18874
18875 @kindex readnow
18876 @cindex reading symbols immediately
18877 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
18878 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
18879 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
18880 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
18881 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
18882 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
18883 entire symbol table available.
18884
18885 @cindex @code{-readnever}, option for symbol-file command
18886 @cindex never read symbols
18887 @cindex symbols, never read
18888 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
18889 @itemx file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
18890 You can instruct @value{GDBN} to never read the symbolic information
18891 contained in @var{filename} by using the @samp{-readnever} option.
18892 @xref{--readnever}.
18893
18894 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
18895 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
18896 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
18897 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
18898 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
18899 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
18900 @c files.
18901
18902 @kindex core-file
18903 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18904 @itemx core
18905 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
18906 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
18907 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
18908 executable file itself for other parts.
18909
18910 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
18911 to be used.
18912
18913 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
18914 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
18915 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
18916 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
18917 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
18918
18919 @kindex add-symbol-file
18920 @cindex dynamic linking
18921 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{|} -readnever @r{]} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]} @r{[} @var{textaddress} @r{]} @r{[} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{} @r{]}
18922 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
18923 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
18924 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
18925 into the program that is running. The @var{textaddress} parameter gives
18926 the memory address at which the file's text section has been loaded.
18927 You can additionally specify the base address of other sections using
18928 an arbitrary number of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs.
18929 If a section is omitted, @value{GDBN} will use its default addresses
18930 as found in @var{filename}. Any @var{address} or @var{textaddress}
18931 can be given as an expression.
18932
18933 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
18934 address of each section, except those for which the address was
18935 specified explicitly.
18936
18937 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
18938 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
18939 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
18940 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
18941
18942 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
18943
18944 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
18945 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
18946 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
18947 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
18948 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
18949 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
18950 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
18951 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
18952 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
18953
18954 @itemize @bullet
18955 @item
18956 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
18957 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
18958 @item
18959 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
18960 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
18961 @item
18962 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
18963 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
18964 @end itemize
18965
18966 @noindent
18967 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
18968 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
18969 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
18970 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
18971 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
18972 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
18973 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
18974 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
18975 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
18976 way.
18977
18978 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
18979
18980 @kindex remove-symbol-file
18981 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
18982 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
18983 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
18984 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
18985 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
18986
18987 @smallexample
18988 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
18989 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
18990 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
18991 (y or n) y
18992 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
18993 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
18994 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
18995 (gdb)
18996 @end smallexample
18997
18998
18999 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
19000
19001 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
19002 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
19003 @cindex load symbols from memory
19004 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
19005 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
19006 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
19007 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
19008 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
19009 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
19010 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
19011 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
19012 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
19013
19014 @kindex section
19015 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
19016 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
19017 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
19018 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
19019 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
19020 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
19021 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
19022 their addresses.
19023
19024 @kindex info files
19025 @kindex info target
19026 @item info files
19027 @itemx info target
19028 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
19029 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
19030 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
19031 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
19032 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
19033 current ones.
19034
19035 @kindex maint info sections
19036 @item maint info sections
19037 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
19038 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
19039 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
19040 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
19041 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
19042 may be arbitrarily combined):
19043
19044 @table @code
19045 @item ALLOBJ
19046 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
19047 @item @var{sections}
19048 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
19049 @item @var{section-flags}
19050 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
19051 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
19052 @table @code
19053 @item ALLOC
19054 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
19055 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
19056 @item LOAD
19057 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
19058 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
19059 @item RELOC
19060 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
19061 @item READONLY
19062 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
19063 @item CODE
19064 Section contains executable code only.
19065 @item DATA
19066 Section contains data only (no executable code).
19067 @item ROM
19068 Section will reside in ROM.
19069 @item CONSTRUCTOR
19070 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
19071 @item HAS_CONTENTS
19072 Section is not empty.
19073 @item NEVER_LOAD
19074 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
19075 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
19076 A notification to the linker that the section contains
19077 COFF shared library information.
19078 @item IS_COMMON
19079 Section contains common symbols.
19080 @end table
19081 @end table
19082 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
19083 @cindex read-only sections
19084 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
19085 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
19086 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
19087 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
19088 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
19089 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
19090 enhancement to debugging performance.
19091
19092 The default is off.
19093
19094 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
19095 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
19096 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
19097 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
19098
19099 @item show trust-readonly-sections
19100 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
19101 @end table
19102
19103 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
19104 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
19105 name and remembers it that way.
19106
19107 @cindex shared libraries
19108 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
19109 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, SunOS,
19110 Darwin/Mach-O, SVr4, IBM RS/6000 AIX, QNX Neutrino, FDPIC (FR-V), and
19111 DSBT (TIC6X) shared libraries.
19112
19113 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
19114 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
19115
19116 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
19117 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
19118 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
19119 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
19120 debugging a core file).
19121
19122 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
19123 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
19124 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
19125
19126 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
19127 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
19128 particularly large or there are many of them.
19129
19130 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
19131 commands:
19132
19133 @table @code
19134 @kindex set auto-solib-add
19135 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
19136 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
19137 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
19138 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
19139 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
19140 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
19141 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
19142
19143 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
19144 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
19145 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
19146 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
19147 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
19148 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
19149 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
19150 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
19151 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
19152
19153 @kindex show auto-solib-add
19154 @item show auto-solib-add
19155 Display the current autoloading mode.
19156 @end table
19157
19158 @cindex load shared library
19159 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
19160 command:
19161
19162 @table @code
19163 @kindex info sharedlibrary
19164 @kindex info share
19165 @item info share @var{regex}
19166 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
19167 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
19168 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
19169 all shared libraries that are loaded.
19170
19171 @kindex info dll
19172 @item info dll @var{regex}
19173 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
19174
19175 @kindex sharedlibrary
19176 @kindex share
19177 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
19178 @itemx share @var{regex}
19179 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
19180 Unix regular expression.
19181 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
19182 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
19183 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
19184 loaded.
19185
19186 @item nosharedlibrary
19187 @kindex nosharedlibrary
19188 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
19189 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
19190 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
19191 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
19192 discarded.
19193 @end table
19194
19195 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
19196 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
19197 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
19198 Catchpoints}).
19199
19200 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
19201 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
19202 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
19203 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
19204
19205 @table @code
19206 @item set stop-on-solib-events
19207 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
19208 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
19209 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
19210 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
19211 shared library.
19212
19213 @item show stop-on-solib-events
19214 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
19215 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
19216 library events happen.
19217 @end table
19218
19219 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
19220 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
19221 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
19222 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
19223 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
19224 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
19225 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
19226 not.
19227
19228 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
19229 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
19230 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
19231 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
19232 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
19233
19234 @table @code
19235 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
19236 @cindex system root, alternate
19237 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
19238 @kindex set sysroot
19239 @item set sysroot @var{path}
19240 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
19241 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
19242 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
19243 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
19244 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
19245 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
19246 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
19247 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
19248 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
19249 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
19250 @var{path}.
19251
19252 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
19253 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
19254 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
19255 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
19256 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
19257 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
19258 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
19259 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
19260 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
19261 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
19262 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
19263 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
19264 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
19265 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
19266
19267 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
19268 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
19269 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
19270 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
19271 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
19272
19273 @smallexample
19274 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
19275 @end smallexample
19276
19277 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
19278 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
19279 system:
19280
19281 @smallexample
19282 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
19283 @end smallexample
19284
19285 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
19286 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
19287 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
19288 colons:
19289
19290 @smallexample
19291 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
19292 @end smallexample
19293
19294 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
19295 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
19296 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
19297 @samp{z}):
19298
19299 @smallexample
19300 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
19301 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
19302 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
19303 @end smallexample
19304
19305 @noindent
19306 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
19307 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
19308 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
19309
19310 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
19311 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
19312
19313 @smallexample
19314 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
19315 @end smallexample
19316
19317 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
19318 if you don't want or need to.
19319
19320 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
19321 sysroot}.
19322
19323 @cindex default system root
19324 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
19325 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
19326 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
19327 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
19328 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
19329 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
19330 location.
19331
19332 @kindex show sysroot
19333 @item show sysroot
19334 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
19335
19336 @kindex set solib-search-path
19337 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
19338 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
19339 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
19340 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
19341 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
19342 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
19343 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
19344 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
19345 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
19346 of shared library symbols.
19347
19348 @kindex show solib-search-path
19349 @item show solib-search-path
19350 Display the current shared library search path.
19351
19352 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
19353 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
19354 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
19355 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
19356 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
19357
19358 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
19359 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
19360 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
19361 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
19362 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
19363 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
19364 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
19365 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
19366 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
19367 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
19368 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
19369 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
19370 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
19371 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
19372 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
19373 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
19374 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
19375 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
19376 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
19377 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
19378 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
19379 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
19380
19381 @table @code
19382 @item unix
19383 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
19384 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
19385 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
19386 the forward slash.
19387
19388 @item dos-based
19389 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
19390 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
19391 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
19392 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
19393 considered directory separators.
19394
19395 @item auto
19396 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
19397 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
19398 This is the default.
19399 @end table
19400 @end table
19401
19402 @cindex file name canonicalization
19403 @cindex base name differences
19404 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
19405 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
19406 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
19407 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
19408 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
19409 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
19410 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
19411 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
19412 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
19413 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
19414 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
19415 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
19416 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
19417 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
19418 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
19419
19420 @table @code
19421 @item set basenames-may-differ
19422 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
19423 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
19424
19425 @item show basenames-may-differ
19426 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
19427 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
19428 @end table
19429
19430 @node File Caching
19431 @section File Caching
19432 @cindex caching of opened files
19433 @cindex caching of bfd objects
19434
19435 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
19436 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
19437 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
19438 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
19439
19440 @table @code
19441 @kindex maint info bfds
19442 @item maint info bfds
19443 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
19444 @value{GDBN}.
19445
19446 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
19447 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
19448 @kindex bfd caching
19449 @item maint set bfd-sharing
19450 @item maint show bfd-sharing
19451 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
19452 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
19453 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
19454 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
19455 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
19456 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
19457 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
19458
19459 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
19460 @kindex bfd caching
19461 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
19462 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
19463
19464 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
19465 @kindex bfd caching
19466 @item show debug bfd-cache
19467 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
19468 @end table
19469
19470 @node Separate Debug Files
19471 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
19472 @cindex separate debugging information files
19473 @cindex debugging information in separate files
19474 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
19475 @cindex debugging information directory, global
19476 @cindex global debugging information directories
19477 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
19478 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
19479
19480 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
19481 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
19482 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
19483 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
19484 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
19485 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
19486 install only when they need to debug a problem.
19487
19488 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
19489 file:
19490
19491 @itemize @bullet
19492 @item
19493 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
19494 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
19495 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
19496 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
19497 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
19498 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
19499 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
19500 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
19501
19502 @item
19503 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
19504 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
19505 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
19506 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
19507 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
19508 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
19509 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
19510 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
19511 below.
19512 @end itemize
19513
19514 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
19515 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
19516
19517 @itemize @bullet
19518 @item
19519 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
19520 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
19521 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
19522 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
19523 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
19524
19525 @item
19526 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
19527 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
19528 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
19529 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
19530 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
19531 hex characters, not 10.)
19532 @end itemize
19533
19534 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
19535 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
19536 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
19537 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
19538 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
19539 debug information files, in the indicated order:
19540
19541 @itemize @minus
19542 @item
19543 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
19544 @item
19545 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
19546 @item
19547 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
19548 @item
19549 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
19550 @end itemize
19551
19552 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
19553 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
19554 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
19555 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
19556 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
19557
19558 @table @code
19559
19560 @kindex set debug-file-directory
19561 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
19562 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
19563 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
19564 concatenating them by a path separator.
19565
19566 @kindex show debug-file-directory
19567 @item show debug-file-directory
19568 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
19569 information files.
19570
19571 @end table
19572
19573 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
19574 @cindex debug link sections
19575 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
19576 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
19577
19578 @itemize
19579 @item
19580 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
19581 a zero byte,
19582 @item
19583 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
19584 boundary within the section, and
19585 @item
19586 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
19587 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
19588 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
19589 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
19590 @end itemize
19591
19592 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
19593 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
19594 described above.
19595
19596 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
19597 @cindex build ID sections
19598 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
19599 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
19600 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
19601 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
19602 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
19603 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
19604 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
19605 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
19606 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
19607
19608 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
19609 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
19610 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
19611 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
19612 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
19613 in an ordinary executable.
19614
19615 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
19616 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
19617 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
19618 following commands:
19619
19620 @smallexample
19621 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
19622 @kbd{strip -g foo}
19623 @end smallexample
19624
19625 @noindent
19626 These commands remove the debugging
19627 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
19628 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
19629 two files:
19630
19631 @itemize @bullet
19632 @item
19633 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
19634 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
19635
19636 @smallexample
19637 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
19638 @end smallexample
19639
19640 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
19641 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
19642 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
19643 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
19644
19645 @item
19646 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
19647 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
19648 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
19649 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
19650 @end itemize
19651
19652 @noindent
19653
19654 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
19655 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
19656 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
19657
19658 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
19659 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
19660 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
19661 @c different ways!
19662 @ifhtml
19663 @display
19664 @html
19665 <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>
19666 + <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
19667 @end html
19668 @end display
19669 @end ifhtml
19670 @ifnothtml
19671 @display
19672 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
19673 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
19674 @end display
19675 @end ifnothtml
19676
19677 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
19678 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
19679 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
19680 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
19681 CRC.
19682
19683 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
19684 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
19685 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
19686 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
19687 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
19688
19689 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
19690 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
19691 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
19692 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
19693 @code{0xffffffff}.
19694
19695 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
19696 @smallexample
19697 unsigned long
19698 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
19699 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
19700 @{
19701 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
19702 @{
19703 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
19704 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
19705 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
19706 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
19707 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
19708 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
19709 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
19710 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
19711 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
19712 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
19713 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
19714 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
19715 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
19716 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
19717 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
19718 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
19719 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
19720 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
19721 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
19722 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
19723 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
19724 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
19725 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
19726 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
19727 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
19728 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
19729 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
19730 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
19731 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
19732 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
19733 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
19734 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
19735 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
19736 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
19737 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
19738 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
19739 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
19740 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
19741 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
19742 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
19743 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
19744 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
19745 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
19746 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
19747 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
19748 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
19749 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
19750 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
19751 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
19752 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
19753 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
19754 0x2d02ef8d
19755 @};
19756 unsigned char *end;
19757
19758 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
19759 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
19760 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
19761 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
19762 @}
19763 @end smallexample
19764
19765 @noindent
19766 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
19767
19768 @node MiniDebugInfo
19769 @section Debugging information in a special section
19770 @cindex separate debug sections
19771 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
19772
19773 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
19774 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
19775 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
19776 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
19777
19778 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
19779 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
19780 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
19781 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
19782 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
19783 debugging information might be included in the section.
19784
19785 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
19786 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
19787 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
19788
19789 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
19790 standard utilities:
19791
19792 @smallexample
19793 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
19794 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
19795 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
19796 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
19797
19798 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
19799 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
19800 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
19801 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
19802 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
19803 | sort > funcsyms
19804
19805 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
19806 # table.
19807 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
19808
19809 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
19810 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
19811
19812 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
19813 # removing some unnecessary sections.
19814 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
19815 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
19816
19817 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
19818 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
19819
19820 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
19821 # original binary.
19822 xz mini_debuginfo
19823 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
19824 @end smallexample
19825
19826 @node Index Files
19827 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
19828 @cindex index files
19829 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
19830
19831 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
19832 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
19833 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
19834 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
19835 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
19836 startup.
19837
19838 For convenience, @value{GDBN} comes with a program,
19839 @command{gdb-add-index}, which can be used to add the index to a
19840 symbol file. It takes the symbol file as its only argument:
19841
19842 @smallexample
19843 $ gdb-add-index symfile
19844 @end smallexample
19845
19846 @xref{gdb-add-index}.
19847
19848 It is also possible to do the work manually. Here is what
19849 @command{gdb-add-index} does behind the curtains.
19850
19851 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
19852 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
19853 using @command{objcopy}.
19854
19855 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
19856
19857 @table @code
19858 @item save gdb-index [-dwarf-5] @var{directory}
19859 @kindex save gdb-index
19860 Create index files for all symbol files currently known by
19861 @value{GDBN}. For each known @var{symbol-file}, this command by
19862 default creates it produces a single file
19863 @file{@var{symbol-file}.gdb-index}. If you invoke this command with
19864 the @option{-dwarf-5} option, it produces 2 files:
19865 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_names} and
19866 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_str}. The files are created in the
19867 given @var{directory}.
19868 @end table
19869
19870 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
19871 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
19872
19873 @smallexample
19874 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
19875 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
19876 @end smallexample
19877
19878 Or for @code{-dwarf-5}:
19879
19880 @smallexample
19881 $ objcopy --dump-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile
19882 $ cat symfile.debug_str >>symfile.debug_str.new
19883 $ objcopy --add-section .debug_names=symfile.gdb-index \
19884 --set-section-flags .debug_names=readonly \
19885 --update-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile symfile
19886 @end smallexample
19887
19888 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
19889 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
19890 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
19891 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
19892 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
19893 The default is @code{off}.
19894 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
19895 @xref{Index Section Format}.
19896
19897 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
19898 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
19899
19900 @smallexample
19901 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
19902 @end smallexample
19903
19904 Instead you must do, for example,
19905
19906 @smallexample
19907 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
19908 @end smallexample
19909
19910 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
19911 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
19912 currently work for programs using Ada.
19913
19914 @node Symbol Errors
19915 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
19916
19917 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
19918 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
19919 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
19920 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
19921 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
19922 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
19923 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
19924 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
19925 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
19926 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
19927 Messages}).
19928
19929 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
19930
19931 @table @code
19932 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
19933
19934 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
19935 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
19936 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
19937 in its outer scope blocks.
19938
19939 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
19940 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
19941 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
19942 function.
19943
19944 @item block at @var{address} out of order
19945
19946 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
19947 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
19948 do so.
19949
19950 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
19951 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
19952 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
19953 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
19954 Messages}.)
19955
19956 @item bad block start address patched
19957
19958 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
19959 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
19960 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
19961
19962 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
19963 starting on the previous source line.
19964
19965 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
19966
19967 @cindex foo
19968 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
19969 larger than the size of the string table.
19970
19971 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
19972 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
19973 with this name.
19974
19975 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
19976
19977 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
19978 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
19979 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
19980
19981 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
19982 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
19983 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
19984 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
19985 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
19986 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
19987
19988 @item stub type has NULL name
19989
19990 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
19991
19992 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
19993 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
19994 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
19995 it.
19996
19997 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
19998
19999 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
20000
20001 @end table
20002
20003 @node Data Files
20004 @section GDB Data Files
20005
20006 @cindex prefix for data files
20007 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
20008 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
20009
20010 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
20011 is currently using.
20012
20013 @table @code
20014 @kindex set data-directory
20015 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
20016 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
20017 to @var{directory}.
20018
20019 @kindex show data-directory
20020 @item show data-directory
20021 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
20022 @end table
20023
20024 @cindex default data directory
20025 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
20026 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
20027 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
20028 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
20029 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
20030 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
20031 location.
20032
20033 The data directory may also be specified with the
20034 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
20035 @xref{Mode Options}.
20036
20037 @node Targets
20038 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
20039
20040 @cindex debugging target
20041 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
20042
20043 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
20044 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
20045 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
20046 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
20047 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
20048 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
20049 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
20050 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
20051
20052 @cindex target architecture
20053 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
20054 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
20055 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
20056 command.
20057
20058 @table @code
20059 @kindex set architecture
20060 @kindex show architecture
20061 @item set architecture @var{arch}
20062 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
20063 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
20064 supported architectures.
20065
20066 @item show architecture
20067 Show the current target architecture.
20068
20069 @item set processor
20070 @itemx processor
20071 @kindex set processor
20072 @kindex show processor
20073 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
20074 and @code{show architecture}.
20075 @end table
20076
20077 @menu
20078 * Active Targets:: Active targets
20079 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
20080 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
20081 @end menu
20082
20083 @node Active Targets
20084 @section Active Targets
20085
20086 @cindex stacking targets
20087 @cindex active targets
20088 @cindex multiple targets
20089
20090 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
20091 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
20092 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
20093 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
20094 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
20095 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
20096 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
20097 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
20098 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
20099
20100 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
20101 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
20102 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
20103 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
20104
20105 @node Target Commands
20106 @section Commands for Managing Targets
20107
20108 @table @code
20109 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
20110 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
20111 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
20112 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
20113 protocol of the target machine.
20114
20115 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
20116 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
20117 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
20118
20119 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
20120 after executing the command.
20121
20122 @kindex help target
20123 @item help target
20124 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
20125 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
20126 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
20127
20128 @item help target @var{name}
20129 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
20130 select it.
20131
20132 @kindex set gnutarget
20133 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
20134 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
20135 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
20136 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
20137 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
20138 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
20139
20140 @quotation
20141 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
20142 you must know the actual BFD name.
20143 @end quotation
20144
20145 @noindent
20146 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
20147
20148 @kindex show gnutarget
20149 @item show gnutarget
20150 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
20151 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
20152 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
20153 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
20154 @end table
20155
20156 @cindex common targets
20157 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
20158 configuration):
20159
20160 @table @code
20161 @kindex target
20162 @item target exec @var{program}
20163 @cindex executable file target
20164 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
20165 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
20166
20167 @item target core @var{filename}
20168 @cindex core dump file target
20169 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
20170 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
20171
20172 @item target remote @var{medium}
20173 @cindex remote target
20174 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
20175 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
20176 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
20177
20178 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
20179 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
20180
20181 @smallexample
20182 target remote /dev/ttya
20183 @end smallexample
20184
20185 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
20186 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
20187 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
20188 clobbered by the download.
20189
20190 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20191 @cindex built-in simulator target
20192 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
20193 In general,
20194 @smallexample
20195 target sim
20196 load
20197 run
20198 @end smallexample
20199 @noindent
20200 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
20201 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
20202 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
20203 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
20204 Processors}.
20205
20206 @item target native
20207 @cindex native target
20208 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
20209 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
20210 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
20211 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
20212
20213 @end table
20214
20215 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
20216 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
20217
20218 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
20219 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
20220 various aspects of this process.
20221
20222 @table @code
20223
20224 @item set hash
20225 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
20226 @cindex hash mark while downloading
20227 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
20228 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
20229 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
20230 monitor.
20231
20232 @item show hash
20233 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
20234 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
20235
20236 @item set debug monitor
20237 @kindex set debug monitor
20238 @cindex display remote monitor communications
20239 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
20240 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
20241
20242 @item show debug monitor
20243 @kindex show debug monitor
20244 Show the current status of displaying communications between
20245 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
20246 @end table
20247
20248 @table @code
20249
20250 @kindex load @var{filename} @var{offset}
20251 @item load @var{filename} @var{offset}
20252 @anchor{load}
20253 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
20254 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
20255 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
20256 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
20257 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
20258 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
20259
20260 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
20261 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
20262 target is @dots{}}''
20263
20264 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
20265 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
20266 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
20267 specifies a fixed address.
20268 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
20269
20270 It is also possible to tell @value{GDBN} to load the executable file at a
20271 specific offset described by the optional argument @var{offset}. When
20272 @var{offset} is provided, @var{filename} must also be provided.
20273
20274 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
20275 load programs into flash memory.
20276
20277 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
20278 @end table
20279
20280 @table @code
20281
20282 @kindex flash-erase
20283 @item flash-erase
20284 @anchor{flash-erase}
20285
20286 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
20287
20288 @end table
20289
20290 @node Byte Order
20291 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
20292
20293 @cindex choosing target byte order
20294 @cindex target byte order
20295
20296 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
20297 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
20298 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
20299 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
20300 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
20301 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
20302
20303 @table @code
20304 @kindex set endian
20305 @item set endian big
20306 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
20307
20308 @item set endian little
20309 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
20310
20311 @item set endian auto
20312 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
20313 executable.
20314
20315 @item show endian
20316 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
20317
20318 @end table
20319
20320 If the @code{set endian auto} mode is in effect and no executable has
20321 been selected, then the endianness used is the last one chosen either
20322 by one of the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little}
20323 commands or by inferring from the last executable used. If no
20324 endianness has been previously chosen, then the default for this mode
20325 is inferred from the target @value{GDBN} has been built for, and is
20326 @code{little} if the name of the target CPU has an @code{el} suffix
20327 and @code{big} otherwise.
20328
20329 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
20330 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
20331 target system.
20332
20333
20334 @node Remote Debugging
20335 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
20336 @cindex remote debugging
20337
20338 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
20339 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
20340 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
20341 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
20342 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
20343
20344 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
20345 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
20346 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
20347 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
20348 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
20349 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
20350
20351 Other remote targets may be available in your
20352 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
20353
20354 @menu
20355 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
20356 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
20357 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
20358 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
20359 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
20360 @end menu
20361
20362 @node Connecting
20363 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
20364 @cindex remote debugging, connecting
20365 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, connecting
20366 @cindex remote debugging, types of connections
20367 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, types of connections
20368 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target remote} mode
20369 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target extended-remote} mode
20370
20371 This section describes how to connect to a remote target, including the
20372 types of connections and their differences, how to set up executable and
20373 symbol files on the host and target, and the commands used for
20374 connecting to and disconnecting from the remote target.
20375
20376 @subsection Types of Remote Connections
20377
20378 @value{GDBN} supports two types of remote connections, @code{target remote}
20379 mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode. Note that many remote targets
20380 support only @code{target remote} mode. There are several major
20381 differences between the two types of connections, enumerated here:
20382
20383 @table @asis
20384
20385 @cindex remote debugging, detach and program exit
20386 @item Result of detach or program exit
20387 @strong{With target remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or you
20388 detach from it, @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target. When using
20389 @code{gdbserver}, @code{gdbserver} will exit.
20390
20391 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or
20392 you detach from it, @value{GDBN} remains connected to the target, even
20393 though no program is running. You can rerun the program, attach to a
20394 running program, or use @code{monitor} commands specific to the target.
20395
20396 When using @code{gdbserver} in this case, it does not exit unless it was
20397 invoked using the @option{--once} option. If the @option{--once} option
20398 was not used, you can ask @code{gdbserver} to exit using the
20399 @code{monitor exit} command (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
20400
20401 @item Specifying the program to debug
20402 For both connection types you use the @code{file} command to specify the
20403 program on the host system. If you are using @code{gdbserver} there are
20404 some differences in how to specify the location of the program on the
20405 target.
20406
20407 @strong{With target remote mode:} You must either specify the program to debug
20408 on the @code{gdbserver} command line or use the @option{--attach} option
20409 (@pxref{Attaching to a program,,Attaching to a Running Program}).
20410
20411 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
20412 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} You may specify the program to debug
20413 on the @code{gdbserver} command line, or you can load the program or attach
20414 to it using @value{GDBN} commands after connecting to @code{gdbserver}.
20415
20416 @anchor{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}
20417 You can start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
20418 or process ID to attach. To do this, use the @option{--multi} command line
20419 option. Then you can connect using @code{target extended-remote} and start
20420 the program you want to debug (see below for details on using the
20421 @code{run} command in this scenario). Note that the conditions under which
20422 @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN} connects to it
20423 (@code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}). The
20424 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
20425
20426 @item The @code{run} command
20427 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @code{run} command is not
20428 supported. Once a connection has been established, you can use all
20429 the usual @value{GDBN} commands to examine and change data. The
20430 remote program is already running, so you can use commands like
20431 @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}.
20432
20433 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} The @code{run} command is
20434 supported. The @code{run} command uses the value set by
20435 @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set remote exec-file}) to select
20436 the program to run. Command line arguments are supported, except for
20437 wildcard expansion and I/O redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
20438
20439 If you specify the program to debug on the command line, then the
20440 @code{run} command is not required to start execution, and you can
20441 resume using commands like @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue} as with
20442 @code{target remote} mode.
20443
20444 @anchor{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}
20445 @item Attaching
20446 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @value{GDBN} command @code{attach} is
20447 not supported. To attach to a running program using @code{gdbserver}, you
20448 must use the @option{--attach} option (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
20449
20450 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} To attach to a running program,
20451 you may use the @code{attach} command after the connection has been
20452 established. If you are using @code{gdbserver}, you may also invoke
20453 @code{gdbserver} using the @option{--attach} option
20454 (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
20455
20456 @end table
20457
20458 @anchor{Host and target files}
20459 @subsection Host and Target Files
20460 @cindex remote debugging, symbol files
20461 @cindex symbol files, remote debugging
20462
20463 @value{GDBN}, running on the host, needs access to symbol and debugging
20464 information for your program running on the target. This requires
20465 access to an unstripped copy of your program, and possibly any associated
20466 symbol files. Note that this section applies equally to both @code{target
20467 remote} mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode.
20468
20469 Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}, and
20470 @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow @value{GDBN} to access program files over
20471 the same connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a
20472 target, if the remote program is unstripped, the only command you need is
20473 @code{target remote} (or @code{target extended-remote}).
20474
20475 If the remote program is stripped, or the target does not support remote
20476 program file access, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
20477 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
20478 @code{file} command. Use @code{set sysroot} to specify the location (on
20479 the host) of target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN} was compiled with
20480 the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}). Alternatively, you
20481 may use @code{set solib-search-path} to specify how @value{GDBN} locates
20482 target libraries.
20483
20484 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
20485 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
20486 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
20487 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
20488 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
20489 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
20490 programs.
20491
20492 @subsection Remote Connection Commands
20493 @cindex remote connection commands
20494 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
20495 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
20496 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
20497 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
20498 @code{target remote} and @code{target extended-remote} commands
20499 establish a connection to the target. Both commands accept the same
20500 arguments, which indicate the medium to use:
20501
20502 @table @code
20503
20504 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
20505 @itemx target extended-remote @var{serial-device}
20506 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
20507 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
20508 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
20509
20510 @smallexample
20511 target remote /dev/ttyb
20512 @end smallexample
20513
20514 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
20515 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
20516 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
20517 @code{target} command.
20518
20519 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
20520 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20521 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
20522 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20523 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
20524 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
20525 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
20526 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
20527 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
20528 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
20529 target.
20530
20531 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
20532 @code{manyfarms}:
20533
20534 @smallexample
20535 target remote manyfarms:2828
20536 @end smallexample
20537
20538 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
20539 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
20540 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
20541 port 1234 on your local machine:
20542
20543 @smallexample
20544 target remote :1234
20545 @end smallexample
20546 @noindent
20547
20548 Note that the colon is still required here.
20549
20550 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20551 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
20552 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
20553 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
20554 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
20555
20556 @smallexample
20557 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
20558 @end smallexample
20559
20560 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
20561 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
20562 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
20563 cause havoc with your debugging session.
20564
20565 @item target remote | @var{command}
20566 @itemx target extended-remote | @var{command}
20567 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
20568 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
20569 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
20570 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
20571 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
20572 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
20573 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
20574 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
20575
20576 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
20577 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
20578 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
20579
20580 @end table
20581
20582 @cindex interrupting remote programs
20583 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
20584 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
20585 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
20586 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
20587 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
20588 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
20589
20590 @smallexample
20591 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
20592 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
20593 @end smallexample
20594
20595 In @code{target remote} mode, if you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons
20596 the remote debugging session. (If you decide you want to try again later,
20597 you can use @kbd{target remote} again to connect once more.) If you type
20598 @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN} goes back to waiting.
20599
20600 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, typing @kbd{n} will leave
20601 @value{GDBN} connected to the target.
20602
20603 @table @code
20604 @kindex detach (remote)
20605 @item detach
20606 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
20607 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
20608 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
20609 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
20610 command in @code{target remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to
20611 another target. In @code{target extended-remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is
20612 still connected to the target.
20613
20614 @kindex disconnect
20615 @item disconnect
20616 The @code{disconnect} command closes the connection to the target, and
20617 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
20618 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
20619 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
20620 another target.
20621
20622 @cindex send command to remote monitor
20623 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
20624 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
20625 @kindex monitor
20626 @item monitor @var{cmd}
20627 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
20628 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
20629 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
20630 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
20631 and implement.
20632 @end table
20633
20634 @node File Transfer
20635 @section Sending files to a remote system
20636 @cindex remote target, file transfer
20637 @cindex file transfer
20638 @cindex sending files to remote systems
20639
20640 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
20641 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
20642 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
20643 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
20644 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
20645 the only way to upload or download files.
20646
20647 Not all remote targets support these commands.
20648
20649 @table @code
20650 @kindex remote put
20651 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
20652 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
20653 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
20654
20655 @kindex remote get
20656 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
20657 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
20658 on the host system.
20659
20660 @kindex remote delete
20661 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
20662 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
20663
20664 @end table
20665
20666 @node Server
20667 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
20668
20669 @kindex gdbserver
20670 @cindex remote connection without stubs
20671 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
20672 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
20673 @code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}---but without
20674 linking in the usual debugging stub.
20675
20676 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
20677 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
20678 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
20679 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
20680 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
20681 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
20682 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
20683 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
20684 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
20685 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
20686 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
20687 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
20688 choice for debugging.
20689
20690 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
20691 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
20692 protocol.
20693
20694 @quotation
20695 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
20696 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
20697 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
20698 target system with the same privileges as the user running
20699 @code{gdbserver}.
20700 @end quotation
20701
20702 @anchor{Running gdbserver}
20703 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
20704 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
20705 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
20706
20707 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
20708 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
20709 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
20710 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
20711 system does all the symbol handling.
20712
20713 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
20714 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
20715 syntax is:
20716
20717 @smallexample
20718 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
20719 @end smallexample
20720
20721 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
20722 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
20723 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
20724 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
20725 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
20726 @file{/dev/com1}:
20727
20728 @smallexample
20729 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
20730 @end smallexample
20731
20732 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
20733 with it.
20734
20735 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
20736
20737 @smallexample
20738 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
20739 @end smallexample
20740
20741 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
20742 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
20743 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
20744 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
20745 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
20746 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
20747 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
20748 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
20749 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
20750 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
20751 @code{target remote} command.
20752
20753 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
20754 with ssh:
20755
20756 @smallexample
20757 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
20758 @end smallexample
20759
20760 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
20761 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
20762 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
20763 You could elide it if you want to.
20764
20765 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
20766 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
20767 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
20768 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
20769
20770 @anchor{Attaching to a program}
20771 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
20772 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
20773 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
20774
20775 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
20776 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
20777
20778 @smallexample
20779 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
20780 @end smallexample
20781
20782 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
20783 necessary to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
20784
20785 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, you can also attach using the
20786 @value{GDBN} attach command
20787 (@pxref{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}).
20788
20789 @pindex pidof
20790 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
20791 @code{pidof} utility:
20792
20793 @smallexample
20794 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
20795 @end smallexample
20796
20797 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
20798 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
20799 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
20800
20801 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
20802
20803 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP
20804 port.
20805
20806 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
20807 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
20808 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
20809 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
20810 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
20811 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
20812 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
20813 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
20814
20815 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
20816 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
20817 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
20818
20819 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
20820 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
20821 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
20822 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
20823 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
20824 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
20825 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
20826 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
20827 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
20828 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
20829 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
20830 instance closes its port after the first connection.
20831
20832 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
20833 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
20834
20835 You can use the @option{--multi} option to start @code{gdbserver} without
20836 specifying a program to debug or a process to attach to. Then you can
20837 attach in @code{target extended-remote} mode and run or attach to a
20838 program. For more information,
20839 @pxref{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}.
20840
20841 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
20842 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
20843 status information about the debugging process.
20844 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
20845 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
20846 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
20847 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
20848
20849 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
20850 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
20851 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
20852 Possible options are:
20853
20854 @table @code
20855 @item none
20856 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
20857 @item all
20858 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
20859 @item timestamps
20860 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
20861 @end table
20862
20863 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
20864 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
20865
20866 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
20867 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
20868 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
20869 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
20870 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
20871
20872 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
20873 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
20874 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
20875 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
20876
20877 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
20878 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
20879 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
20880 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
20881
20882 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
20883 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
20884 environment:
20885
20886 @smallexample
20887 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
20888 @end smallexample
20889
20890 @cindex @option{--selftest}
20891 The @option{--selftest} option runs the self tests in @code{gdbserver}:
20892
20893 @smallexample
20894 $ gdbserver --selftest
20895 Ran 2 unit tests, 0 failed
20896 @end smallexample
20897
20898 These tests are disabled in release.
20899 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
20900
20901 The basic procedure for connecting to the remote target is:
20902 @itemize
20903
20904 @item
20905 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
20906
20907 @item
20908 Make sure you have the necessary symbol files
20909 (@pxref{Host and target files}).
20910 Load symbols for your application using the @code{file} command before you
20911 connect. Use @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your
20912 @value{GDBN} was compiled with the correct sysroot using
20913 @code{--with-sysroot}).
20914
20915 @item
20916 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
20917 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
20918 the @code{target} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
20919 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
20920 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
20921 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{target remote} mode, since the
20922 program is already on the target.
20923
20924 @end itemize
20925
20926 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
20927 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
20928 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
20929
20930 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
20931 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
20932 Here are the available commands.
20933
20934 @table @code
20935 @item monitor help
20936 List the available monitor commands.
20937
20938 @item monitor set debug 0
20939 @itemx monitor set debug 1
20940 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
20941
20942 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
20943 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
20944 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
20945 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
20946
20947 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
20948 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
20949 Possible options are:
20950
20951 @table @code
20952 @item none
20953 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
20954 @item all
20955 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
20956 @item timestamps
20957 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
20958 @end table
20959
20960 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
20961 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
20962
20963 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
20964 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
20965 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
20966 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
20967 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
20968 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
20969
20970 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
20971 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
20972
20973 @item monitor exit
20974 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
20975 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
20976 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
20977 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
20978 of a multi-process mode debug session.
20979
20980 @end table
20981
20982 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
20983 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
20984
20985 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
20986 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
20987
20988 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
20989 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
20990 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
20991 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
20992 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
20993 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
20994 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
20995 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
20996 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
20997 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
20998 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
20999 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
21000
21001 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
21002
21003 @table @code
21004 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
21005
21006 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
21007 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
21008 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
21009
21010 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
21011
21012 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
21013 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
21014 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
21015 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
21016 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
21017 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
21018
21019 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
21020
21021 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
21022 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
21023 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
21024 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
21025 command for that. For example:
21026
21027 @smallexample
21028 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
21029 @end smallexample
21030
21031 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
21032 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
21033 @end table
21034
21035 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
21036 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
21037 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
21038 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
21039 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
21040 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
21041 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
21042 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
21043 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
21044 @code{gdbserver} like so:
21045
21046 @smallexample
21047 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
21048 @end smallexample
21049
21050 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
21051
21052 @smallexample
21053 $ gdb myprogram
21054 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
21055 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
21056 (@value{GDBP}) b main
21057 (@value{GDBP}) continue
21058 @end smallexample
21059
21060 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
21061 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
21062 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
21063 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
21064 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
21065 tracing.
21066
21067 @node Remote Configuration
21068 @section Remote Configuration
21069
21070 @kindex set remote
21071 @kindex show remote
21072 This section documents the configuration options available when
21073 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
21074 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
21075 system-call-allowed}.
21076
21077 @table @code
21078 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
21079 @cindex address size for remote targets
21080 @cindex bits in remote address
21081 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
21082 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
21083 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
21084 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
21085
21086 @item show remoteaddresssize
21087 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
21088
21089 @item set serial baud @var{n}
21090 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
21091 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
21092 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
21093 remote targets.
21094
21095 @item show serial baud
21096 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
21097
21098 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
21099 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
21100 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
21101
21102 @item show serial parity
21103 Show the current parity of the serial port.
21104
21105 @item set remotebreak
21106 @cindex interrupt remote programs
21107 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
21108 @anchor{set remotebreak}
21109 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
21110 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
21111 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
21112 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
21113 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
21114
21115 @item show remotebreak
21116 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
21117 interrupt the remote program.
21118
21119 @item set remoteflow on
21120 @itemx set remoteflow off
21121 @kindex set remoteflow
21122 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
21123 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
21124
21125 @item show remoteflow
21126 @kindex show remoteflow
21127 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
21128
21129 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
21130 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
21131 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
21132 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
21133 @code{ascii}.
21134
21135 @item show remotelogbase
21136 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
21137 protocol.
21138
21139 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
21140 @cindex record serial communications on file
21141 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
21142 default is not to record at all.
21143
21144 @item show remotelogfile.
21145 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
21146 serial communications.
21147
21148 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
21149 @cindex timeout for serial communications
21150 @cindex remote timeout
21151 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
21152 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
21153
21154 @item show remotetimeout
21155 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
21156 responses.
21157
21158 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
21159 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
21160 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
21161 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
21162 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
21163 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
21164 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware watchpoints
21165 or breakpoints. The @var{limit} can be set to 0 to disable hardware
21166 watchpoints or breakpoints, and @code{unlimited} for unlimited
21167 watchpoints or breakpoints.
21168
21169 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-limit
21170 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-limit
21171 Show the current limit for the number of hardware watchpoints or
21172 breakpoints that @value{GDBN} can use.
21173
21174 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
21175 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
21176 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
21177 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
21178 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum
21179 length of a remote hardware watchpoint. A @var{limit} of 0 disables
21180 hardware watchpoints and @code{unlimited} allows watchpoints of any
21181 length.
21182
21183 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
21184 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
21185 a remote hardware watchpoint.
21186
21187 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
21188 @itemx show remote exec-file
21189 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
21190 @cindex executable file, for remote target
21191 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
21192 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
21193 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
21194 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
21195
21196 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
21197 @cindex interrupt remote programs
21198 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
21199 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
21200 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
21201 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
21202 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
21203 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
21204 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
21205 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
21206
21207 @item show interrupt-sequence
21208 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
21209 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
21210 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
21211 also known as Magic SysRq g.
21212
21213 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
21214 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
21215 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
21216 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
21217 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
21218 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
21219
21220 @item show interrupt-on-connect
21221 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
21222 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
21223
21224 @kindex set tcp
21225 @kindex show tcp
21226 @item set tcp auto-retry on
21227 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
21228 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
21229 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
21230 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
21231 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
21232 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
21233 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
21234 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
21235
21236 @item set tcp auto-retry off
21237 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
21238
21239 @item show tcp auto-retry
21240 Show the current auto-retry setting.
21241
21242 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
21243 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
21244 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
21245 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
21246 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
21247 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
21248 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
21249 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
21250 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
21251 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
21252 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
21253
21254 @item show tcp connect-timeout
21255 Show the current connection timeout setting.
21256 @end table
21257
21258 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
21259 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
21260 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
21261 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
21262 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
21263 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
21264 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
21265 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
21266 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
21267
21268 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
21269 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
21270 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
21271 @value{GDBN} developers.
21272
21273 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
21274 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
21275 are:
21276
21277 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
21278 @item Command Name
21279 @tab Remote Packet
21280 @tab Related Features
21281
21282 @item @code{fetch-register}
21283 @tab @code{p}
21284 @tab @code{info registers}
21285
21286 @item @code{set-register}
21287 @tab @code{P}
21288 @tab @code{set}
21289
21290 @item @code{binary-download}
21291 @tab @code{X}
21292 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
21293
21294 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
21295 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
21296 @tab @code{info auxv}
21297
21298 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
21299 @tab @code{qSymbol}
21300 @tab Detecting multiple threads
21301
21302 @item @code{attach}
21303 @tab @code{vAttach}
21304 @tab @code{attach}
21305
21306 @item @code{verbose-resume}
21307 @tab @code{vCont}
21308 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
21309
21310 @item @code{run}
21311 @tab @code{vRun}
21312 @tab @code{run}
21313
21314 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
21315 @tab @code{Z0}
21316 @tab @code{break}
21317
21318 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
21319 @tab @code{Z1}
21320 @tab @code{hbreak}
21321
21322 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
21323 @tab @code{Z2}
21324 @tab @code{watch}
21325
21326 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
21327 @tab @code{Z3}
21328 @tab @code{rwatch}
21329
21330 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
21331 @tab @code{Z4}
21332 @tab @code{awatch}
21333
21334 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
21335 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
21336 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
21337
21338 @item @code{target-features}
21339 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
21340 @tab @code{set architecture}
21341
21342 @item @code{library-info}
21343 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
21344 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
21345
21346 @item @code{memory-map}
21347 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
21348 @tab @code{info mem}
21349
21350 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
21351 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
21352 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
21353
21354 @item @code{read-spu-object}
21355 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
21356 @tab @code{info spu}
21357
21358 @item @code{write-spu-object}
21359 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
21360 @tab @code{info spu}
21361
21362 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
21363 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
21364 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
21365
21366 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
21367 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
21368 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
21369
21370 @item @code{threads}
21371 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
21372 @tab @code{info threads}
21373
21374 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
21375 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
21376 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
21377
21378 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
21379 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
21380 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
21381
21382 @item @code{search-memory}
21383 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
21384 @tab @code{find}
21385
21386 @item @code{supported-packets}
21387 @tab @code{qSupported}
21388 @tab Remote communications parameters
21389
21390 @item @code{catch-syscalls}
21391 @tab @code{QCatchSyscalls}
21392 @tab @code{catch syscall}
21393
21394 @item @code{pass-signals}
21395 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
21396 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
21397
21398 @item @code{program-signals}
21399 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
21400 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
21401
21402 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
21403 @tab @code{vFile:close}
21404 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21405
21406 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
21407 @tab @code{vFile:open}
21408 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21409
21410 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
21411 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
21412 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21413
21414 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
21415 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
21416 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
21417
21418 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
21419 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
21420 @tab @code{remote delete}
21421
21422 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
21423 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
21424 @tab Host I/O
21425
21426 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
21427 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
21428 @tab Host I/O
21429
21430 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
21431 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
21432 @tab Host I/O
21433
21434 @item @code{noack-packet}
21435 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
21436 @tab Packet acknowledgment
21437
21438 @item @code{osdata}
21439 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
21440 @tab @code{info os}
21441
21442 @item @code{query-attached}
21443 @tab @code{qAttached}
21444 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
21445
21446 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
21447 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
21448 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
21449
21450 @item @code{trace-status}
21451 @tab @code{qTStatus}
21452 @tab @code{tstatus}
21453
21454 @item @code{traceframe-info}
21455 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
21456 @tab Traceframe info
21457
21458 @item @code{install-in-trace}
21459 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
21460 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
21461
21462 @item @code{disable-randomization}
21463 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
21464 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
21465
21466 @item @code{startup-with-shell}
21467 @tab @code{QStartupWithShell}
21468 @tab @code{set startup-with-shell}
21469
21470 @item @code{environment-hex-encoded}
21471 @tab @code{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
21472 @tab @code{set environment}
21473
21474 @item @code{environment-unset}
21475 @tab @code{QEnvironmentUnset}
21476 @tab @code{unset environment}
21477
21478 @item @code{environment-reset}
21479 @tab @code{QEnvironmentReset}
21480 @tab @code{Reset the inferior environment (i.e., unset user-set variables)}
21481
21482 @item @code{set-working-dir}
21483 @tab @code{QSetWorkingDir}
21484 @tab @code{set cwd}
21485
21486 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
21487 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
21488 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
21489
21490 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
21491 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
21492 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
21493
21494 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
21495 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
21496 @tab @code{break}
21497
21498 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
21499 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
21500 @tab @code{hbreak}
21501
21502 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
21503 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
21504 @tab @code{fork}
21505
21506 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
21507 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
21508 @tab @code{vfork}
21509
21510 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
21511 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
21512 @tab @code{exec}
21513
21514 @item @code{thread-events}
21515 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
21516 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
21517
21518 @item @code{no-resumed-stop-reply}
21519 @tab @code{no resumed thread left stop reply}
21520 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
21521
21522 @end multitable
21523
21524 @node Remote Stub
21525 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
21526
21527 @cindex debugging stub, example
21528 @cindex remote stub, example
21529 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
21530 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
21531 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
21532 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
21533 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
21534 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
21535 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
21536 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
21537
21538 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
21539 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
21540 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
21541 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
21542 program, you need:
21543
21544 @enumerate
21545 @item
21546 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
21547 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
21548 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
21549
21550 @item
21551 A C subroutine library to support your program's
21552 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
21553
21554 @item
21555 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
21556 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
21557 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
21558 documentation.
21559 @end enumerate
21560
21561 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
21562 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
21563 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
21564
21565 @table @emph
21566 @item On the host,
21567 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
21568 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
21569 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
21570
21571 @item On the target,
21572 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
21573 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
21574 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
21575
21576 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
21577 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
21578 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
21579 @end table
21580
21581 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
21582 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
21583 @sc{sparc} boards.
21584
21585 @cindex remote serial stub list
21586 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
21587
21588 @table @code
21589
21590 @item i386-stub.c
21591 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
21592 @cindex Intel
21593 @cindex i386
21594 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
21595
21596 @item m68k-stub.c
21597 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
21598 @cindex Motorola 680x0
21599 @cindex m680x0
21600 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
21601
21602 @item sh-stub.c
21603 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
21604 @cindex Renesas
21605 @cindex SH
21606 For Renesas SH architectures.
21607
21608 @item sparc-stub.c
21609 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
21610 @cindex Sparc
21611 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
21612
21613 @item sparcl-stub.c
21614 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
21615 @cindex Fujitsu
21616 @cindex SparcLite
21617 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
21618
21619 @end table
21620
21621 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
21622 recently added stubs.
21623
21624 @menu
21625 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
21626 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
21627 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
21628 @end menu
21629
21630 @node Stub Contents
21631 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
21632
21633 @cindex remote serial stub
21634 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
21635 subroutines:
21636
21637 @table @code
21638 @item set_debug_traps
21639 @findex set_debug_traps
21640 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
21641 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
21642 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
21643 program's startup code.
21644
21645 @item handle_exception
21646 @findex handle_exception
21647 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
21648 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
21649 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
21650 run when a trap is triggered.
21651
21652 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
21653 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
21654 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
21655 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
21656 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
21657 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
21658 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
21659 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
21660 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
21661 machine.
21662
21663 @item breakpoint
21664 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
21665 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
21666 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
21667 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
21668 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
21669 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
21670 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
21671 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
21672 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
21673 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
21674 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
21675
21676 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
21677 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
21678 start of your debugging session.
21679 @end table
21680
21681 @node Bootstrapping
21682 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
21683
21684 @cindex remote stub, support routines
21685 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
21686 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
21687 debugging target machine.
21688
21689 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
21690 serial port.
21691
21692 @table @code
21693 @item int getDebugChar()
21694 @findex getDebugChar
21695 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
21696 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
21697 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
21698
21699 @item void putDebugChar(int)
21700 @findex putDebugChar
21701 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
21702 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
21703 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
21704 @end table
21705
21706 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
21707 @cindex interrupting remote targets
21708 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
21709 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
21710 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
21711 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
21712 remote system to stop.
