gdb
[binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
218 @ref{D,,D}.
219
220 @cindex Modula-2
221 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
222 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
223
224 @cindex Pascal
225 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
226 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
227 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
228 syntax.
229
230 @cindex Fortran
231 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
232 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
233 underscore.
234
235 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
236 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
237
238 @menu
239 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
240 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
241 @end menu
242
243 @node Free Software
244 @unnumberedsec Free Software
245
246 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
247 General Public License
248 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
249 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
250 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
251 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
252 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
253 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
254
255 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
256 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
257 from anyone else.
258
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
260
261 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
262 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
263 include with the free software. Many of our most important
264 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
265 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
266 when an important free software package does not come with a free
267 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
268 gaps today.
269
270 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
271 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
272 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
273 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
274 them from the free software world.
275
276 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
277 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
278 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
279 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
280 contract to make it non-free.
281
282 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
283 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
284 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
285 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
286 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
287 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
288 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
289
290 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
291 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
292 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
293 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
294
295 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
296 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
297 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
298 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
299 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
300 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
301 community.
302
303 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
304 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
305 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
306 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
307 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
308 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
309 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
310 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
311 of the manual.
312
313 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
314 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
315 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
316 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
317 manual to replace it.
318
319 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
320 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
321 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
322 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
323 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
324 the free software community.
325
326 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
327 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
328 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
329 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
330 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
331 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
332 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
333 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
334 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
335
336 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
337 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
338 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
339 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
340 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
341 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
342 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
343 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
344
345 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
346 published by other publishers, at
347 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
348
349 @node Contributors
350 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
351
352 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
353 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
354 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
355 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
356 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
357 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
358 blow-by-blow account.
359
360 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
361
362 @quotation
363 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
364 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
365 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
366 @end quotation
367
368 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
369 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
370 releases:
371 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
372 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
373 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
374 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
375 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
376 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
377 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
378 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
379 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
380
381 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
382 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
383
384 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
385 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
386 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
387 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
388 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
389
390 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
391 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
392 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
393
394 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
395 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
396
397 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
398
399 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
400 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
401 support.
402 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
403 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
404 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
405 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
406 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
407 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
408 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
409 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
410 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
411 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
412 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
413 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
414 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
415 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
416 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
417 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
418
419 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
420
421 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
422 libraries.
423
424 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
425 about several machine instruction sets.
426
427 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
428 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
429 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
430 and RDI targets, respectively.
431
432 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
433 command-line editing and command history.
434
435 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
436 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
437
438 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
439 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
440 symbols.
441
442 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
443 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
444
445 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
446
447 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
448 processors.
449
450 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
451
452 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
453
454 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
455
456 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
457 watchpoints.
458
459 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
460
461 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
462
463 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
464 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
465
466 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
467 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
468 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
469 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
470 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
471 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
472 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
473
474 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
475 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
476
477 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
478 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
479 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
480 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
481 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
482 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
483 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
484 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
485 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
486 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
487 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
488 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
489 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
490 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
491 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
492
493 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
494 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
495
496 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
497 Hat.
498
499 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
500 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
501 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
502 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
503 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
504 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
505
506 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
507 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
508 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
509 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
510 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
511 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
512 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
513 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
514 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
515 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
516 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
517 Weigand.
518
519 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
520 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
521 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
522 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
523
524 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
525 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
526
527 @node Sample Session
528 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
529
530 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
531 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
532 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
533
534 @iftex
535 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
536 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
537 @end iftex
538
539 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
540 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
541
542 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
543 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
544 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
545 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
546 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
547 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
548 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
549 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
550 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
551
552 @smallexample
553 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
554 $ @b{./m4}
555 @b{define(foo,0000)}
556
557 @b{foo}
558 0000
559 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
560
561 @b{bar}
562 0000
563 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
564
565 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
566 @b{baz}
567 @b{Ctrl-d}
568 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
569 @end smallexample
570
571 @noindent
572 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
573
574 @smallexample
575 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
576 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
577 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
578 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
579 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
580 the conditions.
581 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
582 for details.
583
584 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
585 (@value{GDBP})
586 @end smallexample
587
588 @noindent
589 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
590 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
591 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
592 that examples fit in this manual.
593
594 @smallexample
595 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
596 @end smallexample
597
598 @noindent
599 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
600 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
601 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
602 @code{break} command.
603
604 @smallexample
605 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
606 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
607 @end smallexample
608
609 @noindent
610 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
611 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
612 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
613
614 @smallexample
615 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
616 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
617 @b{define(foo,0000)}
618
619 @b{foo}
620 0000
621 @end smallexample
622
623 @noindent
624 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
625 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
626 context where it stops.
627
628 @smallexample
629 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
630
631 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
632 at builtin.c:879
633 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
634 @end smallexample
635
636 @noindent
637 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
638 the next line of the current function.
639
640 @smallexample
641 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
642 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
643 : nil,
644 @end smallexample
645
646 @noindent
647 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
648 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
649 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
650 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
651
652 @smallexample
653 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
654 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
655 at input.c:530
656 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
657 @end smallexample
658
659 @noindent
660 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
661 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
662 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
663 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
664 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
665 stack frame for each active subroutine.