21713
21714 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
21715 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
21716 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
21717 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
21718
21719 Other routines you need to supply are:
21720
21721 @table @code
21722 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
21723 @findex exceptionHandler
21724 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
21725 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
21726 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
21727 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
21728 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
21729 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
21730 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
21731 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
21732 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
21733 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
21734 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
21735 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
21736 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
21737
21738 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
21739 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
21740 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
21741 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
21742 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
21743
21744 @item void flush_i_cache()
21745 @findex flush_i_cache
21746 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
21747 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
21748 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
21749
21750 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
21751 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
21752 @end table
21753
21754 @noindent
21755 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
21756
21757 @table @code
21758 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
21759 @findex memset
21760 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
21761 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
21762 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
21763 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
21764 @end table
21765
21766 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
21767 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
21768 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
21769 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
21770
21771
21772 @node Debug Session
21773 @subsection Putting it All Together
21774
21775 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
21776 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
21777 steps.
21778
21779 @enumerate
21780 @item
21781 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
21782 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
21783 @display
21784 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
21785 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
21786 @end display
21787
21788 @item
21789 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
21790 procedure is called:
21791
21792 @smallexample
21793 set_debug_traps();
21794 breakpoint();
21795 @end smallexample
21796
21797 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
21798 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
21799 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
21800 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
21801 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
21802 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
21803 progress.
21804
21805 @item
21806 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
21807 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
21808
21809 @smallexample
21810 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
21811 @end smallexample
21812
21813 @noindent
21814 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
21815 function in your program, that function is called when
21816 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
21817 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
21818 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
21819
21820 @item
21821 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
21822 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
21823
21824 @item
21825 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
21826 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
21827
21828 @item
21829 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
21830 @c document that. FIXME.
21831 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
21832 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
21833
21834 @item
21835 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
21836 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
21837
21838 @end enumerate
21839
21840 @node Configurations
21841 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
21842
21843 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
21844 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
21845 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
21846
21847 There are three major categories of configurations: native
21848 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
21849 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
21850 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
21851 are quite different from each other.
21852
21853 @menu
21854 * Native::
21855 * Embedded OS::
21856 * Embedded Processors::
21857 * Architectures::
21858 @end menu
21859
21860 @node Native
21861 @section Native
21862
21863 This section describes details specific to particular native
21864 configurations.
21865
21866 @menu
21867 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
21868 * Process Information:: Process information
21869 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
21870 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
21871 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
21872 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
21873 @end menu
21874
21875 @node BSD libkvm Interface
21876 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
21877
21878 @cindex libkvm
21879 @cindex kernel memory image
21880 @cindex kernel crash dump
21881
21882 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
21883 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
21884 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
21885 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
21886 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
21887 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
21888 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
21889 @code{kvm} target:
21890
21891 @smallexample
21892 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
21893 @end smallexample
21894
21895 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
21896 argument:
21897
21898 @smallexample
21899 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
21900 @end smallexample
21901
21902 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
21903 available:
21904
21905 @table @code
21906 @kindex kvm
21907 @item kvm pcb
21908 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
21909
21910 @item kvm proc
21911 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
21912 modern FreeBSD systems.
21913 @end table
21914
21915 @node Process Information
21916 @subsection Process Information
21917 @cindex /proc
21918 @cindex examine process image
21919 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
21920
21921 Some operating systems provide interfaces to fetch additional
21922 information about running processes beyond memory and per-thread
21923 register state. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system
21924 with a supported interface, the command @code{info proc} is available
21925 to report information about the process running your program, or about
21926 any process running on your system.
21927
21928 One supported interface is a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
21929 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
21930 subroutines. This facility is supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris
21931 systems.
21932
21933 On FreeBSD systems, system control nodes are used to query process
21934 information.
21935
21936 In addition, some systems may provide additional process information
21937 in core files. Note that a core file may include a subset of the
21938 information available from a live process. Process information is
21939 currently avaiable from cores created on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD
21940 systems.
21941
21942 @table @code
21943 @kindex info proc
21944 @cindex process ID
21945 @item info proc
21946 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
21947 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
21948 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
21949 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
21950 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
21951 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
21952 executable file's absolute file name.
21953
21954 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
21955 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
21956 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
21957 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
21958 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
21959 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
21960
21961 @item info proc cmdline
21962 @cindex info proc cmdline
21963 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
21964 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
21965
21966 @item info proc cwd
21967 @cindex info proc cwd
21968 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
21969 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
21970
21971 @item info proc exe
21972 @cindex info proc exe
21973 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is supported
21974 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
21975
21976 @item info proc mappings
21977 @cindex memory address space mappings
21978 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program. On
21979 Solaris and FreeBSD systems, each memory range includes information on
21980 whether the process has read, write, or execute access rights to each
21981 range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD systems, each memory range
21982 includes the object file which is mapped to that range.
21983
21984 @item info proc stat
21985 @itemx info proc status
21986 @cindex process detailed status information
21987 Show additional process-related information, including the user ID and
21988 group ID; virtual memory usage; the signals that are pending, blocked,
21989 and ignored; its TTY; its consumption of system and user time; its
21990 stack size; its @samp{nice} value; etc. These commands are supported
21991 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
21992
21993 For @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, see the @samp{proc} man page for more
21994 information (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
21995
21996 For FreeBSD systems, @code{info proc stat} is an alias for @code{info
21997 proc status}.
21998
21999 @item info proc all
22000 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
22001 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
22002
22003 @ignore
22004 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
22005 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
22006 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
22007 @kindex info proc times
22008 @item info proc times
22009 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
22010 its children.
22011
22012 @kindex info proc id
22013 @item info proc id
22014 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
22015 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
22016 @end ignore
22017
22018 @item set procfs-trace
22019 @kindex set procfs-trace
22020 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
22021 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
22022
22023 @item show procfs-trace
22024 @kindex show procfs-trace
22025 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
22026
22027 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
22028 @kindex set procfs-file
22029 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
22030 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
22031 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
22032 standard output.
22033
22034 @item show procfs-file
22035 @kindex show procfs-file
22036 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
22037
22038 @item proc-trace-entry
22039 @itemx proc-trace-exit
22040 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
22041 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
22042 @kindex proc-trace-entry
22043 @kindex proc-trace-exit
22044 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
22045 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
22046 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
22047 from the @code{syscall} interface.
22048
22049 @item info pidlist
22050 @kindex info pidlist
22051 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
22052 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
22053 processes and all the threads within each process.
22054
22055 @item info meminfo
22056 @kindex info meminfo
22057 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
22058 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
22059 @end table
22060
22061 @node DJGPP Native
22062 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
22063 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
22064 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
22065 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
22066
22067 @cindex DPMI
22068 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
22069 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
22070 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
22071 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
22072
22073 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
22074 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
22075 subsection describes those commands.
22076
22077 @table @code
22078 @kindex info dos
22079 @item info dos
22080 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
22081 information about the target system and important OS structures.
22082
22083 @kindex sysinfo
22084 @cindex MS-DOS system info
22085 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
22086 @item info dos sysinfo
22087 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
22088 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
22089 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
22090
22091 @cindex GDT
22092 @cindex LDT
22093 @cindex IDT
22094 @cindex segment descriptor tables
22095 @cindex descriptor tables display
22096 @item info dos gdt
22097 @itemx info dos ldt
22098 @itemx info dos idt
22099 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
22100 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
22101 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
22102 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
22103 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
22104 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
22105 rights.
22106
22107 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
22108 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
22109 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
22110 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
22111 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
22112
22113 @cindex garbled pointers
22114 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
22115 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
22116 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
22117 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
22118 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
22119 debugged program's data segment:
22120
22121 @smallexample
22122 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
22123 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
22124 @end smallexample
22125
22126 @noindent
22127 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
22128 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
22129
22130 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
22131 @item info dos pde
22132 @itemx info dos pte
22133 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
22134 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
22135 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
22136 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
22137 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
22138 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
22139 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
22140 that is currently in use.
22141
22142 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
22143 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
22144 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
22145 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
22146 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
22147 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
22148 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
22149
22150 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
22151 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
22152 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
22153 controller.
22154
22155 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
22156
22157 @cindex physical address from linear address
22158 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
22159 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
22160 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
22161 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
22162 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
22163 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
22164 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
22165
22166 @smallexample
22167 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
22168 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
22169 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
22170 @end smallexample
22171
22172 @noindent
22173 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
22174 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
22175 attributes of that page.
22176
22177 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
22178 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
22179 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
22180 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
22181 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
22182 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
22183
22184 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
22185 transfer buffer:
22186
22187 @smallexample
22188 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
22189 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
22190 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
22191 @end smallexample
22192
22193 @noindent
22194 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
22195 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
22196 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
22197 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
22198 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
22199
22200 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
22201 @end table
22202
22203 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
22204 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
22205 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
22206 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
22207
22208 @table @code
22209 @kindex set com1base
22210 @kindex set com1irq
22211 @kindex set com2base
22212 @kindex set com2irq
22213 @kindex set com3base
22214 @kindex set com3irq
22215 @kindex set com4base
22216 @kindex set com4irq
22217 @item set com1base @var{addr}
22218 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
22219 port.
22220
22221 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
22222 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
22223 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
22224
22225 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
22226 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
22227 other 3 COM ports.
22228
22229 @kindex show com1base
22230 @kindex show com1irq
22231 @kindex show com2base
22232 @kindex show com2irq
22233 @kindex show com3base
22234 @kindex show com3irq
22235 @kindex show com4base
22236 @kindex show com4irq
22237 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
22238 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
22239 lines used by the COM ports.
22240
22241 @item info serial
22242 @kindex info serial
22243 @cindex DOS serial port status
22244 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
22245 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
22246 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
22247 counts of various errors encountered so far.
22248 @end table
22249
22250
22251 @node Cygwin Native
22252 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
22253 @cindex MS Windows debugging
22254 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
22255 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
22256
22257 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
22258 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
22259
22260 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
22261 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
22262 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
22263 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
22264 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
22265 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
22266 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
22267 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
22268
22269 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
22270 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
22271 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
22272
22273 @table @code
22274 @kindex info w32
22275 @item info w32
22276 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
22277 information about the target system and important OS structures.
22278
22279 @item info w32 selector
22280 This command displays information returned by
22281 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
22282 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
22283 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
22284 Without argument, this command displays information
22285 about the six segment registers.
22286
22287 @item info w32 thread-information-block
22288 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
22289 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
22290 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
22291
22292 @kindex signal-event
22293 @item signal-event @var{id}
22294 This command signals an event with user-provided @var{id}. Used to resume
22295 crashing process when attached to it using MS-Windows JIT debugging (AeDebug).
22296
22297 To use it, create or edit the following keys in
22298 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug} and/or
22299 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug}
22300 (for x86_64 versions):
22301
22302 @itemize @minus
22303 @item
22304 @code{Debugger} (REG_SZ) --- a command to launch the debugger.
22305 Suggested command is: @code{@var{fully-qualified-path-to-gdb.exe} -ex
22306 "attach %ld" -ex "signal-event %ld" -ex "continue"}.
22307
22308 The first @code{%ld} will be replaced by the process ID of the
22309 crashing process, the second @code{%ld} will be replaced by the ID of
22310 the event that blocks the crashing process, waiting for @value{GDBN}
22311 to attach.
22312
22313 @item
22314 @code{Auto} (REG_SZ) --- either @code{1} or @code{0}. @code{1} will
22315 make the system run debugger specified by the Debugger key
22316 automatically, @code{0} will cause a dialog box with ``OK'' and
22317 ``Cancel'' buttons to appear, which allows the user to either
22318 terminate the crashing process (OK) or debug it (Cancel).
22319 @end itemize
22320
22321 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
22322 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
22323 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
22324 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
22325 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
22326 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
22327 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
22328 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
22329 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
22330 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
22331 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
22332
22333 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
22334 @item show cygwin-exceptions
22335 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
22336 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
22337
22338 @kindex set new-console
22339 @item set new-console @var{mode}
22340 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
22341 be started in a new console on next start.
22342 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
22343 be started in the same console as the debugger.
22344
22345 @kindex show new-console
22346 @item show new-console
22347 Displays whether a new console is used
22348 when the debuggee is started.
22349
22350 @kindex set new-group
22351 @item set new-group @var{mode}
22352 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
22353 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
22354 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
22355 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
22356
22357 @kindex show new-group
22358 @item show new-group
22359 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
22360
22361 @kindex set debugevents
22362 @item set debugevents
22363 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
22364 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
22365 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
22366 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
22367 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
22368
22369 @kindex set debugexec
22370 @item set debugexec
22371 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
22372 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
22373
22374 @kindex set debugexceptions
22375 @item set debugexceptions
22376 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
22377 debuggee seen by the debugger.
22378
22379 @kindex set debugmemory
22380 @item set debugmemory
22381 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
22382 and writes by the debugger.
22383
22384 @kindex set shell
22385 @item set shell
22386 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
22387 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
22388
22389 @kindex show shell
22390 @item show shell
22391 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
22392
22393 @end table
22394
22395 @menu
22396 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
22397 @end menu
22398
22399 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
22400 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
22401 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
22402 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
22403
22404 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
22405 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
22406 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
22407 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
22408 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
22409 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
22410 ``minimal symbols''.
22411
22412 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
22413 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
22414 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
22415 program run once to completion.
22416
22417 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
22418
22419 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
22420 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
22421 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
22422 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
22423 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
22424 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
22425 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
22426 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
22427 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
22428
22429 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
22430 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
22431 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
22432 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
22433 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
22434 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
22435
22436 @smallexample
22437 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
22438 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
22439
22440 Non-debugging symbols:
22441 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
22442 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
22443 @end smallexample
22444
22445 @smallexample
22446 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
22447 All functions matching regular expression "!":
22448
22449 Non-debugging symbols:
22450 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
22451 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
22452 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
22453 [etc...]
22454 @end smallexample
22455
22456 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
22457
22458 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
22459 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
22460 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
22461 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
22462 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
22463 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
22464 a function within a DLL without a running program.
22465
22466 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
22467 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
22468 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
22469 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
22470 problem:
22471
22472 @smallexample
22473 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
22474 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
22475 @end smallexample
22476
22477 @smallexample
22478 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
22479 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
22480 @end smallexample
22481
22482 And two possible solutions:
22483
22484 @smallexample
22485 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
22486 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
22487 @end smallexample
22488
22489 @smallexample
22490 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
22491 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
22492 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
22493 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
22494 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
22495 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
22496 @end smallexample
22497
22498 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
22499 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
22500 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
22501 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
22502 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
22503
22504 @smallexample
22505 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
22506 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
22507 @end smallexample
22508
22509 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
22510 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
22511 safe.
22512
22513 @node Hurd Native
22514 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
22515 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
22516
22517 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
22518 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
22519
22520 @table @code
22521 @item set signals
22522 @itemx set sigs
22523 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
22524 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
22525 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
22526 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
22527 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
22528 @code{signals}.
22529
22530 @item show signals
22531 @itemx show sigs
22532 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
22533 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
22534 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
22535
22536 @item set signal-thread
22537 @itemx set sigthread
22538 @kindex set signal-thread
22539 @kindex set sigthread
22540 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
22541 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
22542 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
22543 signal-thread}.
22544
22545 @item show signal-thread
22546 @itemx show sigthread
22547 @kindex show signal-thread
22548 @kindex show sigthread
22549 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
22550 delivered a signal.
22551
22552 @item set stopped
22553 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
22554 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
22555 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
22556 continued by delivering a signal to it.
22557
22558 @item show stopped
22559 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
22560 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
22561 stopped.
22562
22563 @item set exceptions
22564 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
22565 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
22566 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
22567 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
22568 trapping on.
22569
22570 @item show exceptions
22571 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
22572 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
22573
22574 @item set task pause
22575 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
22576 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22577 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22578 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
22579 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
22580 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
22581 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
22582 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
22583 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
22584
22585 @item show task pause
22586 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
22587 Show the current state of task suspension.
22588
22589 @item set task detach-suspend-count
22590 @cindex task suspend count
22591 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22592 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
22593 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
22594
22595 @item show task detach-suspend-count
22596 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
22597
22598 @item set task exception-port
22599 @itemx set task excp
22600 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22601 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
22602 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
22603 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
22604
22605 @item set noninvasive
22606 @cindex noninvasive task options
22607 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
22608 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
22609 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
22610 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
22611
22612 @item info send-rights
22613 @itemx info receive-rights
22614 @itemx info port-rights
22615 @itemx info port-sets
22616 @itemx info dead-names
22617 @itemx info ports
22618 @itemx info psets
22619 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22620 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22621 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22622 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22623 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22624 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
22625 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
22626 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
22627 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
22628
22629 @item set thread pause
22630 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
22631 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22632 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
22633 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
22634 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
22635 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
22636 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
22637 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
22638 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
22639 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
22640 only the current thread.
22641
22642 @item show thread pause
22643 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
22644 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
22645
22646 @item set thread run
22647 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
22648
22649 @item show thread run
22650 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
22651
22652 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
22653 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22654 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22655 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
22656 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
22657 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
22658 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
22659
22660 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
22661 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
22662 detaching.
22663
22664 @item set thread exception-port
22665 @itemx set thread excp
22666 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
22667 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
22668 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
22669
22670 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
22671 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
22672 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
22673 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
22674
22675 @item set thread default
22676 @itemx show thread default
22677 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
22678 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
22679 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
22680 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
22681 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
22682 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
22683 the non-default commands.
22684 @end table
22685
22686 @node Darwin
22687 @subsection Darwin
22688 @cindex Darwin
22689
22690 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
22691
22692 @table @code
22693 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
22694 @kindex set debug darwin
22695 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
22696 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
22697
22698 @item show debug darwin
22699 @kindex show debug darwin
22700 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
22701
22702 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
22703 @kindex set debug mach-o
22704 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
22705 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
22706 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
22707 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
22708 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
22709 usage.
22710
22711 @item show debug mach-o
22712 @kindex show debug mach-o
22713 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
22714
22715 @item set mach-exceptions on
22716 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
22717 @kindex set mach-exceptions
22718 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
22719 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
22720 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
22721 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
22722
22723 @item show mach-exceptions
22724 @kindex show mach-exceptions
22725 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
22726 @end table
22727
22728
22729 @node Embedded OS
22730 @section Embedded Operating Systems
22731
22732 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
22733 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
22734 architectures.
22735
22736 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
22737 various real-time operating systems.
22738
22739 @node Embedded Processors
22740 @section Embedded Processors
22741
22742 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
22743 configurations.
22744
22745 @cindex send command to simulator
22746 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
22747 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
22748
22749 @table @code
22750 @item sim @var{command}
22751 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
22752 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
22753 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
22754 acceptable commands.
22755 @end table
22756
22757
22758 @menu
22759 * ARC:: Synopsys ARC
22760 * ARM:: ARM
22761 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
22762 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
22763 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
22764 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRISC 1000 (or1k)
22765 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
22766 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
22767 * CRIS:: CRIS
22768 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
22769 @end menu
22770
22771 @node ARC
22772 @subsection Synopsys ARC
22773 @cindex Synopsys ARC
22774 @cindex ARC specific commands
22775 @cindex ARC600
22776 @cindex ARC700
22777 @cindex ARC EM
22778 @cindex ARC HS
22779
22780 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARC-specific commands:
22781
22782 @table @code
22783 @item set debug arc
22784 @kindex set debug arc
22785 Control the level of ARC specific debug messages. Use 0 for no messages (the
22786 default), 1 for debug messages, and 2 for even more debug messages.
22787
22788 @item show debug arc
22789 @kindex show debug arc
22790 Show the level of ARC specific debugging in operation.
22791
22792 @item maint print arc arc-instruction @var{address}
22793 @kindex maint print arc arc-instruction
22794 Print internal disassembler information about instruction at a given address.
22795
22796 @end table
22797
22798 @node ARM
22799 @subsection ARM
22800
22801 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
22802
22803 @table @code
22804 @item set arm disassembler
22805 @kindex set arm
22806 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
22807 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
22808
22809 @item show arm disassembler
22810 @kindex show arm
22811 Show the current disassembly style.
22812
22813 @item set arm apcs32
22814 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
22815 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
22816
22817 @item show arm apcs32
22818 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
22819
22820 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
22821 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
22822 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
22823
22824 @table @code
22825 @item auto
22826 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
22827 @item softfpa
22828 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
22829 processors.
22830 @item fpa
22831 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
22832 @item softvfp
22833 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
22834 @item vfp
22835 VFP co-processor.
22836 @end table
22837
22838 @item show arm fpu
22839 Show the current type of the FPU.
22840
22841 @item set arm abi
22842 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
22843
22844 @item show arm abi
22845 Show the currently used ABI.
22846
22847 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
22848 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
22849 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
22850 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
22851 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
22852 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
22853 register).
22854
22855 @item show arm fallback-mode
22856 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
22857
22858 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
22859 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
22860 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
22861 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
22862 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
22863
22864 @item show arm force-mode
22865 Show the current forced instruction mode.
22866
22867 @item set debug arm
22868 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
22869 target support subsystem.
22870
22871 @item show debug arm
22872 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
22873 @end table
22874
22875 @table @code
22876 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
22877 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
22878
22879 @table @code
22880 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
22881 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
22882 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
22883 The default value is @code{all}.
22884
22885 @table @code
22886 @item none
22887 @item demon
22888 @item angel
22889 @item redboot
22890 @item all
22891 @end table
22892 @end table
22893 @end table
22894
22895 @node M68K
22896 @subsection M68k
22897
22898 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
22899
22900 @node MicroBlaze
22901 @subsection MicroBlaze
22902 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
22903 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
22904
22905 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
22906 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
22907 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
22908 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
22909 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
22910 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
22911 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
22912 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
22913 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
22914 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
22915 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
22916
22917 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
22918
22919 @table @code
22920 @item target remote :1234
22921 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
22922 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
22923
22924 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
22925 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
22926 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
22927
22928 @item load
22929 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
22930
22931 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
22932 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
22933
22934 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
22935 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
22936 @end table
22937
22938 @node MIPS Embedded
22939 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
22940
22941 @noindent
22942 @value{GDBN} supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
22943
22944 @table @code
22945 @item set mipsfpu double
22946 @itemx set mipsfpu single
22947 @itemx set mipsfpu none
22948 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
22949 @itemx show mipsfpu
22950 @kindex set mipsfpu
22951 @kindex show mipsfpu
22952 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
22953 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
22954 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
22955 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
22956 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
22957 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
22958 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
22959 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
22960 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
22961 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
22962 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
22963 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
22964 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
22965
22966 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
22967 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
22968 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
22969
22970 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
22971 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
22972 @end table
22973
22974 @node OpenRISC 1000
22975 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
22976 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
22977
22978 @noindent
22979 The OpenRISC 1000 provides a free RISC instruction set architecture. It is
22980 mainly provided as a soft-core which can run on Xilinx, Altera and other
22981 FPGA's.
22982
22983 @value{GDBN} for OpenRISC supports the below commands when connecting to
22984 a target:
22985
22986 @table @code
22987
22988 @kindex target sim
22989 @item target sim
22990
22991 Runs the builtin CPU simulator which can run very basic
22992 programs but does not support most hardware functions like MMU.
22993 For more complex use cases the user is advised to run an external
22994 target, and connect using @samp{target remote}.
22995
22996 Example: @code{target sim}
22997
22998 @item set debug or1k
22999 Toggle whether to display OpenRISC-specific debugging messages from the
23000 OpenRISC target support subsystem.
23001
23002 @item show debug or1k
23003 Show whether OpenRISC-specific debugging messages are enabled.
23004 @end table
23005
23006 @node PowerPC Embedded
23007 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
23008
23009 @cindex DVC register
23010 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
23011 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
23012
23013 @smallexample
23014 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
23015 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
23016 @end smallexample
23017
23018 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
23019 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
23020 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
23021 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
23022 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
23023 or newer.
23024
23025 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
23026 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
23027 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
23028 watching variables of scalar types.
23029
23030 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
23031 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
23032
23033 @smallexample
23034 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
23035 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
23036 @end smallexample
23037
23038 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
23039 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
23040
23041 @cindex ranged breakpoint
23042 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
23043 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
23044 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
23045 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
23046 use the @code{break-range} command.
23047
23048 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
23049
23050 @table @code
23051 @kindex break-range
23052 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
23053 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
23054 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
23055 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
23056 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
23057 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
23058 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
23059 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
23060 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
23061
23062 @kindex set powerpc
23063 @item set powerpc soft-float
23064 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
23065 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
23066 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
23067 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
23068
23069 @item set powerpc vector-abi
23070 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
23071 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
23072 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
23073 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
23074 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
23075 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
23076 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
23077
23078 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
23079 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
23080 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
23081 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
23082 address of its first byte.
23083
23084 @end table
23085
23086 @node AVR
23087 @subsection Atmel AVR
23088 @cindex AVR
23089
23090 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
23091 following AVR-specific commands:
23092
23093 @table @code
23094 @item info io_registers
23095 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
23096 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
23097 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
23098 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
23099 @end table
23100
23101 @node CRIS
23102 @subsection CRIS
23103 @cindex CRIS
23104
23105 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
23106 following CRIS-specific commands:
23107
23108 @table @code
23109 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
23110 @cindex CRIS version
23111 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
23112 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
23113 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
23114
23115 @item show cris-version
23116 Show the current CRIS version.
23117
23118 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
23119 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
23120 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
23121 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
23122 @code{R59}.
23123
23124 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
23125 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
23126
23127 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
23128 @cindex CRIS mode
23129 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
23130 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
23131 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
23132
23133 @item show cris-mode
23134 Show the current CRIS mode.
23135 @end table
23136
23137 @node Super-H
23138 @subsection Renesas Super-H
23139 @cindex Super-H
23140
23141 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
23142 commands:
23143
23144 @table @code
23145 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
23146 @kindex set sh calling-convention
23147 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
23148 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
23149 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
23150 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
23151 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
23152 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
23153 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
23154 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
23155 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
23156 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
23157
23158 @item show sh calling-convention
23159 @kindex show sh calling-convention
23160 Show the current calling convention setting.
23161
23162 @end table
23163
23164
23165 @node Architectures
23166 @section Architectures
23167
23168 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
23169 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
23170
23171 @menu
23172 * AArch64::
23173 * i386::
23174 * Alpha::
23175 * MIPS::
23176 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
23177 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
23178 * PowerPC::
23179 * Nios II::
23180 * Sparc64::
23181 @end menu
23182
23183 @node AArch64
23184 @subsection AArch64
23185 @cindex AArch64 support
23186
23187 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
23188 following special commands:
23189
23190 @table @code
23191 @item set debug aarch64
23192 @kindex set debug aarch64
23193 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
23194 messages are to be displayed.
23195
23196 @item show debug aarch64
23197 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
23198
23199 @end table
23200
23201 @node i386
23202 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
23203
23204 @table @code
23205 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
23206 @kindex set struct-convention
23207 @cindex struct return convention
23208 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
23209 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
23210 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
23211 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
23212 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
23213 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
23214 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
23215 be returned in a register.
23216
23217 @item show struct-convention
23218 @kindex show struct-convention
23219 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
23220 from functions.
23221 @end table
23222
23223
23224 @subsubsection Intel @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
23225 @cindex Intel Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
23226
23227 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
23228 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
23229 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
23230 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
23231 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
23232 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
23233 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
23234
23235 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
23236 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
23237 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
23238 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
23239 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
23240 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
23241
23242 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
23243 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
23244 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
23245
23246 @smallexample
23247 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
23248 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
23249 @end smallexample
23250
23251 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
23252 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
23253 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
23254 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
23255 the pointer.
23256
23257 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
23258 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
23259 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
23260 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
23261 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
23262
23263 @table @code
23264 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
23265 @kindex show mpx bound
23266 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
23267
23268 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
23269 @kindex set mpx bound
23270 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
23271 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
23272 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
23273 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
23274 @end table
23275
23276 When you call an inferior function on an Intel MPX enabled program,
23277 GDB sets the inferior's bound registers to the init (disabled) state
23278 before calling the function. As a consequence, bounds checks for the
23279 pointer arguments passed to the function will always pass.
23280
23281 This is necessary because when you call an inferior function, the
23282 program is usually in the middle of the execution of other function.
23283 Since at that point bound registers are in an arbitrary state, not
23284 clearing them would lead to random bound violations in the called
23285 function.
23286
23287 You can still examine the influence of the bound registers on the
23288 execution of the called function by stopping the execution of the
23289 called function at its prologue, setting bound registers, and
23290 continuing the execution. For example:
23291
23292 @smallexample
23293 $ break *upper
23294 Breakpoint 2 at 0x4009de: file i386-mpx-call.c, line 47.
23295 $ print upper (a, b, c, d, 1)
23296 Breakpoint 2, upper (a=0x0, b=0x6e0000005b, c=0x0, d=0x0, len=48)....
23297 $ print $bnd0
23298 @{lbound = 0x0, ubound = ffffffff@} : size -1
23299 @end smallexample
23300
23301 At this last step the value of bnd0 can be changed for investigation of bound
23302 violations caused along the execution of the call. In order to know how to
23303 set the bound registers or bound table for the call consult the ABI.
23304
23305 @node Alpha
23306 @subsection Alpha
23307
23308 See the following section.
23309
23310 @node MIPS
23311 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
23312
23313 @cindex stack on Alpha
23314 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
23315 @cindex Alpha stack
23316 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
23317 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
23318 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
23319 find the beginning of a function.
23320
23321 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
23322 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
23323 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
23324 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
23325 commands:
23326
23327 @table @code
23328 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
23329 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
23330 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
23331 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
23332 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
23333 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
23334 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
23335 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
23336
23337 @item show heuristic-fence-post
23338 Display the current limit.
23339 @end table
23340
23341 @noindent
23342 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
23343 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
23344
23345 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
23346 programs:
23347
23348 @table @code
23349 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
23350 @kindex set mips abi
23351 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
23352 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
23353 values of @var{arg} are:
23354
23355 @table @samp
23356 @item auto
23357 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
23358 default).
23359 @item o32
23360 @item o64
23361 @item n32
23362 @item n64
23363 @item eabi32
23364 @item eabi64
23365 @end table
23366
23367 @item show mips abi
23368 @kindex show mips abi
23369 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
23370
23371 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
23372 @kindex set mips compression
23373 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
23374 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
23375 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
23376 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
23377 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
23378 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
23379 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
23380 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
23381 provided by the executable.
23382
23383 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
23384 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
23385 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
23386 identified as such.
23387
23388 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
23389 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
23390 implicitly from an executable.
23391
23392 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
23393 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
23394 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
23395 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
23396 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
23397
23398 @item show mips compression
23399 @kindex show mips compression
23400 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
23401 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
23402
23403 @item set mipsfpu
23404 @itemx show mipsfpu
23405 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
23406
23407 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
23408 @kindex set mips mask-address
23409 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
23410 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
23411 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
23412 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
23413 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
23414
23415 @item show mips mask-address
23416 @kindex show mips mask-address
23417 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
23418 not.
23419
23420 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23421 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23422 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
23423 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
23424 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
23425 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
23426
23427 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23428 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
23429 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
23430
23431 @item set debug mips
23432 @kindex set debug mips
23433 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
23434 target code in @value{GDBN}.
23435
23436 @item show debug mips
23437 @kindex show debug mips
23438 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
23439 @end table
23440
23441
23442 @node HPPA
23443 @subsection HPPA
23444 @cindex HPPA support
23445
23446 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
23447 following special commands:
23448
23449 @table @code
23450 @item set debug hppa
23451 @kindex set debug hppa
23452 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
23453 messages are to be displayed.
23454
23455 @item show debug hppa
23456 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
23457
23458 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
23459 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
23460 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
23461 given @var{address}.
23462
23463 @end table
23464
23465
23466 @node SPU
23467 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
23468 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
23469 @cindex SPU
23470
23471 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
23472 it provides the following special commands:
23473
23474 @table @code
23475 @item info spu event
23476 @kindex info spu
23477 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
23478 and pending event status.
23479
23480 @item info spu signal
23481 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
23482 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
23483 notification channels.
23484
23485 @item info spu mailbox
23486 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
23487 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
23488 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
23489
23490 @item info spu dma
23491 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
23492 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
23493 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
23494
23495 @item info spu proxydma
23496 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
23497 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
23498 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
23499
23500 @end table
23501
23502 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
23503 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
23504 special commands:
23505
23506 @table @code
23507 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
23508 @kindex set spu
23509 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
23510 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
23511 function. The default is @code{off}.
23512
23513 @item show spu stop-on-load
23514 @kindex show spu
23515 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
23516
23517 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
23518 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
23519 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
23520 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
23521 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
23522 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
23523
23524 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
23525 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
23526
23527 @end table
23528
23529 @node PowerPC
23530 @subsection PowerPC
23531 @cindex PowerPC architecture
23532
23533 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
23534 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
23535 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
23536 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
23537 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
23538
23539 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
23540 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
23541 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
23542
23543 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
23544 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
23545
23546 @node Nios II
23547 @subsection Nios II
23548 @cindex Nios II architecture
23549
23550 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
23551 it provides the following special commands:
23552
23553 @table @code
23554
23555 @item set debug nios2
23556 @kindex set debug nios2
23557 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
23558 target code in @value{GDBN}.
23559
23560 @item show debug nios2
23561 @kindex show debug nios2
23562 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
23563 @end table
23564
23565 @node Sparc64
23566 @subsection Sparc64
23567 @cindex Sparc64 support
23568 @cindex Application Data Integrity
23569 @subsubsection ADI Support
23570
23571 The M7 processor supports an Application Data Integrity (ADI) feature that
23572 detects invalid data accesses. When software allocates memory and enables
23573 ADI on the allocated memory, it chooses a 4-bit version number, sets the
23574 version in the upper 4 bits of the 64-bit pointer to that data, and stores
23575 the 4-bit version in every cacheline of that data. Hardware saves the latter
23576 in spare bits in the cache and memory hierarchy. On each load and store,
23577 the processor compares the upper 4 VA (virtual address) bits to the
23578 cacheline's version. If there is a mismatch, the processor generates a
23579 version mismatch trap which can be either precise or disrupting. The trap
23580 is an error condition which the kernel delivers to the process as a SIGSEGV
23581 signal.
23582
23583 Note that only 64-bit applications can use ADI and need to be built with
23584 ADI-enabled.
23585
23586 Values of the ADI version tags, which are in granularity of a
23587 cacheline (64 bytes), can be viewed or modified.
23588
23589
23590 @table @code
23591 @kindex adi examine
23592 @item adi (examine | x) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr}
23593
23594 The @code{adi examine} command displays the value of one ADI version tag per
23595 cacheline.
23596
23597 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes; the default
23598 is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the ratio of 1:ADI
23599 block size, to display.
23600
23601 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
23602 to begin displaying the ADI version tags.
23603
23604 Below is an example of displaying ADI versions of variable "shmaddr".
23605
23606 @smallexample
23607 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
23608 0xfff800010002c000: 0 0
23609 @end smallexample
23610
23611 @kindex adi assign
23612 @item adi (assign | a) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr} = @var{tag}
23613
23614 The @code{adi assign} command is used to assign new ADI version tag
23615 to an address.
23616
23617 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes;
23618 the default is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the
23619 ratio of 1:ADI block size, to modify.
23620
23621 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
23622 to begin modifying the ADI version tags.
23623
23624 @var{tag} is the new ADI version tag.
23625
23626 For example, do the following to modify then verify ADI versions of
23627 variable "shmaddr":
23628
23629 @smallexample
23630 (@value{GDBP}) adi a/100 shmaddr = 7
23631 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
23632 0xfff800010002c000: 7 7
23633 @end smallexample
23634
23635 @end table
23636
23637 @node Controlling GDB
23638 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
23639
23640 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
23641 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
23642 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
23643 described here.
23644
23645 @menu
23646 * Prompt:: Prompt
23647 * Editing:: Command editing
23648 * Command History:: Command history
23649 * Screen Size:: Screen size
23650 * Numbers:: Numbers
23651 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
23652 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
23653 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
23654 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
23655 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
23656 @end menu
23657
23658 @node Prompt
23659 @section Prompt
23660
23661 @cindex prompt
23662
23663 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
23664 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
23665 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
23666 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
23667 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
23668 which one you are talking to.
23669
23670 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
23671 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
23672 or a prompt that does not.
23673
23674 @table @code
23675 @kindex set prompt
23676 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
23677 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
23678
23679 @kindex show prompt
23680 @item show prompt
23681 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
23682 @end table
23683
23684 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
23685 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
23686 are:
23687
23688 @table @code
23689 @kindex set extended-prompt
23690 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
23691 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
23692 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
23693 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
23694 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
23695 is displayed.
23696
23697 For example:
23698
23699 @smallexample
23700 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
23701 @end smallexample
23702
23703 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
23704 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
23705
23706 @kindex show extended-prompt
23707 @item show extended-prompt
23708 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
23709 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
23710 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
23711 @end table
23712
23713 @node Editing
23714 @section Command Editing
23715 @cindex readline
23716 @cindex command line editing
23717
23718 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
23719 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
23720 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
23721 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
23722 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
23723 debugging sessions.
23724
23725 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
23726 command @code{set}.
23727
23728 @table @code
23729 @kindex set editing
23730 @cindex editing
23731 @item set editing
23732 @itemx set editing on
23733 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
23734
23735 @item set editing off
23736 Disable command line editing.
23737
23738 @kindex show editing
23739 @item show editing
23740 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
23741 @end table
23742
23743 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23744 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
23745 @end ifset
23746 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23747 @xref{Command Line Editing},
23748 @end ifclear
23749 for more details about the Readline
23750 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
23751 encouraged to read that chapter.
23752
23753 @node Command History
23754 @section Command History
23755 @cindex command history
23756
23757 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
23758 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
23759 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
23760 history facility.
23761
23762 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
23763 package, to provide the history facility.
23764 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23765 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
23766 @end ifset
23767 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23768 @xref{Using History Interactively},
23769 @end ifclear
23770 for the detailed description of the History library.
23771
23772 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
23773 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
23774 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
23775 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
23776 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
23777 pressed on a line by itself.
23778
23779 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
23780 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
23781 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
23782 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
23783
23784 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
23785 history.
23786
23787 @table @code
23788 @cindex history substitution
23789 @cindex history file
23790 @kindex set history filename
23791 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
23792 @item set history filename @var{fname}
23793 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
23794 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
23795 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
23796 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
23797 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
23798 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
23799 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
23800 is not set.
23801
23802 @cindex save command history
23803 @kindex set history save
23804 @item set history save
23805 @itemx set history save on
23806 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
23807 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
23808
23809 @item set history save off
23810 Stop recording command history in a file.
23811
23812 @cindex history size
23813 @kindex set history size
23814 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
23815 @item set history size @var{size}
23816 @itemx set history size unlimited
23817 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
23818 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
23819 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
23820 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
23821 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
23822 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
23823
23824 @cindex remove duplicate history
23825 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
23826 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
23827 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
23828 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
23829 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
23830 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
23831 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
23832 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
23833 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
23834
23835 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
23836 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
23837
23838 @end table
23839
23840 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
23841 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23842 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
23843 @end ifset
23844 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23845 @xref{Event Designators},
23846 @end ifclear
23847 for more details.
23848
23849 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
23850 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
23851 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
23852 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
23853 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
23854 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
23855 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
23856 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
23857
23858 The commands to control history expansion are:
23859
23860 @table @code
23861 @item set history expansion on
23862 @itemx set history expansion
23863 @kindex set history expansion
23864 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
23865
23866 @item set history expansion off
23867 Disable history expansion.
23868
23869 @c @group
23870 @kindex show history
23871 @item show history
23872 @itemx show history filename
23873 @itemx show history save
23874 @itemx show history size
23875 @itemx show history expansion
23876 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
23877 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
23878 @c @end group
23879 @end table
23880
23881 @table @code
23882 @kindex show commands
23883 @cindex show last commands
23884 @cindex display command history
23885 @item show commands
23886 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
23887
23888 @item show commands @var{n}
23889 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
23890
23891 @item show commands +
23892 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
23893 @end table
23894
23895 @node Screen Size
23896 @section Screen Size
23897 @cindex size of screen
23898 @cindex screen size
23899 @cindex pagination
23900 @cindex page size
23901 @cindex pauses in output
23902
23903 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
23904 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
23905 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
23906 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to see one more page of output,
23907 @kbd{q} to discard the remaining output, or @kbd{c} to continue
23908 without paging for the rest of the current command. Also, the screen
23909 width setting determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
23910 what is being printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a
23911 readable place, rather than simply letting it overflow onto the
23912 following line.
23913
23914 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
23915 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
23916 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
23917 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
23918 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
23919 width} commands:
23920
23921 @table @code
23922 @kindex set height
23923 @kindex set width
23924 @kindex show width
23925 @kindex show height
23926 @item set height @var{lpp}
23927 @itemx set height unlimited
23928 @itemx show height
23929 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
23930 @itemx set width unlimited
23931 @itemx show width
23932 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
23933 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
23934 commands display the current settings.
23935
23936 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
23937 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
23938 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
23939 buffer.
23940
23941 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
23942 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
23943
23944 @item set pagination on
23945 @itemx set pagination off
23946 @kindex set pagination
23947 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
23948 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
23949 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
23950 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
23951
23952 @item show pagination
23953 @kindex show pagination
23954 Show the current pagination mode.
23955 @end table
23956
23957 @node Numbers
23958 @section Numbers
23959 @cindex number representation
23960 @cindex entering numbers
23961
23962 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
23963 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
23964 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
23965 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
23966 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
23967 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
23968 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
23969 both input and output with the commands described below.
23970
23971 @table @code
23972 @kindex set input-radix
23973 @item set input-radix @var{base}
23974 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
23975 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
23976 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
23977 example, any of
23978
23979 @smallexample
23980 set input-radix 012
23981 set input-radix 10.
23982 set input-radix 0xa
23983 @end smallexample
23984
23985 @noindent
23986 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
23987 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
23988 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
23989 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
23990 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
23991 change the radix.
23992
23993 @kindex set output-radix
23994 @item set output-radix @var{base}
23995 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
23996 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
23997 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
23998
23999 @kindex show input-radix
24000 @item show input-radix
24001 Display the current default base for numeric input.
24002
24003 @kindex show output-radix
24004 @item show output-radix
24005 Display the current default base for numeric display.
24006
24007 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
24008 @itemx show radix
24009 @kindex set radix
24010 @kindex show radix
24011 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
24012 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
24013 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
24014 default value of 10.
24015
24016 @end table
24017
24018 @node ABI
24019 @section Configuring the Current ABI
24020
24021 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
24022 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
24023 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
24024 current ABI.
24025
24026 @cindex OS ABI
24027 @kindex set osabi
24028 @kindex show osabi
24029 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
24030
24031 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
24032 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
24033 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
24034 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
24035 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
24036 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
24037 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
24038 platform provides.
24039
24040 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
24041 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
24042 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
24043 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
24044
24045 @table @code
24046 @item show osabi
24047 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
24048
24049 @item set osabi
24050 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
24051
24052 @item set osabi @var{abi}
24053 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
24054 @end table
24055
24056 @cindex float promotion
24057
24058 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
24059 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
24060 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
24061 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
24062 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
24063 @code{double} and then passed.
24064
24065 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
24066 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
24067 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
24068
24069 @table @code
24070 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
24071 @item set coerce-float-to-double
24072 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
24073 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
24074 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
24075
24076 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
24077 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
24078 functions.
24079
24080 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
24081 @item show coerce-float-to-double
24082 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
24083 @end table
24084
24085 @kindex set cp-abi
24086 @kindex show cp-abi
24087 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
24088 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
24089 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
24090 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
24091 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
24092 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
24093 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
24094 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
24095 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
24096 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
24097 ``auto''.
24098
24099 @table @code
24100 @item show cp-abi
24101 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
24102
24103 @item set cp-abi
24104 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
24105
24106 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
24107 @itemx set cp-abi auto
24108 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
24109 @end table
24110
24111 @node Auto-loading
24112 @section Automatically loading associated files
24113 @cindex auto-loading
24114
24115 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
24116 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
24117 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
24118 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
24119 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
24120 sources).
24121
24122 @menu
24123 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
24124 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
24125
24126 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
24127 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
24128 @end menu
24129
24130 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
24131 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
24132 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
24133
24134 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
24135 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
24136 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24137
24138 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
24139 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
24140
24141 @table @code
24142 @anchor{set auto-load off}
24143 @kindex set auto-load off
24144 @item set auto-load off
24145 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
24146 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
24147 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
24148 @smallexample
24149 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
24150 @end smallexample
24151
24152 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
24153 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
24154 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
24155 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
24156 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
24157 @code{set auto-load no}.
24158
24159 @anchor{show auto-load}
24160 @kindex show auto-load
24161 @item show auto-load
24162 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
24163 or disabled.
24164
24165 @smallexample
24166 (gdb) show auto-load
24167 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
24168 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
24169 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
24170 is on.
24171 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
24172 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
24173 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
24174 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
24175 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
24176 @end smallexample
24177
24178 @anchor{info auto-load}
24179 @kindex info auto-load
24180 @item info auto-load
24181 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
24182 not.
24183
24184 @smallexample
24185 (gdb) info auto-load
24186 gdb-scripts:
24187 Loaded Script
24188 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
24189 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
24190 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
24191 loaded.
24192 python-scripts:
24193 Loaded Script
24194 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
24195 @end smallexample
24196 @end table
24197
24198 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
24199
24200 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
24201 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
24202 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
24203 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
24204 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
24205 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
24206 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
24207 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24208 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24209 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24210 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24211 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
24212 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
24213 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
24214 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24215 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
24216 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24217 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
24218 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
24219 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
24220 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24221 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
24222 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24223 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
24224 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
24225 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
24226 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24227 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
24228 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
24229 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
24230 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
24231 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24232 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
24233 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24234 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
24235 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
24236 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
24237 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
24238 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
24239 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
24240 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
24241 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
24242 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
24243 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
24244 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
24245 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
24246 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
24247 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
24248 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
24249 @end multitable
24250
24251 @node Init File in the Current Directory
24252 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
24253 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
24254
24255 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
24256 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
24257 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
24258
24259 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
24260 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24261
24262 @table @code
24263 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
24264 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
24265 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
24266 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
24267 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
24268
24269 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
24270 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
24271 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
24272 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
24273 current directory is enabled or disabled.
24274
24275 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
24276 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
24277 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
24278 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
24279 current directory have been auto-loaded.
24280 @end table
24281
24282 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
24283 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
24284 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
24285
24286 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
24287
24288 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
24289 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
24290
24291 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
24292 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
24293 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
24294 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
24295 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
24296 library.
24297
24298 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
24299 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
24300
24301 @table @code
24302 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
24303 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
24304 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
24305 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
24306
24307 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
24308 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
24309 @item show auto-load libthread-db
24310 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
24311 enabled or disabled.
24312
24313 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
24314 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
24315 @item info auto-load libthread-db
24316 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
24317 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
24318 @end table
24319
24320 @node Auto-loading safe path
24321 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
24322 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
24323
24324 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
24325 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
24326 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
24327 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
24328 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
24329
24330 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
24331 get loaded:
24332
24333 @smallexample
24334 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
24335 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
24336 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
24337 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
24338 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
24339 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
24340 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
24341 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
24342 @end smallexample
24343
24344 @noindent
24345 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
24346 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
24347
24348 @smallexample
24349 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
24350 @end smallexample
24351
24352 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
24353
24354 @table @code
24355 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
24356 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
24357 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
24358 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
24359 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
24360 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
24361 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
24362 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
24363 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
24364 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
24365
24366 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
24367 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
24368 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
24369
24370 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
24371 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
24372 @item show auto-load safe-path
24373 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
24374 scripts.
24375
24376 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
24377 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
24378 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
24379 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
24380 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
24381 by the host platform path separator in use.
24382 @end table
24383
24384 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
24385 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
24386 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
24387 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
24388 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
24389
24390 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
24391 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
24392 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
24393 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
24394 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
24395 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
24396 init file in the current directory
24397 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
24398
24399 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
24400 example, you could use one of the following ways:
24401
24402 @table @asis
24403 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
24404 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
24405 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
24406 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
24407
24408 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
24409 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
24410 @value{GDBN} session.
24411
24412 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
24413 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
24414 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
24415 from trusted sources.
24416
24417 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
24418 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
24419 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
24420 trusted sources.
24421 @end table
24422
24423 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
24424 also suppresses any such warning messages:
24425
24426 @table @asis
24427 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
24428 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
24429
24430 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
24431 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
24432 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
24433 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
24434 @end table
24435
24436 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
24437 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
24438 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
24439 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
24440 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
24441 recommended to be entered.
24442
24443 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
24444 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
24445 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
24446
24447 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
24448 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
24449 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
24450 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
24451 be printed.
24452
24453 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
24454 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
24455 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
24456
24457 @smallexample
24458 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
24459 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
24460 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
24461 for objfile "/tmp/true".
24462 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
24463 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
24464 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
24465 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
24466 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
24467 @end smallexample
24468
24469 @table @code
24470 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
24471 @kindex set debug auto-load
24472 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
24473 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
24474
24475 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
24476 @kindex show debug auto-load
24477 @item show debug auto-load
24478 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
24479 on or off.
24480 @end table
24481
24482 @node Messages/Warnings
24483 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
24484
24485 @cindex verbose operation
24486 @cindex optional warnings
24487 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
24488 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
24489 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
24490 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
24491
24492 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
24493 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
24494 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24495
24496 @table @code
24497 @kindex set verbose
24498 @item set verbose on
24499 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
24500
24501 @item set verbose off
24502 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
24503
24504 @kindex show verbose
24505 @item show verbose
24506 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
24507 @end table
24508
24509 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
24510 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
24511 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
24512 Symbol Files}).
24513
24514 @table @code
24515
24516 @kindex set complaints
24517 @item set complaints @var{limit}
24518 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
24519 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
24520 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
24521 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
24522
24523 @kindex show complaints
24524 @item show complaints
24525 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
24526
24527 @end table
24528
24529 @anchor{confirmation requests}
24530 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
24531 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
24532 you try to run a program which is already running:
24533
24534 @smallexample
24535 (@value{GDBP}) run
24536 The program being debugged has been started already.
24537 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
24538 @end smallexample
24539
24540 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
24541 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
24542
24543 @table @code
24544
24545 @kindex set confirm
24546 @cindex flinching
24547 @cindex confirmation
24548 @cindex stupid questions
24549 @item set confirm off
24550 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
24551 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
24552 automatically disables confirmation requests.
24553
24554 @item set confirm on
24555 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
24556
24557 @kindex show confirm
24558 @item show confirm
24559 Displays state of confirmation requests.
24560
24561 @end table
24562
24563 @cindex command tracing
24564 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
24565 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
24566 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
24567 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
24568
24569 @table @code
24570 @kindex set trace-commands
24571 @cindex command scripts, debugging
24572 @item set trace-commands on
24573 Enable command tracing.
24574 @item set trace-commands off
24575 Disable command tracing.
24576 @item show trace-commands
24577 Display the current state of command tracing.
24578 @end table
24579
24580 @node Debugging Output
24581 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
24582 @cindex optional debugging messages
24583
24584 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
24585 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
24586 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
24587 section documents those commands.
24588
24589 @table @code
24590 @kindex set exec-done-display
24591 @item set exec-done-display
24592 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
24593 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
24594 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
24595 @kindex show exec-done-display
24596 @item show exec-done-display
24597 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
24598 notification.
24599 @kindex set debug
24600 @cindex ARM AArch64
24601 @item set debug aarch64
24602 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
24603 The default is off.
24604 @kindex show debug
24605 @item show debug aarch64
24606 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
24607 ARM AArch64.
24608 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
24609 @cindex architecture debugging info
24610 @item set debug arch
24611 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
24612 @item show debug arch
24613 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
24614 @item set debug aix-solib
24615 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
24616 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
24617 support module. The default is off.
24618 @item show debug aix-thread
24619 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
24620 @item set debug aix-thread
24621 @cindex AIX threads
24622 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
24623 module.
24624 @item show debug aix-thread
24625 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
24626 @item set debug check-physname
24627 @cindex physname
24628 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
24629 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
24630 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
24631 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
24632 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
24633 both ways and display any discrepancies.
24634 @item show debug check-physname
24635 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
24636 @item set debug coff-pe-read
24637 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
24638 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
24639 exported symbols. The default is off.
24640 @item show debug coff-pe-read
24641 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
24642 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
24643 @item set debug dwarf-die
24644 @cindex DWARF DIEs
24645 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
24646 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
24647 A value of zero turns off the display.
24648 @item show debug dwarf-die
24649 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
24650 @item set debug dwarf-line
24651 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
24652 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
24653 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
24654 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24655 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24656 @item show debug dwarf-line
24657 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
24658 @item set debug dwarf-read
24659 @cindex DWARF Reading
24660 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
24661 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
24662 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24663 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24664 @item show debug dwarf-read
24665 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
24666 @item set debug displaced
24667 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
24668 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
24669 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
24670 @item show debug displaced
24671 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
24672 related to displaced stepping.
24673 @item set debug event
24674 @cindex event debugging info
24675 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
24676 default is off.
24677 @item show debug event
24678 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
24679 info.
24680 @item set debug expression
24681 @cindex expression debugging info
24682 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
24683 expression parsing. The default is off.
24684 @item show debug expression
24685 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
24686 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
24687 @item set debug fbsd-lwp
24688 @cindex FreeBSD LWP debug messages
24689 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD LWP debug support.
24690 @item show debug fbsd-lwp
24691 Show the current state of FreeBSD LWP debugging messages.
24692 @item set debug fbsd-nat
24693 @cindex FreeBSD native target debug messages
24694 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD native target.
24695 @item show debug fbsd-nat
24696 Show the current state of FreeBSD native target debugging messages.
24697 @item set debug frame
24698 @cindex frame debugging info
24699 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
24700 default is off.
24701 @item show debug frame
24702 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
24703 info.
24704 @item set debug gnu-nat
24705 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
24706 Turn on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
24707 @item show debug gnu-nat
24708 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
24709 @item set debug infrun
24710 @cindex inferior debugging info
24711 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
24712 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
24713 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
24714 @item show debug infrun
24715 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
24716 @item set debug jit
24717 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
24718 Turn on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
24719 @item show debug jit
24720 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
24721 @item set debug lin-lwp
24722 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
24723 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
24724 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
24725 @item show debug lin-lwp
24726 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
24727 @item set debug linux-namespaces
24728 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
24729 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
24730 @item show debug linux-namespaces
24731 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
24732 @item set debug mach-o
24733 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
24734 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
24735 processing. The default is off.
24736 @item show debug mach-o
24737 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
24738 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
24739 @item set debug notification
24740 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
24741 Turn on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
24742 The default is off.
24743 @item show debug notification
24744 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
24745 @item set debug observer
24746 @cindex observer debugging info
24747 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
24748 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
24749 @item show debug observer
24750 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
24751 @item set debug overload
24752 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
24753 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
24754 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
24755 is off.
24756 @item show debug overload
24757 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
24758 debugging info.
24759 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
24760 @cindex debug expression parser
24761 @item set debug parser
24762 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
24763 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
24764 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
24765 details. The default is off.
24766 @item show debug parser
24767 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
24768 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
24769 @cindex serial connections, debugging
24770 @cindex debug remote protocol
24771 @cindex remote protocol debugging
24772 @cindex display remote packets
24773 @item set debug remote
24774 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
24775 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
24776 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
24777 @item show debug remote
24778 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
24779
24780 @item set debug separate-debug-file
24781 Turns on or off display of debug output about separate debug file search.
24782 @item show debug separate-debug-file
24783 Displays the state of separate debug file search debug output.
24784
24785 @item set debug serial
24786 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
24787 default is off.
24788 @item show debug serial
24789 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
24790 info.
24791 @item set debug solib-frv
24792 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
24793 Turn on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
24794 @item show debug solib-frv
24795 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
24796 messages.
24797 @item set debug symbol-lookup
24798 @cindex symbol lookup
24799 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
24800 The default is 0 (off).
24801 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24802 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24803 @item show debug symbol-lookup
24804 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
24805 @item set debug symfile
24806 @cindex symbol file functions
24807 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
24808 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
24809 @item show debug symfile
24810 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
24811 @item set debug symtab-create
24812 @cindex symbol table creation
24813 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
24814 The default is 0 (off).
24815 A value of 1 provides basic information.
24816 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
24817 @item show debug symtab-create
24818 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
24819 @item set debug target
24820 @cindex target debugging info
24821 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
24822 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
24823 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
24824 value of large memory transfers.
24825 @item show debug target
24826 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
24827 info.
24828 @item set debug timestamp
24829 @cindex timestampping debugging info
24830 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
24831 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
24832 message.
24833 @item show debug timestamp
24834 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
24835 debugging info.
24836 @item set debug varobj
24837 @cindex variable object debugging info
24838 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
24839 info. The default is off.
24840 @item show debug varobj
24841 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
24842 debugging info.
24843 @item set debug xml
24844 @cindex XML parser debugging
24845 Turn on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
24846 @item show debug xml
24847 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
24848 @end table
24849
24850 @node Other Misc Settings
24851 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
24852 @cindex miscellaneous settings
24853
24854 @table @code
24855 @kindex set interactive-mode
24856 @item set interactive-mode
24857 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
24858 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
24859 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
24860 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
24861 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
24862 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
24863 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
24864 is, non-interactively otherwise.
24865
24866 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
24867 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
24868 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
24869 inside a cygwin window.
24870
24871 @kindex show interactive-mode
24872 @item show interactive-mode
24873 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
24874 @end table
24875
24876 @node Extending GDB
24877 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
24878 @cindex extending GDB
24879
24880 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
24881 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
24882 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
24883 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
24884 being debugged.
24885
24886 @menu
24887 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
24888 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
24889 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
24890 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
24891 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
24892 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
24893 @end menu
24894
24895 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
24896 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
24897 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
24898 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
24899 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
24900 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
24901
24902 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
24903 setting:
24904
24905 @table @code
24906 @kindex set script-extension
24907 @kindex show script-extension
24908 @item set script-extension off
24909 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
24910
24911 @item set script-extension soft
24912 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
24913 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
24914 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
24915 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
24916
24917 @item set script-extension strict
24918 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
24919 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
24920 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
24921
24922 @item show script-extension
24923 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
24924
24925 @end table
24926
24927 @node Sequences
24928 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
24929
24930 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
24931 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
24932 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
24933 files.
24934
24935 @menu
24936 * Define:: How to define your own commands
24937 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
24938 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
24939 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
24940 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
24941 @end menu
24942
24943 @node Define
24944 @subsection User-defined Commands
24945
24946 @cindex user-defined command
24947 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
24948 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
24949 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
24950 @code{define} command. User commands may accept an unlimited number of arguments
24951 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
24952 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$argN}. A trivial example:
24953
24954 @smallexample
24955 define adder
24956 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
24957 end
24958 @end smallexample
24959
24960 @noindent
24961 To execute the command use:
24962
24963 @smallexample
24964 adder 1 2 3
24965 @end smallexample
24966
24967 @noindent
24968 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
24969 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
24970 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
24971 functions calls.
24972
24973 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
24974 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
24975 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
24976 been passed.
24977
24978 @smallexample
24979 define adder
24980 if $argc == 2
24981 print $arg0 + $arg1
24982 end
24983 if $argc == 3
24984 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
24985 end
24986 end
24987 @end smallexample
24988
24989 Combining with the @code{eval} command (@pxref{eval}) makes it easier
24990 to process a variable number of arguments:
24991
24992 @smallexample
24993 define adder
24994 set $i = 0
24995 set $sum = 0
24996 while $i < $argc
24997 eval "set $sum = $sum + $arg%d", $i
24998 set $i = $i + 1
24999 end
25000 print $sum
25001 end
25002 @end smallexample
25003
25004 @table @code
25005
25006 @kindex define
25007 @item define @var{commandname}
25008 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
25009 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
25010 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
25011 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
25012 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
25013 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
25014
25015 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
25016 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
25017 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
25018
25019 @kindex document
25020 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
25021 @item document @var{commandname}
25022 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
25023 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
25024 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
25025 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
25026 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
25027 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
25028
25029 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
25030 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
25031 does not change the documentation.
25032
25033 @kindex dont-repeat
25034 @cindex don't repeat command
25035 @item dont-repeat
25036 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
25037 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
25038 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
25039
25040 @kindex help user-defined
25041 @item help user-defined
25042 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
25043 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
25044 included (if any).
25045
25046 @kindex show user
25047 @item show user
25048 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
25049 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
25050 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
25051 definitions for all user-defined commands.
25052 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
25053
25054 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
25055 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
25056 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
25057 @item show max-user-call-depth
25058 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
25059 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
25060 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
25061 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
25062 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
25063 @end table
25064
25065 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
25066 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
25067
25068 When user-defined commands are executed, the
25069 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
25070 stops execution of the user-defined command.
25071
25072 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
25073 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
25074 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
25075 messages when used in a user-defined command.
25076
25077 @node Hooks
25078 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
25079 @cindex command hooks
25080 @cindex hooks, for commands
25081 @cindex hooks, pre-command
25082
25083 @kindex hook
25084 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
25085 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
25086 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
25087 before that command.
25088
25089 @cindex hooks, post-command
25090 @kindex hookpost
25091 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
25092 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
25093 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
25094 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
25095 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
25096
25097 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
25098 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
25099
25100 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
25101 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
25102
25103 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
25104 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
25105 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
25106 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
25107 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
25108
25109 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
25110 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
25111 you could define:
25112
25113 @smallexample
25114 define hook-stop
25115 handle SIGALRM nopass
25116 end
25117
25118 define hook-run
25119 handle SIGALRM pass
25120 end
25121
25122 define hook-continue
25123 handle SIGALRM pass
25124 end
25125 @end smallexample
25126
25127 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
25128 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
25129 you could define:
25130
25131 @smallexample
25132 define hook-echo
25133 echo <<<---
25134 end
25135
25136 define hookpost-echo
25137 echo --->>>\n
25138 end
25139
25140 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
25141 <<<---Hello World--->>>
25142 (@value{GDBP})
25143
25144 @end smallexample
25145
25146 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
25147 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
25148 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
25149 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
25150 @c or not?
25151 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
25152 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
25153 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
25154
25155 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
25156 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
25157 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
25158
25159 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
25160 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
25161
25162 @node Command Files
25163 @subsection Command Files
25164
25165 @cindex command files
25166 @cindex scripting commands
25167 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
25168 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
25169 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
25170 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
25171 terminal.
25172
25173 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
25174 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
25175 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
25176 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
25177 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
25178
25179 @table @code
25180 @kindex source
25181 @cindex execute commands from a file
25182 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
25183 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
25184 @end table
25185
25186 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
25187 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
25188 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
25189 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
25190 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
25191
25192 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
25193 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
25194 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
25195 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
25196 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
25197 is not relevant to scripts.
25198
25199 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
25200 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
25201 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
25202 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
25203 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
25204 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
25205 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
25206 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
25207 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
25208 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
25209 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
25210 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
25211 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
25212 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
25213
25214 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
25215 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
25216 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
25217
25218 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
25219 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
25220 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
25221 when called from command files.
25222
25223 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
25224 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
25225 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
25226 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
25227 the next command.
25228
25229 @smallexample
25230 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
25231 @end smallexample
25232
25233 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
25234 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
25235 would be directed to @file{log}.
25236
25237 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
25238 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
25239 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
25240 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
25241 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
25242 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
25243 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
25244 conditionally, etc.
25245
25246 @table @code
25247 @kindex if
25248 @kindex else
25249 @item if
25250 @itemx else
25251 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
25252 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
25253 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
25254 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
25255 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
25256 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
25257 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
25258
25259 @kindex while
25260 @item while
25261 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
25262 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
25263 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
25264 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
25265 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
25266 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
25267
25268 @kindex loop_break
25269 @item loop_break
25270 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
25271 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
25272 line.
25273
25274 @kindex loop_continue
25275 @item loop_continue
25276 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
25277 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
25278 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
25279 the controlling expression.
25280
25281 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
25282 @item end
25283 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
25284 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
25285 @end table
25286
25287
25288 @node Output
25289 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
25290
25291 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
25292 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
25293 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
25294 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
25295 want.
25296
25297 @table @code
25298 @kindex echo
25299 @item echo @var{text}
25300 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
25301 @c because it is not in ANSI.
25302 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
25303 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
25304 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
25305 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
25306 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
25307 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
25308 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
25309 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
25310 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
25311
25312 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
25313 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
25314
25315 @smallexample
25316 echo This is some text\n\
25317 which is continued\n\
25318 onto several lines.\n
25319 @end smallexample
25320
25321 produces the same output as
25322
25323 @smallexample
25324 echo This is some text\n
25325 echo which is continued\n
25326 echo onto several lines.\n
25327 @end smallexample
25328
25329 @kindex output
25330 @item output @var{expression}
25331 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
25332 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
25333 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
25334 on expressions.
25335
25336 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
25337 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
25338 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
25339 Formats}, for more information.
25340
25341 @kindex printf
25342 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
25343 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
25344 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
25345 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
25346 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
25347 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
25348 executing the code below:
25349
25350 @smallexample
25351 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
25352 @end smallexample
25353
25354 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
25355 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
25356 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
25357 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
25358 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
25359 printed.
25360
25361 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
25362
25363 @smallexample
25364 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
25365 @end smallexample
25366
25367 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
25368 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
25369 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
25370
25371 @itemize @bullet
25372 @item
25373 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
25374
25375 @item
25376 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
25377 width.
25378
25379 @item
25380 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
25381 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
25382
25383 @item
25384 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
25385 supported.
25386
25387 @item
25388 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
25389
25390 @item
25391 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
25392 @end itemize
25393
25394 @noindent
25395 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
25396 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
25397 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
25398 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
25399
25400 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
25401 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
25402 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
25403 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
25404 supported.
25405
25406 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
25407 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
25408 together with a floating point specifier.
25409 letters:
25410
25411 @itemize @bullet
25412 @item
25413 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
25414
25415 @item
25416 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
25417
25418 @item
25419 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
25420 @end itemize
25421
25422 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
25423 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
25424 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
25425
25426 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
25427 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
25428
25429 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
25430 @smallexample
25431 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
25432 @end smallexample
25433
25434 @anchor{eval}
25435 @kindex eval
25436 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
25437 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
25438 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
25439
25440 @end table
25441
25442 @node Auto-loading sequences
25443 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
25444 @cindex native script auto-loading
25445
25446 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25447 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25448 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
25449 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
25450
25451 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25452 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25453
25454 @table @code
25455 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
25456 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
25457 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
25458 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
25459
25460 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
25461 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
25462 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
25463 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
25464 disabled.
25465
25466 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
25467 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
25468 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
25469 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25470 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
25471 auto-loaded.
25472 @end table
25473
25474 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
25475 matching names are printed.
25476
25477 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
25478 @include python.texi
25479
25480 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
25481 @include guile.texi
25482
25483 @node Auto-loading extensions
25484 @section Auto-loading extensions
25485 @cindex auto-loading extensions
25486
25487 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
25488 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25489 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
25490 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
25491 section of modern file formats like ELF.
25492
25493 @menu
25494 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
25495 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25496 * Which flavor to choose?::
25497 @end menu
25498
25499 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25500 debugging commands and features.
25501
25502 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25503 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25504 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
25505 for more information.
25506 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
25507 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
25508
25509 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25510 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25511
25512 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
25513 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
25514 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
25515 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25516 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
25517
25518 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
25519 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25520 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
25521 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
25522
25523 @table @code
25524 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
25525 GDB's own command language
25526 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25527 Python
25528 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
25529 Guile
25530 @end table
25531
25532 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
25533 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
25534 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
25535 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
25536 script in the specified extension language.
25537
25538 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25539 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25540
25541 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
25542 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25543
25544 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
25545 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
25546 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
25547 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
25548 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
25549 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
25550
25551 @table @code
25552 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25553 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25554 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25555 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25556 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25557 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25558
25559 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25560 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25561
25562 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25563 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25564 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25565 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25566
25567 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25568 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25569 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25570 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25571 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25572 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25573 platform.
25574
25575 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25576 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25577 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25578
25579 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25580 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25581 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25582 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25583
25584 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
25585 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
25586 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
25587 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
25588 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
25589 @end table
25590
25591 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25592 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25593 @var{objfile} is opened.
25594 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25595 is evaluated more than once.
25596
25597 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25598 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25599 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25600
25601 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25602 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25603 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25604 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
25605 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
25606 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
25607 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25608
25609 The following entries are supported:
25610
25611 @table @code
25612 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
25613 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
25614 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
25615 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
25616 @end table
25617
25618 @subsubsection Script File Entries
25619
25620 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
25621 in the current directory and then along the source search path
25622 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25623 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25624 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25625
25626 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25627 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
25628
25629 @example
25630 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25631 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25632 asm("\
25633 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25634 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
25635 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25636 .popsection \n\
25637 ");
25638 @end example
25639
25640 @noindent
25641 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
25642 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25643
25644 @example
25645 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25646 @end example
25647
25648 The script name may include directories if desired.
25649
25650 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25651 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25652
25653 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
25654 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
25655 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
25656 will remove duplicates.
25657
25658 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
25659
25660 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
25661 itself instead of loading it from a file.
25662 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
25663 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
25664 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
25665 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
25666 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
25667 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
25668 on its name.
25669
25670 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
25671 testsuite.
25672
25673 @example
25674 #include "symcat.h"
25675 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
25676 asm(
25677 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
25678 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
25679 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
25680 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
25681 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
25682 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
25683 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
25684 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
25685 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
25686 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
25687 ".byte 0\n"
25688 ".popsection\n"
25689 );
25690 @end example
25691
25692 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
25693 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25694 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
25695 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
25696
25697 @node Which flavor to choose?
25698 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
25699
25700 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
25701 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
25702
25703 @noindent
25704 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
25705
25706 @itemize @bullet
25707 @item
25708 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
25709
25710 @item
25711 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
25712
25713 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
25714 in the source search path.
25715 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
25716 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
25717
25718 @item
25719 Doesn't require source code additions.
25720 @end itemize
25721
25722 @noindent
25723 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
25724
25725 @itemize @bullet
25726 @item
25727 Works with static linking.
25728
25729 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
25730 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
25731 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
25732 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
25733 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
25734
25735 @item
25736 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
25737
25738 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
25739 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
25740
25741 @item
25742 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
25743
25744 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
25745 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
25746 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
25747 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
25748 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
25749 top of the source tree to the source search path.
25750 @end itemize
25751
25752 @node Multiple Extension Languages
25753 @section Multiple Extension Languages
25754
25755 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
25756 and generally do not interfere with each other.
25757 There are some things to be aware of, however.
25758
25759 @subsection Python comes first
25760
25761 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
25762 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
25763 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
25764 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
25765 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
25766 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
25767 pretty-printed form of a value).
25768 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
25769 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
25770 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
25771
25772 @node Aliases
25773 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
25774 @cindex aliases for commands
25775
25776 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
25777 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
25778 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
25779 that involves less typing.
25780
25781 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
25782 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
25783 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
25784
25785 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
25786 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
25787 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
25788
25789 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
25790
25791 @table @code
25792
25793 @kindex alias
25794 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
25795
25796 @end table
25797
25798 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
25799 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
25800 underscores.
25801
25802 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
25803 that is being aliased.
25804
25805 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
25806 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
25807 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
25808
25809 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
25810 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
25811
25812 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
25813 of a command so that there is less to type.
25814 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
25815 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
25816 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
25817 The following will accomplish this.
25818
25819 @smallexample
25820 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
25821 @end smallexample
25822
25823 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
25824 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
25825 for it with the @samp{document} command.
25826 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
25827
25828 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
25829 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
25830 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
25831 of a command.
25832
25833 @smallexample
25834 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
25835 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
25836 (gdb) set p elms 20
25837 (gdb) show p elms
25838 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
25839 @end smallexample
25840
25841 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
25842 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
25843 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
25844
25845 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
25846 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
25847
25848 @smallexample
25849 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
25850 @end smallexample
25851
25852 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
25853 alias for a more complex command.
25854 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
25855
25856 @smallexample
25857 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
25858 (gdb) spe 20
25859 @end smallexample
25860
25861 @node Interpreters
25862 @chapter Command Interpreters
25863 @cindex command interpreters
25864
25865 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
25866 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
25867 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
25868
25869 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
25870 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
25871 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
25872 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
25873
25874 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
25875 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
25876 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
25877 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
25878
25879 @table @code
25880 @item console
25881 @cindex console interpreter
25882 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
25883 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
25884 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
25885
25886 @item mi
25887 @cindex mi interpreter
25888 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
25889 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
25890 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
25891 Interface}.
25892
25893 @item mi2
25894 @cindex mi2 interpreter
25895 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
25896
25897 @item mi1
25898 @cindex mi1 interpreter
25899 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
25900
25901 @end table
25902
25903 @cindex invoke another interpreter
25904
25905 @kindex interpreter-exec
25906 You may execute commands in any interpreter from the current
25907 interpreter using the appropriate command. If you are running the
25908 console interpreter, simply use the @code{interpreter-exec} command:
25909
25910 @smallexample
25911 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
25912 @end smallexample
25913
25914 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
25915 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
25916
25917 Note that @code{interpreter-exec} only changes the interpreter for the
25918 duration of the specified command. It does not change the interpreter
25919 permanently.
25920
25921 @cindex start a new independent interpreter
25922
25923 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, it is
25924 possible to run an independent interpreter on a specified input/output
25925 device (usually a tty).
25926
25927 For example, consider a debugger GUI or IDE that wants to provide a
25928 @value{GDBN} console view. It may do so by embedding a terminal
25929 emulator widget in its GUI, starting @value{GDBN} in the traditional
25930 command-line mode with stdin/stdout/stderr redirected to that
25931 terminal, and then creating an MI interpreter running on a specified
25932 input/output device. The console interpreter created by @value{GDBN}
25933 at startup handles commands the user types in the terminal widget,
25934 while the GUI controls and synchronizes state with @value{GDBN} using
25935 the separate MI interpreter.
25936
25937 To start a new secondary @dfn{user interface} running MI, use the
25938 @code{new-ui} command:
25939
25940 @kindex new-ui
25941 @cindex new user interface
25942 @smallexample
25943 new-ui @var{interpreter} @var{tty}
25944 @end smallexample
25945
25946 The @var{interpreter} parameter specifies the interpreter to run.
25947 This accepts the same values as the @code{interpreter-exec} command.
25948 For example, @samp{console}, @samp{mi}, @samp{mi2}, etc. The
25949 @var{tty} parameter specifies the name of the bidirectional file the
25950 interpreter uses for input/output, usually the name of a
25951 pseudoterminal slave on Unix systems. For example:
25952
25953 @smallexample
25954 (@value{GDBP}) new-ui mi /dev/pts/9
25955 @end smallexample
25956
25957 @noindent
25958 runs an MI interpreter on @file{/dev/pts/9}.
25959
25960 @node TUI
25961 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
25962 @cindex TUI
25963 @cindex Text User Interface
25964
25965 @menu
25966 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
25967 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
25968 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
25969 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
25970 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
25971 @end menu
25972
25973 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
25974 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
25975 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
25976 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
25977 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
25978 is available.
25979
25980 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
25981 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
25982 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
25983 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
25984 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
25985 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
25986
25987 @node TUI Overview
25988 @section TUI Overview
25989
25990 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
25991
25992 @table @emph
25993 @item command
25994 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
25995 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
25996 managed using readline.
25997
25998 @item source
25999 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26000 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26001
26002 @item assembly
26003 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26004
26005 @item register
26006 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26007 when their values change.
26008 @end table
26009
26010 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26011 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26012 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26013 indicates the breakpoint type:
26014
26015 @table @code
26016 @item B
26017 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26018
26019 @item b
26020 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26021
26022 @item H
26023 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26024
26025 @item h
26026 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26027 @end table
26028
26029 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26030
26031 @table @code
26032 @item +
26033 Breakpoint is enabled.
26034
26035 @item -
26036 Breakpoint is disabled.
26037 @end table
26038
26039 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26040 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26041 changes.
26042
26043 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26044 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26045 layouts:
26046
26047 @itemize @bullet
26048 @item
26049 source only,
26050
26051 @item
26052 assembly only,
26053
26054 @item
26055 source and assembly,
26056
26057 @item
26058 source and registers, or
26059
26060 @item
26061 assembly and registers.
26062 @end itemize
26063
26064 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26065
26066 @table @emph
26067 @item target
26068 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26069 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26070
26071 @item process
26072 Gives the current process or thread number.
26073 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26074
26075 @item function
26076 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26077 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26078 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26079 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26080
26081 @item line
26082 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26083 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26084
26085 @item pc
26086 Indicates the current program counter address.
26087 @end table
26088
26089 @node TUI Keys
26090 @section TUI Key Bindings
26091 @cindex TUI key bindings
26092
26093 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26094 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26095 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26096 @end ifset
26097 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26098 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26099 @end ifclear
26100 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26101 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26102
26103 @table @kbd
26104 @kindex C-x C-a
26105 @item C-x C-a
26106 @kindex C-x a
26107 @itemx C-x a
26108 @kindex C-x A
26109 @itemx C-x A
26110 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26111 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26112 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26113 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26114 The screen is then refreshed.
26115
26116 @kindex C-x 1
26117 @item C-x 1
26118 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26119 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26120 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26121
26122 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26123
26124 @kindex C-x 2
26125 @item C-x 2
26126 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26127 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26128 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26129 previous layout and the new one.
26130
26131 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26132
26133 @kindex C-x o
26134 @item C-x o
26135 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26136 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26137 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26138
26139 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26140
26141 @kindex C-x s
26142 @item C-x s
26143 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26144 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26145 @end table
26146
26147 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26148
26149 @table @asis
26150 @kindex PgUp
26151 @item @key{PgUp}
26152 Scroll the active window one page up.
26153
26154 @kindex PgDn
26155 @item @key{PgDn}
26156 Scroll the active window one page down.
26157
26158 @kindex Up
26159 @item @key{Up}
26160 Scroll the active window one line up.
26161
26162 @kindex Down
26163 @item @key{Down}
26164 Scroll the active window one line down.
26165
26166 @kindex Left
26167 @item @key{Left}
26168 Scroll the active window one column left.
26169
26170 @kindex Right
26171 @item @key{Right}
26172 Scroll the active window one column right.
26173
26174 @kindex C-L
26175 @item @kbd{C-L}
26176 Refresh the screen.
26177 @end table
26178
26179 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26180 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26181 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26182 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26183 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26184
26185 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26186 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26187 @cindex TUI single key mode
26188
26189 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26190 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26191 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26192
26193 @table @kbd
26194 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26195 @item c
26196 continue
26197
26198 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26199 @item d
26200 down
26201
26202 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26203 @item f
26204 finish
26205
26206 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26207 @item n
26208 next
26209
26210 @kindex o @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26211 @item o
26212 nexti. The shortcut letter @samp{o} stands for ``step Over''.
26213
26214 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26215 @item q
26216 exit the SingleKey mode.
26217
26218 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26219 @item r
26220 run
26221
26222 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26223 @item s
26224 step
26225
26226 @kindex i @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26227 @item i
26228 stepi. The shortcut letter @samp{i} stands for ``step Into''.
26229
26230 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26231 @item u
26232 up
26233
26234 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26235 @item v
26236 info locals
26237
26238 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26239 @item w
26240 where
26241 @end table
26242
26243 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26244 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26245 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26246 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26247 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26248 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26249
26250
26251 @node TUI Commands
26252 @section TUI-specific Commands
26253 @cindex TUI commands
26254
26255 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26256 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26257 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26258 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26259
26260 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26261 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26262 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26263 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26264 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26265
26266 @table @code
26267 @item tui enable
26268 @kindex tui enable
26269 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
26270 TUI mode has prevsiouly been used in the current debugging session,
26271 otherwise a default layout is used.
26272
26273 @item tui disable
26274 @kindex tui disable
26275 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
26276
26277 @item info win
26278 @kindex info win
26279 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26280
26281 @item layout @var{name}
26282 @kindex layout
26283 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
26284 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
26285 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
26286
26287 @table @code
26288 @item next
26289 Display the next layout.
26290
26291 @item prev
26292 Display the previous layout.
26293
26294 @item src
26295 Display the source and command windows.
26296
26297 @item asm
26298 Display the assembly and command windows.
26299
26300 @item split
26301 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
26302
26303 @item regs
26304 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
26305 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
26306 register, assembler, and command windows.
26307 @end table
26308
26309 @item focus @var{name}
26310 @kindex focus
26311 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
26312 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
26313
26314 @table @code
26315 @item next
26316 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26317
26318 @item prev
26319 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26320
26321 @item src
26322 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26323
26324 @item asm
26325 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26326
26327 @item regs
26328 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26329
26330 @item cmd
26331 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26332 @end table
26333
26334 @item refresh
26335 @kindex refresh
26336 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26337
26338 @item tui reg @var{group}
26339 @kindex tui reg
26340 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
26341 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
26342 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
26343 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
26344 following groups are available on most targets:
26345 @table @code
26346 @item next
26347 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
26348 through all of the available register groups.
26349
26350 @item prev
26351 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
26352 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
26353 @var{next}.
26354
26355 @item general
26356 Display the general registers.
26357 @item float
26358 Display the floating point registers.
26359 @item system
26360 Display the system registers.
26361 @item vector
26362 Display the vector registers.
26363 @item all
26364 Display all registers.
26365 @end table
26366
26367 @item update
26368 @kindex update
26369 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26370
26371 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26372 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26373 @kindex winheight
26374 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26375 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26376 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
26377 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
26378 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
26379
26380 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26381 @kindex tabset
26382 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
26383 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
26384 assembly windows.
26385 @end table
26386
26387 @node TUI Configuration
26388 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26389 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26390
26391 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26392
26393 @table @code
26394 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26395 @kindex set tui border-kind
26396 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26397 The possible values are the following:
26398 @table @code
26399 @item space
26400 Use a space character to draw the border.
26401
26402 @item ascii
26403 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26404
26405 @item acs
26406 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26407 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26408 @end table
26409
26410 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26411 @kindex set tui border-mode
26412 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26413 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26414 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26415 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26416 @table @code
26417 @item normal
26418 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26419
26420 @item standout
26421 Use standout mode.
26422
26423 @item reverse
26424 Use reverse video mode.
26425
26426 @item half
26427 Use half bright mode.
26428
26429 @item half-standout
26430 Use half bright and standout mode.
26431
26432 @item bold
26433 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26434
26435 @item bold-standout
26436 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26437 @end table
26438 @end table
26439
26440 @node Emacs
26441 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26442
26443 @cindex Emacs
26444 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26445 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26446 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26447 @value{GDBN}.
26448
26449 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26450 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26451 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26452 created Emacs buffer.
26453 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26454
26455 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26456 things:
26457
26458 @itemize @bullet
26459 @item
26460 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26461 the GUD buffer.
26462
26463 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26464 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26465
26466 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26467 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26468 in this way.
26469
26470 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26471 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26472 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26473 stop.
26474
26475 @item
26476 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26477
26478 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26479 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26480 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26481 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26482 and the source.
26483
26484 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26485 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26486 @end itemize
26487
26488 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26489 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26490 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26491 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26492
26493 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26494 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26495 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26496 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26497 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26498 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26499 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26500 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26501 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26502
26503 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26504 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26505 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26506 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26507
26508 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26509 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26510 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26511 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26512 one you want.
26513
26514 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26515 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26516
26517 @table @kbd
26518 @item C-h m
26519 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26520
26521 @item C-c C-s
26522 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26523 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26524
26525 @item C-c C-n
26526 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26527 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26528 to show the current file and location.
26529
26530 @item C-c C-i
26531 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26532 display window accordingly.
26533
26534 @item C-c C-f
26535 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26536 @code{finish} command.
26537
26538 @item C-c C-r
26539 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26540 command.
26541
26542 @item C-c <
26543 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26544 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26545 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26546
26547 @item C-c >
26548 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26549 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26550 @end table
26551
26552 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26553 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26554
26555 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26556 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26557 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26558 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26559 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26560 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26561 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26562
26563 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26564 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26565 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26566 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26567 frame.
26568
26569 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26570 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26571 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26572 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26573 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26574 to correspond properly with the code.
26575
26576 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26577 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26578 Emacs Manual}).
26579
26580 @node GDB/MI
26581 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26582
26583 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26584
26585 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26586 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26587 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26588 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26589 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26590 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26591
26592 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26593 in the form of a reference manual.
26594
26595 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26596 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26597 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26598
26599 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26600
26601 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26602 This chapter uses the following notation:
26603
26604 @itemize @bullet
26605 @item
26606 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26607
26608 @item
26609 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26610 it may or may not be given.
26611
26612 @item
26613 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26614 may repeat zero or more times.
26615
26616 @item
26617 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26618 may repeat one or more times.
26619
26620 @item
26621 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26622 @end itemize
26623
26624 @ignore
26625 @heading Dependencies
26626 @end ignore
26627
26628 @menu
26629 * GDB/MI General Design::
26630 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26631 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26632 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26633 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26634 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26635 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26636 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26637 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26638 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26639 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26640 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26641 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26642 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26643 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26644 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26645 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26646 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26647 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26648 @ignore
26649 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26650 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26651 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26652 @end ignore
26653 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26654 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26655 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
26656 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
26657 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26658 @end menu
26659
26660 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26661 @node GDB/MI General Design
26662 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26663 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26664
26665 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26666 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26667 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26668 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26669 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26670 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26671 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26672 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26673 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26674 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26675
26676 The important examples of notifications are:
26677 @itemize @bullet
26678
26679 @item
26680 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
26681 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
26682 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
26683 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
26684 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
26685 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
26686 command itself was successfully executed.
26687
26688 @item
26689 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
26690 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
26691 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
26692 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
26693 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
26694 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
26695
26696 @item
26697 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
26698 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
26699 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
26700 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
26701 orthogonal frontend design.
26702
26703 @end itemize
26704
26705 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
26706 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
26707 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
26708 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
26709 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
26710 the user interface.
26711
26712
26713 @menu
26714 * Context management::
26715 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
26716 * Thread groups::
26717 @end menu
26718
26719 @node Context management
26720 @subsection Context management
26721
26722 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
26723
26724 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
26725 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
26726 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
26727 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
26728 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
26729 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
26730 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
26731 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
26732 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
26733
26734 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
26735 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
26736 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
26737 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
26738 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
26739 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
26740 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
26741 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
26742 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
26743 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} global
26744 identifier for thread and frame to operate on.
26745
26746 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
26747 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
26748 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
26749 current thread or frame be changed. For example, when stopping on a
26750 breakpoint it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is
26751 hit. For another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} or
26752 @samp{frame} commands via the frontend, it is desirable to change the
26753 frontend's selection to the one specified by user. @value{GDBN}
26754 communicates the suggestion to change current thread and frame using the
26755 @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
26756
26757 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
26758 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
26759 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
26760 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
26761 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
26762 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
26763 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
26764 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
26765 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
26766 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
26767 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
26768 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
26769 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
26770 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
26771 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
26772 @samp{--frame} options.
26773
26774 @subsubsection Language
26775
26776 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
26777 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
26778 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
26779 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
26780 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
26781 For instance:
26782
26783 @smallexample
26784 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
26785 ^done,value="4"
26786 (gdb)
26787 @end smallexample
26788
26789 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
26790 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
26791 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
26792
26793 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
26794 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
26795
26796 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
26797 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
26798 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
26799 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
26800 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
26801 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
26802 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
26803 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
26804 @code{-list-target-features} command.
26805
26806 @table @code
26807 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
26808 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
26809 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
26810
26811 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
26812 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
26813 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
26814
26815 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
26816 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
26817 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
26818 MI commands even while the target is running.
26819
26820 @item -gdb-show mi-async
26821 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
26822 @end table
26823
26824 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
26825 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
26826 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
26827 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
26828 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
26829 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
26830
26831 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
26832 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
26833 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
26834 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
26835 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
26836 are running.
26837
26838 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
26839 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
26840 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
26841 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
26842 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
26843 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
26844 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
26845 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
26846 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
26847 @samp{--thread} option).
26848
26849 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
26850 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
26851 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
26852 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
26853
26854 @node Thread groups
26855 @subsection Thread groups
26856 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
26857 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
26858 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
26859 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
26860 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
26861
26862 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
26863 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
26864 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
26865 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
26866 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
26867 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
26868 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
26869 into processes.
26870
26871 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
26872 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
26873 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
26874 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
26875 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
26876 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
26877 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
26878 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
26879 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
26880 the members of specific thread group.
26881
26882 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
26883 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
26884 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
26885 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
26886 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
26887 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
26888 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
26889 after attaching to that thread group.
26890
26891 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
26892 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
26893 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
26894 such thread groups.
26895
26896 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26897 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
26898 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
26899
26900 @menu
26901 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
26902 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
26903 @end menu
26904
26905 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
26906 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
26907
26908 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
26909 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
26910 @table @code
26911 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
26912 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
26913
26914 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
26915 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
26916 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
26917
26918 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
26919 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
26920 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
26921
26922 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
26923 "any sequence of digits"
26924
26925 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
26926 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
26927
26928 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
26929 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
26930
26931 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
26932 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
26933
26934 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
26935 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
26936 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
26937
26938 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
26939 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
26940
26941 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
26942 @code{CR | CR-LF}
26943 @end table
26944
26945 @noindent
26946 Notes:
26947
26948 @itemize @bullet
26949 @item
26950 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
26951 output is described below.
26952
26953 @item
26954 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
26955 finishes.
26956
26957 @item
26958 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
26959 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
26960 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
26961 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
26962 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
26963 @end itemize
26964
26965 Pragmatics:
26966
26967 @itemize @bullet
26968 @item
26969 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
26970
26971 @item
26972 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
26973 @end itemize
26974
26975 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
26976 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
26977
26978 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
26979 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
26980 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
26981 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
26982 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
26983 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
26984
26985 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
26986 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
26987 @var{token}.
26988
26989 @table @code
26990 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
26991 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
26992
26993 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
26994 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
26995
26996 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
26997 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
26998
26999 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27000 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27001
27002 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27003 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
27004
27005 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27006 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
27007
27008 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27009 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
27010
27011 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27012 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
27013
27014 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27015 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27016
27017 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27018 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27019 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27020
27021 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27022 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27023
27024 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27025 @code{ @var{string} }
27026
27027 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27028 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27029
27030 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27031 @code{@var{c-string}}
27032
27033 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27034 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27035
27036 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27037 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27038 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27039
27040 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27041 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27042
27043 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27044 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
27045
27046 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27047 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
27048
27049 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27050 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
27051
27052 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27053 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27054
27055 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27056 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27057 @end table
27058
27059 @noindent
27060 Notes:
27061
27062 @itemize @bullet
27063 @item
27064 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27065
27066 @item
27067 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27068 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27069 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27070 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27071 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27072 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27073 prior command.
27074
27075 @item
27076 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27077 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27078 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27079 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27080
27081 @item
27082 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27083 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27084 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27085 @samp{*}.
27086
27087 @item
27088 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27089 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27090 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27091 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27092
27093 @item
27094 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27095 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27096 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27097 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27098
27099 @item
27100 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27101 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27102 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27103
27104 @item
27105 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27106 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27107 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27108 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27109
27110 @item
27111 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27112 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27113 @var{values}.
27114
27115
27116 @end itemize
27117
27118 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27119 details about the various output records.
27120
27121 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27122 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27123 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27124
27125 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27126 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27127
27128 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27129 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27130 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27131 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27132 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27133 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27134
27135 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27136 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27137 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27138
27139 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27140 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27141 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27142 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27143
27144 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27145 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27146
27147 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27148 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27149 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27150 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27151 might change.
27152
27153 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27154 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27155 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27156 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27157
27158 @itemize @bullet
27159 @item
27160 New MI commands may be added.
27161
27162 @item
27163 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27164
27165 @item
27166 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27167 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27168
27169 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27170 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27171
27172 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27173 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27174 @end itemize
27175
27176 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27177 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27178 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27179 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27180 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27181
27182 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27183 @c version?
27184
27185 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27186 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27187 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27188 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27189 @cindex mailing lists
27190
27191 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27192 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27193 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27194
27195 @menu
27196 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27197 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27198 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27199 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
27200 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27201 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27202 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27203 @end menu
27204
27205 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27206 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27207
27208 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27209 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27210 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27211 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27212
27213 @table @code
27214 @findex ^done
27215 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27216 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27217 values.
27218
27219 @item "^running"
27220 @findex ^running
27221 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27222 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27223 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27224 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27225 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27226 which threads are resumed.
27227
27228 @item "^connected"
27229 @findex ^connected
27230 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27231
27232 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
27233 @findex ^error
27234 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
27235 the corresponding error message.
27236
27237 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
27238 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
27239 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
27240
27241 @table @samp
27242 @item "undefined-command"
27243 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
27244 @end table
27245
27246 @item "^exit"
27247 @findex ^exit
27248 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27249
27250 @end table
27251
27252 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27253 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27254
27255 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27256 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27257 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27258 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27259 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27260
27261 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27262 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27263 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27264 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27265 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27266
27267 @table @code
27268 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27269 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27270 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27271
27272 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27273 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27274 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27275 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27276
27277 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27278 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27279 internals.
27280 @end table
27281
27282 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27283 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27284
27285 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27286 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27287 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27288 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27289 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27290 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27291
27292 The following is the list of possible async records:
27293
27294 @table @code
27295
27296 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27297 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field can be the global
27298 thread ID of the the thread that is now running, and it can be
27299 @samp{all} if all threads are running. The frontend should assume
27300 that no interaction with a running thread is possible after this
27301 notification is produced. The frontend should not assume that this
27302 notification is output only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may
27303 emit this notification several times, either for different threads,
27304 because it cannot resume all threads together, or even for a single
27305 thread, if the thread must be stepped though some code before letting
27306 it run freely.
27307
27308 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27309 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27310 following values:
27311
27312 @table @code
27313 @item breakpoint-hit
27314 A breakpoint was reached.
27315 @item watchpoint-trigger
27316 A watchpoint was triggered.
27317 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27318 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27319 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27320 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27321 @item function-finished
27322 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27323 @item location-reached
27324 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27325 @item watchpoint-scope
27326 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27327 @item end-stepping-range
27328 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27329 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27330 @item exited-signalled
27331 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27332 @item exited
27333 The inferior exited.
27334 @item exited-normally
27335 The inferior exited normally.
27336 @item signal-received
27337 A signal was received by the inferior.
27338 @item solib-event
27339 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27340 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27341 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27342 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27343 @item fork
27344 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27345 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27346 @item vfork
27347 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27348 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27349 @item syscall-entry
27350 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27351 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27352 @item syscall-return
27353 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27354 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27355 @item exec
27356 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27357 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27358 @end table
27359
27360 The @var{id} field identifies the global thread ID of the thread
27361 that directly caused the stop -- for example by hitting a breakpoint.
27362 Depending on whether all-stop
27363 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27364 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27365 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27366 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27367 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27368 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27369 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27370 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27371 if such information is not available.
27372
27373 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27374 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27375 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27376 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27377 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27378 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27379 cannot be used in any way.
27380
27381 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27382 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27383 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27384 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27385 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27386 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27387
27388 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27389 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27390 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27391 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27392 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27393 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27394
27395 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27396 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27397 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27398 contains the global @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27399 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27400
27401 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"[,frame="@var{frame}"]
27402 Informs that the selected thread or frame were changed. This notification
27403 is not emitted as result of the @code{-thread-select} or
27404 @code{-stack-select-frame} commands, but is emitted whenever an MI command
27405 that is not documented to change the selected thread and frame actually
27406 changes them. In particular, invoking, directly or indirectly
27407 (via user-defined command), the CLI @code{thread} or @code{frame} commands,
27408 will generate this notification. Changing the thread or frame from another
27409 user interface (see @ref{Interpreters}) will also generate this notification.
27410
27411 The @var{frame} field is only present if the newly selected thread is
27412 stopped. See @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information} for the format of its value.
27413
27414 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27415 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27416 that thread.
27417
27418 @item =library-loaded,...
27419 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27420 notification has 5 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27421 @var{host-name}, @var{symbols-loaded} and @var{ranges}. The @var{id} field is an
27422 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27423 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27424 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27425 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27426 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27427 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27428 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27429 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27430 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27431 thread groups. The @var{ranges} field specifies the ranges of addresses belonging
27432 to this library.
27433
27434 @item =library-unloaded,...
27435 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27436 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27437 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27438 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27439 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27440 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27441 thread groups.
27442
27443 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
27444 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
27445 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
27446 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
27447 frame is @var{tpnum}.
27448
27449 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
27450 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
27451 initial value @var{initial}.
27452
27453 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
27454 @itemx =tsv-deleted
27455 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
27456 trace state variables are deleted.
27457
27458 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
27459 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
27460 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
27461 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
27462 value of trace state variable is known.
27463
27464 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27465 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27466 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27467 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27468 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27469 user.
27470
27471 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27472 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27473 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27474
27475 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27476 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27477
27478 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}",method="@var{method}"[,format="@var{format}"]
27479 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
27480 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
27481 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
27482 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
27483
27484 The @var{method} field indicates the method used to record execution. If the
27485 method in use supports multiple recording formats, @var{format} will be present
27486 and contain the currently used format. @xref{Process Record and Replay},
27487 for existing method and format values.
27488
27489 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
27490 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
27491 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
27492 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
27493 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
27494 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
27495
27496 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
27497 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
27498 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
27499 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
27500 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
27501 executable code.
27502 @end table
27503
27504 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
27505 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
27506
27507 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
27508 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
27509 following fields:
27510
27511 @table @code
27512 @item number
27513 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
27514 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
27515 @samp{1.2}.
27516
27517 @item type
27518 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
27519 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
27520
27521 @item catch-type
27522 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
27523 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
27524
27525 @item disp
27526 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
27527 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
27528 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
27529
27530 @item enabled
27531 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
27532 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
27533 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
27534
27535 @item addr
27536 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
27537 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
27538 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
27539 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
27540 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
27541
27542 @item func
27543 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
27544 If not known, this field is not present.
27545
27546 @item filename
27547 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
27548 If not known, this field is not present.
27549
27550 @item fullname
27551 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
27552 known. If not known, this field is not present.
27553
27554 @item line
27555 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
27556 If not known, this field is not present.
27557
27558 @item at
27559 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
27560 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
27561 by a symbol name.
27562
27563 @item pending
27564 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
27565 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
27566
27567 @item evaluated-by
27568 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
27569 @samp{target}.
27570
27571 @item thread
27572 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
27573 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
27574
27575 @item task
27576 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
27577 field will hold the task identifier.
27578
27579 @item cond
27580 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
27581
27582 @item ignore
27583 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
27584
27585 @item enable
27586 The enable count of the breakpoint.
27587
27588 @item traceframe-usage
27589 FIXME.
27590
27591 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
27592 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
27593
27594 @item mask
27595 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
27596
27597 @item pass
27598 A tracepoint's pass count.
27599
27600 @item original-location
27601 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
27602 This field is optional.
27603
27604 @item times
27605 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
27606
27607 @item installed
27608 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
27609 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
27610 is not.
27611
27612 @item what
27613 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
27614
27615 @end table
27616
27617 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
27618 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
27619
27620 @smallexample
27621 -> -break-insert main
27622 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27623 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27624 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
27625 times="0"@}
27626 <- (gdb)
27627 @end smallexample
27628
27629 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27630 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27631
27632 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27633 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27634 fields:
27635
27636 @table @code
27637 @item level
27638 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27639 zero. This field is always present.
27640
27641 @item func
27642 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27643 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27644
27645 @item addr
27646 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27647
27648 @item file
27649 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27650 address. This field may be absent.
27651
27652 @item line
27653 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27654 may be absent.
27655
27656 @item from
27657 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27658 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27659
27660 @end table
27661
27662 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27663 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27664
27665 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27666 uses a tuple with the following fields. The fields are always present unless
27667 stated otherwise.
27668
27669 @table @code
27670 @item id
27671 The global numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}.
27672
27673 @item target-id
27674 The target-specific string identifying the thread.
27675
27676 @item details
27677 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27678 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
27679 frontend. This field is optional.
27680
27681 @item name
27682 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
27683 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
27684 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
27685 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
27686 field is omitted.
27687
27688 @item state
27689 The execution state of the thread, either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running},
27690 depending on whether the thread is presently running.
27691
27692 @item frame
27693 The stack frame currently executing in the thread. This field is only present
27694 if the thread is stopped. Its format is documented in
27695 @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information}.
27696
27697 @item core
27698 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
27699 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
27700 @end table
27701
27702 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
27703 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
27704
27705 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
27706 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
27707 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
27708 the @code{exception-name} field. Also, for exceptions that were raised
27709 with an exception message, @value{GDBN} provides that message via
27710 the @code{exception-message} field.
27711
27712 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27713 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
27714 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
27715 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
27716
27717 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
27718 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
27719 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
27720 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
27721
27722 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
27723 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
27724
27725 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
27726
27727 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
27728 information of the breakpoint.
27729
27730 @smallexample
27731 -> -break-insert main
27732 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27733 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27734 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
27735 times="0"@}
27736 <- (gdb)
27737 @end smallexample
27738
27739 @subheading Program Execution
27740
27741 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
27742 reason that execution stopped.
27743
27744 @smallexample
27745 -> -exec-run
27746 <- ^running
27747 <- (gdb)
27748 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27749 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
27750 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
27751 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
27752 <- (gdb)
27753 -> -exec-continue
27754 <- ^running
27755 <- (gdb)
27756 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27757 <- (gdb)
27758 @end smallexample
27759
27760 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
27761
27762 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
27763
27764 @smallexample
27765 -> (gdb)
27766 <- -gdb-exit
27767 <- ^exit
27768 @end smallexample
27769
27770 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
27771 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
27772 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
27773 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
27774 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
27775 fails to exit in reasonable time.
27776
27777 @subheading A Bad Command
27778
27779 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
27780
27781 @smallexample
27782 -> -rubbish
27783 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
27784 <- (gdb)
27785 @end smallexample
27786
27787
27788 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27789 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
27790 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
27791
27792 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
27793 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
27794
27795 @subheading Motivation
27796
27797 The motivation for this collection of commands.
27798
27799 @subheading Introduction
27800
27801 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
27802
27803 @subheading Commands
27804
27805 For each command in the block, the following is described:
27806
27807 @subsubheading Synopsis
27808
27809 @smallexample
27810 -command @var{args}@dots{}
27811 @end smallexample
27812
27813 @subsubheading Result
27814
27815 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27816
27817 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
27818
27819 @subsubheading Example
27820
27821 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
27822 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
27823
27824
27825 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27826 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
27827 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
27828
27829 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
27830 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
27831 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27832 breakpoints.