666
667 @smallexample
668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
669 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
670 at input.c:530
671 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
672 at builtin.c:882
673 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
674 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
675 at macro.c:71
676 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
677 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
678 @end smallexample
679
680 @noindent
681 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
682 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
683 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
684
685 @smallexample
686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
687 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
689 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
690 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
693 : xstrdup(rq);
694 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
695 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
696 @end smallexample
697
698 @noindent
699 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
700 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
701 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
702 (@code{print}) to see their values.
703
704 @smallexample
705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
706 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
708 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
709 @end smallexample
710
711 @noindent
712 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
713 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
714 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
715
716 @smallexample
717 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
718 533 xfree(rquote);
719 534
720 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
721 : xstrdup (lq);
722 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
723 : xstrdup (rq);
724 537
725 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
726 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
727 540 @}
728 541
729 542 void
730 @end smallexample
731
732 @noindent
733 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
734 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
735
736 @smallexample
737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
738 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
740 540 @}
741 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
742 $3 = 9
743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
744 $4 = 7
745 @end smallexample
746
747 @noindent
748 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
749 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
750 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
751 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
752 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
753 assignments.
754
755 @smallexample
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
757 $5 = 7
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
759 $6 = 9
760 @end smallexample
761
762 @noindent
763 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
764 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
765 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
766 example that caused trouble initially:
767
768 @smallexample
769 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
770 Continuing.
771
772 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
773
774 baz
775 0000
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
780 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
781 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
782
783 @smallexample
784 @b{Ctrl-d}
785 Program exited normally.
786 @end smallexample
787
788 @noindent
789 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
790 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
791 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
792
793 @smallexample
794 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
795 @end smallexample
796
797 @node Invocation
798 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
799
800 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
801 The essentials are:
802 @itemize @bullet
803 @item
804 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
805 @item
806 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
807 @end itemize
808
809 @menu
810 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
811 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
812 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
813 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
814 @end menu
815
816 @node Invoking GDB
817 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
818
819 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
820 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
821
822 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
823 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
824
825 The command-line options described here are designed
826 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
827 options may effectively be unavailable.
828
829 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
830 specifying an executable program:
831
832 @smallexample
833 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
834 @end smallexample
835
836 @noindent
837 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
838 specified:
839
840 @smallexample
841 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
842 @end smallexample
843
844 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
845 to debug a running process:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
849 @end smallexample
850
851 @noindent
852 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
853 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
854
855 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
856 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
857 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
858 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
859 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
860
861 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
862 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
863 option processing.
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
866 @end smallexample
867 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
868 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
869
870 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
871 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
872
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} -silent
875 @end smallexample
876
877 @noindent
878 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
879 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
880
881 @noindent
882 Type
883
884 @smallexample
885 @value{GDBP} -help
886 @end smallexample
887
888 @noindent
889 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
890 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
891
892 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
893 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
894 @samp{-x} option is used.
895
896
897 @menu
898 * File Options:: Choosing files
899 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
900 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
901 @end menu
902
903 @node File Options
904 @subsection Choosing Files
905
906 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
907 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
908 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
909 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
910 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
911 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
912 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
913 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
914 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
915 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
916 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
917 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
918 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
919
920 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
921 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
922 argument and ignore it.
923
924 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
925 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
926 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
927 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
928 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
929
930 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
931 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
932 @c it.
933
934 @table @code
935 @item -symbols @var{file}
936 @itemx -s @var{file}
937 @cindex @code{--symbols}
938 @cindex @code{-s}
939 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
940
941 @item -exec @var{file}
942 @itemx -e @var{file}
943 @cindex @code{--exec}
944 @cindex @code{-e}
945 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
946 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
947
948 @item -se @var{file}
949 @cindex @code{--se}
950 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
951 file.
952
953 @item -core @var{file}
954 @itemx -c @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--core}
956 @cindex @code{-c}
957 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
958
959 @item -pid @var{number}
960 @itemx -p @var{number}
961 @cindex @code{--pid}
962 @cindex @code{-p}
963 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
964
965 @item -command @var{file}
966 @itemx -x @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--command}
968 @cindex @code{-x}
969 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
970 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
971 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
972
973 @item -eval-command @var{command}
974 @itemx -ex @var{command}
975 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
976 @cindex @code{-ex}
977 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
978
979 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
980 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
981
982 @smallexample
983 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
984 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
985 @end smallexample
986
987 @item -directory @var{directory}
988 @itemx -d @var{directory}
989 @cindex @code{--directory}
990 @cindex @code{-d}
991 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
992
993 @item -r
994 @itemx -readnow
995 @cindex @code{--readnow}
996 @cindex @code{-r}
997 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
998 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
999 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1000
1001 @end table
1002
1003 @node Mode Options
1004 @subsection Choosing Modes
1005
1006 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1007 batch mode or quiet mode.