27833
27834 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
27835 @findex -break-after
27836
27837 @subsubheading Synopsis
27838
27839 @smallexample
27840 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
27841 @end smallexample
27842
27843 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
27844 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
27845 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
27846 @samp{-break-list} command below.
27847
27848 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27849
27850 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
27851
27852 @subsubheading Example
27853
27854 @smallexample
27855 (gdb)
27856 -break-insert main
27857 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27858 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27859 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
27860 times="0"@}
27861 (gdb)
27862 -break-after 1 3
27863 ~
27864 ^done
27865 (gdb)
27866 -break-list
27867 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27868 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27869 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27870 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27871 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27872 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27873 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27874 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27875 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27876 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27877 (gdb)
27878 @end smallexample
27879
27880 @ignore
27881 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
27882 @findex -break-catch
27883 @end ignore
27884
27885 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
27886 @findex -break-commands
27887
27888 @subsubheading Synopsis
27889
27890 @smallexample
27891 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
27892 @end smallexample
27893
27894 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
27895 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
27896 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
27897 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
27898 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
27899 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
27900
27901 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27902
27903 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
27904
27905 @subsubheading Example
27906
27907 @smallexample
27908 (gdb)
27909 -break-insert main
27910 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27911 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27912 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
27913 times="0"@}
27914 (gdb)
27915 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
27916 ^done
27917 (gdb)
27918 @end smallexample
27919
27920 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
27921 @findex -break-condition
27922
27923 @subsubheading Synopsis
27924
27925 @smallexample
27926 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
27927 @end smallexample
27928
27929 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
27930 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
27931 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
27932 command below).
27933
27934 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27935
27936 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
27937
27938 @subsubheading Example
27939
27940 @smallexample
27941 (gdb)
27942 -break-condition 1 1
27943 ^done
27944 (gdb)
27945 -break-list
27946 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27947 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27948 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27949 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27950 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27951 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27952 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27953 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27954 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27955 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27956 (gdb)
27957 @end smallexample
27958
27959 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
27960 @findex -break-delete
27961
27962 @subsubheading Synopsis
27963
27964 @smallexample
27965 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27966 @end smallexample
27967
27968 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
27969 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
27970
27971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27972
27973 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
27974
27975 @subsubheading Example
27976
27977 @smallexample
27978 (gdb)
27979 -break-delete 1
27980 ^done
27981 (gdb)
27982 -break-list
27983 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27984 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27985 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27986 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27987 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27988 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27989 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27990 body=[]@}
27991 (gdb)
27992 @end smallexample
27993
27994 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
27995 @findex -break-disable
27996
27997 @subsubheading Synopsis
27998
27999 @smallexample
28000 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28001 @end smallexample
28002
28003 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28004 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28005
28006 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28007
28008 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28009
28010 @subsubheading Example
28011
28012 @smallexample
28013 (gdb)
28014 -break-disable 2
28015 ^done
28016 (gdb)
28017 -break-list
28018 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28019 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28020 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28021 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28022 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28023 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28024 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28025 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28026 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28027 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28028 (gdb)
28029 @end smallexample
28030
28031 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28032 @findex -break-enable
28033
28034 @subsubheading Synopsis
28035
28036 @smallexample
28037 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28038 @end smallexample
28039
28040 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28041
28042 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28043
28044 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28045
28046 @subsubheading Example
28047
28048 @smallexample
28049 (gdb)
28050 -break-enable 2
28051 ^done
28052 (gdb)
28053 -break-list
28054 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28055 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28056 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28057 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28058 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28059 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28060 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28061 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28062 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28063 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28064 (gdb)
28065 @end smallexample
28066
28067 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28068 @findex -break-info
28069
28070 @subsubheading Synopsis
28071
28072 @smallexample
28073 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28074 @end smallexample
28075
28076 @c REDUNDANT???
28077 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28078
28079 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28080 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28081 table.
28082
28083 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28084
28085 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28086
28087 @subsubheading Example
28088 N.A.
28089
28090 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28091 @findex -break-insert
28092 @anchor{-break-insert}
28093
28094 @subsubheading Synopsis
28095
28096 @smallexample
28097 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28098 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28099 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28100 @end smallexample
28101
28102 @noindent
28103 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28104
28105 @table @var
28106 @item linespec location
28107 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
28108
28109 @item explicit location
28110 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
28111 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
28112 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
28113
28114 @table @samp
28115 @item --source @var{filename}
28116 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
28117 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
28118
28119 @item --function @var{function}
28120 The name of a function or method.
28121
28122 @item --label @var{label}
28123 The name of a label.
28124
28125 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
28126 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
28127 @end table
28128
28129 @item address location
28130 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
28131 @end table
28132
28133 @noindent
28134 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28135
28136 @table @samp
28137 @item -t
28138 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28139 @item -h
28140 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28141 @item -f
28142 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28143 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28144 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28145 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28146 cannot be parsed.
28147 @item -d
28148 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28149 @item -a
28150 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28151 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28152 @item -c @var{condition}
28153 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28154 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28155 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28156 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28157 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
28158 @var{thread-id}.
28159 @end table
28160
28161 @subsubheading Result
28162
28163 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28164 resulting breakpoint.
28165
28166 Note: this format is open to change.
28167 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28168
28169 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28170
28171 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28172 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28173
28174 @subsubheading Example
28175
28176 @smallexample
28177 (gdb)
28178 -break-insert main
28179 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28180 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28181 times="0"@}
28182 (gdb)
28183 -break-insert -t foo
28184 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28185 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28186 times="0"@}
28187 (gdb)
28188 -break-list
28189 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28190 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28191 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28192 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28193 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28194 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28195 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28196 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28197 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28198 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28199 times="0"@},
28200 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28201 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28202 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28203 times="0"@}]@}
28204 (gdb)
28205 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28206 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28207 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28208 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28209 @c times="0"@}
28210 @c (gdb)
28211 @end smallexample
28212
28213 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
28214 @findex -dprintf-insert
28215
28216 @subsubheading Synopsis
28217
28218 @smallexample
28219 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
28220 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28221 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
28222 [ @var{argument} ]
28223 @end smallexample
28224
28225 @noindent
28226 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
28227 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
28228
28229 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28230
28231 @table @samp
28232 @item -t
28233 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28234 @item -f
28235 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
28236 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28237 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28238 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28239 cannot be parsed.
28240 @item -d
28241 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28242 @item -c @var{condition}
28243 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28244 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28245 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
28246 to @var{ignore-count}.
28247 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28248 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
28249 @var{thread-id}.
28250 @end table
28251
28252 @subsubheading Result
28253
28254 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28255 resulting breakpoint.
28256
28257 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28258
28259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28260
28261 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
28262
28263 @subsubheading Example
28264
28265 @smallexample
28266 (gdb)
28267 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
28268 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28269 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
28270 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
28271 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
28272 original-location="foo"@}
28273 (gdb)
28274 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
28275 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28276 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
28277 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
28278 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
28279 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
28280 (gdb)
28281 @end smallexample
28282
28283 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28284 @findex -break-list
28285
28286 @subsubheading Synopsis
28287
28288 @smallexample
28289 -break-list
28290 @end smallexample
28291
28292 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28293
28294 @table @samp
28295 @item Number
28296 number of the breakpoint
28297 @item Type
28298 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28299 @item Disposition
28300 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28301 or @samp{nokeep}
28302 @item Enabled
28303 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28304 @item Address
28305 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28306 @item What
28307 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28308 name, line number
28309 @item Thread-groups
28310 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
28311 @item Times
28312 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28313 @end table
28314
28315 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28316 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28317
28318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28319
28320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28321
28322 @subsubheading Example
28323
28324 @smallexample
28325 (gdb)
28326 -break-list
28327 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28328 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28329 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28330 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28331 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28332 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28333 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28334 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28335 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28336 times="0"@},
28337 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28338 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28339 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28340 (gdb)
28341 @end smallexample
28342
28343 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28344
28345 @smallexample
28346 (gdb)
28347 -break-list
28348 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28349 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28350 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28351 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28352 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28353 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28354 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28355 body=[]@}
28356 (gdb)
28357 @end smallexample
28358
28359 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28360 @findex -break-passcount
28361
28362 @subsubheading Synopsis
28363
28364 @smallexample
28365 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28366 @end smallexample
28367
28368 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28369 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28370 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28371 command @samp{passcount}.
28372
28373 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28374 @findex -break-watch
28375
28376 @subsubheading Synopsis
28377
28378 @smallexample
28379 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28380 @end smallexample
28381
28382 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28383 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28384 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28385 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28386 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28387 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28388 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28389 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28390
28391 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28392 breakpoints inserted.
28393
28394 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28395
28396 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28397 @samp{rwatch}.
28398
28399 @subsubheading Example
28400
28401 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28402
28403 @smallexample
28404 (gdb)
28405 -break-watch x
28406 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28407 (gdb)
28408 -exec-continue
28409 ^running
28410 (gdb)
28411 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28412 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28413 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28414 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28415 (gdb)
28416 @end smallexample
28417
28418 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28419 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28420 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28421
28422 @smallexample
28423 (gdb)
28424 -break-watch C
28425 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28426 (gdb)
28427 -exec-continue
28428 ^running
28429 (gdb)
28430 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28431 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28432 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28433 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28434 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28435 (gdb)
28436 -exec-continue
28437 ^running
28438 (gdb)
28439 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28440 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28441 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28442 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28443 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28444 (gdb)
28445 @end smallexample
28446
28447 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28448 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28449 deleted.
28450
28451 @smallexample
28452 (gdb)
28453 -break-watch C
28454 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28455 (gdb)
28456 -break-list
28457 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28458 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28459 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28460 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28461 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28462 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28463 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28464 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28465 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28466 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28467 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28468 times="1"@},
28469 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28470 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28471 (gdb)
28472 -exec-continue
28473 ^running
28474 (gdb)
28475 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28476 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28477 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28478 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28479 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28480 (gdb)
28481 -break-list
28482 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28483 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28484 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28485 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28486 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28487 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28488 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28489 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28490 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28491 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28492 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28493 times="1"@},
28494 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28495 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
28496 (gdb)
28497 -exec-continue
28498 ^running
28499 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28500 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28501 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28502 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28503 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28504 (gdb)
28505 -break-list
28506 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28507 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28508 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28509 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28510 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28511 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28512 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28513 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28514 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28515 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28516 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28517 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
28518 (gdb)
28519 @end smallexample
28520
28521
28522 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28523 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28524 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
28525
28526 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28527 catchpoints.
28528
28529 @menu
28530 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28531 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28532 @end menu
28533
28534 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28535 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
28536
28537 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
28538 @findex -catch-load
28539
28540 @subsubheading Synopsis
28541
28542 @smallexample
28543 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28544 @end smallexample
28545
28546 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
28547 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28548 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
28549 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28550 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
28551
28552
28553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28554
28555 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
28556
28557 @subsubheading Example
28558
28559 @smallexample
28560 -catch-load -t foo.so
28561 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28562 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
28563 (gdb)
28564 @end smallexample
28565
28566
28567 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
28568 @findex -catch-unload
28569
28570 @subsubheading Synopsis
28571
28572 @smallexample
28573 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28574 @end smallexample
28575
28576 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
28577 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28578 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
28579 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28580 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
28581
28582 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28583
28584 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
28585
28586 @subsubheading Example
28587
28588 @smallexample
28589 -catch-unload -d bar.so
28590 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28591 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
28592 (gdb)
28593 @end smallexample
28594
28595 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28596 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
28597
28598 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
28599 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
28600
28601 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
28602 @findex -catch-assert
28603
28604 @subsubheading Synopsis
28605
28606 @smallexample
28607 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
28608 @end smallexample
28609
28610 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
28611
28612 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
28613
28614 @table @samp
28615 @item -c @var{condition}
28616 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28617 @item -d
28618 Create a disabled catchpoint.
28619 @item -t
28620 Create a temporary catchpoint.
28621 @end table
28622
28623 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28624
28625 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
28626
28627 @subsubheading Example
28628
28629 @smallexample
28630 -catch-assert
28631 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28632 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
28633 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
28634 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
28635 (gdb)
28636 @end smallexample
28637
28638 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
28639 @findex -catch-exception
28640
28641 @subsubheading Synopsis
28642
28643 @smallexample
28644 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
28645 [ -t ] [ -u ]
28646 @end smallexample
28647
28648 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
28649 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
28650 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
28651 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
28652 catchpoints.
28653
28654 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
28655
28656 @table @samp
28657 @item -c @var{condition}
28658 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28659 @item -d
28660 Create a disabled catchpoint.
28661 @item -e @var{exception-name}
28662 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
28663 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
28664 @item -t
28665 Create a temporary catchpoint.
28666 @item -u
28667 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
28668 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
28669 @end table
28670
28671 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28672
28673 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
28674 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
28675
28676 @subsubheading Example
28677
28678 @smallexample
28679 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
28680 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28681 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
28682 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
28683 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
28684 (gdb)
28685 @end smallexample
28686
28687 @subheading The @code{-catch-handlers} Command
28688 @findex -catch-handlers
28689
28690 @subsubheading Synopsis
28691
28692 @smallexample
28693 -catch-handlers [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
28694 [ -t ]
28695 @end smallexample
28696
28697 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are handled.
28698 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
28699 gets handled. But it is also possible, by using some of the
28700 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
28701 catchpoints.
28702
28703 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
28704
28705 @table @samp
28706 @item -c @var{condition}
28707 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28708 @item -d
28709 Create a disabled catchpoint.
28710 @item -e @var{exception-name}
28711 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is handled.
28712 @item -t
28713 Create a temporary catchpoint.
28714 @end table
28715
28716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28717
28718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch handlers}.
28719
28720 @subsubheading Example
28721
28722 @smallexample
28723 -catch-handlers -e Constraint_Error
28724 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28725 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000402f68",
28726 what="`Constraint_Error' Ada exception handlers",thread-groups=["i1"],
28727 times="0",original-location="__gnat_begin_handler"@}
28728 (gdb)
28729 @end smallexample
28730
28731 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28732 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28733 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28734
28735 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28736 @findex -exec-arguments
28737
28738
28739 @subsubheading Synopsis
28740
28741 @smallexample
28742 -exec-arguments @var{args}
28743 @end smallexample
28744
28745 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
28746 @samp{-exec-run}.
28747
28748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28749
28750 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
28751
28752 @subsubheading Example
28753
28754 @smallexample
28755 (gdb)
28756 -exec-arguments -v word
28757 ^done
28758 (gdb)
28759 @end smallexample
28760
28761
28762 @ignore
28763 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
28764 @findex -exec-show-arguments
28765
28766 @subsubheading Synopsis
28767
28768 @smallexample
28769 -exec-show-arguments
28770 @end smallexample
28771
28772 Print the arguments of the program.
28773
28774 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28775
28776 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
28777
28778 @subsubheading Example
28779 N.A.
28780 @end ignore
28781
28782
28783 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
28784 @findex -environment-cd
28785
28786 @subsubheading Synopsis
28787
28788 @smallexample
28789 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
28790 @end smallexample
28791
28792 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
28793
28794 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28795
28796 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
28797
28798 @subsubheading Example
28799
28800 @smallexample
28801 (gdb)
28802 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28803 ^done
28804 (gdb)
28805 @end smallexample
28806
28807
28808 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
28809 @findex -environment-directory
28810
28811 @subsubheading Synopsis
28812
28813 @smallexample
28814 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28815 @end smallexample
28816
28817 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
28818 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
28819 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
28820 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28821 occurs as normal.
28822 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28823 multiple directories in a single command
28824 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28825 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28826 If blanks are needed as
28827 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28828 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28829 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28830 character must not be used
28831 in any directory name.
28832 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
28833
28834 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28835
28836 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
28837
28838 @subsubheading Example
28839
28840 @smallexample
28841 (gdb)
28842 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28843 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28844 (gdb)
28845 -environment-directory ""
28846 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28847 (gdb)
28848 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
28849 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
28850 (gdb)
28851 -environment-directory -r
28852 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
28853 (gdb)
28854 @end smallexample
28855
28856
28857 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
28858 @findex -environment-path
28859
28860 @subsubheading Synopsis
28861
28862 @smallexample
28863 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28864 @end smallexample
28865
28866 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
28867 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
28868 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
28869 supplied in addition to the
28870 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28871 occurs as normal.
28872 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28873 multiple directories in a single command
28874 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28875 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28876 If blanks are needed as
28877 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28878 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28879 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28880 character must not be used
28881 in any directory name.
28882 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
28883
28884
28885 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28886
28887 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
28888
28889 @subsubheading Example
28890
28891 @smallexample
28892 (gdb)
28893 -environment-path
28894 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
28895 (gdb)
28896 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
28897 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
28898 (gdb)
28899 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
28900 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
28901 (gdb)
28902 @end smallexample
28903
28904
28905 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
28906 @findex -environment-pwd
28907
28908 @subsubheading Synopsis
28909
28910 @smallexample
28911 -environment-pwd
28912 @end smallexample
28913
28914 Show the current working directory.
28915
28916 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28917
28918 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
28919
28920 @subsubheading Example
28921
28922 @smallexample
28923 (gdb)
28924 -environment-pwd
28925 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
28926 (gdb)
28927 @end smallexample
28928
28929 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28930 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
28931 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
28932
28933
28934 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
28935 @findex -thread-info
28936
28937 @subsubheading Synopsis
28938
28939 @smallexample
28940 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
28941 @end smallexample
28942
28943 Reports information about either a specific thread, if the
28944 @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all threads.
28945 @var{thread-id} is the thread's global thread ID. When printing
28946 information about all threads, also reports the global ID of the
28947 current thread.
28948
28949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28950
28951 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
28952 about all threads.
28953
28954 @subsubheading Result
28955
28956 The result contains the following attributes:
28957
28958 @table @samp
28959 @item threads
28960 A list of threads. The format of the elements of the list is described in
28961 @ref{GDB/MI Thread Information}.
28962
28963 @item current-thread-id
28964 The global id of the currently selected thread. This field is omitted if there
28965 is no selected thread (for example, when the selected inferior is not running,
28966 and therefore has no threads) or if a @var{thread-id} argument was passed to
28967 the command.
28968
28969 @end table
28970
28971 @subsubheading Example
28972
28973 @smallexample
28974 -thread-info
28975 ^done,threads=[
28976 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28977 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
28978 args=[]@},state="running"@},
28979 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28980 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
28981 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28982 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
28983 state="running"@}],
28984 current-thread-id="1"
28985 (gdb)
28986 @end smallexample
28987
28988 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
28989 @findex -thread-list-ids
28990
28991 @subsubheading Synopsis
28992
28993 @smallexample
28994 -thread-list-ids
28995 @end smallexample
28996
28997 Produces a list of the currently known global @value{GDBN} thread ids.
28998 At the end of the list it also prints the total number of such
28999 threads.
29000
29001 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29002 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29003
29004 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29005
29006 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29007
29008 @subsubheading Example
29009
29010 @smallexample
29011 (gdb)
29012 -thread-list-ids
29013 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29014 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29015 (gdb)
29016 @end smallexample
29017
29018
29019 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29020 @findex -thread-select
29021
29022 @subsubheading Synopsis
29023
29024 @smallexample
29025 -thread-select @var{thread-id}
29026 @end smallexample
29027
29028 Make thread with global thread number @var{thread-id} the current
29029 thread. It prints the number of the new current thread, and the
29030 topmost frame for that thread.
29031
29032 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29033 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
29034
29035 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29036
29037 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29038
29039 @subsubheading Example
29040
29041 @smallexample
29042 (gdb)
29043 -exec-next
29044 ^running
29045 (gdb)
29046 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29047 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29048 (gdb)
29049 -thread-list-ids
29050 ^done,
29051 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29052 number-of-threads="3"
29053 (gdb)
29054 -thread-select 3
29055 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
29056 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29057 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29058 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
29059 (gdb)
29060 @end smallexample
29061
29062 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29063 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29064 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29065
29066 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29067 @findex -ada-task-info
29068
29069 @subsubheading Synopsis
29070
29071 @smallexample
29072 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29073 @end smallexample
29074
29075 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29076 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29077
29078 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29079
29080 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29081 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29082
29083 @subsubheading Result
29084
29085 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29086 defined for each Ada task:
29087
29088 @table @samp
29089 @item current
29090 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29091
29092 @item id
29093 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29094
29095 @item task-id
29096 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29097
29098 @item thread-id
29099 The global thread identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada
29100 task.
29101
29102 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29103 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29104 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29105
29106 @item parent-id
29107 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29108 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29109
29110 @item priority
29111 The base priority of the task.
29112
29113 @item state
29114 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29115 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29116
29117 @item name
29118 The name of the task.
29119
29120 @end table
29121
29122 @subsubheading Example
29123
29124 @smallexample
29125 -ada-task-info
29126 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29127 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29128 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29129 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29130 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29131 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29132 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29133 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29134 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29135 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29136 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29137 (gdb)
29138 @end smallexample
29139
29140 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29141 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
29142 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29143
29144 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29145 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29146 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29147 other cases.
29148
29149 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29150 @findex -exec-continue
29151
29152 @subsubheading Synopsis
29153
29154 @smallexample
29155 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29156 @end smallexample
29157
29158 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29159 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29160 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29161 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29162 @itemize @bullet
29163 @item
29164 breakpoints or watchpoints
29165 @item
29166 signals or exceptions
29167 @item
29168 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29169 @item
29170 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29171 @end itemize
29172 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29173 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29174 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29175 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29176 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29177 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29178
29179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29180
29181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29182
29183 @subsubheading Example
29184
29185 @smallexample
29186 -exec-continue
29187 ^running
29188 (gdb)
29189 @@Hello world
29190 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29191 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29192 line="13"@}
29193 (gdb)
29194 @end smallexample
29195
29196
29197 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29198 @findex -exec-finish
29199
29200 @subsubheading Synopsis
29201
29202 @smallexample
29203 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29204 @end smallexample
29205
29206 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29207 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29208 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29209 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29210 function was called.
29211
29212 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29213
29214 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29215
29216 @subsubheading Example
29217
29218 Function returning @code{void}.
29219
29220 @smallexample
29221 -exec-finish
29222 ^running
29223 (gdb)
29224 @@hello from foo
29225 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29226 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
29227 (gdb)
29228 @end smallexample
29229
29230 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29231 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29232 value itself.
29233
29234 @smallexample
29235 -exec-finish
29236 ^running
29237 (gdb)
29238 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29239 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29240 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29241 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29242 (gdb)
29243 @end smallexample
29244
29245
29246 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29247 @findex -exec-interrupt
29248
29249 @subsubheading Synopsis
29250
29251 @smallexample
29252 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29253 @end smallexample
29254
29255 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29256 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29257 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29258 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29259 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29260
29261 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29262 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29263 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29264 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29265
29266 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29267 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29268 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29269 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29270
29271 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29272
29273 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29274
29275 @subsubheading Example
29276
29277 @smallexample
29278 (gdb)
29279 111-exec-continue
29280 111^running
29281
29282 (gdb)
29283 222-exec-interrupt
29284 222^done
29285 (gdb)
29286 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29287 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29288 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29289 (gdb)
29290
29291 (gdb)
29292 -exec-interrupt
29293 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29294 (gdb)
29295 @end smallexample
29296
29297 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29298 @findex -exec-jump
29299
29300 @subsubheading Synopsis
29301
29302 @smallexample
29303 -exec-jump @var{location}
29304 @end smallexample
29305
29306 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29307 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29308 different forms of @var{location}.
29309
29310 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29311
29312 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29313
29314 @subsubheading Example
29315
29316 @smallexample
29317 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29318 *running,thread-id="all"
29319 ^running
29320 @end smallexample
29321
29322
29323 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29324 @findex -exec-next
29325
29326 @subsubheading Synopsis
29327
29328 @smallexample
29329 -exec-next [--reverse]
29330 @end smallexample
29331
29332 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29333 of the next source line is reached.
29334
29335 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29336 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29337 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29338 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29339 source line where the function was called.
29340
29341
29342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29343
29344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29345
29346 @subsubheading Example
29347
29348 @smallexample
29349 -exec-next
29350 ^running
29351 (gdb)
29352 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29353 (gdb)
29354 @end smallexample
29355
29356
29357 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29358 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29359
29360 @subsubheading Synopsis
29361
29362 @smallexample
29363 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29364 @end smallexample
29365
29366 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29367 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29368 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29369 printed as well.
29370
29371 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29372 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29373 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29374 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29375 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29376
29377 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29378
29379 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29380
29381 @subsubheading Example
29382
29383 @smallexample
29384 (gdb)
29385 -exec-next-instruction
29386 ^running
29387
29388 (gdb)
29389 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29390 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29391 (gdb)
29392 @end smallexample
29393
29394
29395 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29396 @findex -exec-return
29397
29398 @subsubheading Synopsis
29399
29400 @smallexample
29401 -exec-return
29402 @end smallexample
29403
29404 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29405 Displays the new current frame.
29406
29407 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29408
29409 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29410
29411 @subsubheading Example
29412
29413 @smallexample
29414 (gdb)
29415 200-break-insert callee4
29416 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29417 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29418 (gdb)
29419 000-exec-run
29420 000^running
29421 (gdb)
29422 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29423 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29424 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29425 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29426 (gdb)
29427 205-break-delete
29428 205^done
29429 (gdb)
29430 111-exec-return
29431 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29432 args=[@{name="strarg",
29433 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29434 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29435 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29436 (gdb)
29437 @end smallexample
29438
29439
29440 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29441 @findex -exec-run
29442
29443 @subsubheading Synopsis
29444
29445 @smallexample
29446 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
29447 @end smallexample
29448
29449 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29450 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29451 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29452 the program has exited exceptionally.
29453
29454 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
29455 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29456 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29457 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29458 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29459
29460 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
29461 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
29462 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
29463 (@pxref{Starting}).
29464
29465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29466
29467 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29468
29469 @subsubheading Examples
29470
29471 @smallexample
29472 (gdb)
29473 -break-insert main
29474 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29475 (gdb)
29476 -exec-run
29477 ^running
29478 (gdb)
29479 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29480 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29481 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29482 (gdb)
29483 @end smallexample
29484
29485 @noindent
29486 Program exited normally:
29487
29488 @smallexample
29489 (gdb)
29490 -exec-run
29491 ^running
29492 (gdb)
29493 x = 55
29494 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29495 (gdb)
29496 @end smallexample
29497
29498 @noindent
29499 Program exited exceptionally:
29500
29501 @smallexample
29502 (gdb)
29503 -exec-run
29504 ^running
29505 (gdb)
29506 x = 55
29507 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29508 (gdb)
29509 @end smallexample
29510
29511 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29512 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29513
29514 @smallexample
29515 (gdb)
29516 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29517 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29518 @end smallexample
29519
29520
29521 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29522
29523
29524 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29525 @findex -exec-step
29526
29527 @subsubheading Synopsis
29528
29529 @smallexample
29530 -exec-step [--reverse]
29531 @end smallexample
29532
29533 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29534 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29535 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29536 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29537 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29538 previously executed source line.
29539
29540 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29541
29542 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29543
29544 @subsubheading Example
29545
29546 Stepping into a function:
29547
29548 @smallexample
29549 -exec-step
29550 ^running
29551 (gdb)
29552 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29553 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29554 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29555 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29556 (gdb)
29557 @end smallexample
29558
29559 Regular stepping:
29560
29561 @smallexample
29562 -exec-step
29563 ^running
29564 (gdb)
29565 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29566 (gdb)
29567 @end smallexample
29568
29569
29570 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29571 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29572
29573 @subsubheading Synopsis
29574
29575 @smallexample
29576 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29577 @end smallexample
29578
29579 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29580 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29581 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29582 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29583 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29584 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29585 as well.
29586
29587 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29588
29589 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29590
29591 @subsubheading Example
29592
29593 @smallexample
29594 (gdb)
29595 -exec-step-instruction
29596 ^running
29597
29598 (gdb)
29599 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29600 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29601 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29602 (gdb)
29603 -exec-step-instruction
29604 ^running
29605
29606 (gdb)
29607 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29608 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29609 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29610 (gdb)
29611 @end smallexample
29612
29613
29614 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29615 @findex -exec-until
29616
29617 @subsubheading Synopsis
29618
29619 @smallexample
29620 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29621 @end smallexample
29622
29623 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29624 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29625 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29626 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29627
29628 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29629
29630 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29631
29632 @subsubheading Example
29633
29634 @smallexample
29635 (gdb)
29636 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29637 ^running
29638 (gdb)
29639 x = 55
29640 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29641 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29642 (gdb)
29643 @end smallexample
29644
29645 @ignore
29646 @subheading -file-clear
29647 Is this going away????
29648 @end ignore
29649
29650 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29651 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29652 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29653
29654 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
29655 @findex -enable-frame-filters
29656
29657 @smallexample
29658 -enable-frame-filters
29659 @end smallexample
29660
29661 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
29662 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
29663 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29664 request that this functionality be enabled.
29665
29666 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29667
29668 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29669 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
29670
29671 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29672 @findex -stack-info-frame
29673
29674 @subsubheading Synopsis
29675
29676 @smallexample
29677 -stack-info-frame
29678 @end smallexample
29679
29680 Get info on the selected frame.
29681
29682 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29683
29684 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29685 (without arguments).
29686
29687 @subsubheading Example
29688
29689 @smallexample
29690 (gdb)
29691 -stack-info-frame
29692 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29693 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29694 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29695 (gdb)
29696 @end smallexample
29697
29698 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29699 @findex -stack-info-depth
29700
29701 @subsubheading Synopsis
29702
29703 @smallexample
29704 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29705 @end smallexample
29706
29707 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29708 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29709
29710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29711
29712 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29713
29714 @subsubheading Example
29715
29716 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29717
29718 @smallexample
29719 (gdb)
29720 -stack-info-depth
29721 ^done,depth="12"
29722 (gdb)
29723 -stack-info-depth 4
29724 ^done,depth="4"
29725 (gdb)
29726 -stack-info-depth 12
29727 ^done,depth="12"
29728 (gdb)
29729 -stack-info-depth 11
29730 ^done,depth="11"
29731 (gdb)
29732 -stack-info-depth 13
29733 ^done,depth="12"
29734 (gdb)
29735 @end smallexample
29736
29737 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
29738 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
29739 @findex -stack-list-arguments
29740
29741 @subsubheading Synopsis
29742
29743 @smallexample
29744 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
29745 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29746 @end smallexample
29747
29748 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
29749 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
29750 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
29751 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
29752 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
29753 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
29754 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
29755 which case only existing frames will be returned.
29756
29757 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29758 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29759 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29760 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29761 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
29762 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
29763
29764 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
29765 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
29766 are still displayed, however.
29767
29768 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
29769 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29770
29771 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29772
29773 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
29774 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
29775 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
29776
29777 @subsubheading Example
29778
29779 @smallexample
29780 (gdb)
29781 -stack-list-frames
29782 ^done,
29783 stack=[
29784 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29785 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29786 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
29787 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29788 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29789 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
29790 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
29791 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29792 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
29793 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
29794 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29795 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
29796 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
29797 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29798 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
29799 (gdb)
29800 -stack-list-arguments 0
29801 ^done,
29802 stack-args=[
29803 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29804 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
29805 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
29806 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
29807 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29808 (gdb)
29809 -stack-list-arguments 1
29810 ^done,
29811 stack-args=[
29812 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29813 frame=@{level="1",
29814 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29815 frame=@{level="2",args=[
29816 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29817 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29818 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
29819 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29820 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
29821 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
29822 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29823 (gdb)
29824 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
29825 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
29826 (gdb)
29827 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
29828 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
29829 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29830 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
29831 (gdb)
29832 @end smallexample
29833
29834 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
29835
29836
29837 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
29838 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
29839 @findex -stack-list-frames
29840
29841 @subsubheading Synopsis
29842
29843 @smallexample
29844 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29845 @end smallexample
29846
29847 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
29848 following info:
29849
29850 @table @samp
29851 @item @var{level}
29852 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
29853 @item @var{addr}
29854 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
29855 @item @var{func}
29856 Function name.
29857 @item @var{file}
29858 File name of the source file where the function lives.
29859 @item @var{fullname}
29860 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
29861 @item @var{line}
29862 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
29863 @item @var{from}
29864 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
29865 if the frame's function is not known.
29866 @end table
29867
29868 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
29869 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
29870 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
29871 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
29872 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
29873 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
29874 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
29875 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
29876 Python frame filters will not be executed.
29877
29878 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29879
29880 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
29881
29882 @subsubheading Example
29883
29884 Full stack backtrace:
29885
29886 @smallexample
29887 (gdb)
29888 -stack-list-frames
29889 ^done,stack=
29890 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
29891 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
29892 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29893 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29894 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29895 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29896 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29897 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29898 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29899 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29900 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29901 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29902 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29903 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29904 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29905 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29906 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29907 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29908 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29909 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29910 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29911 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29912 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
29913 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
29914 (gdb)
29915 @end smallexample
29916
29917 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
29918
29919 @smallexample
29920 (gdb)
29921 -stack-list-frames 3 5
29922 ^done,stack=
29923 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29924 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29925 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29926 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29927 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29928 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29929 (gdb)
29930 @end smallexample
29931
29932 Show a single frame:
29933
29934 @smallexample
29935 (gdb)
29936 -stack-list-frames 3 3
29937 ^done,stack=
29938 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29939 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29940 (gdb)
29941 @end smallexample
29942
29943
29944 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
29945 @findex -stack-list-locals
29946 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
29947
29948 @subsubheading Synopsis
29949
29950 @smallexample
29951 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
29952 @end smallexample
29953
29954 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
29955 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29956 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29957 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29958 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29959 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
29960 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
29961 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
29962 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
29963 Python frame filters will not be executed.
29964
29965 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
29966 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
29967 variables are still displayed, however.
29968
29969 This command is deprecated in favor of the
29970 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29971
29972 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29973
29974 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
29975
29976 @subsubheading Example
29977
29978 @smallexample
29979 (gdb)
29980 -stack-list-locals 0
29981 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
29982 (gdb)
29983 -stack-list-locals --all-values
29984 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
29985 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
29986 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
29987 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
29988 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
29989 (gdb)
29990 @end smallexample
29991
29992 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
29993 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
29994 @findex -stack-list-variables
29995
29996 @subsubheading Synopsis
29997
29998 @smallexample
29999 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
30000 @end smallexample
30001
30002 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30003 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30004 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30005 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30006 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30007 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
30008 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
30009
30010 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
30011 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
30012 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
30013
30014 @subsubheading Example
30015
30016 @smallexample
30017 (gdb)
30018 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30019 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30020 (gdb)
30021 @end smallexample
30022
30023
30024 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30025 @findex -stack-select-frame
30026
30027 @subsubheading Synopsis
30028
30029 @smallexample
30030 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30031 @end smallexample
30032
30033 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30034 the stack.
30035
30036 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30037 option to every command.
30038
30039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30040
30041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30042 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30043
30044 @subsubheading Example
30045
30046 @smallexample
30047 (gdb)
30048 -stack-select-frame 2
30049 ^done
30050 (gdb)
30051 @end smallexample
30052
30053 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30054 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30055 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30056
30057 @ignore
30058
30059 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30060
30061 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30062 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30063 used by @code{Insight}.
30064
30065 The two main reasons for that are:
30066
30067 @enumerate 1
30068 @item
30069 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30070
30071 @item
30072 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30073 now).
30074 @end enumerate
30075
30076 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30077 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30078 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30079 hints about their use.
30080
30081 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30082 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30083 least, the following operations:
30084
30085 @itemize @bullet
30086 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30087 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30088 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30089 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30090 @end itemize
30091
30092 @end ignore
30093
30094 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30095
30096 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30097
30098 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30099 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30100 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30101 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30102 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30103 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30104 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30105 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30106 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30107 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30108 object, or to change display format.
30109
30110 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30111 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30112 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30113 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30114 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30115 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30116 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30117 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30118 child will be created.
30119
30120 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30121 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30122 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30123 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30124 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30125
30126 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30127 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30128 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30129 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30130 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30131 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30132 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30133 variables that frontend has created.
30134
30135 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30136 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30137 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30138 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30139 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30140 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30141 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30142 implicitly updated.
30143
30144 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30145 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30146 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30147 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30148 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30149 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30150 frame. Consider this example:
30151
30152 @smallexample
30153 void do_work(...)
30154 @{
30155 struct work_state state;
30156
30157 if (...)
30158 do_work(...);
30159 @}
30160 @end smallexample
30161
30162 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30163 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30164 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30165 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30166 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30167
30168 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30169 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30170 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30171 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30172 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30173 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30174
30175 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30176 access this functionality:
30177
30178 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30179 @item @strong{Operation}
30180 @tab @strong{Description}
30181
30182 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30183 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30184 @item @code{-var-create}
30185 @tab create a variable object
30186 @item @code{-var-delete}
30187 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30188 @item @code{-var-set-format}
30189 @tab set the display format of this variable
30190 @item @code{-var-show-format}
30191 @tab show the display format of this variable
30192 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30193 @tab tells how many children this object has
30194 @item @code{-var-list-children}
30195 @tab return a list of the object's children
30196 @item @code{-var-info-type}
30197 @tab show the type of this variable object
30198 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
30199 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30200 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30201 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30202 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30203 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30204 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30205 @tab get the value of this variable
30206 @item @code{-var-assign}
30207 @tab set the value of this variable
30208 @item @code{-var-update}
30209 @tab update the variable and its children
30210 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30211 @tab set frozeness attribute
30212 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30213 @tab set range of children to display on update
30214 @end multitable
30215
30216 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30217 how it can be used.
30218
30219 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30220
30221 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30222 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
30223
30224 @smallexample
30225 -enable-pretty-printing
30226 @end smallexample
30227
30228 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30229 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30230 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30231 request that this functionality be enabled.
30232
30233 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30234
30235 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30236 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30237
30238 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30239 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30240
30241 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30242 @findex -var-create
30243
30244 @subsubheading Synopsis
30245
30246 @smallexample
30247 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30248 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30249 @end smallexample
30250
30251 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30252 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30253 register.
30254
30255 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30256 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30257 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30258 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30259 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30260
30261 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30262 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30263 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30264 object must be created.
30265
30266 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30267 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30268
30269 @itemize @bullet
30270 @item
30271 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30272
30273 @item
30274 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30275
30276 @item
30277 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30278 @end itemize
30279
30280 @cindex dynamic varobj
30281 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30282 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30283 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30284 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30285 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30286 compatibility for existing clients.
30287
30288 @subsubheading Result
30289
30290 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30291 are:
30292
30293 @table @samp
30294 @item name
30295 The name of the varobj.
30296
30297 @item numchild
30298 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30299 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30300 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30301
30302 @item value
30303 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30304 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30305 will not be interesting.
30306
30307 @item type
30308 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30309 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30310 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30311 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30312 @emph{declared} one.
30313
30314 @item thread-id
30315 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30316 thread's global identifier.
30317
30318 @item has_more
30319 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30320 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30321
30322 @item dynamic
30323 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30324 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30325 then this attribute will not be present.
30326
30327 @item displayhint
30328 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30329 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30330 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30331 @end table
30332
30333 Typical output will look like this:
30334
30335 @smallexample
30336 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30337 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30338 @end smallexample
30339
30340
30341 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30342 @findex -var-delete
30343
30344 @subsubheading Synopsis
30345
30346 @smallexample
30347 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30348 @end smallexample
30349
30350 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30351 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30352
30353 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30354
30355
30356 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30357 @findex -var-set-format
30358
30359 @subsubheading Synopsis
30360
30361 @smallexample
30362 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30363 @end smallexample
30364
30365 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30366 @var{format-spec}.
30367
30368 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30369 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30370
30371 @smallexample
30372 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30373 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural | zero-hexadecimal@}
30374 @end smallexample
30375
30376 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30377 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30378 for pointers, etc.).
30379
30380 The zero-hexadecimal format has a representation similar to hexadecimal
30381 but with padding zeroes to the left of the value. For example, a 32-bit
30382 hexadecimal value of 0x1234 would be represented as 0x00001234 in the
30383 zero-hexadecimal format.
30384
30385 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30386 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30387
30388 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30389 @findex -var-show-format
30390
30391 @subsubheading Synopsis
30392
30393 @smallexample
30394 -var-show-format @var{name}
30395 @end smallexample
30396
30397 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30398
30399 @smallexample
30400 @var{format} @expansion{}
30401 @var{format-spec}
30402 @end smallexample
30403
30404
30405 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30406 @findex -var-info-num-children
30407
30408 @subsubheading Synopsis
30409
30410 @smallexample
30411 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30412 @end smallexample
30413
30414 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30415
30416 @smallexample
30417 numchild=@var{n}
30418 @end smallexample
30419
30420 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30421 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30422 be available.
30423
30424
30425 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30426 @findex -var-list-children
30427
30428 @subsubheading Synopsis
30429
30430 @smallexample
30431 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30432 @end smallexample
30433 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30434
30435 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30436 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30437 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30438 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30439 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30440 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30441 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30442 and unions.
30443
30444 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30445 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30446 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30447 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30448 reported.
30449
30450 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30451 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30452 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30453 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30454 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30455 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30456 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30457 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30458 the visible items.
30459
30460 For each child the following results are returned:
30461
30462 @table @var
30463
30464 @item name
30465 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30466
30467 @item exp
30468 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30469 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30470
30471 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30472 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30473
30474 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30475 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30476 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30477 type and value are not present.
30478
30479 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30480 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30481 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30482
30483 @item numchild
30484 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30485 0.
30486
30487 @item type
30488 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30489 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30490 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30491 @emph{declared} one.
30492
30493 @item value
30494 If values were requested, this is the value.
30495
30496 @item thread-id
30497 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the
30498 thread's global thread id. Otherwise this result is not present.
30499
30500 @item frozen
30501 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30502
30503 @item displayhint
30504 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30505 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30506 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30507
30508 @item dynamic
30509 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30510 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30511 then this attribute will not be present.
30512
30513 @end table
30514
30515 The result may have its own attributes:
30516
30517 @table @samp
30518 @item displayhint
30519 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30520 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30521 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30522
30523 @item has_more
30524 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30525 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30526 @end table
30527
30528 @subsubheading Example
30529
30530 @smallexample
30531 (gdb)
30532 -var-list-children n
30533 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30534 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30535 (gdb)
30536 -var-list-children --all-values n
30537 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30538 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30539 @end smallexample
30540
30541
30542 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30543 @findex -var-info-type
30544
30545 @subsubheading Synopsis
30546
30547 @smallexample
30548 -var-info-type @var{name}
30549 @end smallexample
30550
30551 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30552 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30553 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30554
30555 @smallexample
30556 type=@var{typename}
30557 @end smallexample
30558
30559
30560 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30561 @findex -var-info-expression
30562
30563 @subsubheading Synopsis
30564
30565 @smallexample
30566 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30567 @end smallexample
30568
30569 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30570 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30571 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30572
30573 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30574 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30575
30576 @smallexample
30577 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30578 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30579 @end smallexample
30580
30581 @noindent
30582 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
30583 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
30584
30585 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30586 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30587 is of limited use.
30588
30589 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30590 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30591
30592 @subsubheading Synopsis
30593
30594 @smallexample
30595 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30596 @end smallexample
30597
30598 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30599 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30600 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30601 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30602 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30603 watchpoint from a variable object.
30604
30605 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30606 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30607
30608 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30609 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30610 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30611 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30612 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30613 @smallexample
30614 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30615 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30616 @end smallexample
30617
30618 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30619 @findex -var-show-attributes
30620
30621 @subsubheading Synopsis
30622
30623 @smallexample
30624 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30625 @end smallexample
30626
30627 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30628
30629 @smallexample
30630 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30631 @end smallexample
30632
30633 @noindent
30634 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30635
30636 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30637 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30638
30639 @subsubheading Synopsis
30640
30641 @smallexample
30642 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30643 @end smallexample
30644
30645 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30646 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30647 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30648 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30649 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30650 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30651 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30652
30653 @smallexample
30654 value=@var{value}
30655 @end smallexample
30656
30657 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30658 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30659
30660 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30661 @findex -var-assign
30662
30663 @subsubheading Synopsis
30664
30665 @smallexample
30666 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30667 @end smallexample
30668
30669 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30670 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30671 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30672 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30673
30674 @subsubheading Example
30675
30676 @smallexample
30677 (gdb)
30678 -var-assign var1 3
30679 ^done,value="3"
30680 (gdb)
30681 -var-update *
30682 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30683 (gdb)
30684 @end smallexample
30685
30686 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30687 @findex -var-update
30688
30689 @subsubheading Synopsis
30690
30691 @smallexample
30692 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30693 @end smallexample
30694
30695 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30696 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30697 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30698 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30699 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30700 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30701 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30702 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30703 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30704 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30705 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30706 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30707 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30708
30709 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30710 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30711 diagnostic.
30712
30713 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30714 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30715
30716 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30717 @samp{changelist}.
30718
30719 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30720
30721 @table @samp
30722 @item name
30723 The name of the varobj.
30724
30725 @item value
30726 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30727 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30728
30729 @item in_scope
30730 @anchor{-var-update}
30731 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30732
30733 @table @code
30734 @item "true"
30735 The variable object's current value is valid.
30736
30737 @item "false"
30738 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30739 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30740 scope.
30741
30742 @item "invalid"
30743 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30744 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30745 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30746 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30747 objects.
30748 @end table
30749
30750 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30751 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30752
30753 @item type_changed
30754 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30755 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30756 be @samp{false}.
30757
30758 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30759 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30760 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30761 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30762 unset.
30763
30764 @item new_type
30765 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30766 hold the new type.
30767
30768 @item new_num_children
30769 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30770 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30771
30772 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
30773 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
30774 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
30775 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
30776 children which may be available.
30777
30778 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
30779 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
30780 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
30781 only happen at the end of the update range).
30782
30783 @item displayhint
30784 The display hint, if any.
30785
30786 @item has_more
30787 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
30788 available outside the varobj's update range.
30789
30790 @item dynamic
30791 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30792 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30793 then this attribute will not be present.
30794
30795 @item new_children
30796 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
30797 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
30798 be listed in this attribute.
30799 @end table
30800
30801 @subsubheading Example
30802
30803 @smallexample
30804 (gdb)
30805 -var-assign var1 3
30806 ^done,value="3"
30807 (gdb)
30808 -var-update --all-values var1
30809 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
30810 type_changed="false"@}]
30811 (gdb)
30812 @end smallexample
30813
30814 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
30815 @findex -var-set-frozen
30816 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
30817
30818 @subsubheading Synopsis
30819
30820 @smallexample
30821 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
30822 @end smallexample
30823
30824 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
30825 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
30826 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
30827 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
30828 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
30829 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
30830 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
30831 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
30832 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
30833 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
30834 @code{-var-update} does.
30835
30836 @subsubheading Example
30837
30838 @smallexample
30839 (gdb)
30840 -var-set-frozen V 1
30841 ^done
30842 (gdb)
30843 @end smallexample
30844
30845 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
30846 @findex -var-set-update-range
30847 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
30848
30849 @subsubheading Synopsis
30850
30851 @smallexample
30852 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
30853 @end smallexample
30854
30855 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
30856 @code{-var-update}.
30857
30858 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
30859 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
30860 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
30861 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
30862
30863 @subsubheading Example
30864
30865 @smallexample
30866 (gdb)
30867 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
30868 ^done
30869 @end smallexample
30870
30871 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
30872 @findex -var-set-visualizer
30873 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
30874
30875 @subsubheading Synopsis
30876
30877 @smallexample
30878 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
30879 @end smallexample
30880
30881 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
30882
30883 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
30884 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
30885
30886 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
30887 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
30888 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
30889 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
30890 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
30891 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
30892 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
30893
30894 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
30895 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
30896 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
30897 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
30898
30899 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
30900 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
30901 can be used to check this.
30902
30903 @subsubheading Example
30904
30905 Resetting the visualizer:
30906
30907 @smallexample
30908 (gdb)
30909 -var-set-visualizer V None
30910 ^done
30911 @end smallexample
30912
30913 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
30914
30915 @smallexample
30916 (gdb)
30917 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
30918 ^done
30919 @end smallexample
30920
30921 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
30922 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
30923
30924 @smallexample
30925 (gdb)
30926 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
30927 ^done
30928 @end smallexample
30929
30930 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30931 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
30932 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
30933
30934 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
30935 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
30936 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
30937 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
30938
30939 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
30940 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
30941
30942 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
30943 @c @subheading -data-assign
30944 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
30945 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
30946 @c set variable
30947 @c @subsubheading Example
30948 @c N.A.
30949
30950 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
30951 @findex -data-disassemble
30952
30953 @subsubheading Synopsis
30954
30955 @smallexample
30956 -data-disassemble
30957 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
30958 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
30959 -- @var{mode}
30960 @end smallexample
30961
30962 @noindent
30963 Where:
30964
30965 @table @samp
30966 @item @var{start-addr}
30967 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
30968 @item @var{end-addr}
30969 is the end address
30970 @item @var{filename}
30971 is the name of the file to disassemble
30972 @item @var{linenum}
30973 is the line number to disassemble around
30974 @item @var{lines}
30975 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
30976 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
30977 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
30978 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
30979 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
30980 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
30981 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
30982 are displayed.
30983 @item @var{mode}
30984 is one of:
30985 @itemize @bullet
30986 @item 0 disassembly only
30987 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
30988 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
30989 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
30990 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
30991 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
30992 @end itemize
30993
30994 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
30995 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
30996 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
30997 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
30998 @end table
30999
31000 @subsubheading Result
31001
31002 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31003 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31004 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31005
31006 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31007 following fields:
31008
31009 @table @code
31010 @item address
31011 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31012
31013 @item func-name
31014 The name of the function this instruction is within.
31015
31016 @item offset
31017 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31018
31019 @item inst
31020 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31021
31022 @item opcodes
31023 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
31024 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31025
31026 @end table
31027
31028 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31029 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31030
31031 @table @code
31032 @item line
31033 The line number within @samp{file}.
31034
31035 @item file
31036 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31037 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31038 used.
31039
31040 @item fullname
31041 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31042 using the source file search path
31043 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31044 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31045
31046 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31047 present in the debug information.
31048
31049 @item line_asm_insn
31050 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31051 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31052 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31053 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31054 @samp{opcodes}.
31055
31056 @end table
31057
31058 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31059 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31060 adjust its format.
31061
31062 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31063
31064 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31065
31066 @subsubheading Example
31067
31068 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31069
31070 @smallexample
31071 (gdb)
31072 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31073 ^done,
31074 asm_insns=[
31075 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31076 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31077 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31078 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31079 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31080 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31081 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31082 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31083 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31084 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31085 (gdb)
31086 @end smallexample
31087
31088 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31089 @code{main}.
31090
31091 @smallexample
31092 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31093 ^done,asm_insns=[
31094 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31095 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31096 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31097 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31098 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31099 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31100 [@dots{}]
31101 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31102 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31103 (gdb)
31104 @end smallexample
31105
31106 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31107
31108 @smallexample
31109 (gdb)
31110 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31111 ^done,asm_insns=[
31112 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31113 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31114 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31115 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31116 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31117 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31118 (gdb)
31119 @end smallexample
31120
31121 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31122
31123 @smallexample
31124 (gdb)
31125 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31126 ^done,asm_insns=[
31127 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31128 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31129 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31130 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31131 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31132 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31133 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31134 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31135 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31136 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31137 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31138 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31139 (gdb)
31140 @end smallexample
31141
31142
31143 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31144 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
31145
31146 @subsubheading Synopsis
31147
31148 @smallexample
31149 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31150 @end smallexample
31151
31152 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31153 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31154 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31155
31156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31157
31158 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31159 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31160 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
31161
31162 @subsubheading Example
31163
31164 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31165 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31166 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31167 output.
31168
31169 @smallexample
31170 211-data-evaluate-expression A
31171 211^done,value="1"
31172 (gdb)
31173 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31174 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31175 (gdb)
31176 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31177 411^done,value="4"
31178 (gdb)
31179 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31180 511^done,value="4"
31181 (gdb)
31182 @end smallexample
31183
31184
31185 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31186 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
31187
31188 @subsubheading Synopsis
31189
31190 @smallexample
31191 -data-list-changed-registers
31192 @end smallexample
31193
31194 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31195
31196 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31197
31198 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31199 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31200
31201 @subsubheading Example
31202
31203 On a PPC MBX board:
31204
31205 @smallexample
31206 (gdb)
31207 -exec-continue
31208 ^running
31209
31210 (gdb)
31211 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31212 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31213 line="5"@}
31214 (gdb)
31215 -data-list-changed-registers
31216 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31217 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31218 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31219 (gdb)
31220 @end smallexample
31221
31222
31223 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31224 @findex -data-list-register-names
31225
31226 @subsubheading Synopsis
31227
31228 @smallexample
31229 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31230 @end smallexample
31231
31232 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31233 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31234 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31235 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31236 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31237 include empty register names.
31238
31239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31240
31241 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31242 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31243 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31244
31245 @subsubheading Example
31246
31247 For the PPC MBX board:
31248 @smallexample
31249 (gdb)
31250 -data-list-register-names
31251 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31252 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31253 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31254 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31255 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31256 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31257 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31258 (gdb)
31259 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31260 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31261 (gdb)
31262 @end smallexample
31263
31264 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31265 @findex -data-list-register-values
31266
31267 @subsubheading Synopsis
31268
31269 @smallexample
31270 -data-list-register-values
31271 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31272 @end smallexample
31273
31274 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
31275 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
31276 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
31277 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
31278 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
31279 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
31280
31281 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31282
31283 @table @code
31284 @item x
31285 Hexadecimal
31286 @item o
31287 Octal
31288 @item t
31289 Binary
31290 @item d
31291 Decimal
31292 @item r
31293 Raw
31294 @item N
31295 Natural
31296 @end table
31297
31298 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31299
31300 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31301 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31302
31303 @subsubheading Example
31304
31305 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31306 don't appear in the actual output):
31307
31308 @smallexample
31309 (gdb)
31310 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
31311 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31312 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31313 (gdb)
31314 -data-list-register-values x
31315 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31316 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31317 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31318 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31319 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31320 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31321 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31322 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31323 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31324 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31325 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31326 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31327 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31328 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31329 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31330 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31331 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31332 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31333 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31334 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31335 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31336 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31337 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31338 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31339 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31340 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31341 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31342 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31343 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31344 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31345 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31346 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31347 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31348 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31349 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31350 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31351 (gdb)
31352 @end smallexample
31353
31354
31355 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31356 @findex -data-read-memory
31357
31358 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31359
31360 @subsubheading Synopsis
31361
31362 @smallexample
31363 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31364 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31365 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31366 @end smallexample
31367
31368 @noindent
31369 where:
31370
31371 @table @samp
31372 @item @var{address}
31373 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31374 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31375 quoted using the C convention.
31376
31377 @item @var{word-format}
31378 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31379 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31380 ,Output Formats}).
31381
31382 @item @var{word-size}
31383 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31384
31385 @item @var{nr-rows}
31386 The number of rows in the output table.
31387
31388 @item @var{nr-cols}
31389 The number of columns in the output table.
31390
31391 @item @var{aschar}
31392 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31393 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31394 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31395 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31396
31397 @item @var{byte-offset}
31398 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31399 @end table
31400
31401 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31402 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31403 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31404 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31405 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31406 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31407 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31408 @samp{addr}.
31409
31410 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31411 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31412 @samp{prev-page}.
31413
31414 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31415
31416 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31417 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31418
31419 @subsubheading Example
31420
31421 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31422 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31423 word. Display each word in hex.
31424
31425 @smallexample
31426 (gdb)
31427 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31428 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31429 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31430 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31431 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31432 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31433 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31434 (gdb)
31435 @end smallexample
31436
31437 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31438 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31439
31440 @smallexample
31441 (gdb)
31442 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31443 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31444 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31445 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31446 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31447 (gdb)
31448 @end smallexample
31449
31450 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31451 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31452 used as the non-printable character.
31453
31454 @smallexample
31455 (gdb)
31456 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31457 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31458 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31459 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31460 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31461 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31462 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31463 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31464 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31465 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31466 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31467 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31468 (gdb)
31469 @end smallexample
31470
31471 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31472 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31473
31474 @subsubheading Synopsis
31475
31476 @smallexample
31477 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
31478 @var{address} @var{count}
31479 @end smallexample
31480
31481 @noindent
31482 where:
31483
31484 @table @samp
31485 @item @var{address}
31486 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
31487 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31488 quoted using the C convention.
31489
31490 @item @var{count}
31491 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
31492 literal.
31493
31494 @item @var{offset}
31495 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
31496 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
31497 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
31498 arithmetics itself.
31499
31500 @end table
31501
31502 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31503 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31504 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31505 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31506 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31507 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31508
31509 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
31510 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
31511 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31512 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
31513 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31514 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31515 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31516 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31517
31518 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31519 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31520 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31521 and has the following fields:
31522
31523 @table @code
31524 @item begin
31525 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31526
31527 @item end
31528 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31529
31530 @item offset
31531 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31532 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31533
31534 @item contents
31535 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31536
31537 @end table
31538
31539
31540
31541 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31542
31543 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31544
31545 @subsubheading Example
31546
31547 @smallexample
31548 (gdb)
31549 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31550 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31551 end="0xbffff15e",
31552 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31553 (gdb)
31554 @end smallexample
31555
31556
31557 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31558 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31559
31560 @subsubheading Synopsis
31561
31562 @smallexample
31563 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31564 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
31565 @end smallexample
31566
31567 @noindent
31568 where:
31569
31570 @table @samp
31571 @item @var{address}
31572 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
31573 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
31574 be quoted using the C convention.
31575
31576 @item @var{contents}
31577 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
31578 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
31579
31580 @item @var{count}
31581 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
31582 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
31583 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
31584 @var{count} memory units.
31585
31586 @end table
31587
31588 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31589
31590 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31591
31592 @subsubheading Example
31593
31594 @smallexample
31595 (gdb)
31596 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31597 ^done
31598 (gdb)
31599 @end smallexample
31600
31601 @smallexample
31602 (gdb)
31603 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
31604 ^done
31605 (gdb)
31606 @end smallexample
31607
31608 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31609 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31610 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31611
31612 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31613 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31614
31615 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31616 @findex -trace-find
31617
31618 @subsubheading Synopsis
31619
31620 @smallexample
31621 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31622 @end smallexample
31623
31624 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31625 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31626 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31627
31628 @table @samp
31629
31630 @item none
31631 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31632
31633 @item frame-number
31634 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31635 that index.
31636
31637 @item tracepoint-number
31638 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31639 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31640
31641 @item pc
31642 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31643 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31644 address.
31645
31646 @item pc-inside-range
31647 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31648 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31649 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31650
31651 @item pc-outside-range
31652 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31653 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31654 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31655
31656 @item line
31657 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31658 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31659 the specified location.
31660
31661 @end table
31662
31663 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31664 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31665
31666 @table @samp
31667 @item found
31668 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31669 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31670
31671 @item traceframe
31672 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31673 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31674
31675 @item tracepoint
31676 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31677 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31678
31679 @item frame
31680 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31681 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31682 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31683
31684 @end table
31685
31686 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31687
31688 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31689
31690 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31691 @findex -trace-define-variable
31692
31693 @subsubheading Synopsis
31694
31695 @smallexample
31696 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31697 @end smallexample
31698
31699 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31700 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31701 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31702 with the @samp{$} character.
31703
31704 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31705
31706 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31707
31708 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
31709 @findex -trace-frame-collected
31710
31711 @subsubheading Synopsis
31712
31713 @smallexample
31714 -trace-frame-collected
31715 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
31716 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
31717 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
31718 [--memory-contents]
31719 @end smallexample
31720
31721 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
31722 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
31723 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
31724 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
31725 See the output description table below for more details.
31726
31727 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
31728 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
31729 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
31730 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
31731 memory range and which is a computed expression.
31732
31733 For instance, if the actions were
31734 @smallexample
31735 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
31736 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
31737 @end smallexample
31738
31739 @noindent
31740 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
31741 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
31742 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
31743 objects would be computed expressions.
31744
31745 An example output would be:
31746
31747 @smallexample
31748 (gdb)
31749 -trace-frame-collected
31750 ^done,
31751 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
31752 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
31753 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
31754 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
31755 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
31756 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
31757 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
31758 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
31759 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
31760 ...
31761 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
31762 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
31763 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
31764 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
31765 (gdb)
31766 @end smallexample
31767
31768 Where:
31769
31770 @table @code
31771 @item explicit-variables
31772 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
31773 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
31774 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
31775 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
31776 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
31777 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
31778 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
31779 arrays, structures and unions.
31780
31781 @item computed-expressions
31782 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
31783 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
31784 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
31785 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
31786
31787 @item registers
31788 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
31789 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
31790 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
31791 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
31792 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
31793
31794 @item tvars
31795 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
31796 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
31797 current value are returned.
31798
31799 @item memory
31800 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
31801 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
31802 collected memory range and has the following fields:
31803
31804 @table @code
31805 @item address
31806 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
31807
31808 @item length
31809 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
31810
31811 @item contents
31812 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
31813 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
31814
31815 @end table
31816
31817 @end table
31818
31819 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31820
31821 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31822
31823 @subsubheading Example
31824
31825 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31826 @findex -trace-list-variables
31827
31828 @subsubheading Synopsis
31829
31830 @smallexample
31831 -trace-list-variables
31832 @end smallexample
31833
31834 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31835 table has the following fields:
31836
31837 @table @samp
31838 @item name
31839 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31840
31841 @item initial
31842 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31843 field is always present.
31844
31845 @item current
31846 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31847 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31848 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31849 presently running.
31850
31851 @end table
31852
31853 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31854
31855 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31856
31857 @subsubheading Example
31858
31859 @smallexample
31860 (gdb)
31861 -trace-list-variables
31862 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31863 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31864 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31865 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31866 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31867 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31868 (gdb)
31869 @end smallexample
31870
31871 @subheading -trace-save
31872 @findex -trace-save
31873
31874 @subsubheading Synopsis
31875
31876 @smallexample
31877 -trace-save [ -r ] [ -ctf ] @var{filename}
31878 @end smallexample
31879
31880 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31881 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31882 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31883 to perform the save.
31884
31885 By default, this command will save the trace in the tfile format. You can
31886 supply the optional @samp{-ctf} argument to save it the CTF format. See
31887 @ref{Trace Files} for more information about CTF.
31888
31889 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31890
31891 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31892
31893
31894 @subheading -trace-start
31895 @findex -trace-start
31896
31897 @subsubheading Synopsis
31898
31899 @smallexample
31900 -trace-start
31901 @end smallexample
31902
31903 Starts a tracing experiment. The result of this command does not
31904 have any fields.
31905
31906 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31907
31908 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31909
31910 @subheading -trace-status
31911 @findex -trace-status
31912
31913 @subsubheading Synopsis
31914
31915 @smallexample
31916 -trace-status
31917 @end smallexample
31918
31919 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
31920 the following fields:
31921
31922 @table @samp
31923
31924 @item supported
31925 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
31926 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
31927 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
31928 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
31929 started. This field is always present.
31930
31931 @item running
31932 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
31933 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
31934 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31935
31936 @item stop-reason
31937 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
31938 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
31939 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
31940 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
31941 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
31942 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
31943 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
31944 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
31945 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31946
31947 @item stopping-tracepoint
31948 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
31949 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
31950 @samp{passcount}.
31951
31952 @item frames
31953 @itemx frames-created
31954 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
31955 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
31956 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
31957 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
31958
31959 @item buffer-size
31960 @itemx buffer-free
31961 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
31962 remaining space. These fields are optional.
31963
31964 @item circular
31965 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31966 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31967 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31968 and may fill up.
31969
31970 @item disconnected
31971 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31972 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31973 that the trace run will stop.
31974
31975 @item trace-file
31976 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
31977 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
31978
31979 @end table
31980
31981 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31982
31983 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
31984
31985 @subheading -trace-stop
31986 @findex -trace-stop
31987
31988 @subsubheading Synopsis
31989
31990 @smallexample
31991 -trace-stop
31992 @end smallexample
31993
31994 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
31995 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
31996 @samp{running} fields are not output.
31997
31998 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31999
32000 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32001
32002
32003 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32004 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32005 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32006
32007
32008 @ignore
32009 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32010 @findex -symbol-info-address
32011
32012 @subsubheading Synopsis
32013
32014 @smallexample
32015 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32016 @end smallexample
32017
32018 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32019
32020 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32021
32022 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32023
32024 @subsubheading Example
32025 N.A.
32026
32027
32028 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32029 @findex -symbol-info-file
32030
32031 @subsubheading Synopsis
32032
32033 @smallexample
32034 -symbol-info-file
32035 @end smallexample
32036
32037 Show the file for the symbol.
32038
32039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32040
32041 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32042 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
32043
32044 @subsubheading Example
32045 N.A.
32046
32047
32048 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32049 @findex -symbol-info-function
32050
32051 @subsubheading Synopsis
32052
32053 @smallexample
32054 -symbol-info-function
32055 @end smallexample
32056
32057 Show which function the symbol lives in.
32058
32059 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32060
32061 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32062
32063 @subsubheading Example
32064 N.A.
32065
32066
32067 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32068 @findex -symbol-info-line
32069
32070 @subsubheading Synopsis
32071
32072 @smallexample
32073 -symbol-info-line
32074 @end smallexample
32075
32076 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32077
32078 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32079
32080 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32081 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32082
32083 @subsubheading Example
32084 N.A.
32085
32086
32087 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32088 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
32089
32090 @subsubheading Synopsis
32091
32092 @smallexample
32093 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32094 @end smallexample
32095
32096 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32097
32098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32099
32100 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32101
32102 @subsubheading Example
32103 N.A.
32104
32105
32106 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32107 @findex -symbol-list-functions
32108
32109 @subsubheading Synopsis
32110
32111 @smallexample
32112 -symbol-list-functions
32113 @end smallexample
32114
32115 List the functions in the executable.
32116
32117 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32118
32119 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32120 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32121
32122 @subsubheading Example
32123 N.A.
32124 @end ignore
32125
32126
32127 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32128 @findex -symbol-list-lines
32129
32130 @subsubheading Synopsis
32131
32132 @smallexample
32133 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32134 @end smallexample
32135
32136 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32137 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32138 ascending PC order.
32139
32140 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32141
32142 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32143
32144 @subsubheading Example
32145 @smallexample
32146 (gdb)
32147 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
32148 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32149 (gdb)
32150 @end smallexample
32151
32152
32153 @ignore
32154 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32155 @findex -symbol-list-types
32156
32157 @subsubheading Synopsis
32158
32159 @smallexample
32160 -symbol-list-types
32161 @end smallexample
32162
32163 List all the type names.
32164
32165 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32166
32167 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32168 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32169
32170 @subsubheading Example
32171 N.A.
32172
32173
32174 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32175 @findex -symbol-list-variables
32176
32177 @subsubheading Synopsis
32178
32179 @smallexample
32180 -symbol-list-variables
32181 @end smallexample
32182
32183 List all the global and static variable names.
32184
32185 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32186
32187 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32188
32189 @subsubheading Example
32190 N.A.
32191
32192
32193 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32194 @findex -symbol-locate
32195
32196 @subsubheading Synopsis
32197
32198 @smallexample
32199 -symbol-locate
32200 @end smallexample
32201
32202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32203
32204 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32205
32206 @subsubheading Example
32207 N.A.
32208
32209
32210 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32211 @findex -symbol-type
32212
32213 @subsubheading Synopsis
32214
32215 @smallexample
32216 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32217 @end smallexample
32218
32219 Show type of @var{variable}.
32220
32221 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32222
32223 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32224 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32225
32226 @subsubheading Example
32227 N.A.
32228 @end ignore
32229
32230
32231 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32232 @node GDB/MI File Commands
32233 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32234
32235 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32236 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32237
32238 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32239 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32240
32241 @subsubheading Synopsis
32242
32243 @smallexample
32244 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32245 @end smallexample
32246
32247 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32248 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32249 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32250 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32251 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32252 notification.
32253
32254 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32255
32256 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32257
32258 @subsubheading Example
32259
32260 @smallexample
32261 (gdb)
32262 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32263 ^done
32264 (gdb)
32265 @end smallexample
32266
32267
32268 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32269 @findex -file-exec-file
32270
32271 @subsubheading Synopsis
32272
32273 @smallexample
32274 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32275 @end smallexample
32276
32277 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32278 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32279 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32280 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32281 notification.
32282
32283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32284
32285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32286
32287 @subsubheading Example
32288
32289 @smallexample
32290 (gdb)
32291 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32292 ^done
32293 (gdb)
32294 @end smallexample
32295
32296
32297 @ignore
32298 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32299 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
32300
32301 @subsubheading Synopsis
32302
32303 @smallexample
32304 -file-list-exec-sections
32305 @end smallexample
32306
32307 List the sections of the current executable file.
32308
32309 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32310
32311 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32312 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32313 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
32314
32315 @subsubheading Example
32316 N.A.
32317 @end ignore
32318
32319
32320 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32321 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32322
32323 @subsubheading Synopsis
32324
32325 @smallexample
32326 -file-list-exec-source-file
32327 @end smallexample
32328
32329 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32330 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32331 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32332 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32333
32334 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32335
32336 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32337
32338 @subsubheading Example
32339
32340 @smallexample
32341 (gdb)
32342 123-file-list-exec-source-file
32343 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32344 (gdb)
32345 @end smallexample
32346
32347
32348 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32349 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32350
32351 @subsubheading Synopsis
32352
32353 @smallexample
32354 -file-list-exec-source-files
32355 @end smallexample
32356
32357 List the source files for the current executable.
32358
32359 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32360 name) of a source file.
32361
32362 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32363
32364 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32365 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32366
32367 @subsubheading Example
32368 @smallexample
32369 (gdb)
32370 -file-list-exec-source-files
32371 ^done,files=[
32372 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32373 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32374 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32375 (gdb)
32376 @end smallexample
32377
32378 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32379 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32380
32381 @subsubheading Synopsis
32382
32383 @smallexample
32384 -file-list-shared-libraries [ @var{regexp} ]
32385 @end smallexample
32386
32387 List the shared libraries in the program.
32388 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those libraries whose
32389 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
32390
32391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32392
32393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}. The fields
32394 have a similar meaning to the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
32395 The @code{ranges} field specifies the multiple segments belonging to this
32396 library. Each range has the following fields:
32397
32398 @table @samp
32399 @item from
32400 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the segment.
32401 @item to
32402 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the segment.
32403 @end table
32404
32405 @subsubheading Example
32406 @smallexample
32407 (gdb)
32408 -file-list-exec-source-files
32409 ^done,shared-libraries=[
32410 @{id="/lib/libfoo.so",target-name="/lib/libfoo.so",host-name="/lib/libfoo.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x72815989",to="0x728162c0"@}]@},
32411 @{id="/lib/libbar.so",target-name="/lib/libbar.so",host-name="/lib/libbar.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x76ee48c0",to="0x76ee9160"@}]@}]
32412 (gdb)
32413 @end smallexample
32414
32415
32416 @ignore
32417 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32418 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
32419
32420 @subsubheading Synopsis
32421
32422 @smallexample
32423 -file-list-symbol-files
32424 @end smallexample
32425
32426 List symbol files.
32427
32428 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32429
32430 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32431
32432 @subsubheading Example
32433 N.A.
32434 @end ignore
32435
32436
32437 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32438 @findex -file-symbol-file
32439
32440 @subsubheading Synopsis
32441
32442 @smallexample
32443 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32444 @end smallexample
32445
32446 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32447 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32448 produced, except for a completion notification.
32449
32450 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32451
32452 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32453
32454 @subsubheading Example
32455
32456 @smallexample
32457 (gdb)
32458 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32459 ^done
32460 (gdb)
32461 @end smallexample
32462
32463 @ignore
32464 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32465 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32466 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32467
32468 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32469
32470 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
32471
32472 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32473
32474 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32475
32476 @c @subheading -overlay-map
32477
32478 @c @subheading -overlay-off
32479
32480 @c @subheading -overlay-on
32481
32482 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32483
32484 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32485 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32486 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32487
32488 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32489
32490 @c @subheading -signal-handle
32491
32492 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32493
32494 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32495 @end ignore
32496
32497
32498 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32499 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32500 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32501
32502
32503 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32504 @findex -target-attach
32505
32506 @subsubheading Synopsis
32507
32508 @smallexample
32509 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32510 @end smallexample
32511
32512 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32513 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32514 group, the id previously returned by
32515 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32516
32517 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32518
32519 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32520
32521 @subsubheading Example
32522 @smallexample
32523 (gdb)
32524 -target-attach 34
32525 =thread-created,id="1"
32526 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32527 ^done
32528 (gdb)
32529 @end smallexample
32530
32531 @ignore
32532 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32533 @findex -target-compare-sections
32534
32535 @subsubheading Synopsis
32536
32537 @smallexample
32538 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32539 @end smallexample
32540
32541 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32542 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32543
32544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32545
32546 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32547
32548 @subsubheading Example
32549 N.A.
32550 @end ignore
32551
32552
32553 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32554 @findex -target-detach
32555
32556 @subsubheading Synopsis
32557
32558 @smallexample
32559 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32560 @end smallexample
32561
32562 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32563 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32564 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32565
32566 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32567
32568 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32569
32570 @subsubheading Example
32571
32572 @smallexample
32573 (gdb)
32574 -target-detach
32575 ^done
32576 (gdb)
32577 @end smallexample
32578
32579
32580 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32581 @findex -target-disconnect
32582
32583 @subsubheading Synopsis
32584
32585 @smallexample
32586 -target-disconnect
32587 @end smallexample
32588
32589 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32590 generally not resumed.
32591
32592 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32593
32594 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32595
32596 @subsubheading Example
32597
32598 @smallexample
32599 (gdb)
32600 -target-disconnect
32601 ^done
32602 (gdb)
32603 @end smallexample
32604
32605
32606 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32607 @findex -target-download
32608
32609 @subsubheading Synopsis
32610
32611 @smallexample
32612 -target-download
32613 @end smallexample
32614
32615 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32616 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32617
32618 @table @samp
32619 @item section
32620 The name of the section.
32621 @item section-sent
32622 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32623 @item section-size
32624 The size of the section.
32625 @item total-sent
32626 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32627 @item total-size
32628 The size of the overall executable to download.
32629 @end table
32630
32631 @noindent
32632 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32633 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32634
32635 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32636 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32637
32638 @table @samp
32639 @item section
32640 The name of the section.
32641 @item section-size
32642 The size of the section.
32643 @item total-size
32644 The size of the overall executable to download.
32645 @end table
32646
32647 @noindent
32648 At the end, a summary is printed.
32649
32650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32651
32652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32653
32654 @subsubheading Example
32655
32656 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32657 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32658
32659 @smallexample
32660 (gdb)
32661 -target-download
32662 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32663 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32664 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32665 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32666 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32667 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32668 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32669 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32670 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32671 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32672 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32673 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32674 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32675 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32676 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32677 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32678 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32679 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32680 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32681 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32682 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32683 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32684 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32685 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32686 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32687 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32688 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32689 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32690 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32691 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32692 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32693 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32694 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32695 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32696 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32697 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32698 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32699 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32700 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32701 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32702 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32703 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32704 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32705 write-rate="429"
32706 (gdb)
32707 @end smallexample
32708
32709
32710 @ignore
32711 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32712 @findex -target-exec-status
32713
32714 @subsubheading Synopsis
32715
32716 @smallexample
32717 -target-exec-status
32718 @end smallexample
32719
32720 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32721 not, for instance).
32722
32723 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32724
32725 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32726
32727 @subsubheading Example
32728 N.A.
32729
32730
32731 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32732 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32733
32734 @subsubheading Synopsis
32735
32736 @smallexample
32737 -target-list-available-targets
32738 @end smallexample
32739
32740 List the possible targets to connect to.
32741
32742 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32743
32744 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32745
32746 @subsubheading Example
32747 N.A.
32748
32749
32750 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32751 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32752
32753 @subsubheading Synopsis
32754
32755 @smallexample
32756 -target-list-current-targets
32757 @end smallexample
32758
32759 Describe the current target.
32760
32761 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32762
32763 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32764 other things).
32765
32766 @subsubheading Example
32767 N.A.
32768
32769
32770 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32771 @findex -target-list-parameters
32772
32773 @subsubheading Synopsis
32774
32775 @smallexample
32776 -target-list-parameters
32777 @end smallexample
32778
32779 @c ????
32780 @end ignore
32781
32782 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32783
32784 No equivalent.
32785
32786 @subsubheading Example
32787 N.A.
32788
32789 @subheading The @code{-target-flash-erase} Command
32790 @findex -target-flash-erase
32791
32792 @subsubheading Synopsis
32793
32794 @smallexample
32795 -target-flash-erase
32796 @end smallexample
32797
32798 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
32799
32800 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{flash-erase}.
32801
32802 The output is a list of flash regions that have been erased, with starting
32803 addresses and memory region sizes.
32804
32805 @smallexample
32806 (gdb)
32807 -target-flash-erase
32808 ^done,erased-regions=@{address="0x0",size="0x40000"@}
32809 (gdb)
32810 @end smallexample
32811
32812 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32813 @findex -target-select
32814
32815 @subsubheading Synopsis
32816
32817 @smallexample
32818 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32819 @end smallexample
32820
32821 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32822
32823 @table @samp
32824 @item @var{type}
32825 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32826 @item @var{parameters}
32827 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32828 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32829 @end table
32830
32831 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32832 which the target program is, in the following form:
32833
32834 @smallexample
32835 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32836 args=[@var{arg list}]
32837 @end smallexample
32838
32839 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32840
32841 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32842
32843 @subsubheading Example
32844
32845 @smallexample
32846 (gdb)
32847 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32848 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32849 (gdb)
32850 @end smallexample
32851
32852 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32853 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32854 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32855
32856
32857 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32858 @findex -target-file-put
32859
32860 @subsubheading Synopsis
32861
32862 @smallexample
32863 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32864 @end smallexample
32865
32866 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32867 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32868
32869 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32870
32871 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32872
32873 @subsubheading Example
32874
32875 @smallexample
32876 (gdb)
32877 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32878 ^done
32879 (gdb)
32880 @end smallexample
32881
32882
32883 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32884 @findex -target-file-get
32885
32886 @subsubheading Synopsis
32887
32888 @smallexample
32889 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32890 @end smallexample
32891
32892 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32893 on the host system.
32894
32895 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32896
32897 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32898
32899 @subsubheading Example
32900
32901 @smallexample
32902 (gdb)
32903 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32904 ^done
32905 (gdb)
32906 @end smallexample
32907
32908
32909 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32910 @findex -target-file-delete
32911
32912 @subsubheading Synopsis
32913
32914 @smallexample
32915 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32916 @end smallexample
32917
32918 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32919
32920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32921
32922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32923
32924 @subsubheading Example
32925
32926 @smallexample
32927 (gdb)
32928 -target-file-delete remotefile
32929 ^done
32930 (gdb)
32931 @end smallexample
32932
32933
32934 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32935 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
32936 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32937
32938 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
32939 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
32940
32941 @subsubheading Synopsis
32942
32943 @smallexample
32944 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
32945 @end smallexample
32946
32947 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
32948 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
32949 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
32950
32951 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32952
32953 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
32954
32955 @subsubheading Result
32956
32957 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
32958 defined for each exception:
32959
32960 @table @samp
32961 @item name
32962 The name of the exception.
32963
32964 @item address
32965 The address of the exception.
32966
32967 @end table
32968
32969 @subsubheading Example
32970
32971 @smallexample
32972 -info-ada-exceptions aint
32973 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
32974 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
32975 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
32976 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
32977 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
32978 @end smallexample
32979
32980 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
32981
32982 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
32983 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
32984 Catchpoint Commands}.
32985
32986
32987 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32988 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
32989 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
32990
32991 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
32992 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
32993 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
32994 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
32995
32996 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
32997 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
32998 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
32999
33000 @subsubheading Synopsis
33001
33002 @smallexample
33003 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
33004 @end smallexample
33005
33006 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
33007
33008 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
33009 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
33010 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
33011 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
33012 dash.
33013
33014 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33015
33016 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33017
33018 @subsubheading Result
33019
33020 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
33021
33022 @table @samp
33023 @item exists
33024 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
33025 @code{"false"} otherwise.
33026
33027 @end table
33028
33029 @subsubheading Example
33030
33031 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
33032
33033 @smallexample
33034 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
33035 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
33036 @end smallexample
33037
33038 @noindent
33039 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
33040 to the debugger:
33041
33042 @smallexample
33043 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
33044 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
33045 @end smallexample
33046
33047 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33048 @findex -list-features
33049 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
33050
33051 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33052 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33053 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33054 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33055 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33056 startup.
33057
33058 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33059 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33060 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33061 is given below.
33062
33063 Example output:
33064
33065 @smallexample
33066 (gdb) -list-features
33067 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33068 @end smallexample
33069
33070 The current list of features is:
33071
33072 @ftable @samp
33073 @item frozen-varobjs
33074 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33075 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33076 of @code{-varobj-create}.
33077 @item pending-breakpoints
33078 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33079 command.
33080 @item python
33081 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33082 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33083 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33084 @item thread-info
33085 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33086 @item data-read-memory-bytes
33087 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33088 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33089 @item breakpoint-notifications
33090 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33091 CLI will be announced via async records.
33092 @item ada-task-info
33093 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33094 @item language-option
33095 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
33096 option (@pxref{Context management}).
33097 @item info-gdb-mi-command
33098 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
33099 @item undefined-command-error-code
33100 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
33101 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
33102 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
33103 @item exec-run-start-option
33104 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
33105 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
33106 @end ftable
33107
33108 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33109 @findex -list-target-features
33110
33111 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33112 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33113 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33114 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33115 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33116 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33117 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33118 Example output:
33119
33120 @smallexample
33121 (gdb) -list-target-features
33122 ^done,result=["async"]
33123 @end smallexample
33124
33125 The current list of features is:
33126
33127 @table @samp
33128 @item async
33129 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33130 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33131 while the target is running.
33132
33133 @item reverse
33134 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33135 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33136
33137 @end table
33138
33139 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33140 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
33141 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33142
33143 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
33144
33145 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
33146 @findex -gdb-exit
33147
33148 @subsubheading Synopsis
33149
33150 @smallexample
33151 -gdb-exit
33152 @end smallexample
33153
33154 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
33155
33156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33157
33158 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
33159
33160 @subsubheading Example
33161
33162 @smallexample
33163 (gdb)
33164 -gdb-exit
33165 ^exit
33166 @end smallexample
33167
33168
33169 @ignore
33170 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33171 @findex -exec-abort
33172
33173 @subsubheading Synopsis
33174
33175 @smallexample
33176 -exec-abort
33177 @end smallexample
33178
33179 Kill the inferior running program.
33180
33181 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33182
33183 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33184
33185 @subsubheading Example
33186 N.A.
33187 @end ignore
33188
33189
33190 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33191 @findex -gdb-set
33192
33193 @subsubheading Synopsis
33194
33195 @smallexample
33196 -gdb-set
33197 @end smallexample
33198
33199 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33200 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33201
33202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33203
33204 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33205
33206 @subsubheading Example
33207
33208 @smallexample
33209 (gdb)
33210 -gdb-set $foo=3
33211 ^done
33212 (gdb)
33213 @end smallexample
33214
33215
33216 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33217 @findex -gdb-show
33218
33219 @subsubheading Synopsis
33220
33221 @smallexample
33222 -gdb-show
33223 @end smallexample
33224
33225 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33226
33227 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33228
33229 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33230
33231 @subsubheading Example
33232
33233 @smallexample
33234 (gdb)
33235 -gdb-show annotate
33236 ^done,value="0"
33237 (gdb)
33238 @end smallexample
33239
33240 @c @subheading -gdb-source
33241
33242
33243 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33244 @findex -gdb-version
33245
33246 @subsubheading Synopsis
33247
33248 @smallexample
33249 -gdb-version
33250 @end smallexample
33251
33252 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33253
33254 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33255
33256 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33257 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33258
33259 @subsubheading Example
33260
33261 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33262 @c box in TeX.
33263 @smallexample
33264 (gdb)
33265 -gdb-version
33266 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
33267 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33268 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33269 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33270 ~ certain conditions.
33271 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33272 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33273 ~ details.
33274 ~This GDB was configured as
33275 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33276 ^done
33277 (gdb)
33278 @end smallexample
33279
33280 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33281 @findex -list-thread-groups
33282
33283 @subheading Synopsis
33284
33285 @smallexample
33286 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33287 @end smallexample
33288
33289 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33290 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33291 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33292 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33293 top-level thread groups.
33294
33295 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33296 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33297 available on the target.
33298
33299 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33300 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33301 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33302 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33303 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33304 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33305 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33306 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33307
33308 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33309 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33310 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33311 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33312 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33313 @samp{threads} field.
33314
33315 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33316 the following caveats:
33317
33318 @itemize @bullet
33319 @item
33320 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33321 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33322 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33323
33324 @item
33325 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33326 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33327 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33328 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33329 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33330 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33331
33332 @end itemize
33333
33334 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33335 have the following fields:
33336
33337 @table @code
33338 @item id
33339 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33340 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33341 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33342
33343 @item type
33344 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33345 valid type.
33346
33347 @item pid
33348 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33349 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33350
33351 @item exit-code
33352 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
33353 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
33354 only if the process is not running.
33355
33356 @item num_children
33357 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33358 absent for an available thread group.
33359
33360 @item threads
33361 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33362 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33363 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33364
33365 @item cores
33366 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33367 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33368 such information is not available.
33369
33370 @item executable
33371 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33372 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33373 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33374
33375 @end table
33376
33377 @subheading Example
33378
33379 @smallexample
33380 @value{GDBP}
33381 -list-thread-groups
33382 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33383 -list-thread-groups 17
33384 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33385 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33386 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33387 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33388 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
33389 -list-thread-groups --available
33390 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33391 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33392 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33393 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33394 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33395 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33396 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33397 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33398 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33399 @end smallexample
33400
33401 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33402 @findex -info-os
33403
33404 @subsubheading Synopsis
33405
33406 @smallexample
33407 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
33408 @end smallexample
33409
33410 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33411 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33412 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33413 of data of that type.
33414
33415 The types of information available depend on the target operating
33416 system.
33417
33418 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33419
33420 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33421
33422 @subsubheading Example
33423
33424 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33425 like this:
33426
33427 @smallexample
33428 @value{GDBP}
33429 -info-os
33430 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
33431 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33432 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33433 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33434 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
33435 col2="CPUs"@},
33436 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33437 col2="File descriptors"@},
33438 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33439 col2="Kernel modules"@},
33440 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33441 col2="Message queues"@},
33442 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33443 col2="Processes"@},
33444 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33445 col2="Process groups"@},
33446 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33447 col2="Semaphores"@},
33448 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33449 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33450 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33451 col2="Sockets"@},
33452 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33453 col2="Threads"@}]
33454 @value{GDBP}
33455 -info-os processes
33456 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33457 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33458 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33459 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33460 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33461 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33462 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33463 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33464 ...
33465 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33466 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33467 (gdb)
33468 @end smallexample
33469
33470 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33471 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33472 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33473 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33474 @code{info os} omits it.)
33475
33476 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33477 @findex -add-inferior
33478
33479 @subheading Synopsis
33480
33481 @smallexample
33482 -add-inferior
33483 @end smallexample
33484
33485 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33486 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33487 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33488 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33489 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
33490 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33491
33492 @subheading Example
33493
33494 @smallexample
33495 @value{GDBP}
33496 -add-inferior
33497 ^done,inferior="i3"
33498 @end smallexample
33499
33500 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33501 @findex -interpreter-exec
33502
33503 @subheading Synopsis
33504
33505 @smallexample
33506 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33507 @end smallexample
33508 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33509
33510 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33511
33512 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33513
33514 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33515
33516 @subheading Example
33517
33518 @smallexample
33519 (gdb)
33520 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
33521 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33522 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33523 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33524 ^done
33525 (gdb)
33526 @end smallexample
33527
33528 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33529 @findex -inferior-tty-set
33530
33531 @subheading Synopsis
33532
33533 @smallexample
33534 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33535 @end smallexample
33536
33537 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33538
33539 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33540
33541 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33542
33543 @subheading Example
33544
33545 @smallexample
33546 (gdb)
33547 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33548 ^done
33549 (gdb)
33550 @end smallexample
33551
33552 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33553 @findex -inferior-tty-show
33554
33555 @subheading Synopsis
33556
33557 @smallexample
33558 -inferior-tty-show
33559 @end smallexample
33560
33561 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33562
33563 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33564
33565 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33566
33567 @subheading Example
33568
33569 @smallexample
33570 (gdb)
33571 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33572 ^done
33573 (gdb)
33574 -inferior-tty-show
33575 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33576 (gdb)
33577 @end smallexample
33578
33579 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33580 @findex -enable-timings
33581
33582 @subheading Synopsis
33583
33584 @smallexample
33585 -enable-timings [yes | no]
33586 @end smallexample
33587
33588 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33589 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33590 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33591 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33592
33593 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33594
33595 No equivalent.
33596
33597 @subheading Example
33598
33599 @smallexample
33600 (gdb)
33601 -enable-timings
33602 ^done
33603 (gdb)
33604 -break-insert main
33605 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33606 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33607 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33608 times="0"@},
33609 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33610 (gdb)
33611 -enable-timings no
33612 ^done
33613 (gdb)
33614 -exec-run
33615 ^running
33616 (gdb)
33617 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33618 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33619 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33620 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
33621 (gdb)
33622 @end smallexample
33623
33624 @node Annotations
33625 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33626
33627 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33628 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33629 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33630 relatively high level.
33631
33632 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33633 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
33634
33635 @ignore
33636 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
33637 @end ignore
33638
33639 @menu
33640 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
33641 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
33642 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
33643 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
33644 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
33645 * Annotations for Running::
33646 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
33647 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
33648 @end menu
33649
33650 @node Annotations Overview
33651 @section What is an Annotation?
33652 @cindex annotations
33653
33654 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
33655 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
33656 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
33657 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
33658 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
33659 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
33660 cannot contain newline characters.
33661
33662 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
33663 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
33664 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
33665 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
33666 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
33667 means those three characters as output.
33668
33669 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
33670 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
33671 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
33672 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
33673 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
33674 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
33675 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
33676 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
33677 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
33678
33679 @table @code
33680 @kindex set annotate
33681 @item set annotate @var{level}
33682 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
33683 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
33684
33685 @item show annotate
33686 @kindex show annotate
33687 Show the current annotation level.
33688 @end table
33689
33690 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
33691
33692 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33693
33694 @smallexample
33695 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33696 GNU gdb 6.0
33697 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33698 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33699 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33700 under certain conditions.
33701 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33702 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33703 for details.
33704 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33705
33706 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33707 (@value{GDBP})
33708 ^Z^Zprompt
33709 @kbd{quit}
33710
33711 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33712 $
33713 @end smallexample
33714
33715 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33716 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33717 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33718 output from @value{GDBN}.
33719
33720 @node Server Prefix
33721 @section The Server Prefix
33722 @cindex server prefix
33723
33724 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33725 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33726 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33727 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33728 a transparent manner.
33729
33730 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33731 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33732 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33733 @code{print} command.
33734
33735 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33736 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33737
33738 @node Prompting
33739 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33740
33741 @cindex annotations for prompts
33742 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33743 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33744 over, etc.
33745
33746 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33747 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33748 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33749 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33750 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33751 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33752 features the following annotations:
33753
33754 @smallexample
33755 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33756 ^Z^Zprompt
33757 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33758 @end smallexample
33759
33760 The input types are
33761
33762 @table @code
33763 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33764 @findex prompt annotation
33765 @findex post-prompt annotation
33766 @item prompt
33767 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33768
33769 @findex pre-commands annotation
33770 @findex commands annotation
33771 @findex post-commands annotation
33772 @item commands
33773 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33774 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33775
33776 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33777 @findex overload-choice annotation
33778 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33779 @item overload-choice
33780 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33781
33782 @findex pre-query annotation
33783 @findex query annotation
33784 @findex post-query annotation
33785 @item query
33786 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33787
33788 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33789 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33790 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33791 @item prompt-for-continue
33792 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33793 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33794 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33795 presence of annotations.
33796 @end table
33797
33798 @node Errors
33799 @section Errors
33800 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33801
33802 @findex quit annotation
33803 @smallexample
33804 ^Z^Zquit
33805 @end smallexample
33806
33807 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33808
33809 @findex error annotation
33810 @smallexample
33811 ^Z^Zerror
33812 @end smallexample
33813
33814 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33815
33816 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33817 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33818 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33819 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33820 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33821 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33822 to the top level.
33823
33824 @findex error-begin annotation
33825 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33826
33827 @smallexample
33828 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33829 @end smallexample
33830
33831 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33832 message.
33833
33834 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33835 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33836 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33837
33838 @node Invalidation
33839 @section Invalidation Notices
33840
33841 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33842 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33843 changed.
33844
33845 @table @code
33846 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33847 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33848
33849 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33850 have changed.
33851
33852 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33853 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33854
33855 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33856 deleted a breakpoint.
33857 @end table
33858
33859 @node Annotations for Running
33860 @section Running the Program
33861 @cindex annotations for running programs
33862
33863 @findex starting annotation
33864 @findex stopping annotation
33865 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33866 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33867
33868 @smallexample
33869 ^Z^Zstarting
33870 @end smallexample
33871
33872 is output. When the program stops,
33873
33874 @smallexample
33875 ^Z^Zstopped
33876 @end smallexample
33877
33878 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33879 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33880
33881 @table @code
33882 @findex exited annotation
33883 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33884 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33885 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33886
33887 @findex signalled annotation
33888 @findex signal-name annotation
33889 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33890 @findex signal-string annotation
33891 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33892 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33893 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33894 annotation continues:
33895
33896 @smallexample
33897 @var{intro-text}
33898 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33899 @var{name}
33900 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33901 @var{middle-text}
33902 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33903 @var{string}
33904 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33905 @var{end-text}
33906 @end smallexample
33907
33908 @noindent
33909 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33910 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33911 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
33912 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33913 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33914
33915 @findex signal annotation
33916 @item ^Z^Zsignal
33917 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33918 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33919 terminated with it.
33920
33921 @findex breakpoint annotation
33922 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33923 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33924
33925 @findex watchpoint annotation
33926 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33927 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33928 @end table
33929
33930 @node Source Annotations
33931 @section Displaying Source
33932 @cindex annotations for source display
33933
33934 @findex source annotation
33935 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33936
33937 @smallexample
33938 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33939 @end smallexample
33940
33941 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33942 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33943 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33944 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33945 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33946 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33947 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33948 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33949 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33950 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33951 depend on the language).
33952
33953 @node JIT Interface
33954 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33955 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33956 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33957
33958 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33959 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33960 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33961 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33962
33963 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33964 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33965 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33966 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33967 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33968 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33969
33970 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33971 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33972 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33973 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33974 LLVM JIT.
33975
33976 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33977 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33978 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33979 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33980 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33981 out about additional code.
33982
33983 @menu
33984 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33985 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33986 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33987 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33988 @end menu
33989
33990 @node Declarations
33991 @section JIT Declarations
33992
33993 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33994 implement the interface:
33995
33996 @smallexample
33997 typedef enum
33998 @{
33999 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
34000 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
34001 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
34002 @} jit_actions_t;
34003
34004 struct jit_code_entry
34005 @{
34006 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
34007 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
34008 const char *symfile_addr;
34009 uint64_t symfile_size;
34010 @};
34011
34012 struct jit_descriptor
34013 @{
34014 uint32_t version;
34015 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
34016 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
34017 uint32_t action_flag;
34018 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
34019 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
34020 @};
34021
34022 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
34023 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
34024
34025 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
34026 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
34027 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
34028 @end smallexample
34029
34030 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
34031 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
34032 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
34033
34034 @node Registering Code
34035 @section Registering Code
34036
34037 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
34038
34039 @itemize @bullet
34040 @item
34041 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
34042 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
34043
34044 @item
34045 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
34046 file.
34047
34048 @item
34049 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
34050
34051 @item
34052 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
34053
34054 @item
34055 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
34056 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34057 @end itemize
34058
34059 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
34060 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
34061 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
34062 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
34063
34064 @node Unregistering Code
34065 @section Unregistering Code
34066
34067 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
34068
34069 @itemize @bullet
34070 @item
34071 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
34072
34073 @item
34074 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
34075
34076 @item
34077 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
34078 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34079 @end itemize
34080
34081 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
34082 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
34083
34084 @node Custom Debug Info
34085 @section Custom Debug Info
34086 @cindex custom JIT debug info
34087 @cindex JIT debug info reader
34088
34089 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
34090 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
34091 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34092 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34093 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34094 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34095 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34096 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34097 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34098
34099 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34100 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34101 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34102 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34103 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34104 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34105 compiler.
34106
34107 @menu
34108 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34109 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34110 @end menu
34111
34112 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34113 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34114 @kindex jit-reader-load
34115 @kindex jit-reader-unload
34116
34117 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34118 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34119
34120 @table @code
34121 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34122 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
34123 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34124 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34125 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34126 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34127 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
34128
34129 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34130 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34131 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34132 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34133 @code{jit-reader-load}.
34134
34135 @item jit-reader-unload
34136 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34137
34138 @end table
34139
34140 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34141 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34142 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34143
34144 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34145 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34146
34147 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34148 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34149 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34150 the system include directory.
34151
34152 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34153 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34154 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34155
34156 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34157 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34158
34159 @findex gdb_init_reader
34160 @smallexample
34161 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34162 @end smallexample
34163
34164 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34165
34166 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34167 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34168 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34169 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34170 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34171 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34172
34173 @smallexample
34174 struct gdb_reader_funcs
34175 @{
34176 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34177 int reader_version;
34178
34179 /* For use by the reader. */
34180 void *priv_data;
34181
34182 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34183 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34184 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34185 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34186 @};
34187 @end smallexample
34188
34189 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34190 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34191
34192 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34193 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34194 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34195 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34196 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34197 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34198 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34199 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34200 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34201 target's address space.
34202
34203 @node In-Process Agent
34204 @chapter In-Process Agent
34205 @cindex debugging agent
34206 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34207 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34208 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34209 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34210 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34211 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34212 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34213 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34214 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34215 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34216 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34217 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34218 behavior without interrupting it.
34219
34220 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34221 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34222 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34223 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34224 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34225 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34226 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34227 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34228 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34229
34230 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34231 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34232 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34233 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34234
34235 @anchor{Control Agent}
34236 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34237 debugging with the following commands:
34238
34239 @table @code
34240 @kindex set agent on
34241 @item set agent on
34242 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34243 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34244 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34245 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34246 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34247 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34248
34249 @kindex set agent off
34250 @item set agent off
34251 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34252 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34253
34254 @kindex show agent
34255 @item show agent
34256 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34257 the in-process agent.
34258 @end table
34259
34260 @menu
34261 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
34262 @end menu
34263
34264 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
34265 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
34266 @cindex in-process agent protocol
34267
34268 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34269 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34270 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34271 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34272 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34273 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34274 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34275 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34276 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34277
34278 @menu
34279 * IPA Protocol Objects::
34280 * IPA Protocol Commands::
34281 @end menu
34282
34283 @node IPA Protocol Objects
34284 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34285 @cindex ipa protocol objects
34286
34287 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34288 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34289
34290 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34291 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34292 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34293 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34294
34295 @enumerate
34296 @item
34297 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34298 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34299 @item
34300 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34301 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34302 the other one.
34303 @end enumerate
34304
34305 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34306
34307 @enumerate
34308 @item
34309 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34310 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34311 @anchor{agent expression object}
34312 @item
34313 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34314 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34315 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34316 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
34317 @item
34318 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34319 @anchor{tracepoint object}
34320
34321 @end enumerate
34322
34323 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34324 object:
34325
34326 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34327 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34328 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34329 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34330 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34331 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34332 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34333 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34334 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34335 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34336 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34337 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34338 memory address for collecting.
34339 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34340 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34341 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34342 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34343 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34344 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34345 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34346 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34347 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34348 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34349 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34350 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34351 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34352 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34353 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34354 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34355 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34356 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34357 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34358 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34359 @ref{agent expression object}
34360 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34361 @ref{agent expression object}
34362 @item actions @tab variable
34363 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34364 @end multitable
34365
34366 @node IPA Protocol Commands
34367 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34368 @cindex ipa protocol commands
34369
34370 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34371 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34372
34373 @table @samp
34374
34375 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34376 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34377 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34378 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34379 in IPA finally.
34380
34381 Replies:
34382 @table @samp
34383 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34384 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34385 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34386 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34387 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34388 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34389 @item E @var{NN}
34390 for an error
34391
34392 @end table
34393
34394 @item close
34395 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34396 is about to kill inferiors.
34397
34398 @item qTfSTM
34399 @xref{qTfSTM}.
34400 @item qTsSTM
34401 @xref{qTsSTM}.
34402 @item qTSTMat
34403 @xref{qTSTMat}.
34404 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34405 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34406
34407 Replies:
34408 @table @samp
34409 @item E @var{NN}
34410 for an error
34411 @end table
34412 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34413 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34414 @end table
34415
34416 @node GDB Bugs
34417 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34418 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34419 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34420
34421 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34422
34423 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34424 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34425 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34426 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34427
34428 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34429 information that enables us to fix the bug.
34430
34431 @menu
34432 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34433 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34434 @end menu
34435
34436 @node Bug Criteria
34437 @section Have You Found a Bug?
34438 @cindex bug criteria
34439
34440 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34441
34442 @itemize @bullet
34443 @cindex fatal signal
34444 @cindex debugger crash
34445 @cindex crash of debugger
34446 @item
34447 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34448 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34449
34450 @cindex error on valid input
34451 @item
34452 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34453 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34454 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34455
34456 @cindex invalid input
34457 @item
34458 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34459 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34460 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34461 for traditional practice''.
34462
34463 @item
34464 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34465 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34466 @end itemize
34467
34468 @node Bug Reporting
34469 @section How to Report Bugs
34470 @cindex bug reports
34471 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34472
34473 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34474 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34475 contact that organization first.
34476
34477 You can find contact information for many support companies and
34478 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34479 distribution.
34480 @c should add a web page ref...
34481
34482 @ifset BUGURL
34483 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34484 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34485 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34486 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34487 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34488 be used.
34489
34490 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34491 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34492 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34493 @samp{bug-gdb}.
34494
34495 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34496 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34497 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34498 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34499 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34500 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34501 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34502 bug reports to the mailing list.
34503 @end ifset
34504 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34505 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34506 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34507 @end ifclear
34508 @end ifset
34509
34510 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34511 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34512 fact or leave it out, state it!
34513
34514 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34515 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34516 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34517 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34518 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34519 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34520 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34521 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34522 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34523
34524 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34525 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34526 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34527 self-contained.
34528
34529 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34530 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34531 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34532 bugs properly.
34533
34534 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34535
34536 @itemize @bullet
34537 @item
34538 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34539 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34540 version}.
34541
34542 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34543 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34544
34545 @item
34546 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34547 version number.
34548
34549 @item
34550 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
34551 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
34552 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
34553 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
34554
34555 @item
34556 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34557 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34558
34559 @item
34560 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34561 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34562 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34563 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34564 those compilers.
34565
34566 @item
34567 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34568 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34569 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34570 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34571
34572 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34573 and then we might not encounter the bug.
34574
34575 @item
34576 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34577 reproduce the bug.
34578
34579 @item
34580 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34581 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34582
34583 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34584 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34585 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34586 a chance to make a mistake.
34587
34588 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34589 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34590 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34591 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34592 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34593 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34594 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34595 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34596
34597 @pindex script
34598 @cindex recording a session script
34599 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34600 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34601 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34602 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34603
34604 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34605 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34606
34607 @item
34608 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34609 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34610 it by context, not by line number.
34611
34612 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34613 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34614
34615 @end itemize
34616
34617 Here are some things that are not necessary:
34618
34619 @itemize @bullet
34620 @item
34621 A description of the envelope of the bug.
34622
34623 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34624 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34625 changes will not affect it.
34626
34627 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34628 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34629 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34630 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34631
34632 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34633 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34634 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34635 less time, and so on.
34636
34637 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
34638 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
34639
34640 @item
34641 A patch for the bug.
34642
34643 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
34644 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
34645 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
34646 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
34647
34648 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
34649 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
34650 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
34651 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
34652
34653 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
34654 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
34655 help us to understand.
34656
34657 @item
34658 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
34659
34660 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
34661 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
34662 @end itemize
34663
34664 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
34665 @c and consists of the two following files:
34666 @c rluser.texi
34667 @c hsuser.texi
34668 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
34669 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
34670 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
34671 @include rluser.texi
34672 @include hsuser.texi
34673 @end ifclear
34674
34675 @node In Memoriam
34676 @appendix In Memoriam
34677
34678 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
34679 contributors:
34680
34681 @table @code
34682 @item Fred Fish
34683 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
34684 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
34685 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
34686
34687 @item Michael Snyder
34688 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
34689 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
34690 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
34691 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
34692 @end table
34693
34694 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
34695 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
34696
34697 @node Formatting Documentation
34698 @appendix Formatting Documentation
34699
34700 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
34701 @cindex reference card
34702 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34703 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34704 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34705 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34706 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34707 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34708
34709 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34710 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34711
34712 @smallexample
34713 make refcard.dvi
34714 @end smallexample
34715
34716 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34717 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34718 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34719 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34720 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34721
34722 @cindex documentation
34723
34724 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34725 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34726 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34727 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34728 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34729 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34730
34731 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34732 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34733 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34734 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34735 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34736 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34737 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34738 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34739
34740 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34741 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34742 @code{makeinfo}.
34743
34744 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34745 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34746 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34747
34748 @smallexample
34749 cd gdb
34750 make gdb.info
34751 @end smallexample
34752
34753 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34754 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34755 Texinfo definitions file.
34756
34757 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34758 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34759 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34760 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34761 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34762 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34763 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34764
34765 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34766 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34767 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34768 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34769 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34770 directory.
34771
34772 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34773 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34774 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34775 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34776
34777 @smallexample
34778 make gdb.dvi
34779 @end smallexample
34780
34781 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34782
34783 @node Installing GDB
34784 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34785 @cindex installation
34786
34787 @menu
34788 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34789 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34790 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34791 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34792 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34793 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34794 @end menu
34795
34796 @node Requirements
34797 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34798 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34799
34800 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34801 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34802
34803 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34804 @table @asis
34805 @item ISO C90 compiler
34806 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34807 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34808
34809 @end table
34810
34811 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34812 @table @asis
34813 @item Expat
34814 @anchor{Expat}
34815 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34816 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34817 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34818 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34819 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34820 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34821
34822 Expat is used for:
34823
34824 @itemize @bullet
34825 @item
34826 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34827 @item
34828 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34829 @item
34830 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34831 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34832 @item
34833 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34834 @item
34835 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34836 @item
34837 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
34838 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
34839 @end itemize
34840
34841 @item MPFR
34842 @anchor{MPFR}
34843 @value{GDBN} can use the GNU MPFR multiple-precision floating-point
34844 library. This library may be included with your operating system
34845 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34846 @url{http://www.mpfr.org}. The @file{configure} script will search
34847 for this library in several standard locations; if it is installed
34848 in an unusual path, you can use the @option{--with-libmpfr-prefix}
34849 option to specify its location.
34850
34851 GNU MPFR is used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during
34852 expression evaluation when the target uses different floating-point
34853 formats than the host. If GNU MPFR it is not available, @value{GDBN}
34854 will fall back to using host floating-point arithmetic.
34855
34856 @item zlib
34857 @cindex compressed debug sections
34858 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34859 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34860 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34861 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34862 information in such binaries.
34863
34864 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34865 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34866 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34867
34868 @item iconv
34869 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34870 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34871 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34872 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34873
34874 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34875 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34876 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34877 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34878
34879 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34880 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34881 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34882
34883 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34884 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34885 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34886 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34887 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34888 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34889 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34890 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34891 @end table
34892
34893 @node Running Configure
34894 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34895 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34896 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34897 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34898 build the @code{gdb} program.
34899 @iftex
34900 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34901 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34902 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34903 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34904 @end iftex
34905
34906 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34907 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34908 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34909
34910 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34911 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34912
34913 @table @code
34914 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34915 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34916
34917 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34918 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34919
34920 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34921 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34922
34923 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34924 @sc{gnu} include files
34925
34926 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34927 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34928
34929 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34930 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34931
34932 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34933 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34934
34935 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34936 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34937
34938 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34939 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34940 @end table
34941
34942 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34943 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34944 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34945
34946 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34947 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34948 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34949 argument.
34950
34951 For example:
34952
34953 @smallexample
34954 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34955 ./configure @var{host}
34956 make
34957 @end smallexample
34958
34959 @noindent
34960 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34961 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34962 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34963 correct value by examining your system.)
34964
34965 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34966 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34967 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34968 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34969
34970 @need 750
34971 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34972 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34973 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34974
34975 @smallexample
34976 sh configure @var{host}
34977 @end smallexample
34978
34979 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34980 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34981 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34982 @file{configure}
34983 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34984 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34985
34986 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34987 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34988 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34989 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34990 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34991 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34992 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34993 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34994 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34995
34996 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34997 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34998 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34999 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
35000 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
35001
35002 @node Separate Objdir
35003 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
35004
35005 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
35006 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
35007 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
35008 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
35009 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
35010 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
35011 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
35012 program specified there.
35013
35014 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
35015 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
35016 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
35017 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
35018 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
35019 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
35020
35021 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
35022 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
35023
35024 @smallexample
35025 @group
35026 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35027 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
35028 cd ../gdb-sun4
35029 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
35030 make
35031 @end group
35032 @end smallexample
35033
35034 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
35035 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
35036 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
35037 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
35038 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
35039 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
35040
35041 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
35042 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
35043 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
35044 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
35045 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35046
35047 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
35048 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
35049 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
35050 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
35051 You specify a cross-debugging target by
35052 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
35053
35054 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
35055 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
35056 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
35057
35058 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
35059 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
35060 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
35061 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
35062 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
35063
35064 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
35065 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
35066 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
35067 with each other.
35068
35069 @node Config Names
35070 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
35071
35072 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
35073 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
35074 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
35075 of information in the following pattern:
35076
35077 @smallexample
35078 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
35079 @end smallexample
35080
35081 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
35082 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
35083 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
35084
35085 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
35086 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
35087 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
35088 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
35089 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
35090 abbreviations---for example:
35091
35092 @smallexample
35093 % sh config.sub i386-linux
35094 i386-pc-linux-gnu
35095 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
35096 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
35097 % sh config.sub hp9k700
35098 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
35099 % sh config.sub sun4
35100 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
35101 % sh config.sub sun3
35102 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
35103 % sh config.sub i986v
35104 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
35105 @end smallexample
35106
35107 @noindent
35108 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
35109 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
35110
35111 @node Configure Options
35112 @section @file{configure} Options
35113
35114 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
35115 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35116 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35117 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35118
35119 @smallexample
35120 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35121 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35122 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35123 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35124 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35125 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35126 @var{host}
35127 @end smallexample
35128
35129 @noindent
35130 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35131 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35132 @samp{--}.
35133
35134 @table @code
35135 @item --help
35136 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35137
35138 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
35139 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35140 @file{@var{dir}}.
35141
35142 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35143 Configure the source to install programs under directory
35144 @file{@var{dir}}.
35145
35146 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35147 @need 2000
35148 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35149 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35150 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35151 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35152 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35153 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35154 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35155 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35156 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35157 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35158 @var{dirname}.
35159
35160 @item --norecursion
35161 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35162 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35163
35164 @item --target=@var{target}
35165 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35166 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35167 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35168
35169 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35170
35171 @item @var{host} @dots{}
35172 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35173
35174 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35175 @end table
35176
35177 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35178 needed for special purposes only.
35179
35180 @node System-wide configuration
35181 @section System-wide configuration and settings
35182 @cindex system-wide init file
35183
35184 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35185 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35186 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35187
35188 Here is the corresponding configure option:
35189
35190 @table @code
35191 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35192 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35193 @var{file}.
35194 @end table
35195
35196 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35197 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35198
35199 @itemize @bullet
35200 @item
35201 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35202 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35203 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35204 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35205 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35206 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35207
35208 @item
35209 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35210 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35211 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35212 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35213 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35214 @end itemize
35215
35216 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35217 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35218 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35219 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35220 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35221 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35222 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35223 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35224 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35225 reread.
35226
35227 @menu
35228 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
35229 @end menu
35230
35231 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
35232 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
35233 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
35234
35235 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
35236 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
35237 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
35238 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
35239 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
35240 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
35241
35242 The following scripts are currently available:
35243 @itemize @bullet
35244
35245 @item @file{elinos.py}
35246 @pindex elinos.py
35247 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
35248 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
35249 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
35250 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
35251 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
35252 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
35253
35254 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
35255 @pindex wrs-linux.py
35256 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
35257 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
35258 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
35259 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
35260
35261 @end itemize
35262
35263 @node Maintenance Commands
35264 @appendix Maintenance Commands
35265 @cindex maintenance commands
35266 @cindex internal commands
35267
35268 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35269 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35270 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35271 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35272 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35273
35274 @table @code
35275 @kindex maint agent
35276 @kindex maint agent-eval
35277 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35278 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35279 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35280 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35281 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35282 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35283 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35284 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35285 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35286 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35287 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35288 addition and return the sum.
35289 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35290 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35291
35292 @kindex maint agent-printf
35293 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35294 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35295 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35296 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35297 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
35298
35299 @kindex maint info breakpoints
35300 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35301 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35302 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35303 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35304 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35305 is shown:
35306
35307 @table @code
35308 @item breakpoint
35309 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35310
35311 @item watchpoint
35312 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35313
35314 @item longjmp
35315 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35316 @code{longjmp} calls.
35317
35318 @item longjmp resume
35319 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35320
35321 @item until
35322 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35323
35324 @item finish
35325 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35326
35327 @item shlib events
35328 Shared library events.
35329
35330 @end table
35331
35332 @kindex maint info btrace
35333 @item maint info btrace
35334 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
35335
35336 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
35337 @item maint btrace packet-history
35338 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
35339 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
35340 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
35341 recording format.
35342
35343 @table @code
35344 @item bts
35345 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
35346 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
35347
35348 @table @asis
35349 @item Block number
35350 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
35351 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
35352 @item Highest @samp{PC}
35353 @end table
35354
35355 @item pt
35356 For the Intel Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
35357 Intel Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
35358 information is printed:
35359
35360 @table @asis
35361 @item Packet number
35362 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
35363 @item Trace offset
35364 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
35365 @item Packet opcode and payload
35366 @end table
35367 @end table
35368
35369 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
35370 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
35371 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
35372 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
35373 needed.
35374
35375 @kindex maint btrace clear
35376 @item maint btrace clear
35377 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
35378 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
35379
35380 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
35381 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
35382 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
35383 buffer.
35384
35385 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
35386 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
35387 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
35388 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
35389 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
35390 packet history.
35391
35392 @kindex set displaced-stepping
35393 @kindex show displaced-stepping
35394 @cindex displaced stepping support
35395 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35396 @item set displaced-stepping
35397 @itemx show displaced-stepping
35398 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35399 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35400 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35401 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35402 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35403
35404 @table @code
35405 @item set displaced-stepping on
35406 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35407 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35408
35409 @item set displaced-stepping off
35410 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35411 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35412
35413 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35414 @item set displaced-stepping auto
35415 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35416 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35417 architecture supports displaced stepping.
35418 @end table
35419
35420 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
35421 @item maint check-psymtabs
35422 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
35423 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
35424
35425 @kindex maint check-symtabs
35426 @item maint check-symtabs
35427 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
35428
35429 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
35430 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
35431 Expand symbol tables.
35432 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
35433 names matching @var{regexp}.
35434
35435 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
35436 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
35437 @cindex demangler crashes
35438 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
35439 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
35440 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
35441 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
35442 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
35443 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
35444 option to terminate the current session.
35445
35446 @kindex maint cplus first_component
35447 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35448 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35449
35450 @kindex maint cplus namespace
35451 @item maint cplus namespace
35452 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35453
35454 @kindex maint deprecate
35455 @kindex maint undeprecate
35456 @cindex deprecated commands
35457 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35458 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35459 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35460 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35461 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35462 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35463 the replacement as part of the warning.
35464
35465 @kindex maint dump-me
35466 @item maint dump-me
35467 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35468 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35469 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35470 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35471
35472 @kindex maint internal-error
35473 @kindex maint internal-warning
35474 @kindex maint demangler-warning
35475 @cindex demangler crashes
35476 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35477 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35478 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35479
35480 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
35481 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
35482 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
35483 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
35484 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
35485 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
35486 @value{GDBN} session.
35487
35488 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35489 used as the text of the error or warning message.
35490
35491 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35492
35493 @smallexample
35494 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35495 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35496 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35497 debugging may prove unreliable.
35498 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35499 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35500 (@value{GDBP})
35501 @end smallexample
35502
35503 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35504 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35505 @cindex demangler crashes
35506
35507 @kindex maint set internal-error
35508 @kindex maint show internal-error
35509 @kindex maint set internal-warning
35510 @kindex maint show internal-warning
35511 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
35512 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
35513 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35514 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35515 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35516 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35517 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35518 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
35519 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35520 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35521 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35522 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35523 described in the table below.
35524
35525 @table @samp
35526 @item quit
35527 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35528 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35529
35530 @item corefile
35531 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35532 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
35533 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
35534 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
35535 disabled.
35536 @end table
35537
35538 @kindex maint packet
35539 @item maint packet @var{text}
35540 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35541 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35542 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35543 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35544 checksum.
35545
35546 @kindex maint print architecture
35547 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35548 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35549 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35550
35551 @kindex maint print c-tdesc @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35552 @item maint print c-tdesc
35553 Print the target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35554 a C source file. By default, the target description is for the current
35555 target, but if the optional argument @var{file} is provided, that file
35556 is used to produce the description. The @var{file} should be an XML
35557 document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description Format}.
35558 The created source file is built into @value{GDBN} when @value{GDBN} is
35559 built again. This command is used by developers after they add or
35560 modify XML target descriptions.
35561
35562 @kindex maint check xml-descriptions
35563 @item maint check xml-descriptions @var{dir}
35564 Check that the target descriptions dynamically created by @value{GDBN}
35565 equal the descriptions created from XML files found in @var{dir}.
35566
35567 @anchor{maint check libthread-db}
35568 @kindex maint check libthread-db
35569 @item maint check libthread-db
35570 Run integrity checks on the current inferior's thread debugging
35571 library. This exercises all @code{libthread_db} functionality used by
35572 @value{GDBN} on GNU/Linux systems, and by extension also exercises the
35573 @code{proc_service} functions provided by @value{GDBN} that
35574 @code{libthread_db} uses. Note that parts of the test may be skipped
35575 on some platforms when debugging core files.
35576
35577 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
35578 @item maint print dummy-frames
35579 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35580
35581 @smallexample
35582 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35583 @dots{}
35584 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35585 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
35586 58 return (a + b);
35587 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35588 @dots{}
35589 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
35590 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
35591 (@value{GDBP})
35592 @end smallexample
35593
35594 Takes an optional file parameter.
35595
35596 @kindex maint print registers
35597 @kindex maint print raw-registers
35598 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
35599 @kindex maint print register-groups
35600 @kindex maint print remote-registers
35601 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35602 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35603 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35604 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35605 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35606 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35607
35608 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35609 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35610 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35611 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35612 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35613 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35614 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35615 and offsets in the `G' packets.
35616
35617 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35618 write the information.
35619
35620 @kindex maint print reggroups
35621 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35622 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35623 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35624 information.
35625
35626 The register groups info looks like this:
35627
35628 @smallexample
35629 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
35630 Group Type
35631 general user
35632 float user
35633 all user
35634 vector user
35635 system user
35636 save internal
35637 restore internal
35638 @end smallexample
35639
35640 @kindex flushregs
35641 @item flushregs
35642 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
35643
35644 @kindex maint print objfiles
35645 @cindex info for known object files
35646 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
35647 Print a dump of all known object files.
35648 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
35649 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
35650 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
35651
35652 @kindex maint print user-registers
35653 @cindex user registers
35654 @item maint print user-registers
35655 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
35656 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
35657 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
35658 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
35659 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
35660 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
35661 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
35662
35663 @kindex maint print section-scripts
35664 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
35665 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
35666 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
35667 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
35668 matching @var{regexp}.
35669 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
35670 and the full path if known.
35671 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
35672
35673 @kindex maint print statistics
35674 @cindex bcache statistics
35675 @item maint print statistics
35676 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
35677 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
35678 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
35679 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
35680 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
35681 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
35682 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
35683 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
35684 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
35685 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
35686 lengths.
35687
35688 @kindex maint print target-stack
35689 @cindex target stack description
35690 @item maint print target-stack
35691 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
35692 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
35693 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
35694 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
35695 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
35696 address.
35697
35698 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
35699 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
35700
35701 @kindex maint print type
35702 @cindex type chain of a data type
35703 @item maint print type @var{expr}
35704 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
35705 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
35706 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
35707 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
35708 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
35709
35710 @kindex maint selftest
35711 @cindex self tests
35712 @item maint selftest @r{[}@var{filter}@r{]}
35713 Run any self tests that were compiled in to @value{GDBN}. This will
35714 print a message showing how many tests were run, and how many failed.
35715 If a @var{filter} is passed, only the tests with @var{filter} in their
35716 name will by ran.
35717
35718 @kindex "maint info selftests"
35719 @cindex self tests
35720 @item maint info selftests
35721 List the selftests compiled in to @value{GDBN}.
35722
35723 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
35724 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
35725 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
35726 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
35727 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
35728 information.
35729
35730 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
35731 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
35732 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
35733 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
35734 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
35735 always see the disassembly form.
35736
35737 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
35738
35739 @smallexample
35740 (gdb) info addr argc
35741 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
35742 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
35743 @end smallexample
35744
35745 For more information on these expressions, see
35746 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
35747
35748 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
35749 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
35750 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
35751 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
35752 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
35753
35754 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
35755 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
35756 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
35757 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
35758 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
35759 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
35760 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
35761 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
35762 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
35763
35764 @kindex maint set profile
35765 @kindex maint show profile
35766 @cindex profiling GDB
35767 @item maint set profile
35768 @itemx maint show profile
35769 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
35770
35771 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
35772 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
35773 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
35774 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
35775 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
35776 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
35777 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
35778
35779 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
35780 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
35781
35782 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
35783 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
35784 @cindex hardware debug registers
35785 @item maint set show-debug-regs
35786 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
35787 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
35788 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
35789 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
35790 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
35791 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
35792
35793 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
35794 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
35795 @item maint set show-all-tib
35796 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
35797 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
35798 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
35799 command.
35800
35801 @kindex maint set target-async
35802 @kindex maint show target-async
35803 @item maint set target-async
35804 @itemx maint show target-async
35805 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
35806 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
35807 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
35808 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
35809
35810 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
35811 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
35812 @item maint set target-non-stop
35813 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
35814
35815 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
35816 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
35817 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
35818 if supported by the target.
35819
35820 @table @code
35821 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
35822 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
35823 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
35824
35825 @item maint set target-non-stop on
35826 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
35827 does not indicate support.
35828
35829 @item maint set target-non-stop off
35830 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
35831 target supports it.
35832 @end table
35833
35834 @kindex maint set per-command
35835 @kindex maint show per-command
35836 @item maint set per-command
35837 @itemx maint show per-command
35838 @cindex resources used by commands
35839
35840 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
35841 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
35842
35843 @table @code
35844 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
35845 @itemx maint show per-command space
35846 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
35847 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
35848 took, following the command's own output.
35849 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35850 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35851
35852 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
35853 @itemx maint show per-command time
35854 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
35855 for each command.
35856 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
35857 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
35858 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
35859 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
35860 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
35861 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
35862 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
35863 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
35864 spent by the program been debugged.
35865 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35866 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35867
35868 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
35869 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
35870 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
35871 for each command.
35872 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
35873
35874 @enumerate a
35875 @item
35876 number of symbol tables
35877 @item
35878 number of primary symbol tables
35879 @item
35880 number of blocks in the blockvector
35881 @end enumerate
35882 @end table
35883
35884 @kindex maint set check-libthread-db
35885 @kindex maint show check-libthread-db
35886 @item maint set check-libthread-db [on|off]
35887 @itemx maint show check-libthread-db
35888 Control whether @value{GDBN} should run integrity checks on inferior
35889 specific thread debugging libraries as they are loaded. The default
35890 is not to perform such checks. If any check fails @value{GDBN} will
35891 unload the library and continue searching for a suitable candidate as
35892 described in @ref{set libthread-db-search-path}. For more information
35893 about the tests, see @ref{maint check libthread-db}.
35894
35895 @kindex maint space
35896 @cindex memory used by commands
35897 @item maint space @var{value}
35898 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
35899 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35900
35901 @kindex maint time
35902 @cindex time of command execution
35903 @item maint time @var{value}
35904 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
35905 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35906
35907 @kindex maint translate-address
35908 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
35909 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
35910 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
35911 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
35912 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
35913 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
35914 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
35915
35916 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
35917 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
35918 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
35919
35920 @end table
35921
35922 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
35923 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
35924
35925 @table @code
35926 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
35927 @kindex set watchdog
35928 @cindex watchdog timer
35929 @cindex timeout for commands
35930 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
35931 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
35932 reports and error and the command is aborted.
35933
35934 @item show watchdog
35935 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
35936 @end table
35937
35938 @node Remote Protocol
35939 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
35940
35941 @menu
35942 * Overview::
35943 * Packets::
35944 * Stop Reply Packets::
35945 * General Query Packets::
35946 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
35947 * Tracepoint Packets::
35948 * Host I/O Packets::
35949 * Interrupts::
35950 * Notification Packets::
35951 * Remote Non-Stop::
35952 * Packet Acknowledgment::
35953 * Examples::
35954 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
35955 * Library List Format::
35956 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
35957 * Memory Map Format::
35958 * Thread List Format::
35959 * Traceframe Info Format::
35960 * Branch Trace Format::
35961 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
35962 @end menu
35963
35964 @node Overview
35965 @section Overview
35966
35967 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
35968 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
35969 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
35970 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
35971
35972 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
35973 transmitted and received data, respectively.
35974
35975 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
35976 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
35977 @cindex remote serial protocol
35978 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35979 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35980 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35981 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35982 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35983
35984 @smallexample
35985 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35986 @end smallexample
35987 @noindent
35988
35989 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35990 @noindent
35991 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35992 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35993 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35994
35995 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35996 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35997
35998 @smallexample
35999 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36000 @end smallexample
36001
36002 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
36003 @noindent
36004 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
36005 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
36006 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
36007
36008 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
36009 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36010 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
36011 retransmission):
36012
36013 @smallexample
36014 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36015 <- @code{+}
36016 @end smallexample
36017 @noindent
36018
36019 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
36020 once a connection is established.
36021 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
36022
36023 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
36024 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
36025 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
36026 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
36027 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
36028 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
36029 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
36030
36031 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
36032 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
36033 exceptions).
36034
36035 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
36036 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
36037 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
36038 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
36039
36040 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
36041 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
36042 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
36043
36044 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
36045 @anchor{Binary Data}
36046 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
36047 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36048 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36049 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36050 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36051 binary data.
36052
36053 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36054 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36055 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36056 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36057 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36058 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36059 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36060 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36061 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36062 (described next).
36063
36064 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36065 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36066 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36067 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36068 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36069 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36070 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36071 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36072 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36073 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36074 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
36075 3}} more times.
36076
36077 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36078 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36079 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36080 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36081 @samp{0*"00}.
36082
36083 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36084 error number. That number is not well defined.
36085
36086 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36087 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36088 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36089 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
36090 on that response.
36091
36092 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
36093 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
36094 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
36095 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
36096 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
36097 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
36098
36099 @node Packets
36100 @section Packets
36101
36102 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
36103 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
36104 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
36105 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
36106
36107 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
36108 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
36109 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
36110 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
36111 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
36112 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
36113 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
36114 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
36115 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
36116 @var{baz}.
36117
36118 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
36119 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
36120 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
36121 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
36122 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
36123 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
36124 pick any thread.
36125
36126 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
36127 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
36128 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
36129 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
36130 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
36131 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36132 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36133 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36134 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36135 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36136 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36137 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36138 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36139
36140 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36141 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36142 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36143 more information.
36144
36145 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36146 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36147
36148 Here are the packet descriptions.
36149
36150 @table @samp
36151
36152 @item !
36153 @cindex @samp{!} packet
36154 @anchor{extended mode}
36155 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36156 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36157 debugged.
36158
36159 Reply:
36160 @table @samp
36161 @item OK
36162 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36163 @end table
36164
36165 @item ?
36166 @cindex @samp{?} packet
36167 @anchor{? packet}
36168 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36169 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36170 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36171
36172 Reply:
36173 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36174
36175 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36176 @cindex @samp{A} packet
36177 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36178 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36179 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36180
36181 Reply:
36182 @table @samp
36183 @item OK
36184 The arguments were set.
36185 @item E @var{NN}
36186 An error occurred.
36187 @end table
36188
36189 @item b @var{baud}
36190 @cindex @samp{b} packet
36191 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36192 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36193
36194 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36195 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36196 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
36197
36198 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
36199 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
36200 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
36201 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
36202 of view, nothing actually happened.}
36203
36204 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
36205 @cindex @samp{B} packet
36206 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
36207 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
36208
36209 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
36210 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
36211
36212 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
36213 @anchor{bc}
36214 @item bc
36215 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
36216 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36217
36218 Reply:
36219 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36220
36221 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
36222 @anchor{bs}
36223 @item bs
36224 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
36225 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36226
36227 Reply:
36228 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36229
36230 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36231 @cindex @samp{c} packet
36232 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
36233 is omitted, resume at current address.
36234
36235 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36236 packet}.
36237
36238 Reply:
36239 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36240
36241 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36242 @cindex @samp{C} packet
36243 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
36244 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
36245
36246 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36247 packet}.
36248
36249 Reply:
36250 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36251
36252 @item d
36253 @cindex @samp{d} packet
36254 Toggle debug flag.
36255
36256 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
36257 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
36258
36259 @item D
36260 @itemx D;@var{pid}
36261 @cindex @samp{D} packet
36262 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
36263 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
36264 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
36265
36266 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
36267 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
36268 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
36269 big-endian hex string.
36270
36271 Reply:
36272 @table @samp
36273 @item OK
36274 for success
36275 @item E @var{NN}
36276 for an error
36277 @end table
36278
36279 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
36280 @cindex @samp{F} packet
36281 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
36282 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
36283 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
36284
36285 @item g
36286 @anchor{read registers packet}
36287 @cindex @samp{g} packet
36288 Read general registers.
36289
36290 Reply:
36291 @table @samp
36292 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36293 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
36294 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
36295 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
36296 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
36297 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}.
36298
36299 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
36300 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
36301 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
36302 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
36303 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
36304 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
36305 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
36306 have been collected, and both have zero value:
36307
36308 @smallexample
36309 -> @code{g}
36310 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
36311 @end smallexample
36312
36313 @item E @var{NN}
36314 for an error.
36315 @end table
36316
36317 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
36318 @cindex @samp{G} packet
36319 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
36320 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
36321
36322 Reply:
36323 @table @samp
36324 @item OK
36325 for success
36326 @item E @var{NN}
36327 for an error
36328 @end table
36329
36330 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
36331 @cindex @samp{H} packet
36332 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
36333 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
36334 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
36335 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
36336 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
36337 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
36338 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36339
36340 Reply:
36341 @table @samp
36342 @item OK
36343 for success
36344 @item E @var{NN}
36345 for an error
36346 @end table
36347
36348 @c FIXME: JTC:
36349 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
36350 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
36351 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
36352 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
36353 @c described. For example:
36354 @c
36355 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36356 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
36357 @c otherwise returns current registers.
36358 @c
36359 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36360 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
36361 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
36362
36363 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36364 @anchor{cycle step packet}
36365 @cindex @samp{i} packet
36366 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36367 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36368 step starting at that address.
36369
36370 @item I
36371 @cindex @samp{I} packet
36372 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36373 step packet}.
36374
36375 @item k
36376 @cindex @samp{k} packet
36377 Kill request.
36378
36379 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
36380
36381 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
36382 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
36383
36384 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
36385
36386 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
36387 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
36388 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
36389
36390 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
36391 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
36392 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
36393
36394 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
36395 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
36396 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
36397 (@pxref{? packet}).
36398
36399 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36400 @cindex @samp{m} packet
36401 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
36402 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
36403 any particular boundary.
36404
36405 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36406 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36407 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36408 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36409 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36410 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36411 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
36412 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36413
36414 Reply:
36415 @table @samp
36416 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36417 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
36418 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
36419 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36420 @item E @var{NN}
36421 @var{NN} is errno
36422 @end table
36423
36424 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36425 @cindex @samp{M} packet
36426 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
36427 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
36428 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
36429
36430 Reply:
36431 @table @samp
36432 @item OK
36433 for success
36434 @item E @var{NN}
36435 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36436 written).
36437 @end table
36438
36439 @item p @var{n}
36440 @cindex @samp{p} packet
36441 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36442 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36443 register value is encoded.
36444
36445 Reply:
36446 @table @samp
36447 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36448 the register's value
36449 @item E @var{NN}
36450 for an error
36451 @item @w{}
36452 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36453 @end table
36454
36455 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36456 @anchor{write register packet}
36457 @cindex @samp{P} packet
36458 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36459 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36460 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36461
36462 Reply:
36463 @table @samp
36464 @item OK
36465 for success
36466 @item E @var{NN}
36467 for an error
36468 @end table
36469
36470 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36471 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36472 @cindex @samp{q} packet
36473 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
36474 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36475 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36476
36477 @item r
36478 @cindex @samp{r} packet
36479 Reset the entire system.
36480
36481 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36482
36483 @item R @var{XX}
36484 @cindex @samp{R} packet
36485 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36486 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36487
36488 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36489
36490 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36491 @cindex @samp{s} packet
36492 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
36493 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36494
36495 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36496 packet}.
36497
36498 Reply:
36499 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36500
36501 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36502 @anchor{step with signal packet}
36503 @cindex @samp{S} packet
36504 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36505 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36506
36507 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36508 packet}.
36509
36510 Reply:
36511 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36512
36513 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36514 @cindex @samp{t} packet
36515 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36516 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
36517 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
36518
36519 @item T @var{thread-id}
36520 @cindex @samp{T} packet
36521 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36522
36523 Reply:
36524 @table @samp
36525 @item OK
36526 thread is still alive
36527 @item E @var{NN}
36528 thread is dead
36529 @end table
36530
36531 @item v
36532 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36533 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36534
36535 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
36536 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36537 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36538 The process ID is a
36539 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36540 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36541 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36542
36543 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36544 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36545 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36546 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36547 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36548 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36549 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36550 @c stopping or restarting threads.
36551
36552 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36553
36554 Reply:
36555 @table @samp
36556 @item E @var{nn}
36557 for an error
36558 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36559 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36560 @item OK
36561 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36562 @end table
36563
36564 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36565 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36566 @anchor{vCont packet}
36567 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36568
36569 For each inferior thread, the leftmost action with a matching
36570 @var{thread-id} is applied. Threads that don't match any action
36571 remain in their current state. Thread IDs are specified using the
36572 syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}. If multiprocess
36573 extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}) are supported, actions
36574 can be specified to match all threads in a process by using the
36575 @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the @var{thread-id}. An action with no
36576 @var{thread-id} matches all threads. Specifying no actions is an
36577 error.
36578
36579 Currently supported actions are:
36580
36581 @table @samp
36582 @item c
36583 Continue.
36584 @item C @var{sig}
36585 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36586 @item s
36587 Step.
36588 @item S @var{sig}
36589 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36590 @item t
36591 Stop.
36592 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
36593 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
36594 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
36595 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
36596 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
36597 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
36598
36599 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
36600 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
36601 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
36602 jumps to @var{start}).
36603
36604 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
36605 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
36606 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
36607
36608 @end table
36609
36610 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36611 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36612 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
36613
36614 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
36615 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
36616 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
36617 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
36618 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
36619 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
36620 as an implementation detail.
36621
36622 The server must ignore @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, @samp{S}, and
36623 @samp{r} actions for threads that are already running. Conversely,
36624 the server must ignore @samp{t} actions for threads that are already
36625 stopped.
36626
36627 @emph{Note:} In non-stop mode, a thread is considered running until
36628 @value{GDBN} acknowleges an asynchronous stop notification for it with
36629 the @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}).
36630
36631 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
36632 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}).
36633
36634 Reply:
36635 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36636
36637 @item vCont?
36638 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
36639 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
36640
36641 Reply:
36642 @table @samp
36643 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
36644 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
36645 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
36646 @item @w{}
36647 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
36648 @end table
36649
36650 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
36651 @item vCtrlC
36652 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
36653 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
36654 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
36655 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
36656 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
36657 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
36658 variant.
36659
36660 Reply:
36661 @table @samp
36662 @item E @var{nn}
36663 for an error
36664 @item OK
36665 for success
36666 @end table
36667
36668 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
36669 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
36670 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
36671 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
36672
36673 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
36674 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
36675 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
36676 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
36677 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
36678 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
36679 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
36680 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
36681 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36682 packet is received.
36683
36684 Reply:
36685 @table @samp
36686 @item OK
36687 for success
36688 @item E @var{NN}
36689 for an error
36690 @end table
36691
36692 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36693 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
36694 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
36695 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
36696 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
36697 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
36698 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
36699 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
36700 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
36701 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
36702 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
36703 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
36704
36705
36706 Reply:
36707 @table @samp
36708 @item OK
36709 for success
36710 @item E.memtype
36711 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
36712 @item E @var{NN}
36713 for an error
36714 @end table
36715
36716 @item vFlashDone
36717 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
36718 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
36719 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
36720 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
36721 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
36722 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36723 request is completed.
36724
36725 @item vKill;@var{pid}
36726 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
36727 @anchor{vKill packet}
36728 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
36729 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
36730 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
36731 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36732
36733 Reply:
36734 @table @samp
36735 @item E @var{nn}
36736 for an error
36737 @item OK
36738 for success
36739 @end table
36740
36741 @item vMustReplyEmpty
36742 @cindex @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} packet
36743 The correct reply to an unknown @samp{v} packet is to return the empty
36744 string, however, some older versions of @command{gdbserver} would
36745 incorrectly return @samp{OK} for unknown @samp{v} packets.
36746
36747 The @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} is used as a feature test to check how
36748 @command{gdbserver} handles unknown packets, it is important that this
36749 packet be handled in the same way as other unknown @samp{v} packets.
36750 If this packet is handled differently to other unknown @samp{v}
36751 packets then it is possile that @value{GDBN} may run into problems in
36752 other areas, specifically around use of @samp{vFile:setfs:}.
36753
36754 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
36755 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
36756 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
36757 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
36758 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
36759 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
36760 state.
36761
36762 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
36763
36764 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36765
36766 Reply:
36767 @table @samp
36768 @item E @var{nn}
36769 for an error
36770 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36771 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36772 @end table
36773
36774 @item vStopped
36775 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
36776 @xref{Notification Packets}.
36777
36778 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36779 @anchor{X packet}
36780 @cindex @samp{X} packet
36781 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
36782 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
36783 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
36784 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36785
36786 Reply:
36787 @table @samp
36788 @item OK
36789 for success
36790 @item E @var{NN}
36791 for an error
36792 @end table
36793
36794 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36795 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36796 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
36797 @cindex @samp{z} packet
36798 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
36799 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
36800 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
36801
36802 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
36803 separately.
36804
36805 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
36806 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
36807 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
36808 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
36809 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
36810 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
36811
36812 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36813 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36814 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
36815 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
36816 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a software breakpoint at address
36817 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
36818
36819 A software breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
36820 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
36821 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of the
36822 breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm} and
36823 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
36824 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind}
36825 (@pxref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}); if no
36826 architecture-specific value is being used, it should be @samp{0}.
36827 @var{kind} is hex-encoded. @var{cond_list} is an optional list of
36828 conditional expressions in bytecode form that should be evaluated on
36829 the target's side. These are the conditions that should be taken into
36830 consideration when deciding if the breakpoint trigger should be
36831 reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36832
36833 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
36834 for how to best report a software breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
36835
36836 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
36837 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
36838
36839 @table @samp
36840
36841 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36842 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36843 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36844
36845 @end table
36846
36847 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
36848 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36849 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
36850 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
36851 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
36852 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
36853 separators. Each expression has the following form:
36854
36855 @table @samp
36856
36857 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36858 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36859 actual commands expression in bytecode form.
36860
36861 @end table
36862
36863 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
36864 code that contains software breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
36865 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
36866 target, is not defined.}
36867
36868 Reply:
36869 @table @samp
36870 @item OK
36871 success
36872 @item @w{}
36873 not supported
36874 @item E @var{NN}
36875 for an error
36876 @end table
36877
36878 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36879 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36880 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
36881 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
36882 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
36883 address @var{addr}.
36884
36885 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
36886 dependent on being able to modify the target's memory. The
36887 @var{kind}, @var{cond_list}, and @var{cmd_list} arguments have the
36888 same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
36889
36890 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
36891 movement.}
36892
36893 Reply:
36894 @table @samp
36895 @item OK
36896 success
36897 @item @w{}
36898 not supported
36899 @item E @var{NN}
36900 for an error
36901 @end table
36902
36903 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36904 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36905 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
36906 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
36907 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36908 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
36909
36910 Reply:
36911 @table @samp
36912 @item OK
36913 success
36914 @item @w{}
36915 not supported
36916 @item E @var{NN}
36917 for an error
36918 @end table
36919
36920 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36921 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36922 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
36923 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
36924 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36925 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
36926
36927 Reply:
36928 @table @samp
36929 @item OK
36930 success
36931 @item @w{}
36932 not supported
36933 @item E @var{NN}
36934 for an error
36935 @end table
36936
36937 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36938 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36939 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
36940 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
36941 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36942 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
36943
36944 Reply:
36945 @table @samp
36946 @item OK
36947 success
36948 @item @w{}
36949 not supported
36950 @item E @var{NN}
36951 for an error
36952 @end table
36953
36954 @end table
36955
36956 @node Stop Reply Packets
36957 @section Stop Reply Packets
36958 @cindex stop reply packets
36959
36960 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
36961 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
36962 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
36963 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
36964 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
36965 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
36966 @value{GDBN} source code.
36967
36968 In non-stop mode, the server will simply reply @samp{OK} to commands
36969 such as @samp{vCont}; any stop will be the subject of a future
36970 notification. @xref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36971
36972 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
36973 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
36974 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
36975 components.
36976
36977 @table @samp
36978
36979 @item S @var{AA}
36980 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36981 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
36982 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
36983
36984 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
36985 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
36986 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36987 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
36988 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
36989 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
36990 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
36991 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
36992
36993 @itemize @bullet
36994 @item
36995 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
36996 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
36997 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
36998 two-digit hex number.
36999
37000 @item
37001 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
37002 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37003
37004 @item
37005 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
37006 the core on which the stop event was detected.
37007
37008 @item
37009 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
37010 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
37011 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
37012 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
37013
37014 @item
37015 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
37016 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
37017 future.
37018 @end itemize
37019
37020 The currently defined stop reasons are:
37021
37022 @table @samp
37023 @item watch
37024 @itemx rwatch
37025 @itemx awatch
37026 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
37027 hex.
37028
37029 @item syscall_entry
37030 @itemx syscall_return
37031 The packet indicates a syscall entry or return, and @var{r} is the
37032 syscall number, in hex.
37033
37034 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
37035 @item library
37036 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
37037 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
37038 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
37039
37040 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
37041 @item replaylog
37042 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
37043 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
37044 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
37045 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
37046 for more information.
37047
37048 @item swbreak
37049 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
37050 The packet indicates a software breakpoint instruction was executed,
37051 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
37052 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
37053 part must be left empty.
37054
37055 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
37056 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
37057 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
37058 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
37059 address.
37060
37061 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37062 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37063 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37064 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37065 indicating support.
37066
37067 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
37068
37069 @item hwbreak
37070 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
37071 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
37072
37073 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
37074 apply.
37075
37076 @cindex fork events, remote reply
37077 @item fork
37078 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
37079 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
37080 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37081 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
37082 fork events.
37083
37084 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37085 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37086 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37087 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37088 indicating support.
37089
37090 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
37091 @item vfork
37092 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
37093 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
37094 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37095 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
37096 vfork events.
37097
37098 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37099 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37100 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37101 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37102 indicating support.
37103
37104 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
37105 @item vforkdone
37106 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
37107 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
37108 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
37109 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
37110 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
37111
37112 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37113 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37114 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37115 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37116 indicating support.
37117
37118 @cindex exec events, remote reply
37119 @item exec
37120 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
37121 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
37122 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
37123
37124 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
37125 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
37126 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
37127 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
37128 indicating support.
37129
37130 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
37131 @anchor{thread create event}
37132 @item create
37133 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
37134 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
37135 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
37136 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
37137 also the @samp{w} (@pxref{thread exit event}) remote reply below. The
37138 @var{r} part is ignored.
37139
37140 @end table
37141
37142 @item W @var{AA}
37143 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37144 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
37145 applicable to certain targets.
37146
37147 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37148 exited process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37149 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37150 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
37151 hex strings.
37152
37153 @item X @var{AA}
37154 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37155 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
37156
37157 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37158 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37159 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37160 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
37161 hex strings.
37162
37163 @anchor{thread exit event}
37164 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
37165 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
37166
37167 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
37168 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
37169 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
37170 @var{AA} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37171
37172 @item N
37173 There are no resumed threads left in the target. In other words, even
37174 though the process is alive, the last resumed thread has exited. For
37175 example, say the target process has two threads: thread 1 and thread
37176 2. The client leaves thread 1 stopped, and resumes thread 2, which
37177 subsequently exits. At this point, even though the process is still
37178 alive, and thus no @samp{W} stop reply is sent, no thread is actually
37179 executing either. The @samp{N} stop reply thus informs the client
37180 that it can stop waiting for stop replies. This packet should not be
37181 sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions did not support it.
37182 @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an appropriate
37183 @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The remote stub must
37184 also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature indicating
37185 support.
37186
37187 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
37188 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
37189 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
37190 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
37191 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
37192
37193 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
37194 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
37195 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
37196 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
37197 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
37198 system calls.
37199
37200 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
37201 this very system call.
37202
37203 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
37204 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
37205 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
37206 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37207 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
37208 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
37209
37210 @end table
37211
37212 @node General Query Packets
37213 @section General Query Packets
37214 @cindex remote query requests
37215
37216 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
37217 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
37218 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
37219 sending information to and from the stub.
37220
37221 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
37222 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
37223 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
37224 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
37225 conventions:
37226
37227 @itemize @bullet
37228 @item
37229 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
37230 @item
37231 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
37232 letter.
37233 @item
37234 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
37235 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
37236 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
37237 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
37238 @end itemize
37239
37240 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
37241 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
37242 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
37243 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
37244 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
37245 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
37246 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
37247 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
37248 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
37249 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
37250 packet.}.
37251
37252 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
37253 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
37254 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
37255 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37256 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37257
37258 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37259
37260 @table @samp
37261
37262 @item QAgent:1
37263 @itemx QAgent:0
37264 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37265 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37266
37267 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37268 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37269 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37270 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37271 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37272 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37273 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37274 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37275 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37276 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37277 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37278
37279 @item qC
37280 @cindex current thread, remote request
37281 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
37282 Return the current thread ID.
37283
37284 Reply:
37285 @table @samp
37286 @item QC @var{thread-id}
37287 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37288 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37289 @item @r{(anything else)}
37290 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37291 @end table
37292
37293 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37294 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37295 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37296 @anchor{qCRC packet}
37297 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37298 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
37299 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
37300 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
37301
37302 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
37303 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
37304 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
37305 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
37306 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
37307 detect trailing zeros.
37308
37309 Reply:
37310 @table @samp
37311 @item E @var{NN}
37312 An error (such as memory fault)
37313 @item C @var{crc32}
37314 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
37315 @end table
37316
37317 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
37318 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
37319 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
37320 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
37321 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
37322 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
37323 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
37324 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
37325 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
37326 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
37327 randomization.
37328
37329 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37330
37331 Reply:
37332 @table @samp
37333 @item OK
37334 The request succeeded.
37335
37336 @item E @var{nn}
37337 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37338
37339 @item @w{}
37340 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37341 by the stub.
37342 @end table
37343
37344 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37345 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37346 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37347 address space randomization.
37348
37349 @item QStartupWithShell:@var{value}
37350 @cindex startup with shell, remote request
37351 @cindex @samp{QStartupWithShell} packet
37352 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to start the inferior using a
37353 shell program. This is the default behavior on both @value{GDBN} and
37354 @command{gdbserver} (@pxref{set startup-with-shell}). This packet is
37355 used to inform @command{gdbserver} whether it should start the
37356 inferior using a shell or not.
37357
37358 If @var{value} is @samp{0}, @command{gdbserver} will not use a shell
37359 to start the inferior. If @var{value} is @samp{1},
37360 @command{gdbserver} will use a shell to start the inferior. All other
37361 values are considered an error.
37362
37363 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37364 mode}).
37365
37366 Reply:
37367 @table @samp
37368 @item OK
37369 The request succeeded.
37370
37371 @item E @var{nn}
37372 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37373 @end table
37374
37375 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37376 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37377 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37378 actually support starting the inferior using a shell.
37379
37380 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set startup-with-shell}
37381 command; @pxref{set startup-with-shell}.
37382
37383 @item QEnvironmentHexEncoded:@var{hex-value}
37384 @anchor{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
37385 @cindex set environment variable, remote request
37386 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded} packet
37387 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to set environment variables that
37388 will be passed to the inferior during the startup process. This
37389 packet is used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment
37390 variable that has been defined by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{set
37391 environment}).
37392
37393 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
37394 representation of the @var{name=value} format representing an
37395 environment variable. The name of the environment variable is
37396 represented by @var{name}, and the value to be assigned to the
37397 environment variable is represented by @var{value}. If the variable
37398 has no value (i.e., the value is @code{null}), then @var{value} will
37399 not be present.
37400
37401 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37402 mode}).
37403
37404 Reply:
37405 @table @samp
37406 @item OK
37407 The request succeeded.
37408 @end table
37409
37410 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37411 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37412 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37413 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37414 inferior.
37415
37416 This packet is related to the @code{set environment} command;
37417 @pxref{set environment}.
37418
37419 @item QEnvironmentUnset:@var{hex-value}
37420 @anchor{QEnvironmentUnset}
37421 @cindex unset environment variable, remote request
37422 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentUnset} packet
37423 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to unset environment variables
37424 before starting the inferior in the remote target. This packet is
37425 used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment variable that has
37426 been unset by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{unset environment}).
37427
37428 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
37429 representation of the name of the environment variable to be unset.
37430
37431 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37432 mode}).
37433
37434 Reply:
37435 @table @samp
37436 @item OK
37437 The request succeeded.
37438 @end table
37439
37440 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37441 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37442 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37443 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37444 inferior.
37445
37446 This packet is related to the @code{unset environment} command;
37447 @pxref{unset environment}.
37448
37449 @item QEnvironmentReset
37450 @anchor{QEnvironmentReset}
37451 @cindex reset environment, remote request
37452 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentReset} packet
37453 On UNIX-like targets, this packet is used to reset the state of
37454 environment variables in the remote target before starting the
37455 inferior. In this context, reset means unsetting all environment
37456 variables that were previously set by the user (i.e., were not
37457 initially present in the environment). It is sent to
37458 @command{gdbserver} before the @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
37459 (@pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}) and the @samp{QEnvironmentUnset}
37460 (@pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}) packets.
37461
37462 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37463 mode}).
37464
37465 Reply:
37466 @table @samp
37467 @item OK
37468 The request succeeded.
37469 @end table
37470
37471 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37472 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37473 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
37474 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
37475 inferior.
37476
37477 @item QSetWorkingDir:@r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
37478 @anchor{QSetWorkingDir packet}
37479 @cindex set working directory, remote request
37480 @cindex @samp{QSetWorkingDir} packet
37481 This packet is used to inform the remote server of the intended
37482 current working directory for programs that are going to be executed.
37483
37484 The packet is composed by @var{directory}, an hex encoded
37485 representation of the directory that the remote inferior will use as
37486 its current working directory. If @var{directory} is an empty string,
37487 the remote server should reset the inferior's current working
37488 directory to its original, empty value.
37489
37490 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
37491 mode}).
37492
37493 Reply:
37494 @table @samp
37495 @item OK
37496 The request succeeded.
37497 @end table
37498
37499 @item qfThreadInfo
37500 @itemx qsThreadInfo
37501 @cindex list active threads, remote request
37502 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37503 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37504 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37505 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37506 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37507 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37508 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37509 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37510
37511 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37512
37513 Reply:
37514 @table @samp
37515 @item m @var{thread-id}
37516 A single thread ID
37517 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37518 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37519 @item l
37520 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37521 @end table
37522
37523 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37524 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37525 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37526 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37527 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37528 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37529 fields.
37530
37531 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
37532 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
37533 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
37534 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
37535 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
37536
37537 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37538 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37539 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37540 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37541 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37542
37543 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37544 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37545
37546 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37547 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37548 information associated with the variable.)
37549
37550 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37551 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37552 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37553 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37554 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37555 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37556
37557 Reply:
37558 @table @samp
37559 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37560 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
37561 local storage requested.
37562
37563 @item E @var{nn}
37564 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37565
37566 @item @w{}
37567 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37568 @end table
37569
37570 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
37571 @cindex get thread information block address
37572 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
37573 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
37574
37575 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
37576
37577 Reply:
37578 @table @samp
37579 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37580 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
37581 thread information block.
37582
37583 @item E @var{nn}
37584 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
37585 address could not be retrieved.
37586
37587 @item @w{}
37588 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37589 @end table
37590
37591 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
37592 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
37593 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
37594 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
37595 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
37596 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
37597 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
37598
37599 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
37600
37601 Reply:
37602 @table @samp
37603 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
37604 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
37605 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
37606 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
37607 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
37608 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
37609 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
37610 @end table
37611
37612 @item qOffsets
37613 @cindex section offsets, remote request
37614 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
37615 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
37616 image.
37617
37618 Reply:
37619 @table @samp
37620 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
37621 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
37622 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
37623 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
37624 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
37625 segments by the supplied offsets.
37626
37627 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
37628 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
37629 to the @code{Bss} section.}
37630
37631 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
37632 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
37633 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
37634 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
37635 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
37636 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
37637 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
37638 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
37639 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
37640 @end table
37641
37642 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
37643 @cindex thread information, remote request
37644 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
37645 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
37646 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
37647 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
37648
37649 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
37650 (see below).
37651
37652 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
37653
37654 @item QNonStop:1
37655 @itemx QNonStop:0
37656 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
37657 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
37658 @anchor{QNonStop}
37659 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
37660 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
37661
37662 Reply:
37663 @table @samp
37664 @item OK
37665 The request succeeded.
37666
37667 @item E @var{nn}
37668 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37669
37670 @item @w{}
37671 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
37672 the stub.
37673 @end table
37674
37675 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37676 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37677 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
37678 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
37679
37680 @item QCatchSyscalls:1 @r{[};@var{sysno}@r{]}@dots{}
37681 @itemx QCatchSyscalls:0
37682 @cindex catch syscalls from inferior, remote request
37683 @cindex @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
37684 @anchor{QCatchSyscalls}
37685 Enable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}) or disable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:0})
37686 catching syscalls from the inferior process.
37687
37688 For @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}, each listed syscall @var{sysno} (encoded
37689 in hex) should be reported to @value{GDBN}. If no syscall @var{sysno}
37690 is listed, every system call should be reported.
37691
37692 Note that if a syscall not in the list is reported, @value{GDBN} will
37693 still filter the event according to its own list from all corresponding
37694 @code{catch syscall} commands. However, it is more efficient to only
37695 report the requested syscalls.
37696
37697 Multiple @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} packets do not combine; any earlier
37698 @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37699
37700 If the inferior process execs, the state of @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is
37701 kept for the new process too. On targets where exec may affect syscall
37702 numbers, for example with exec between 32 and 64-bit processes, the
37703 client should send a new packet with the new syscall list.
37704
37705 Reply:
37706 @table @samp
37707 @item OK
37708 The request succeeded.
37709
37710 @item E @var{nn}
37711 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37712
37713 @item @w{}
37714 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is not supported by
37715 the stub.
37716 @end table
37717
37718 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote catch-syscalls}
37719 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote catch-syscalls}).
37720 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37721 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37722
37723 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37724 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
37725 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37726 @anchor{QPassSignals}
37727 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
37728 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37729 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37730 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
37731 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
37732 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
37733 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
37734 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
37735 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
37736
37737 Reply:
37738 @table @samp
37739 @item OK
37740 The request succeeded.
37741
37742 @item E @var{nn}
37743 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37744
37745 @item @w{}
37746 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
37747 the stub.
37748 @end table
37749
37750 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
37751 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
37752 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37753 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37754
37755 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37756 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
37757 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
37758 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
37759 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
37760 Others should be silently discarded.
37761
37762 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
37763 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
37764 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
37765 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
37766 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
37767 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
37768 signals.
37769
37770 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
37771 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
37772
37773 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37774 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37775 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
37776 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
37777 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37778
37779 Reply:
37780 @table @samp
37781 @item OK
37782 The request succeeded.
37783
37784 @item E @var{nn}
37785 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37786
37787 @item @w{}
37788 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
37789 by the stub.
37790 @end table
37791
37792 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
37793 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
37794 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37795 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37796
37797 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
37798 @item QThreadEvents:1
37799 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
37800 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
37801 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
37802
37803 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
37804 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
37805 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
37806 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
37807 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
37808 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
37809 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
37810 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
37811 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
37812 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37813
37814 Reply:
37815 @table @samp
37816 @item OK
37817 The request succeeded.
37818
37819 @item E @var{nn}
37820 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
37821
37822 @item @w{}
37823 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
37824 the stub.
37825 @end table
37826
37827 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
37828 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
37829
37830 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
37831 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
37832 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
37833 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
37834 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
37835 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
37836 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
37837 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
37838 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
37839
37840 Reply:
37841 @table @samp
37842 @item OK
37843 A command response with no output.
37844 @item @var{OUTPUT}
37845 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
37846 @item E @var{NN}
37847 Indicate a badly formed request.
37848 @item @w{}
37849 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
37850 @end table
37851
37852 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
37853 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37854 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37855 packets.)
37856
37857 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
37858 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
37859 @ifnotinfo
37860 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
37861 @end ifnotinfo
37862 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
37863 @anchor{qSearch memory}
37864 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
37865 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
37866 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
37867
37868 Reply:
37869 @table @samp
37870 @item 0
37871 The pattern was not found.
37872 @item 1,address
37873 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
37874 @item E @var{NN}
37875 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
37876 @item @w{}
37877 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
37878 @end table
37879
37880 @item QStartNoAckMode
37881 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
37882 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
37883 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
37884 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
37885
37886 Reply:
37887 @table @samp
37888 @item OK
37889 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
37890 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
37891 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
37892 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
37893 @item @w{}
37894 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
37895 @end table
37896
37897 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
37898 @cindex supported packets, remote query
37899 @cindex features of the remote protocol
37900 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
37901 @anchor{qSupported}
37902 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
37903 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
37904 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
37905 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
37906 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
37907 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
37908 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
37909 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
37910 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
37911 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
37912 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
37913 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
37914 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
37915 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
37916
37917 Reply:
37918 @table @samp
37919 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
37920 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
37921 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
37922 possible forms).
37923 @item @w{}
37924 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
37925 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
37926 @end table
37927
37928 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
37929 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
37930 are:
37931
37932 @table @samp
37933 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
37934 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
37935 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
37936 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
37937 @item @var{name}+
37938 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
37939 need an associated value.
37940 @item @var{name}-
37941 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
37942 @item @var{name}?
37943 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
37944 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
37945 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
37946 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
37947 @end table
37948
37949 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
37950 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
37951 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
37952 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
37953 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
37954
37955 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
37956 are defined:
37957
37958 @table @samp
37959 @item multiprocess
37960 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
37961 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37962 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37963 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37964 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
37965
37966 @item xmlRegisters
37967 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
37968 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
37969 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
37970 description.
37971
37972 @item qRelocInsn
37973 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
37974 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37975 instruction reply packet}).
37976
37977 @item swbreak
37978 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
37979 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
37980
37981 @item hwbreak
37982 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
37983 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
37984
37985 @item fork-events
37986 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
37987 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37988 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37989 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37990
37991 @item vfork-events
37992 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
37993 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37994 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37995 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37996
37997 @item exec-events
37998 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
37999 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38000 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38001 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38002
38003 @item vContSupported
38004 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
38005 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
38006 @end table
38007
38008 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38009 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38010 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38011 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38012 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38013 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38014 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38015 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38016 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38017 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38018 all the features it supports.
38019
38020 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38021 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38022
38023 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38024 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38025 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38026 form response.
38027
38028 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38029 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38030 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38031 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38032
38033 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38034 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38035 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38036 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38037 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38038
38039 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38040
38041 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38042 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38043 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38044 @item Feature Name
38045 @tab Value Required
38046 @tab Default
38047 @tab Probe Allowed
38048
38049 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38050 @tab Yes
38051 @tab @samp{-}
38052 @tab No
38053
38054 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38055 @tab No
38056 @tab @samp{-}
38057 @tab Yes
38058
38059 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38060 @tab No
38061 @tab @samp{-}
38062 @tab Yes
38063
38064 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
38065 @tab No
38066 @tab @samp{-}
38067 @tab Yes
38068
38069 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
38070 @tab No
38071 @tab @samp{-}
38072 @tab Yes
38073
38074 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38075 @tab No
38076 @tab @samp{-}
38077 @tab Yes
38078
38079 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38080 @tab No
38081 @tab @samp{-}
38082 @tab Yes
38083
38084 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
38085 @tab No
38086 @tab @samp{-}
38087 @tab Yes
38088
38089 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
38090 @tab No
38091 @tab @samp{-}
38092 @tab No
38093
38094 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38095 @tab No
38096 @tab @samp{-}
38097 @tab Yes
38098
38099 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38100 @tab No
38101 @tab @samp{-}
38102 @tab Yes
38103
38104 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38105 @tab No
38106 @tab @samp{-}
38107 @tab Yes
38108
38109 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38110 @tab No
38111 @tab @samp{-}
38112 @tab Yes
38113
38114 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38115 @tab No
38116 @tab @samp{-}
38117 @tab Yes
38118
38119 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38120 @tab No
38121 @tab @samp{-}
38122 @tab Yes
38123
38124 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38125 @tab No
38126 @tab @samp{-}
38127 @tab Yes
38128
38129 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38130 @tab No
38131 @tab @samp{-}
38132 @tab Yes
38133
38134 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38135 @tab No
38136 @tab @samp{-}
38137 @tab Yes
38138
38139 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38140 @tab No
38141 @tab @samp{-}
38142 @tab Yes
38143
38144 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38145 @tab Yes
38146 @tab @samp{-}
38147 @tab Yes
38148
38149 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38150 @tab Yes
38151 @tab @samp{-}
38152 @tab Yes
38153
38154 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
38155 @tab Yes
38156 @tab @samp{-}
38157 @tab Yes
38158
38159 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
38160 @tab Yes
38161 @tab @samp{-}
38162 @tab Yes
38163
38164 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
38165 @tab Yes
38166 @tab @samp{-}
38167 @tab Yes
38168
38169 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38170 @tab No
38171 @tab @samp{-}
38172 @tab Yes
38173
38174 @item @samp{QCatchSyscalls}
38175 @tab No
38176 @tab @samp{-}
38177 @tab Yes
38178
38179 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38180 @tab No
38181 @tab @samp{-}
38182 @tab Yes
38183
38184 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38185 @tab No
38186 @tab @samp{-}
38187 @tab Yes
38188
38189 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38190 @tab No
38191 @tab @samp{-}
38192 @tab No
38193
38194 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38195 @tab No
38196 @tab @samp{-}
38197 @tab No
38198
38199 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38200 @tab No
38201 @tab @samp{-}
38202 @tab No
38203
38204 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
38205 @tab No
38206 @tab @samp{-}
38207 @tab No
38208
38209 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
38210 @tab No
38211 @tab @samp{-}
38212 @tab No
38213
38214 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
38215 @tab No
38216 @tab @samp{-}
38217 @tab No
38218
38219 @item @samp{QAgent}
38220 @tab No
38221 @tab @samp{-}
38222 @tab No
38223
38224 @item @samp{QAllow}
38225 @tab No
38226 @tab @samp{-}
38227 @tab No
38228
38229 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
38230 @tab No
38231 @tab @samp{-}
38232 @tab No
38233
38234 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
38235 @tab No
38236 @tab @samp{-}
38237 @tab No
38238
38239 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
38240 @tab No
38241 @tab @samp{-}
38242 @tab No
38243
38244 @item @samp{tracenz}
38245 @tab No
38246 @tab @samp{-}
38247 @tab No
38248
38249 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
38250 @tab No
38251 @tab @samp{-}
38252 @tab No
38253
38254 @item @samp{swbreak}
38255 @tab No
38256 @tab @samp{-}
38257 @tab No
38258
38259 @item @samp{hwbreak}
38260 @tab No
38261 @tab @samp{-}
38262 @tab No
38263
38264 @item @samp{fork-events}
38265 @tab No
38266 @tab @samp{-}
38267 @tab No
38268
38269 @item @samp{vfork-events}
38270 @tab No
38271 @tab @samp{-}
38272 @tab No
38273
38274 @item @samp{exec-events}
38275 @tab No
38276 @tab @samp{-}
38277 @tab No
38278
38279 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
38280 @tab No
38281 @tab @samp{-}
38282 @tab No
38283
38284 @item @samp{no-resumed}
38285 @tab No
38286 @tab @samp{-}
38287 @tab No
38288
38289 @end multitable
38290
38291 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
38292
38293 @table @samp
38294 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
38295 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
38296 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
38297 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
38298 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
38299 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
38300 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
38301 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
38302 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
38303 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
38304
38305 @item qXfer:auxv:read
38306 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
38307 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
38308
38309 @item qXfer:btrace:read
38310 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38311 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
38312
38313 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
38314 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
38315 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
38316
38317 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
38318 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
38319 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
38320
38321 @item qXfer:features:read
38322 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
38323 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
38324
38325 @item qXfer:libraries:read
38326 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
38327 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
38328
38329 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
38330 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38331 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38332
38333 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
38334 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
38335 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38336 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38337
38338 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
38339 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
38340 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
38341
38342 @item qXfer:sdata:read
38343 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
38344 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
38345
38346 @item qXfer:spu:read
38347 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
38348 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
38349
38350 @item qXfer:spu:write
38351 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
38352 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
38353
38354 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
38355 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
38356 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
38357
38358 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
38359 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
38360 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
38361
38362 @item qXfer:threads:read
38363 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38364 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
38365
38366 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
38367 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38368 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
38369
38370 @item qXfer:uib:read
38371 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38372 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
38373
38374 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
38375 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38376 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
38377
38378 @item QNonStop
38379 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
38380 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
38381
38382 @item QCatchSyscalls
38383 The remote stub understands the @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
38384 (@pxref{QCatchSyscalls}).
38385
38386 @item QPassSignals
38387 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38388 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
38389
38390 @item QStartNoAckMode
38391 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
38392 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
38393
38394 @item multiprocess
38395 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
38396 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
38397 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
38398 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
38399 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
38400 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
38401 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
38402 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
38403 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
38404 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
38405 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
38406
38407 @item qXfer:osdata:read
38408 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
38409 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
38410
38411 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
38412 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
38413 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
38414 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
38415
38416 @item ConditionalTracepoints
38417 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
38418 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
38419
38420 @item ReverseContinue
38421 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
38422 (@pxref{bc}).
38423
38424 @item ReverseStep
38425 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
38426 (@pxref{bs}).
38427
38428 @item TracepointSource
38429 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
38430 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
38431
38432 @item QAgent
38433 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
38434
38435 @item QAllow
38436 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
38437
38438 @item QDisableRandomization
38439 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
38440
38441 @item StaticTracepoint
38442 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
38443 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
38444
38445 @item InstallInTrace
38446 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
38447 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
38448
38449 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
38450 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
38451 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
38452 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
38453
38454 @item QTBuffer:size
38455 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
38456 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
38457
38458 @item tracenz
38459 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
38460 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
38461 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
38462
38463 @item BreakpointCommands
38464 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
38465 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
38466 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
38467
38468 @item Qbtrace:off
38469 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
38470
38471 @item Qbtrace:bts
38472 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
38473
38474 @item Qbtrace:pt
38475 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
38476
38477 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
38478 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
38479
38480 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
38481 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
38482
38483 @item swbreak
38484 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
38485 breakpoints.
38486
38487 @item hwbreak
38488 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
38489 breakpoints.
38490
38491 @item fork-events
38492 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
38493
38494 @item vfork-events
38495 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
38496 and vforkdone events.
38497
38498 @item exec-events
38499 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
38500
38501 @item vContSupported
38502 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
38503 @samp{vCont?} packet.
38504
38505 @item QThreadEvents
38506 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
38507
38508 @item no-resumed
38509 The remote stub reports the @samp{N} stop reply.
38510
38511 @end table
38512
38513 @item qSymbol::
38514 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
38515 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
38516 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
38517 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
38518
38519 Reply:
38520 @table @samp
38521 @item OK
38522 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38523 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38524 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
38525 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
38526 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
38527 below.
38528 @end table
38529
38530 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
38531 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
38532
38533 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
38534 target has previously requested.
38535
38536 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
38537 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
38538 will be empty.
38539
38540 Reply:
38541 @table @samp
38542 @item OK
38543 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38544 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38545 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
38546 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
38547 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
38548 @end table
38549
38550 @item qTBuffer
38551 @itemx QTBuffer
38552 @itemx QTDisconnected
38553 @itemx QTDP
38554 @itemx QTDPsrc
38555 @itemx QTDV
38556 @itemx qTfP
38557 @itemx qTfV
38558 @itemx QTFrame
38559 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
38560
38561 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38562
38563 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
38564 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
38565 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
38566 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
38567 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
38568 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
38569 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
38570 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
38571 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
38572 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
38573 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
38574
38575 Reply:
38576 @table @samp
38577 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38578 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
38579 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
38580 the thread's attributes.
38581 @end table
38582
38583 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
38584 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38585 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38586 packets.)
38587
38588 @item QTNotes
38589 @itemx qTP
38590 @itemx QTSave
38591 @itemx qTsP
38592 @itemx qTsV
38593 @itemx QTStart
38594 @itemx QTStop
38595 @itemx QTEnable
38596 @itemx QTDisable
38597 @itemx QTinit
38598 @itemx QTro
38599 @itemx qTStatus
38600 @itemx qTV
38601 @itemx qTfSTM
38602 @itemx qTsSTM
38603 @itemx qTSTMat
38604 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38605
38606 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38607 @cindex read special object, remote request
38608 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
38609 @anchor{qXfer read}
38610 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
38611 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
38612 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
38613 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
38614 additional details about what data to access.
38615
38616 Reply:
38617 @table @samp
38618 @item m @var{data}
38619 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
38620 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
38621 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
38622 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
38623 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
38624 request.
38625
38626 @item l @var{data}
38627 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
38628 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
38629 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
38630
38631 @item l
38632 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
38633 There is no more data to be read.
38634
38635 @item E00
38636 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38637
38638 @item E @var{nn}
38639 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
38640 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38641
38642 @item @w{}
38643 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
38644 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
38645 @end table
38646
38647 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
38648 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38649 formats, listed above.
38650
38651 @table @samp
38652 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38653 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
38654 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
38655 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
38656
38657 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38658 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38659
38660 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38661 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
38662
38663 Return a description of the current branch trace.
38664 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
38665 packet may have one of the following values:
38666
38667 @table @code
38668 @item all
38669 Returns all available branch trace.
38670
38671 @item new
38672 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
38673 the last read request.
38674
38675 @item delta
38676 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
38677 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
38678 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
38679 used to stitch traces together.
38680
38681 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
38682 @end table
38683
38684 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
38685 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38686
38687 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38688 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
38689
38690 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
38691 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
38692
38693 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
38694 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38695
38696 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38697 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
38698 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
38699 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
38700 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
38701 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
38702 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
38703
38704 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38705 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38706
38707 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38708 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
38709 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
38710 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
38711 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
38712
38713 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38714 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38715
38716 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38717 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
38718 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
38719 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38720 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38721
38722 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
38723 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
38724 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
38725
38726 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38727 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38728
38729 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38730 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
38731 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
38732 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
38733 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
38734 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
38735 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38736 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
38737
38738 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
38739 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
38740
38741 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38742 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38743
38744 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
38745 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
38746 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
38747 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
38748
38749 @table @code
38750 @item start=@var{address}
38751 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
38752 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
38753 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
38754 chosen as the starting point.
38755
38756 @item prev=@var{address}
38757 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
38758 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
38759 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
38760 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
38761 exists prior to the starting point.
38762
38763 @end table
38764
38765 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
38766 ignored.
38767
38768 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38769 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
38770 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
38771 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38772 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38773
38774 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38775 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38776
38777 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38778 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
38779
38780 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
38781 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
38782 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
38783 Action Lists}.
38784
38785 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38786 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38787 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38788
38789 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38790 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
38791 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
38792 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38793 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38794
38795 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38796 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38797 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38798
38799 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38800 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
38801 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38802 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
38803 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38804 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38805 in that context to be accessed.
38806
38807 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38808 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38809 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38810
38811 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38812 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
38813 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
38814 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38815 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38816
38817 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38818 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38819
38820 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38821 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
38822
38823 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
38824 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
38825 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38826
38827 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38828 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38829
38830 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38831 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
38832
38833 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
38834 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
38835
38836 This packet is not probed by default.
38837
38838 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38839 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
38840 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
38841 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
38842 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
38843
38844 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38845 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38846
38847 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38848 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
38849 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
38850 @xref{Operating System Information}.
38851
38852 @end table
38853
38854 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38855 @cindex write data into object, remote request
38856 @anchor{qXfer write}
38857 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
38858 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
38859 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
38860 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
38861 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
38862 to access.
38863
38864 Reply:
38865 @table @samp
38866 @item @var{nn}
38867 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
38868 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
38869
38870 @item E00
38871 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38872
38873 @item E @var{nn}
38874 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
38875 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38876
38877 @item @w{}
38878 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
38879 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
38880 @end table
38881
38882 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
38883 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38884 formats, listed above.
38885
38886 @table @samp
38887 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38888 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
38889 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
38890 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38891 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
38892
38893 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38894 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38895 (@pxref{qSupported}).
38896
38897 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38898 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
38899 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38900 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
38901 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38902 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38903 in that context to be accessed.
38904
38905 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38906 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38907 @end table
38908
38909 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
38910 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
38911 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
38912 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
38913 must respond with an empty packet.
38914
38915 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
38916 @cindex query attached, remote request
38917 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
38918 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
38919 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
38920 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
38921 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
38922 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
38923 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
38924
38925 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
38926 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
38927 the @code{quit} command.
38928
38929 Reply:
38930 @table @samp
38931 @item 1
38932 The remote server attached to an existing process.
38933 @item 0
38934 The remote server created a new process.
38935 @item E @var{NN}
38936 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38937 @end table
38938
38939 @item Qbtrace:bts
38940 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
38941
38942 Reply:
38943 @table @samp
38944 @item OK
38945 Branch tracing has been enabled.
38946 @item E.errtext
38947 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38948 @end table
38949
38950 @item Qbtrace:pt
38951 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel Processor Trace.
38952
38953 Reply:
38954 @table @samp
38955 @item OK
38956 Branch tracing has been enabled.
38957 @item E.errtext
38958 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38959 @end table
38960
38961 @item Qbtrace:off
38962 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
38963
38964 Reply:
38965 @table @samp
38966 @item OK
38967 Branch tracing has been disabled.
38968 @item E.errtext
38969 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38970 @end table
38971
38972 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
38973 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
38974 btrace recording method in bts format.
38975
38976 Reply:
38977 @table @samp
38978 @item OK
38979 The ring buffer size has been set.
38980 @item E.errtext
38981 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38982 @end table
38983
38984 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
38985 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
38986 btrace recording method in pt format.
38987
38988 Reply:
38989 @table @samp
38990 @item OK
38991 The ring buffer size has been set.
38992 @item E.errtext
38993 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38994 @end table
38995
38996 @end table
38997
38998 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38999 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39000
39001 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39002 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39003 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39004
39005 @menu
39006 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39007 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39008 @end menu
39009
39010 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39011 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39012
39013 @menu
39014 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39015 @end menu
39016
39017 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39018 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39019 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39020
39021 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39022
39023 @table @r
39024
39025 @item 2
39026 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39027
39028 @item 3
39029 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39030
39031 @item 4
39032 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39033
39034 @end table
39035
39036 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39037 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39038
39039 @menu
39040 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39041 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39042 @end menu
39043
39044 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39045 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39046 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39047
39048 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39049 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39050 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39051 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39052 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39053 most-significant -- least-significant.
39054
39055 @table @r
39056
39057 @item MIPS32
39058 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39059 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39060 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39061
39062 @item MIPS64
39063 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39064 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39065 as @code{MIPS32}.
39066
39067 @end table
39068
39069 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39070 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39071 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39072
39073 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39074
39075 @table @r
39076
39077 @item 2
39078 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39079
39080 @item 3
39081 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39082
39083 @item 4
39084 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39085
39086 @item 5
39087 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39088
39089 @end table
39090
39091 @node Tracepoint Packets
39092 @section Tracepoint Packets
39093 @cindex tracepoint packets
39094 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39095
39096 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39097 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39098
39099 @table @samp
39100
39101 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39102 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39103 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39104 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39105 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
39106 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39107 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39108 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39109 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39110 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39111 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39112 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39113 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39114 actions.
39115
39116 Replies:
39117 @table @samp
39118 @item OK
39119 The packet was understood and carried out.
39120 @item qRelocInsn
39121 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39122 @item @w{}
39123 The packet was not recognized.
39124 @end table
39125
39126 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39127 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
39128 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39129 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39130 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39131 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39132 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39133
39134 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39135 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39136 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39137 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39138 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39139 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39140 tracepoint actions.
39141
39142 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39143 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39144 following forms:
39145
39146 @table @samp
39147
39148 @item R @var{mask}
39149 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
39150 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39151 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39152 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39153 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39154
39155 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39156 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39157 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39158 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39159 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39160 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39161 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39162
39163 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39164 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39165 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
39166 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39167 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39168 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39169 packet).
39170
39171 @end table
39172
39173 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39174 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39175 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39176 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39177 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39178 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39179 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39180 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39181
39182 Replies:
39183 @table @samp
39184 @item OK
39185 The packet was understood and carried out.
39186 @item qRelocInsn
39187 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39188 @item @w{}
39189 The packet was not recognized.
39190 @end table
39191
39192 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39193 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39194 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39195 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39196 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
39197 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39198 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39199 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39200
39201 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39202 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39203 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39204 fit in a single packet.
39205 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39206 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39207
39208 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39209 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39210 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39211 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39212
39213 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39214 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39215 query packets.
39216
39217 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39218 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39219 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39220 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39221 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39222 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39223 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39224 be found.
39225
39226 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
39227 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39228 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39229 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39230 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39231 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39232 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39233 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39234 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
39235 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
39236 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
39237 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
39238 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
39239 variable.
39240
39241 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39242 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39243 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39244 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39245 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39246
39247 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39248 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39249 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39250 one of the following forms:
39251
39252 @table @samp
39253 @item F @var{f}
39254 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39255 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39256 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39257
39258 @item T @var{t}
39259 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39260 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39261
39262 @end table
39263
39264 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39265 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39266 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39267 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39268
39269 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39270 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39271 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39272 is a hexadecimal number.
39273
39274 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39275 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39276 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39277 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39278 numbers.
39279
39280 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39281 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39282 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39283
39284 @item qTMinFTPILen
39285 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39286 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39287 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39288 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39289 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39290 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39291 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39292 arrange for that.
39293
39294 Replies:
39295
39296 @table @samp
39297 @item 0
39298 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39299 @item @var{length}
39300 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
39301 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
39302 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
39303 regardless of size.
39304 @item E
39305 An error has occurred.
39306 @item @w{}
39307 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39308 @end table
39309
39310 @item QTStart
39311 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39312 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39313 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39314 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39315 instruction reply packet}).
39316
39317 @item QTStop
39318 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39319 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39320
39321 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39322 @anchor{QTEnable}
39323 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39324 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39325 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39326 of data from it will resume.
39327
39328 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39329 @anchor{QTDisable}
39330 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39331 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39332 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39333 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39334
39335 @item QTinit
39336 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39337 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39338
39339 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39340 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39341 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39342 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39343 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39344
39345 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39346 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39347 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39348 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39349
39350 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39351 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39352 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39353 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39354 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39355 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39356
39357 @item qTStatus
39358 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
39359 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
39360
39361 The reply has the form:
39362
39363 @table @samp
39364
39365 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
39366 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
39367 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
39368 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
39369
39370 @end table
39371
39372 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
39373 explanations as one of the optional fields:
39374
39375 @table @samp
39376
39377 @item tnotrun:0
39378 No trace has been run yet.
39379
39380 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
39381 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
39382 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
39383 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
39384 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
39385
39386 @item tfull:0
39387 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
39388
39389 @item tdisconnected:0
39390 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
39391
39392 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
39393 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
39394
39395 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
39396 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
39397 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
39398 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
39399 is hex encoded.
39400
39401 @item tunknown:0
39402 The trace stopped for some other reason.
39403
39404 @end table
39405
39406 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
39407 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
39408 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
39409 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
39410 trace.
39411
39412 @table @samp
39413
39414 @item tframes:@var{n}
39415 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
39416
39417 @item tcreated:@var{n}
39418 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
39419 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
39420
39421 @item tsize:@var{n}
39422 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
39423
39424 @item tfree:@var{n}
39425 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
39426
39427 @item circular:@var{n}
39428 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
39429 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
39430 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
39431 and may fill up.
39432
39433 @item disconn:@var{n}
39434 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
39435 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
39436 that the trace run will stop.
39437
39438 @end table
39439
39440 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
39441 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
39442 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
39443 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
39444 address @var{addr}.
39445
39446 Replies:
39447 @table @samp
39448 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
39449 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
39450 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
39451 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
39452 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
39453
39454 @end table
39455
39456 @item qTV:@var{var}
39457 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
39458 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
39459 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
39460
39461 Replies:
39462 @table @samp
39463 @item V@var{value}
39464 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
39465 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
39466 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
39467 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
39468 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
39469 program is running.
39470
39471 @item U
39472 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
39473 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
39474 was not collected.
39475 @end table
39476
39477 @item qTfP
39478 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
39479 @itemx qTsP
39480 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
39481 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
39482 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
39483 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
39484 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
39485 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
39486
39487 @item qTfV
39488 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
39489 @itemx qTsV
39490 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
39491 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
39492 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
39493 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
39494 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
39495 trace state variables.
39496
39497 @item qTfSTM
39498 @itemx qTsSTM
39499 @anchor{qTfSTM}
39500 @anchor{qTsSTM}
39501 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
39502 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
39503 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
39504 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
39505 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
39506 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
39507
39508 Reply:
39509 @table @samp
39510 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
39511 A single marker
39512 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
39513 a comma-separated list of markers
39514 @item l
39515 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39516 @item E @var{nn}
39517 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39518 @item @w{}
39519 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
39520 stub.
39521 @end table
39522
39523 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
39524 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
39525
39526 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39527 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
39528 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
39529 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
39530 @dfn{last}).
39531
39532 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
39533 @anchor{qTSTMat}
39534 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
39535 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
39536 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
39537 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
39538 tracepoint markers.
39539
39540 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
39541 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
39542 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
39543 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
39544 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
39545 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
39546
39547 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
39548 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
39549 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
39550 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
39551 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
39552 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
39553 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
39554 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
39555 available.
39556
39557 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
39558 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
39559 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
39560
39561 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
39562 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
39563 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
39564 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
39565 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
39566 use whatever size it prefers.
39567
39568 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
39569 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
39570 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
39571 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
39572 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
39573
39574 @end table
39575
39576 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
39577 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
39578 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
39579 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
39580 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
39581 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
39582 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
39583 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
39584 it had executed in the original location.
39585
39586 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
39587 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
39588 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
39589 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
39590 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
39591 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
39592 format of the request is:
39593
39594 @table @samp
39595 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
39596
39597 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
39598 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
39599 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
39600 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
39601 memory starting at @var{to}.
39602 @end table
39603
39604 Replies:
39605 @table @samp
39606 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
39607 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
39608 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
39609 @item E @var{NN}
39610 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
39611 relocating the instruction.
39612 @end table
39613
39614 @node Host I/O Packets
39615 @section Host I/O Packets
39616 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
39617 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
39618
39619 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
39620 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
39621 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
39622 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
39623 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
39624 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
39625 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
39626 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
39627 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
39628 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
39629
39630 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
39631 its arguments. They have this format:
39632
39633 @table @samp
39634
39635 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
39636 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
39637 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
39638 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
39639 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
39640 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
39641 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
39642 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
39643 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
39644
39645 @end table
39646
39647 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
39648
39649 @table @samp
39650
39651 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
39652 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
39653 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
39654 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
39655 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
39656 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
39657 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
39658 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
39659 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
39660 @var{attachment}.
39661
39662 @item @w{}
39663 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
39664
39665 @end table
39666
39667 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
39668
39669 @table @samp
39670 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
39671 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
39672 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
39673 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
39674 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
39675 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
39676 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
39677
39678 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
39679 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
39680 -1 if an error occurs.
39681
39682 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
39683 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
39684 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
39685 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
39686 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
39687 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
39688 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
39689 @var{count} was zero.
39690
39691 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39692 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39693 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39694 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39695 some characters were escaped.
39696
39697 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
39698 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
39699 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
39700 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
39701 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
39702 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
39703 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
39704 error occurred.
39705
39706 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
39707 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
39708 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
39709 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
39710 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
39711 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
39712
39713 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
39714 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
39715 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
39716
39717 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
39718 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
39719 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
39720
39721 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39722 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39723 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39724 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39725 some characters were escaped.
39726
39727 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
39728 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
39729 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
39730 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
39731 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
39732 inferior(s).
39733
39734 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
39735 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
39736 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
39737 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
39738 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
39739 operation.
39740
39741 @end table
39742
39743 @node Interrupts
39744 @section Interrupts
39745 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
39746 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
39747
39748 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
39749 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
39750 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
39751 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
39752
39753 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
39754 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
39755 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
39756 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
39757 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
39758
39759 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
39760 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
39761 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
39762 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
39763 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
39764 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
39765 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
39766 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
39767
39768 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
39769 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
39770 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
39771
39772 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
39773 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
39774 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
39775 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
39776 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
39777 @code{0x03}.
39778
39779 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
39780 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
39781 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
39782 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
39783 currently-executing threads and processes.
39784 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
39785 running program, it should send one of the stop
39786 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
39787 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
39788 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
39789 Interrupts received while the
39790 program is stopped are queued and the program will be interrupted when
39791 it is resumed next time.
39792
39793 @node Notification Packets
39794 @section Notification Packets
39795 @cindex notification packets
39796 @cindex packets, notification
39797
39798 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
39799 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
39800 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
39801 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
39802 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
39803 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
39804 is not a problem.
39805
39806 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
39807 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
39808 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
39809 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
39810 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
39811 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
39812 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
39813
39814 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
39815 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
39816
39817 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
39818 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
39819 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
39820 not they understand it.
39821
39822 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
39823 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
39824 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
39825 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
39826 recipients.
39827
39828 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
39829 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
39830 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
39831 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
39832 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
39833
39834 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
39835 @table @samp
39836 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
39837 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
39838 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
39839 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
39840 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
39841 @item @var{ack}
39842 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
39843 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
39844 @end table
39845
39846 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
39847 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
39848
39849 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
39850 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
39851 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
39852 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
39853 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
39854 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
39855 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
39856 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
39857 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
39858 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
39859
39860 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
39861 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
39862 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
39863 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
39864 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
39865 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
39866
39867 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
39868 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
39869 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
39870 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
39871 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
39872
39873 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
39874 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
39875 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
39876 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
39877 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
39878 normally.
39879
39880 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
39881 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
39882 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
39883 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
39884 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
39885 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
39886 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
39887 the process shall be repeated.
39888
39889 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
39890 following example:
39891 @smallexample
39892 <- @code{%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
39893 @code{...}
39894 -> @code{vStopped}
39895 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
39896 -> @code{vStopped}
39897 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
39898 -> @code{vStopped}
39899 <- @code{OK}
39900 @end smallexample
39901
39902 The following notifications are defined:
39903 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
39904
39905 @item Notification
39906 @tab Ack
39907 @tab Event
39908 @tab Description
39909
39910 @item Stop
39911 @tab vStopped
39912 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
39913 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
39914 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
39915 @value{GDBN}.
39916 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
39917
39918 @end multitable
39919
39920 @node Remote Non-Stop
39921 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
39922
39923 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
39924 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
39925 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
39926 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39927
39928 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
39929 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
39930 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
39931 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
39932 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
39933 probe the target state after a mode change.
39934
39935 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
39936 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
39937 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
39938 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
39939 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
39940 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
39941 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
39942 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
39943 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
39944 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
39945 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
39946
39947 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
39948 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
39949 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
39950 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
39951 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
39952 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
39953 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
39954 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
39955 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
39956 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
39957 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
39958 @samp{OK}.
39959
39960 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
39961 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
39962 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
39963 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
39964 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
39965 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
39966 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
39967 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
39968 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
39969 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
39970 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
39971 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
39972 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
39973
39974 @node Packet Acknowledgment
39975 @section Packet Acknowledgment
39976
39977 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39978 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39979 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
39980 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
39981 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
39982 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
39983 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
39984
39985 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
39986 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
39987 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
39988 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
39989 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
39990
39991 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
39992 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
39993 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
39994 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
39995
39996 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
39997 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
39998 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
39999 @pxref{qSupported}.
40000 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40001 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40002 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40003 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40004 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40005 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40006 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40007
40008 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40009 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40010 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40011 connection.
40012 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40013 new connection is established,
40014 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40015 for the current connection, once disabled.
40016
40017 @node Examples
40018 @section Examples
40019
40020 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40021 does not get any direct output:
40022
40023 @smallexample
40024 -> @code{R00}
40025 <- @code{+}
40026 @emph{target restarts}
40027 -> @code{?}
40028 <- @code{+}
40029 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40030 -> @code{+}
40031 @end smallexample
40032
40033 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40034
40035 @smallexample
40036 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40037 <- @code{+}
40038 -> @code{s}
40039 <- @code{+}
40040 @emph{time passes}
40041 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40042 -> @code{+}
40043 -> @code{g}
40044 <- @code{+}
40045 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40046 -> @code{+}
40047 @end smallexample
40048
40049 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40050 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40051 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40052
40053 @menu
40054 * File-I/O Overview::
40055 * Protocol Basics::
40056 * The F Request Packet::
40057 * The F Reply Packet::
40058 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40059 * Console I/O::
40060 * List of Supported Calls::
40061 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40062 * Constants::
40063 * File-I/O Examples::
40064 @end menu
40065
40066 @node File-I/O Overview
40067 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40068 @cindex file-i/o overview
40069
40070 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40071 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40072 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40073 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40074 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40075 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40076
40077 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40078 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40079 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40080 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40081 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40082
40083 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40084 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40085 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40086 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40087 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40088 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40089 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40090
40091 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40092 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40093 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40094 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40095 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40096
40097 @smallexample
40098 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40099 <- target requests 'system call X'
40100 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40101 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40102 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40103 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40104 @end smallexample
40105
40106 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40107 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40108 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40109 system are not supported by this protocol.
40110
40111 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40112
40113 @node Protocol Basics
40114 @subsection Protocol Basics
40115 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40116
40117 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40118 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40119 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40120 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40121 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40122 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40123 to call the appropriate host system call:
40124
40125 @itemize @bullet
40126 @item
40127 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40128
40129 @item
40130 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40131 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40132 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40133 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40134
40135 @end itemize
40136
40137 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40138
40139 @itemize @bullet
40140 @item
40141 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40142 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40143 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40144 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40145 packet.
40146
40147 @item
40148 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40149 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40150
40151 @item
40152 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40153
40154 @item
40155 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40156
40157 @item
40158 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40159 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40160 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40161 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40162 packet.
40163
40164 @end itemize
40165
40166 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40167 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40168
40169 @itemize @bullet
40170 @item
40171 Return value.
40172
40173 @item
40174 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40175
40176 @item
40177 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
40178
40179 @end itemize
40180
40181 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40182 the latest continue or step action.
40183
40184 @node The F Request Packet
40185 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40186 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40187 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40188
40189 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40190
40191 @table @samp
40192 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40193
40194 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40195 This is just the name of the function.
40196
40197 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40198 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40199 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40200 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40201 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40202 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40203 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40204
40205 @end table
40206
40207
40208
40209 @node The F Reply Packet
40210 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40211 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40212 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40213
40214 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40215
40216 @table @samp
40217
40218 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40219
40220 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40221
40222 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40223 representation.
40224 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40225
40226 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40227 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40228 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40229
40230 @smallexample
40231 F0,0,C
40232 @end smallexample
40233
40234 @noindent
40235 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40236
40237 @smallexample
40238 F-1,4,C
40239 @end smallexample
40240
40241 @noindent
40242 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40243
40244 @end table
40245
40246
40247 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40248 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40249 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40250
40251 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40252 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40253 the target should behave as if it had
40254 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40255 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40256 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40257 packet.
40258
40259 It's important for the target to know in which
40260 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40261
40262 @itemize @bullet
40263 @item
40264 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40265
40266 @item
40267 The system call on the host has been finished.
40268
40269 @end itemize
40270
40271 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40272 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40273 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40274 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40275 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40276 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40277
40278 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40279 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40280 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40281 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40282 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40283 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40284 or the full action has been completed.
40285
40286 @node Console I/O
40287 @subsection Console I/O
40288 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40289
40290 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40291 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40292 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40293 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40294 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40295 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40296 conditions is met:
40297
40298 @itemize @bullet
40299 @item
40300 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40301 @code{read}
40302 system call is treated as finished.
40303
40304 @item
40305 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40306 newline.
40307
40308 @item
40309 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40310 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40311
40312 @end itemize
40313
40314 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40315 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40316 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40317 is stopped at the user's request.
40318
40319
40320 @node List of Supported Calls
40321 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40322 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40323
40324 @menu
40325 * open::
40326 * close::
40327 * read::
40328 * write::
40329 * lseek::
40330 * rename::
40331 * unlink::
40332 * stat/fstat::
40333 * gettimeofday::
40334 * isatty::
40335 * system::
40336 @end menu
40337
40338 @node open
40339 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40340 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40341
40342 @table @asis
40343 @item Synopsis:
40344 @smallexample
40345 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40346 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40347 @end smallexample
40348
40349 @item Request:
40350 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40351
40352 @noindent
40353 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40354
40355 @table @code
40356 @item O_CREAT
40357 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40358 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40359 are concerned.
40360
40361 @item O_EXCL
40362 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40363 an error and open() fails.
40364
40365 @item O_TRUNC
40366 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40367 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40368 truncated to zero length.
40369
40370 @item O_APPEND
40371 The file is opened in append mode.
40372
40373 @item O_RDONLY
40374 The file is opened for reading only.
40375
40376 @item O_WRONLY
40377 The file is opened for writing only.
40378
40379 @item O_RDWR
40380 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40381 @end table
40382
40383 @noindent
40384 Other bits are silently ignored.
40385
40386
40387 @noindent
40388 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40389
40390 @table @code
40391 @item S_IRUSR
40392 User has read permission.
40393
40394 @item S_IWUSR
40395 User has write permission.
40396
40397 @item S_IRGRP
40398 Group has read permission.
40399
40400 @item S_IWGRP
40401 Group has write permission.
40402
40403 @item S_IROTH
40404 Others have read permission.
40405
40406 @item S_IWOTH
40407 Others have write permission.
40408 @end table
40409
40410 @noindent
40411 Other bits are silently ignored.
40412
40413
40414 @item Return value:
40415 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
40416 occurred.
40417
40418 @item Errors:
40419
40420 @table @code
40421 @item EEXIST
40422 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
40423
40424 @item EISDIR
40425 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
40426
40427 @item EACCES
40428 The requested access is not allowed.
40429
40430 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40431 @var{pathname} was too long.
40432
40433 @item ENOENT
40434 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40435
40436 @item ENODEV
40437 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
40438
40439 @item EROFS
40440 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
40441 write access was requested.
40442
40443 @item EFAULT
40444 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
40445
40446 @item ENOSPC
40447 No space on device to create the file.
40448
40449 @item EMFILE
40450 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
40451
40452 @item ENFILE
40453 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
40454 has been reached.
40455
40456 @item EINTR
40457 The call was interrupted by the user.
40458 @end table
40459
40460 @end table
40461
40462 @node close
40463 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
40464 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
40465
40466 @table @asis
40467 @item Synopsis:
40468 @smallexample
40469 int close(int fd);
40470 @end smallexample
40471
40472 @item Request:
40473 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
40474
40475 @item Return value:
40476 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
40477
40478 @item Errors:
40479
40480 @table @code
40481 @item EBADF
40482 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
40483
40484 @item EINTR
40485 The call was interrupted by the user.
40486 @end table
40487
40488 @end table
40489
40490 @node read
40491 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
40492 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
40493
40494 @table @asis
40495 @item Synopsis:
40496 @smallexample
40497 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
40498 @end smallexample
40499
40500 @item Request:
40501 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40502
40503 @item Return value:
40504 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
40505 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
40506 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
40507
40508 @item Errors:
40509
40510 @table @code
40511 @item EBADF
40512 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40513 reading.
40514
40515 @item EFAULT
40516 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40517
40518 @item EINTR
40519 The call was interrupted by the user.
40520 @end table
40521
40522 @end table
40523
40524 @node write
40525 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
40526 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
40527
40528 @table @asis
40529 @item Synopsis:
40530 @smallexample
40531 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
40532 @end smallexample
40533
40534 @item Request:
40535 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40536
40537 @item Return value:
40538 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
40539 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
40540 is returned.
40541
40542 @item Errors:
40543
40544 @table @code
40545 @item EBADF
40546 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40547 writing.
40548
40549 @item EFAULT
40550 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40551
40552 @item EFBIG
40553 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
40554 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
40555
40556 @item ENOSPC
40557 No space on device to write the data.
40558
40559 @item EINTR
40560 The call was interrupted by the user.
40561 @end table
40562
40563 @end table
40564
40565 @node lseek
40566 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
40567 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
40568
40569 @table @asis
40570 @item Synopsis:
40571 @smallexample
40572 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
40573 @end smallexample
40574
40575 @item Request:
40576 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
40577
40578 @var{flag} is one of:
40579
40580 @table @code
40581 @item SEEK_SET
40582 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
40583
40584 @item SEEK_CUR
40585 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
40586 bytes.
40587
40588 @item SEEK_END
40589 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
40590 bytes.
40591 @end table
40592
40593 @item Return value:
40594 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
40595 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
40596 value of -1 is returned.
40597
40598 @item Errors:
40599
40600 @table @code
40601 @item EBADF
40602 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
40603
40604 @item ESPIPE
40605 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
40606
40607 @item EINVAL
40608 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
40609
40610 @item EINTR
40611 The call was interrupted by the user.
40612 @end table
40613
40614 @end table
40615
40616 @node rename
40617 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
40618 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
40619
40620 @table @asis
40621 @item Synopsis:
40622 @smallexample
40623 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
40624 @end smallexample
40625
40626 @item Request:
40627 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
40628
40629 @item Return value:
40630 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40631
40632 @item Errors:
40633
40634 @table @code
40635 @item EISDIR
40636 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
40637 directory.
40638
40639 @item EEXIST
40640 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
40641
40642 @item EBUSY
40643 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
40644 process.
40645
40646 @item EINVAL
40647 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
40648 of itself.
40649
40650 @item ENOTDIR
40651 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
40652 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
40653 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
40654
40655 @item EFAULT
40656 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
40657
40658 @item EACCES
40659 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40660
40661 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40662
40663 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
40664
40665 @item ENOENT
40666 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
40667
40668 @item EROFS
40669 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40670
40671 @item ENOSPC
40672 The device containing the file has no room for the new
40673 directory entry.
40674
40675 @item EINTR
40676 The call was interrupted by the user.
40677 @end table
40678
40679 @end table
40680
40681 @node unlink
40682 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
40683 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
40684
40685 @table @asis
40686 @item Synopsis:
40687 @smallexample
40688 int unlink(const char *pathname);
40689 @end smallexample
40690
40691 @item Request:
40692 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
40693
40694 @item Return value:
40695 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40696
40697 @item Errors:
40698
40699 @table @code
40700 @item EACCES
40701 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40702
40703 @item EPERM
40704 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
40705
40706 @item EBUSY
40707 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
40708 being used by another process.
40709
40710 @item EFAULT
40711 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40712
40713 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40714 @var{pathname} was too long.
40715
40716 @item ENOENT
40717 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40718
40719 @item ENOTDIR
40720 A component of the path is not a directory.
40721
40722 @item EROFS
40723 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40724
40725 @item EINTR
40726 The call was interrupted by the user.
40727 @end table
40728
40729 @end table
40730
40731 @node stat/fstat
40732 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
40733 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
40734 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
40735
40736 @table @asis
40737 @item Synopsis:
40738 @smallexample
40739 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
40740 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
40741 @end smallexample
40742
40743 @item Request:
40744 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
40745 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
40746
40747 @item Return value:
40748 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40749
40750 @item Errors:
40751
40752 @table @code
40753 @item EBADF
40754 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
40755
40756 @item ENOENT
40757 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
40758 path is an empty string.
40759
40760 @item ENOTDIR
40761 A component of the path is not a directory.
40762
40763 @item EFAULT
40764 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40765
40766 @item EACCES
40767 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40768
40769 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40770 @var{pathname} was too long.
40771
40772 @item EINTR
40773 The call was interrupted by the user.
40774 @end table
40775
40776 @end table
40777
40778 @node gettimeofday
40779 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
40780 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
40781
40782 @table @asis
40783 @item Synopsis:
40784 @smallexample
40785 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
40786 @end smallexample
40787
40788 @item Request:
40789 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
40790
40791 @item Return value:
40792 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
40793
40794 @item Errors:
40795
40796 @table @code
40797 @item EINVAL
40798 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
40799
40800 @item EFAULT
40801 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40802 @end table
40803
40804 @end table
40805
40806 @node isatty
40807 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
40808 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
40809
40810 @table @asis
40811 @item Synopsis:
40812 @smallexample
40813 int isatty(int fd);
40814 @end smallexample
40815
40816 @item Request:
40817 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
40818
40819 @item Return value:
40820 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
40821
40822 @item Errors:
40823
40824 @table @code
40825 @item EINTR
40826 The call was interrupted by the user.
40827 @end table
40828
40829 @end table
40830
40831 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
40832 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
40833 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
40834 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
40835 needed.
40836
40837
40838 @node system
40839 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
40840 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
40841
40842 @table @asis
40843 @item Synopsis:
40844 @smallexample
40845 int system(const char *command);
40846 @end smallexample
40847
40848 @item Request:
40849 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
40850
40851 @item Return value:
40852 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
40853 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
40854 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
40855 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
40856 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
40857 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
40858 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
40859
40860 @item Errors:
40861
40862 @table @code
40863 @item EINTR
40864 The call was interrupted by the user.
40865 @end table
40866
40867 @end table
40868
40869 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
40870 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
40871 the host is simplified before it's returned
40872 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
40873 is discarded, and the return value consists
40874 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
40875
40876 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
40877 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
40878 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
40879
40880 @table @code
40881 @item set remote system-call-allowed
40882 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
40883 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
40884 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
40885
40886 @item show remote system-call-allowed
40887 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
40888 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
40889 protocol.
40890 @end table
40891
40892 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40893 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40894 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40895
40896 @menu
40897 * Integral Datatypes::
40898 * Pointer Values::
40899 * Memory Transfer::
40900 * struct stat::
40901 * struct timeval::
40902 @end menu
40903
40904 @node Integral Datatypes
40905 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
40906 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40907
40908 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
40909 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
40910 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
40911
40912 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
40913 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
40914
40915 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
40916
40917 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
40918 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
40919
40920 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
40921
40922 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
40923 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
40924 byte order.
40925
40926 @node Pointer Values
40927 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
40928 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
40929
40930 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
40931 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
40932 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
40933 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
40934
40935 @smallexample
40936 @code{1aaf/12}
40937 @end smallexample
40938
40939 @noindent
40940 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
40941 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
40942 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
40943 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
40944
40945 @smallexample
40946 @code{123456/d}
40947 @end smallexample
40948
40949 @node Memory Transfer
40950 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
40951 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
40952
40953 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
40954 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
40955 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
40956 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
40957 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
40958 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
40959 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
40960
40961
40962 @node struct stat
40963 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
40964 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
40965
40966 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
40967 is defined as follows:
40968
40969 @smallexample
40970 struct stat @{
40971 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
40972 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
40973 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
40974 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
40975 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
40976 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
40977 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
40978 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
40979 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
40980 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
40981 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
40982 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
40983 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
40984 @};
40985 @end smallexample
40986
40987 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40988 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40989 structure is of size 64 bytes.
40990
40991 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
40992 range of values.
40993
40994 @table @code
40995
40996 @item st_dev
40997 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
40998
40999 @item st_ino
41000 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41001
41002 @item st_mode
41003 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41004 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41005
41006 @item st_uid
41007 @itemx st_gid
41008 @itemx st_rdev
41009 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41010
41011 @item st_atime
41012 @itemx st_mtime
41013 @itemx st_ctime
41014 These values have a host and file system dependent
41015 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41016 support exact timing values.
41017 @end table
41018
41019 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41020 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41021 continuing.
41022
41023 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41024 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41025 get truncated on the target.
41026
41027 @node struct timeval
41028 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41029 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41030
41031 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41032 is defined as follows:
41033
41034 @smallexample
41035 struct timeval @{
41036 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41037 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41038 @};
41039 @end smallexample
41040
41041 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41042 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41043 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41044
41045 @node Constants
41046 @subsection Constants
41047 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41048
41049 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41050 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41051 values before and after the call as needed.
41052
41053 @menu
41054 * Open Flags::
41055 * mode_t Values::
41056 * Errno Values::
41057 * Lseek Flags::
41058 * Limits::
41059 @end menu
41060
41061 @node Open Flags
41062 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41063 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41064
41065 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41066
41067 @smallexample
41068 O_RDONLY 0x0
41069 O_WRONLY 0x1
41070 O_RDWR 0x2
41071 O_APPEND 0x8
41072 O_CREAT 0x200
41073 O_TRUNC 0x400
41074 O_EXCL 0x800
41075 @end smallexample
41076
41077 @node mode_t Values
41078 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41079 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41080
41081 All values are given in octal representation.
41082
41083 @smallexample
41084 S_IFREG 0100000
41085 S_IFDIR 040000
41086 S_IRUSR 0400
41087 S_IWUSR 0200
41088 S_IXUSR 0100
41089 S_IRGRP 040
41090 S_IWGRP 020
41091 S_IXGRP 010
41092 S_IROTH 04
41093 S_IWOTH 02
41094 S_IXOTH 01
41095 @end smallexample
41096
41097 @node Errno Values
41098 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41099 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41100
41101 All values are given in decimal representation.
41102
41103 @smallexample
41104 EPERM 1
41105 ENOENT 2
41106 EINTR 4
41107 EBADF 9
41108 EACCES 13
41109 EFAULT 14
41110 EBUSY 16
41111 EEXIST 17
41112 ENODEV 19
41113 ENOTDIR 20
41114 EISDIR 21
41115 EINVAL 22
41116 ENFILE 23
41117 EMFILE 24
41118 EFBIG 27
41119 ENOSPC 28
41120 ESPIPE 29
41121 EROFS 30
41122 ENAMETOOLONG 91
41123 EUNKNOWN 9999
41124 @end smallexample
41125
41126 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41127 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41128
41129 @node Lseek Flags
41130 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41131 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41132
41133 @smallexample
41134 SEEK_SET 0
41135 SEEK_CUR 1
41136 SEEK_END 2
41137 @end smallexample
41138
41139 @node Limits
41140 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41141 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41142
41143 All values are given in decimal representation.
41144
41145 @smallexample
41146 INT_MIN -2147483648
41147 INT_MAX 2147483647
41148 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41149 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41150 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41151 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41152 @end smallexample
41153
41154 @node File-I/O Examples
41155 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41156 @cindex file-i/o examples
41157
41158 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41159 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41160
41161 @smallexample
41162 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41163 @emph{request memory read from target}
41164 -> @code{m1234,6}
41165 <- XXXXXX
41166 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41167 -> @code{F6}
41168 @end smallexample
41169
41170 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41171 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41172
41173 @smallexample
41174 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41175 @emph{request memory write to target}
41176 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41177 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41178 -> @code{F6}
41179 @end smallexample
41180
41181 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41182 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41183
41184 @smallexample
41185 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41186 -> @code{F-1,9}
41187 @end smallexample
41188
41189 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41190 host is called:
41191
41192 @smallexample
41193 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41194 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
41195 <- @code{T02}
41196 @end smallexample
41197
41198 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41199 host is called:
41200
41201 @smallexample
41202 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41203 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41204 <- @code{T02}
41205 @end smallexample
41206
41207 @node Library List Format
41208 @section Library List Format
41209 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41210
41211 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41212 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41213 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41214 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41215 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41216 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41217 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41218 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41219 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41220 are loaded.
41221
41222 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41223 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41224 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41225 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41226
41227 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41228 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41229 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41230 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41231 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41232 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41233
41234 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41235 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41236
41237 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41238 offset, looks like this:
41239
41240 @smallexample
41241 <library-list>
41242 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41243 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41244 </library>
41245 </library-list>
41246 @end smallexample
41247
41248 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41249 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41250
41251 @smallexample
41252 <library-list>
41253 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41254 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41255 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41256 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41257 </library>
41258 </library-list>
41259 @end smallexample
41260
41261 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41262
41263 @smallexample
41264 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41265 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41266 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41267 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41268 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41269 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41270 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41271 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41272 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41273 @end smallexample
41274
41275 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41276 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41277 section for each library.
41278
41279 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41280 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41281 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41282
41283 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41284 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41285 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41286 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41287
41288 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41289 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41290 target, the following parameters are reported:
41291
41292 @itemize @minus
41293 @item
41294 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41295 @code{struct link_map}.
41296 @item
41297 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41298 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41299 @item
41300 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41301 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41302 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41303 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41304 @item
41305 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41306 @end itemize
41307
41308 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41309 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41310 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41311
41312 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41313 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41314
41315 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41316 looks like this:
41317
41318 @smallexample
41319 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41320 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41321 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
41322 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41323 l_ld="0x152350"/>
41324 </library-list-svr>
41325 @end smallexample
41326
41327 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41328
41329 @smallexample
41330 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41331 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41332 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41333 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41334 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41335 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41336 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41337 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41338 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41339 @end smallexample
41340
41341 @node Memory Map Format
41342 @section Memory Map Format
41343 @cindex memory map format
41344
41345 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41346 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41347 memory map.
41348
41349 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41350 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41351 lists memory regions.
41352
41353 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41354 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41355
41356 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41357
41358 @smallexample
41359 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41360 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41361 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41362 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41363 <memory-map>
41364 region...
41365 </memory-map>
41366 @end smallexample
41367
41368 Each region can be either:
41369
41370 @itemize
41371
41372 @item
41373 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41374 bytes from there:
41375
41376 @smallexample
41377 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41378 @end smallexample
41379
41380
41381 @item
41382 A region of read-only memory:
41383
41384 @smallexample
41385 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41386 @end smallexample
41387
41388
41389 @item
41390 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41391 bytes in length:
41392
41393 @smallexample
41394 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41395 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41396 </memory>
41397 @end smallexample
41398
41399 @end itemize
41400
41401 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
41402 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
41403 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
41404
41405 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
41406
41407 @smallexample
41408 <!-- ................................................... -->
41409 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
41410 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
41411 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
41412 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
41413 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
41414 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory)*>
41415 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
41416 <!ELEMENT memory (property)*>
41417 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
41418 and its type, or device. -->
41419 <!ATTLIST memory type (ram|rom|flash) #REQUIRED
41420 start CDATA #REQUIRED
41421 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41422 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
41423 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
41424 <!ATTLIST property name (blocksize) #REQUIRED>
41425 @end smallexample
41426
41427 @node Thread List Format
41428 @section Thread List Format
41429 @cindex thread list format
41430
41431 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
41432 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
41433 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
41434 the following structure:
41435
41436 @smallexample
41437 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41438 <threads>
41439 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
41440 ... description ...
41441 </thread>
41442 </threads>
41443 @end smallexample
41444
41445 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
41446 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
41447 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
41448 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
41449 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
41450 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
41451 auxiliary information. The @samp{handle} attribute, if present,
41452 is a hex encoded representation of the thread handle.
41453
41454
41455 @node Traceframe Info Format
41456 @section Traceframe Info Format
41457 @cindex traceframe info format
41458
41459 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
41460 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
41461 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
41462 collected in a traceframe.
41463
41464 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
41465 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
41466
41467 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41468 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41469
41470 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41471
41472 @smallexample
41473 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41474 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
41475 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41476 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
41477 <traceframe-info>
41478 block...
41479 </traceframe-info>
41480 @end smallexample
41481
41482 Each traceframe block can be either:
41483
41484 @itemize
41485
41486 @item
41487 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
41488 @var{length} bytes from there:
41489
41490 @smallexample
41491 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41492 @end smallexample
41493
41494 @item
41495 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
41496 collected:
41497
41498 @smallexample
41499 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
41500 @end smallexample
41501
41502 @end itemize
41503
41504 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
41505
41506 @smallexample
41507 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
41508 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41509
41510 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
41511 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
41512 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41513 <!ELEMENT tvar>
41514 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
41515 @end smallexample
41516
41517 @node Branch Trace Format
41518 @section Branch Trace Format
41519 @cindex branch trace format
41520
41521 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
41522 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
41523 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
41524 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
41525
41526 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
41527 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
41528
41529 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41530 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41531
41532 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41533
41534 @smallexample
41535 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41536 <!DOCTYPE btrace
41537 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
41538 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
41539 <btrace>
41540 block...
41541 </btrace>
41542 @end smallexample
41543
41544 @itemize
41545
41546 @item
41547 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
41548 and ending at @var{end}:
41549
41550 @smallexample
41551 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
41552 @end smallexample
41553
41554 @end itemize
41555
41556 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
41557
41558 @smallexample
41559 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
41560 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41561
41562 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
41563 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
41564 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
41565
41566 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
41567
41568 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
41569
41570 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
41571 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
41572 family CDATA #REQUIRED
41573 model CDATA #REQUIRED
41574 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
41575
41576 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
41577 @end smallexample
41578
41579 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
41580 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
41581 @cindex branch trace configuration format
41582
41583 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
41584 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
41585 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
41586
41587 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
41588 settings for that format. The following information is described:
41589
41590 @table @code
41591 @item bts
41592 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
41593 @table @code
41594 @item size
41595 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
41596 @end table
41597 @item pt
41598 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel
41599 PT}) format.
41600 @table @code
41601 @item size
41602 The size of the @acronym{Intel PT} ring buffer in bytes.
41603 @end table
41604 @end table
41605
41606 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41607 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41608
41609 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
41610
41611 @smallexample
41612 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
41613 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41614
41615 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
41616 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
41617
41618 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
41619 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
41620 @end smallexample
41621
41622 @include agentexpr.texi
41623
41624 @node Target Descriptions
41625 @appendix Target Descriptions
41626 @cindex target descriptions
41627
41628 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
41629 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
41630 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
41631 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
41632 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
41633 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
41634 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
41635
41636 @itemize @bullet
41637 @item
41638 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
41639 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
41640 @item
41641 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
41642 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
41643 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
41644 @item
41645 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
41646 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
41647 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
41648 @end itemize
41649
41650 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
41651 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
41652 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
41653 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
41654 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
41655
41656 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41657 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
41658
41659 @menu
41660 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
41661 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
41662 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
41663 descriptions.
41664 * Enum Target Types:: How to define enum target types.
41665 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
41666 @end menu
41667
41668 @node Retrieving Descriptions
41669 @section Retrieving Descriptions
41670
41671 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
41672 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
41673 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
41674 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
41675 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
41676 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
41677 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
41678 Format}.
41679
41680 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
41681 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
41682 specify a file are:
41683
41684 @table @code
41685 @cindex set tdesc filename
41686 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
41687 Read the target description from @var{path}.
41688
41689 @cindex unset tdesc filename
41690 @item unset tdesc filename
41691 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
41692 will use the description supplied by the current target.
41693
41694 @cindex show tdesc filename
41695 @item show tdesc filename
41696 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
41697 @end table
41698
41699
41700 @node Target Description Format
41701 @section Target Description Format
41702 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
41703
41704 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
41705 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
41706 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
41707 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
41708 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
41709 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
41710 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
41711
41712 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
41713 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
41714 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
41715 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
41716 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
41717
41718 Here is a simple target description:
41719
41720 @smallexample
41721 <target version="1.0">
41722 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
41723 </target>
41724 @end smallexample
41725
41726 @noindent
41727 This minimal description only says that the target uses
41728 the x86-64 architecture.
41729
41730 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
41731 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
41732 are explained further below.
41733
41734 @smallexample
41735 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41736 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
41737 <target version="1.0">
41738 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
41739 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
41740 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
41741 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
41742 </target>
41743 @end smallexample
41744
41745 @noindent
41746 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
41747 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
41748 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
41749 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
41750 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
41751 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
41752 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
41753 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
41754 the version mismatch.
41755
41756 @subsection Inclusion
41757 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
41758 @cindex XInclude
41759 @ifnotinfo
41760 @cindex <xi:include>
41761 @end ifnotinfo
41762
41763 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
41764 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
41765 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
41766 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
41767 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
41768
41769 @smallexample
41770 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
41771 @end smallexample
41772
41773 @noindent
41774 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
41775 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
41776 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
41777 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
41778 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
41779 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
41780 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
41781 original description.
41782
41783 @subsection Architecture
41784 @cindex <architecture>
41785
41786 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
41787
41788 @smallexample
41789 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
41790 @end smallexample
41791
41792 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41793 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41794
41795 @subsection OS ABI
41796 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
41797
41798 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41799 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41800
41801 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
41802
41803 @smallexample
41804 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
41805 @end smallexample
41806
41807 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
41808 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
41809
41810 @subsection Compatible Architecture
41811 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
41812
41813 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41814 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41815
41816 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
41817
41818 @smallexample
41819 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
41820 @end smallexample
41821
41822 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41823 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41824
41825 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
41826 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
41827 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
41828 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
41829 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
41830 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
41831 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
41832
41833 @smallexample
41834 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
41835 <compatible>spu</compatible>
41836 @end smallexample
41837
41838 @subsection Features
41839 @cindex <feature>
41840
41841 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
41842 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
41843 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
41844 has this form:
41845
41846 @smallexample
41847 <feature name="@var{name}">
41848 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
41849 @var{reg}@dots{}
41850 </feature>
41851 @end smallexample
41852
41853 @noindent
41854 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
41855 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
41856 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
41857 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
41858
41859 @subsection Types
41860
41861 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
41862 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
41863 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
41864 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
41865 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite
41866 and enum types.
41867
41868 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
41869 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
41870 Types must be defined before they are used.
41871
41872 @cindex <vector>
41873 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
41874 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
41875 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
41876 @var{count}:
41877
41878 @smallexample
41879 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
41880 @end smallexample
41881
41882 @cindex <union>
41883 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
41884 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
41885 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
41886 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
41887
41888 @smallexample
41889 <union id="@var{id}">
41890 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41891 @dots{}
41892 </union>
41893 @end smallexample
41894
41895 @cindex <struct>
41896 @cindex <flags>
41897 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
41898 it with either a structure type or a flags type.
41899 A flags type may only contain bitfields.
41900 A structure type may either contain only bitfields or contain no bitfields.
41901 If the value contains only bitfields, its total size in bytes must be
41902 specified.
41903
41904 Non-bitfield values have a @var{name} and @var{type}.
41905
41906 @smallexample
41907 <struct id="@var{id}">
41908 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41909 @dots{}
41910 </struct>
41911 @end smallexample
41912
41913 Both @var{name} and @var{type} values are required.
41914 No implicit padding is added.
41915
41916 Bitfield values have a @var{name}, @var{start}, @var{end} and @var{type}.
41917
41918 @smallexample
41919 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41920 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
41921 @dots{}
41922 </struct>
41923 @end smallexample
41924
41925 @smallexample
41926 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41927 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
41928 @dots{}
41929 </flags>
41930 @end smallexample
41931
41932 The @var{name} value is required.
41933 Bitfield values may be named with the empty string, @samp{""},
41934 in which case the field is ``filler'' and its value is not printed.
41935 Not all bits need to be specified, so ``filler'' fields are optional.
41936
41937 The @var{start} and @var{end} values are required, and @var{type}
41938 is optional.
41939 The field's @var{start} must be less than or equal to its @var{end},
41940 and zero represents the least significant bit.
41941
41942 The default value of @var{type} is @code{bool} for single bit fields,
41943 and an unsigned integer otherwise.
41944
41945 Which to choose? Structures or flags?
41946
41947 Registers defined with @samp{flags} have these advantages over
41948 defining them with @samp{struct}:
41949
41950 @itemize @bullet
41951 @item
41952 Arithmetic may be performed on them as if they were integers.
41953 @item
41954 They are printed in a more readable fashion.
41955 @end itemize
41956
41957 Registers defined with @samp{struct} have one advantage over
41958 defining them with @samp{flags}:
41959
41960 @itemize @bullet
41961 @item
41962 One can fetch individual fields like in @samp{C}.
41963
41964 @smallexample
41965 (gdb) print $my_struct_reg.field3
41966 $1 = 42
41967 @end smallexample
41968
41969 @end itemize
41970
41971 @subsection Registers
41972 @cindex <reg>
41973
41974 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
41975
41976 @smallexample
41977 <reg name="@var{name}"
41978 bitsize="@var{size}"
41979 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
41980 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
41981 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
41982 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
41983 @end smallexample
41984
41985 @noindent
41986 The components are as follows:
41987
41988 @table @var
41989
41990 @item name
41991 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
41992
41993 @item bitsize
41994 The register's size, in bits.
41995
41996 @item regnum
41997 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
41998 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
41999 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
42000 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
42001 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
42002 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
42003 in order of increasing register number.
42004
42005 @item save-restore
42006 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
42007 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
42008 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
42009 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
42010 ABI.
42011
42012 @item type
42013 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
42014 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
42015 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
42016 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
42017 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
42018 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
42019
42020 @item group
42021 The register group to which this register belongs. It can be one of the
42022 standard register groups @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{vector} or an
42023 arbitrary string. Group names should be limited to alphanumeric characters.
42024 If a group name is made up of multiple words the words may be separated by
42025 hyphens; e.g.@: @code{special-group} or @code{ultra-special-group}. If no
42026 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register in
42027 @code{info registers}.
42028
42029 @end table
42030
42031 @node Predefined Target Types
42032 @section Predefined Target Types
42033 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
42034
42035 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
42036 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
42037 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
42038 types. The currently supported types are:
42039
42040 @table @code
42041
42042 @item bool
42043 Boolean type, occupying a single bit.
42044
42045 @item int8
42046 @itemx int16
42047 @itemx int32
42048 @itemx int64
42049 @itemx int128
42050 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42051
42052 @item uint8
42053 @itemx uint16
42054 @itemx uint32
42055 @itemx uint64
42056 @itemx uint128
42057 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42058
42059 @item code_ptr
42060 @itemx data_ptr
42061 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42062 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42063 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42064 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42065 may be marked as data pointers.
42066
42067 @item ieee_single
42068 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42069
42070 @item ieee_double
42071 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42072
42073 @item arm_fpa_ext
42074 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42075
42076 @item i387_ext
42077 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42078
42079 @item i386_eflags
42080 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42081
42082 @item i386_mxcsr
42083 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42084
42085 @end table
42086
42087 @node Enum Target Types
42088 @section Enum Target Types
42089 @cindex target descriptions, enum types
42090
42091 Enum target types are useful in @samp{struct} and @samp{flags}
42092 register descriptions. @xref{Target Description Format}.
42093
42094 Enum types have a name, size and a list of name/value pairs.
42095
42096 @smallexample
42097 <enum id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42098 <evalue name="@var{name}" value="@var{value}"/>
42099 @dots{}
42100 </enum>
42101 @end smallexample
42102
42103 Enums must be defined before they are used.
42104
42105 @smallexample
42106 <enum id="levels_type" size="4">
42107 <evalue name="low" value="0"/>
42108 <evalue name="high" value="1"/>
42109 </enum>
42110 <flags id="flags_type" size="4">
42111 <field name="X" start="0"/>
42112 <field name="LEVEL" start="1" end="1" type="levels_type"/>
42113 </flags>
42114 <reg name="flags" bitsize="32" type="flags_type"/>
42115 @end smallexample
42116
42117 Given that description, a value of 3 for the @samp{flags} register
42118 would be printed as:
42119
42120 @smallexample
42121 (gdb) info register flags
42122 flags 0x3 [ X LEVEL=high ]
42123 @end smallexample
42124
42125 @node Standard Target Features
42126 @section Standard Target Features
42127 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42128
42129 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42130 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42131 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42132 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42133 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42134 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42135 can recognize them.
42136
42137 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42138 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42139 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42140 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42141 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42142 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42143 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42144 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42145
42146 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42147 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42148 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42149
42150 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42151 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42152 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42153 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42154
42155 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42156 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42157 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42158
42159 @menu
42160 * AArch64 Features::
42161 * ARC Features::
42162 * ARM Features::
42163 * i386 Features::
42164 * MicroBlaze Features::
42165 * MIPS Features::
42166 * M68K Features::
42167 * NDS32 Features::
42168 * Nios II Features::
42169 * OpenRISC 1000 Features::
42170 * PowerPC Features::
42171 * S/390 and System z Features::
42172 * Sparc Features::
42173 * TIC6x Features::
42174 @end menu
42175
42176
42177 @node AArch64 Features
42178 @subsection AArch64 Features
42179 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42180
42181 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42182 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42183 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42184
42185 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42186 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42187 and @samp{fpcr}.
42188
42189 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.sve} feature is optional. If present,
42190 it should contain registers @samp{z0} through @samp{z31}, @samp{p0}
42191 through @samp{p15}, @samp{ffr} and @samp{vg}.
42192
42193 @node ARC Features
42194 @subsection ARC Features
42195 @cindex target descriptions, ARC Features
42196
42197 ARC processors are highly configurable, so even core registers and their number
42198 are not completely predetermined. In addition flags and PC registers which are
42199 important to @value{GDBN} are not ``core'' registers in ARC. It is required
42200 that one of the core registers features is present.
42201 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is mandatory.
42202
42203 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and ARC HS
42204 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
42205 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
42206 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain register @samp{ilink}
42207 and any of extension core registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
42208 @samp{ilink} and extension core registers are not available to read/write, when
42209 debugging GNU/Linux applications, thus @samp{ilink} is made optional.
42210
42211 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core-reduced.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and
42212 ARC HS targets with a reduced register file. It should contain registers
42213 @samp{r0} through @samp{r3}, @samp{r10} through @samp{r15}, @samp{gp},
42214 @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink}, @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}.
42215 This feature may contain register @samp{ilink} and any of extension core
42216 registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
42217
42218 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.arcompact} feature is required for ARCompact
42219 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
42220 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
42221 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain registers
42222 @samp{ilink1}, @samp{ilink2} and any of extension core registers @samp{r32}
42223 through @samp{r59/acch}. @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} and extension core
42224 registers are not available when debugging GNU/Linux applications. The only
42225 difference with @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is in the names of
42226 @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} registers and that @samp{r30} is mandatory in
42227 ARC v2, but @samp{ilink2} is optional on ARCompact.
42228
42229 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is required for all ARC
42230 targets. It should contain registers @samp{pc} and @samp{status32}.
42231
42232 @node ARM Features
42233 @subsection ARM Features
42234 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42235
42236 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42237 ARM targets.
42238 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42239 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42240
42241 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42242 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42243 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42244 and @samp{xpsr}.
42245
42246 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42247 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42248
42249 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42250 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42251 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42252 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42253
42254 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42255 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42256 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42257 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42258 halves of the double-precision registers.
42259
42260 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42261 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42262 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42263 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42264 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42265 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42266
42267 @node i386 Features
42268 @subsection i386 Features
42269 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42270
42271 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42272 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42273
42274 @itemize @minus
42275 @item
42276 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42277 @item
42278 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42279 @item
42280 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42281 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42282 @item
42283 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42284 @item
42285 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42286 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42287 @end itemize
42288
42289 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42290
42291 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42292 describe registers:
42293
42294 @itemize @minus
42295 @item
42296 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42297 @item
42298 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42299 @item
42300 @samp{mxcsr}
42301 @end itemize
42302
42303 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42304 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42305 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42306
42307 @itemize @minus
42308 @item
42309 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42310 @item
42311 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42312 @end itemize
42313
42314 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel
42315 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
42316
42317 @itemize @minus
42318 @item
42319 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
42320 @item
42321 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
42322 @end itemize
42323
42324 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42325 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42326
42327 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.segments} feature is optional. It should
42328 describe two system registers: @samp{fs_base} and @samp{gs_base}.
42329
42330 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
42331 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
42332 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
42333
42334 @itemize @minus
42335 @item
42336 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42337 @end itemize
42338
42339 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
42340
42341 @itemize @minus
42342 @item
42343 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42344 @end itemize
42345
42346 It should
42347 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
42348
42349 @itemize @minus
42350 @item
42351 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
42352 @item
42353 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
42354 @end itemize
42355
42356 It should
42357 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
42358
42359 @itemize @minus
42360 @item
42361 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
42362 @end itemize
42363
42364 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.pkeys} feature is optional. It should
42365 describe a single register, @samp{pkru}. It is a 32-bit register
42366 valid for i386 and amd64.
42367
42368 @node MicroBlaze Features
42369 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
42370 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
42371
42372 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
42373 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42374 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
42375 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
42376 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
42377
42378 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
42379 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
42380
42381 @node MIPS Features
42382 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42383 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42384
42385 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42386 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42387 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42388 on the target.
42389
42390 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42391 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42392 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42393
42394 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42395 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42396 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42397 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42398
42399 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42400 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42401 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42402 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42403
42404 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42405 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42406 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42407
42408 @node M68K Features
42409 @subsection M68K Features
42410 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42411
42412 @table @code
42413 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42414 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42415 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42416 One of those features must be always present.
42417 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42418 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42419 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42420 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42421
42422 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42423 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42424 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42425 @samp{fpiaddr}.
42426 @end table
42427
42428 @node NDS32 Features
42429 @subsection NDS32 Features
42430 @cindex target descriptions, NDS32 features
42431
42432 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.core} feature is required for NDS32
42433 targets. It should contain at least registers @samp{r0} through
42434 @samp{r10}, @samp{r15}, @samp{fp}, @samp{gp}, @samp{lp}, @samp{sp},
42435 and @samp{pc}.
42436
42437 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42438 it should contain 64-bit double-precision floating-point registers
42439 @samp{fd0} through @emph{fdN}, which should be @samp{fd3}, @samp{fd7},
42440 @samp{fd15}, or @samp{fd31} based on the FPU configuration implemented.
42441
42442 @emph{Note:} The first sixteen 64-bit double-precision floating-point
42443 registers are overlapped with the thirty-two 32-bit single-precision
42444 floating-point registers. The 32-bit single-precision registers, if
42445 not being listed explicitly, will be synthesized from halves of the
42446 overlapping 64-bit double-precision registers. Listing 32-bit
42447 single-precision registers explicitly is deprecated, and the
42448 support to it could be totally removed some day.
42449
42450 @node Nios II Features
42451 @subsection Nios II Features
42452 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42453
42454 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42455 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42456 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42457 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42458 @samp{mpuacc}).
42459
42460 @node OpenRISC 1000 Features
42461 @subsection Openrisc 1000 Features
42462 @cindex target descriptions, OpenRISC 1000 features
42463
42464 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.or1k.group0} feature is required for OpenRISC 1000
42465 targets. It should contain the 32 general purpose registers (@samp{r0}
42466 through @samp{r31}), @samp{ppc}, @samp{npc} and @samp{sr}.
42467
42468 @node PowerPC Features
42469 @subsection PowerPC Features
42470 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42471
42472 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42473 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42474 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42475 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42476
42477 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42478 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42479
42480 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42481 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42482 and @samp{vrsave}.
42483
42484 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42485 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42486 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42487 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42488 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42489 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42490
42491 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42492 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42493 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42494 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42495 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42496 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42497 user.
42498
42499 @node S/390 and System z Features
42500 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
42501 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
42502 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
42503
42504 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
42505 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
42506 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
42507 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
42508 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
42509 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
42510 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
42511 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
42512 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
42513
42514 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
42515 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
42516 @samp{fpc}.
42517
42518 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
42519 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
42520
42521 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
42522 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
42523 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
42524 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
42525 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
42526 32-bit wide.
42527
42528 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
42529 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
42530 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
42531
42532 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
42533 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
42534 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
42535 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
42536 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
42537 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
42538 @samp{v31}.
42539
42540 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gs} feature is optional. It should contain
42541 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage-control registers @samp{gsd},
42542 @samp{gssm}, and @samp{gsepla}.
42543
42544 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gsbc} feature is optional. It should contain
42545 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage broadcast control registers
42546 @samp{bc_gsd}, @samp{bc_gssm}, and @samp{bc_gsepla}.
42547
42548 @node Sparc Features
42549 @subsection Sparc Features
42550 @cindex target descriptions, sparc32 features
42551 @cindex target descriptions, sparc64 features
42552 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42553 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42554
42555 @itemize @minus
42556 @item
42557 @samp{g0} through @samp{g7}
42558 @item
42559 @samp{o0} through @samp{o7}
42560 @item
42561 @samp{l0} through @samp{l7}
42562 @item
42563 @samp{i0} through @samp{i7}
42564 @end itemize
42565
42566 They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42567
42568 Also the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.fpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42569 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42570
42571 @itemize @minus
42572 @item
42573 @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}
42574 @item
42575 @samp{f32} through @samp{f62} for sparc64
42576 @end itemize
42577
42578 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cp0} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
42579 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42580
42581 @itemize @minus
42582 @item
42583 @samp{y}, @samp{psr}, @samp{wim}, @samp{tbr}, @samp{pc}, @samp{npc},
42584 @samp{fsr}, and @samp{csr} for sparc32
42585 @item
42586 @samp{pc}, @samp{npc}, @samp{state}, @samp{fsr}, @samp{fprs}, and @samp{y}
42587 for sparc64
42588 @end itemize
42589
42590 @node TIC6x Features
42591 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42592 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42593 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42594 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42595 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42596 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42597
42598 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42599 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42600 through @samp{B31}.
42601
42602 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42603 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42604
42605 @node Operating System Information
42606 @appendix Operating System Information
42607 @cindex operating system information
42608
42609 @menu
42610 * Process list::
42611 @end menu
42612
42613 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
42614 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
42615 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
42616 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
42617 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
42618 on a different aspect of target.
42619
42620 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
42621 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
42622 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
42623 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
42624
42625 @node Process list
42626 @appendixsection Process list
42627 @cindex operating system information, process list
42628
42629 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
42630 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
42631 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
42632 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
42633
42634 An example document is:
42635
42636 @smallexample
42637 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42638 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
42639 <osdata type="processes">
42640 <item>
42641 <column name="pid">1</column>
42642 <column name="user">root</column>
42643 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
42644 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
42645 </item>
42646 </osdata>
42647 @end smallexample
42648
42649 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
42650 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
42651 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
42652 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
42653 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
42654 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
42655 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
42656
42657 @node Trace File Format
42658 @appendix Trace File Format
42659 @cindex trace file format
42660
42661 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
42662 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
42663
42664 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
42665 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
42666 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
42667 in the future.
42668
42669 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
42670 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
42671 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
42672 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
42673 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
42674 of this section.
42675
42676 @table @code
42677 @item R @var{size}
42678 Specifies the size of a register block in bytes. This is equal to the
42679 size of a @code{g} packet payload in the remote protocol. @var{size}
42680 is an ascii decimal number. There should be only one such line in
42681 a single trace file.
42682
42683 @item status @var{status}
42684 Trace status. @var{status} has the same format as a @code{qTStatus}
42685 remote packet reply. There should be only one such line in a single trace
42686 file.
42687
42688 @item tp @var{payload}
42689 Tracepoint definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
42690 @code{qTfP}/@code{qTsP} remote packet reply payload. A single tracepoint
42691 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
42692 reply packets.
42693
42694 @item tsv @var{payload}
42695 Trace state variable definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
42696 @code{qTfV}/@code{qTsV} remote packet reply payload. A single variable
42697 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
42698 reply packets.
42699
42700 @item tdesc @var{payload}
42701 Target description in XML format. The @var{payload} is a single line of
42702 the XML file. All such lines should be concatenated together to get
42703 the original XML file. This file is in the same format as @code{qXfer}
42704 @code{features} payload, and corresponds to the main @code{target.xml}
42705 file. Includes are not allowed.
42706
42707 @end table
42708
42709 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
42710 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
42711 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
42712 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
42713 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
42714 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
42715 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
42716 endianness.
42717
42718 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
42719
42720 @table @code
42721 @item R @var{bytes}
42722 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
42723 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
42724 actual bytes, in target order, not a hexadecimal encoding.
42725
42726 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
42727 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
42728 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
42729 @var{length} bytes.
42730
42731 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
42732 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
42733 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
42734
42735 @end table
42736
42737 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
42738 of blocks.
42739
42740 @node Index Section Format
42741 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
42742 @cindex .gdb_index section format
42743 @cindex index section format
42744
42745 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
42746 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
42747 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
42748 description.
42749
42750 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
42751 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
42752 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
42753 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
42754 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
42755 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
42756
42757 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
42758
42759 @enumerate
42760 @item
42761 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
42762 unless otherwise noted:
42763
42764 @enumerate
42765 @item
42766 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
42767 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
42768 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
42769 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
42770 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
42771 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
42772 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
42773
42774 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
42775 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
42776 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
42777 currently not flagged as deprecated.
42778
42779 @item
42780 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
42781
42782 @item
42783 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
42784 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
42785 to the next offset.
42786
42787 @item
42788 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
42789
42790 @item
42791 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
42792
42793 @item
42794 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
42795 @end enumerate
42796
42797 @item
42798 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
42799 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
42800 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
42801 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
42802 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
42803 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
42804 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
42805 CU indices.
42806
42807 @item
42808 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
42809 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
42810 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
42811 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
42812
42813 @item
42814 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
42815 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
42816
42817 @enumerate
42818 @item
42819 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
42820
42821 @item
42822 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
42823 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
42824
42825 @item
42826 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
42827 @end enumerate
42828
42829 @item
42830 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
42831 the hash table is always a power of 2.
42832
42833 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
42834 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
42835 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
42836 constant pool.
42837
42838 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
42839 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
42840 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
42841
42842 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
42843 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
42844 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
42845 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
42846 index version:
42847
42848 @table @asis
42849 @item Version 4
42850 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
42851
42852 @item Versions 5 to 7
42853 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
42854 @end table
42855
42856 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
42857
42858 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
42859 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
42860 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
42861 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
42862 collision.
42863
42864 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
42865 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
42866 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
42867 the code.
42868
42869 @item
42870 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
42871 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
42872 strings.
42873
42874 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
42875 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
42876 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
42877 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
42878 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
42879 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
42880
42881 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
42882 @end enumerate
42883
42884 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
42885 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
42886 CU index+attributes value for each use.
42887
42888 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
42889 (bit 0 = LSB):
42890
42891 @table @asis
42892
42893 @item Bits 0-23
42894 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
42895 @item Bits 24-27
42896 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
42897 @item Bits 28-30
42898 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
42899
42900 @table @asis
42901 @item 0
42902 This value is reserved and should not be used.
42903 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
42904 with previous versions of the index.
42905 @item 1
42906 The symbol is a type.
42907 @item 2
42908 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
42909 @item 3
42910 The symbol is a function.
42911 @item 4
42912 Any other kind of symbol.
42913 @item 5,6,7
42914 These values are reserved.
42915 @end table
42916
42917 @item Bit 31
42918 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
42919
42920 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
42921 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
42922 @value{GDBN} sources.
42923
42924 @end table
42925
42926 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
42927 global/static attributes in the index.
42928
42929 @smallexample
42930 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
42931 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
42932 switch (die->tag)
42933 @{
42934 case DW_TAG_typedef:
42935 case DW_TAG_base_type:
42936 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
42937 kind = TYPE;
42938 is_static = 1;
42939 break;
42940 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
42941 kind = VARIABLE;
42942 is_static = language != CPLUS;
42943 break;
42944 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
42945 kind = FUNCTION;
42946 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
42947 break;
42948 case DW_TAG_constant:
42949 kind = VARIABLE;
42950 is_static = ! is_external;
42951 break;
42952 case DW_TAG_variable:
42953 kind = VARIABLE;
42954 is_static = ! is_external;
42955 break;
42956 case DW_TAG_namespace:
42957 kind = TYPE;
42958 is_static = 0;
42959 break;
42960 case DW_TAG_class_type:
42961 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
42962 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
42963 case DW_TAG_union_type:
42964 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
42965 kind = TYPE;
42966 is_static = language != CPLUS;
42967 break;
42968 default:
42969 assert (0);
42970 @}
42971 @end smallexample
42972
42973 @node Man Pages
42974 @appendix Manual pages
42975 @cindex Man pages
42976
42977 @menu
42978 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
42979 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
42980 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
42981 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
42982 * gdb-add-index man:: Add index files to speed up GDB
42983 @end menu
42984
42985 @node gdb man
42986 @heading gdb man
42987
42988 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
42989
42990 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
42991 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
42992 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
42993 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
42994 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
42995 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
42996 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
42997 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
42998 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
42999 @c man end
43000
43001 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
43002 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
43003 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
43004 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
43005
43006 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
43007 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
43008
43009 @itemize @bullet
43010 @item
43011 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
43012
43013 @item
43014 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
43015
43016 @item
43017 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
43018
43019 @item
43020 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
43021 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
43022 @end itemize
43023
43024 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
43025 Modula-2.
43026
43027 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
43028 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
43029 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
43030 by using the command @code{help}.
43031
43032 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
43033 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
43034 executable program as the argument:
43035
43036 @smallexample
43037 gdb program
43038 @end smallexample
43039
43040 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
43041
43042 @smallexample
43043 gdb program core
43044 @end smallexample
43045
43046 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
43047 to debug a running process:
43048
43049 @smallexample
43050 gdb program 1234
43051 gdb -p 1234
43052 @end smallexample
43053
43054 @noindent
43055 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
43056 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
43057 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
43058
43059 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
43060
43061 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
43062 @table @env
43063 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43064 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
43065
43066 @item run [@var{arglist}]
43067 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
43068
43069 @item bt
43070 Backtrace: display the program stack.
43071
43072 @item print @var{expr}
43073 Display the value of an expression.
43074
43075 @item c
43076 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
43077
43078 @item next
43079 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
43080 function calls in the line.
43081
43082 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43083 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
43084
43085 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
43086 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
43087
43088 @item step
43089 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
43090 function calls in the line.
43091
43092 @item help [@var{name}]
43093 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
43094 about using @value{GDBN}.
43095
43096 @item quit
43097 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
43098 @end table
43099
43100 @ifset man
43101 For full details on @value{GDBN},
43102 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43103 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
43104 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
43105 @end ifset
43106 @c man end
43107
43108 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
43109 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
43110 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
43111 encountered with no
43112 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
43113 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
43114 Many options have
43115 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
43116 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
43117 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
43118 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
43119 more usual convention.)
43120
43121 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
43122 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
43123 option is used.
43124
43125 @table @env
43126 @item -help
43127 @itemx -h
43128 List all options, with brief explanations.
43129
43130 @item -symbols=@var{file}
43131 @itemx -s @var{file}
43132 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
43133
43134 @item -write
43135 Enable writing into executable and core files.
43136
43137 @item -exec=@var{file}
43138 @itemx -e @var{file}
43139 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
43140 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
43141 dump.
43142
43143 @item -se=@var{file}
43144 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
43145 file.
43146
43147 @item -core=@var{file}
43148 @itemx -c @var{file}
43149 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
43150
43151 @item -command=@var{file}
43152 @itemx -x @var{file}
43153 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
43154
43155 @item -ex @var{command}
43156 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
43157
43158 @item -directory=@var{directory}
43159 @itemx -d @var{directory}
43160 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
43161
43162 @item -nh
43163 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
43164
43165 @item -nx
43166 @itemx -n
43167 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
43168
43169 @item -quiet
43170 @itemx -q
43171 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
43172 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
43173
43174 @item -batch
43175 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
43176 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
43177 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
43178 commands in the command files.
43179
43180 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
43181 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
43182 more useful, the message
43183
43184 @smallexample
43185 Program exited normally.
43186 @end smallexample
43187
43188 @noindent
43189 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
43190 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
43191
43192 @item -cd=@var{directory}
43193 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
43194 instead of the current directory.
43195
43196 @item -fullname
43197 @itemx -f
43198 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
43199 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
43200 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
43201 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
43202 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
43203 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
43204 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
43205 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
43206
43207 @item -b @var{bps}
43208 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
43209 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
43210
43211 @item -tty=@var{device}
43212 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
43213 @end table
43214 @c man end
43215
43216 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
43217 @ifset man
43218 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43219 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43220 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43221
43222 @smallexample
43223 info gdb
43224 @end smallexample
43225
43226 @noindent
43227 should give you access to the complete manual.
43228
43229 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43230 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43231 @end ifset
43232 @c man end
43233
43234 @node gdbserver man
43235 @heading gdbserver man
43236
43237 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
43238 @format
43239 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
43240 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43241
43242 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43243
43244 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43245 @c man end
43246 @end format
43247
43248 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
43249 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
43250 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
43251
43252 @ifclear man
43253 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
43254 @end ifclear
43255 @ifset man
43256 Usage (server (target) side):
43257 @end ifset
43258
43259 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
43260 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
43261 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
43262 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
43263
43264 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
43265 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
43266 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
43267
43268 @smallexample
43269 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
43270 @end smallexample
43271
43272 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
43273
43274 @smallexample
43275 @ifset man
43276 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
43277 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
43278 @end ifset
43279 @ifclear man
43280 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
43281 @end ifclear
43282 @end smallexample
43283
43284 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
43285 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
43286 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
43287
43288 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
43289
43290 @smallexample
43291 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
43292 @end smallexample
43293
43294 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
43295 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
43296 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
43297 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
43298 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
43299 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
43300 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
43301 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
43302 print an error message and exit.
43303
43304 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
43305 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
43306
43307 @smallexample
43308 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43309 @end smallexample
43310
43311 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43312 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43313
43314 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43315 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
43316 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
43317 the program you want to debug.
43318
43319 @smallexample
43320 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43321 @end smallexample
43322
43323 @ifclear man
43324 @subheading Usage (host side)
43325 @end ifclear
43326 @ifset man
43327 Usage (host side):
43328 @end ifset
43329
43330 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
43331 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
43332 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
43333 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
43334 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
43335 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
43336 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
43337 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
43338 descriptor. For example:
43339
43340 @smallexample
43341 @ifset man
43342 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
43343 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
43344 @end ifset
43345 @ifclear man
43346 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43347 @end ifclear
43348 @end smallexample
43349
43350 @noindent
43351 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43352
43353 @smallexample
43354 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43355 @end smallexample
43356
43357 @noindent
43358 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43359 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43360 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43361 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43362 `Connection refused'.
43363
43364 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43365 described in
43366 @ifset man
43367 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43368 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43369 @end ifset
43370 @ifclear man
43371 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43372 @end ifclear
43373 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43374
43375 @smallexample
43376 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43377 @end smallexample
43378
43379 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43380 case.
43381 @c man end
43382
43383 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43384 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43385
43386 @itemize @bullet
43387
43388 @item
43389 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43390
43391 @smallexample
43392 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43393 @end smallexample
43394
43395 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43396 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43397 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43398 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43399 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43400 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43401 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43402
43403 @item
43404 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43405 program:
43406
43407 @smallexample
43408 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43409 @end smallexample
43410
43411 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43412 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43413 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43414 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43415
43416 @item
43417 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43418
43419 @smallexample
43420 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43421 @end smallexample
43422
43423 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43424 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43425 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43426 debug several processes in the same session.
43427 @end itemize
43428
43429 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43430
43431 @table @env
43432
43433 @item --help
43434 List all options, with brief explanations.
43435
43436 @item --version
43437 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43438
43439 @item --attach
43440 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43441
43442 @smallexample
43443 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43444 @end smallexample
43445
43446 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43447 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43448
43449 @item --multi
43450 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43451 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43452 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43453 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43454
43455 @smallexample
43456 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43457 @end smallexample
43458
43459 @item --debug
43460 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43461 process.
43462 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43463 the developers.
43464
43465 @item --remote-debug
43466 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43467 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43468 the developers.
43469
43470 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
43471 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
43472 of debugging output.
43473 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
43474
43475 @item --wrapper
43476 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43477 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43478 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43479 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43480
43481 @item --once
43482 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43483 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43484 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43485 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43486
43487 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43488
43489 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43490 @c QDisableRandomization.
43491
43492 @end table
43493 @c man end
43494
43495 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43496 @ifset man
43497 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43498 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43499 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43500
43501 @smallexample
43502 info gdb
43503 @end smallexample
43504
43505 should give you access to the complete manual.
43506
43507 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43508 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43509 @end ifset
43510 @c man end
43511
43512 @node gcore man
43513 @heading gcore
43514
43515 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43516
43517 @format
43518 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43519 gcore [-a] [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
43520 @c man end
43521 @end format
43522
43523 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43524 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
43525 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
43526 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
43527 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
43528 running without any change.
43529 @c man end
43530
43531 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43532 @table @env
43533 @item -a
43534 Dump all memory mappings. The actual effect of this option depends on
43535 the Operating System. On @sc{gnu}/Linux, it will disable
43536 @code{use-coredump-filter} (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}) and
43537 enable @code{dump-excluded-mappings} (@pxref{set
43538 dump-excluded-mappings}).
43539
43540 @item -o @var{filename}
43541 The optional argument
43542 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
43543 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
43544 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
43545 @end table
43546 @c man end
43547
43548 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43549 @ifset man
43550 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43551 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43552 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43553
43554 @smallexample
43555 info gdb
43556 @end smallexample
43557
43558 @noindent
43559 should give you access to the complete manual.
43560
43561 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43562 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43563 @end ifset
43564 @c man end
43565
43566 @node gdbinit man
43567 @heading gdbinit
43568
43569 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43570
43571 @format
43572 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43573 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43574 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43575 @end ifset
43576
43577 ~/.gdbinit
43578
43579 ./.gdbinit
43580 @c man end
43581 @end format
43582
43583 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43584 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43585 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43586 described in
43587 @ifset man
43588 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43589 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43590 @end ifset
43591 @ifclear man
43592 @ref{Sequences}.
43593 @end ifclear
43594
43595 Please read more in
43596 @ifset man
43597 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43598 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43599 @end ifset
43600 @ifclear man
43601 @ref{Startup}.
43602 @end ifclear
43603
43604 @table @env
43605 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43606 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43607 @end ifset
43608 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43609 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
43610 @end ifclear
43611 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43612 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
43613 See more in
43614 @ifset man
43615 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
43616 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
43617 @end ifset
43618 @ifclear man
43619 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
43620 @end ifclear
43621
43622 @item ~/.gdbinit
43623 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43624 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
43625
43626 @item ./.gdbinit
43627 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
43628 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
43629 See more in
43630 @ifset man
43631 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
43632 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
43633 @end ifset
43634 @ifclear man
43635 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
43636 @end ifclear
43637 @end table
43638 @c man end
43639
43640 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
43641 @ifset man
43642 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
43643
43644 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43645 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43646 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43647
43648 @smallexample
43649 info gdb
43650 @end smallexample
43651
43652 should give you access to the complete manual.
43653
43654 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43655 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43656 @end ifset
43657 @c man end
43658
43659 @node gdb-add-index man
43660 @heading gdb-add-index
43661 @pindex gdb-add-index
43662 @anchor{gdb-add-index}
43663
43664 @c man title gdb-add-index Add index files to speed up GDB
43665
43666 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb-add-index
43667 gdb-add-index @var{filename}
43668 @c man end
43669
43670 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb-add-index
43671 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
43672 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
43673 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly--at the cost of a delay early on.
43674 For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so @value{GDBN}
43675 provides a way to build an index, which speeds up startup.
43676
43677 To determine whether a file contains such an index, use the command
43678 @kbd{readelf -S filename}: the index is stored in a section named
43679 @code{.gdb_index}. The index file can only be produced on systems
43680 which use ELF binaries and DWARF debug information (i.e., sections
43681 named @code{.debug_*}).
43682
43683 @command{gdb-add-index} uses @value{GDBN} and @command{objdump} found
43684 in the @env{PATH} environment variable. If you want to use different
43685 versions of these programs, you can specify them through the
43686 @env{GDB} and @env{OBJDUMP} environment variables.
43687
43688 See more in
43689 @ifset man
43690 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Index Files}
43691 -- shell command @kbd{info -f gdb -n "Index Files"}.
43692 @end ifset
43693 @ifclear man
43694 @ref{Index Files}.
43695 @end ifclear
43696 @c man end
43697
43698 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb-add-index
43699 @ifset man
43700 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43701 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43702 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43703
43704 @smallexample
43705 info gdb
43706 @end smallexample
43707
43708 should give you access to the complete manual.
43709
43710 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43711 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43712 @end ifset
43713 @c man end
43714
43715 @include gpl.texi
43716
43717 @node GNU Free Documentation License
43718 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
43719 @include fdl.texi
43720
43721 @node Concept Index
43722 @unnumbered Concept Index
43723
43724 @printindex cp
43725
43726 @node Command and Variable Index
43727 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
43728
43729 @printindex fn
43730
43731 @tex
43732 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
43733 % meantime:
43734 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
43735 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
43736 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
43737 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
43738 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
43739 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
43740 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
43741 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
43742 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
43743 \page\colophon
43744 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
43745 @end tex
43746
43747 @bye