1008
1009 @table @code
1010 @item -nx
1011 @itemx -n
1012 @cindex @code{--nx}
1013 @cindex @code{-n}
1014 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1015 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1016 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1017 Files}.
1018
1019 @item -quiet
1020 @itemx -silent
1021 @itemx -q
1022 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1023 @cindex @code{--silent}
1024 @cindex @code{-q}
1025 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1026 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1027
1028 @item -batch
1029 @cindex @code{--batch}
1030 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1031 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1032 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1033 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1034 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination;
1035 @pxref{Screen Size} and acts as if @kbd{set confirm off} were in
1036 effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1037
1038 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1039 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1040 make this more useful, the message
1041
1042 @smallexample
1043 Program exited normally.
1044 @end smallexample
1045
1046 @noindent
1047 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1048 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1049 mode.
1050
1051 @item -batch-silent
1052 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1053 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1054 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1055 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1056 for an interactive session.
1057
1058 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1059 messages, for example.
1060
1061 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1062 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1063
1064 @item -return-child-result
1065 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1066 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1067 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1068
1069 @itemize @bullet
1070 @item
1071 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1072 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1073 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1074 @item
1075 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1076 @item
1077 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1078 the exit code will be -1.
1079 @end itemize
1080
1081 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1082 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1083 interface.
1084
1085 @item -nowindows
1086 @itemx -nw
1087 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1088 @cindex @code{-nw}
1089 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1090 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1091 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1092
1093 @item -windows
1094 @itemx -w
1095 @cindex @code{--windows}
1096 @cindex @code{-w}
1097 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1098 used if possible.
1099
1100 @item -cd @var{directory}
1101 @cindex @code{--cd}
1102 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1103 instead of the current directory.
1104
1105 @item -fullname
1106 @itemx -f
1107 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1108 @cindex @code{-f}
1109 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1110 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1111 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1112 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1113 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1114 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1115 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1116 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1117 frame.
1118
1119 @item -epoch
1120 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1121 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1122 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1123 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1124 separate window.
1125
1126 @item -annotate @var{level}
1127 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1128 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1129 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1130 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1131 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1132 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1133 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1134 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1135 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1136
1137 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1138 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1139
1140 @item --args
1141 @cindex @code{--args}
1142 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1143 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1144 This option stops option processing.
1145
1146 @item -baud @var{bps}
1147 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1148 @cindex @code{--baud}
1149 @cindex @code{-b}
1150 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1151 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1152
1153 @item -l @var{timeout}
1154 @cindex @code{-l}
1155 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1156 for remote debugging.
1157
1158 @item -tty @var{device}
1159 @itemx -t @var{device}
1160 @cindex @code{--tty}
1161 @cindex @code{-t}
1162 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1163 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1164
1165 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1166 @item -tui
1167 @cindex @code{--tui}
1168 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1169 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1170 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1171 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1172 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1173 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1174 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1175
1176 @c @item -xdb
1177 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1178 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1179 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1180 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1181 @c systems.
1182
1183 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1184 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1185 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1186 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1187 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1188 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1189
1190 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1191 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1192 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1193 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1194 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1195 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1196
1197 @item -write
1198 @cindex @code{--write}
1199 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1200 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1201 (@pxref{Patching}).
1202
1203 @item -statistics
1204 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1205 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1206 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1207
1208 @item -version
1209 @cindex @code{--version}
1210 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1211 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1212
1213 @end table
1214
1215 @node Startup
1216 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1217 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1218
1219 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1220
1221 @enumerate
1222 @item
1223 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1224 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1225
1226 @item
1227 @cindex init file
1228 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1229 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1230 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1231 that file.
1232
1233 @item
1234 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1235 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1236 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1237 that file.
1238
1239 @item
1240 Processes command line options and operands.
1241
1242 @item
1243 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1244 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1245 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1246 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1247 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1248 @value{GDBN}.
1249
1250 @item
1251 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1252 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1253
1254 @item
1255 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1256 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1257 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1258 @end enumerate
1259
1260 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1261 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1262 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1263 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1264 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1265 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1266
1267 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1268 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1269
1270 @cindex init file name
1271 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1272 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1273 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1274 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1275 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1276 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1277 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1278 the file to the standard name.
1279
1280
1281 @node Quitting GDB
1282 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1283 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1284 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1285
1286 @table @code
1287 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1288 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1289 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1290 @itemx q
1291 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1292 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1293 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1294 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1295 error code.
1296 @end table
1297
1298 @cindex interrupt
1299 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1300 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1301 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1302 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1303 until a time when it is safe.
1304
1305 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1306 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1307 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1308
1309 @node Shell Commands
1310 @section Shell Commands
1311
1312 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1313 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1314 just use the @code{shell} command.
1315
1316 @table @code
1317 @kindex shell
1318 @cindex shell escape
1319 @item shell @var{command string}
1320 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1321 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1322 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1323 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1324 @end table
1325
1326 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1327 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1328 @value{GDBN}:
1329
1330 @table @code
1331 @kindex make
1332 @cindex calling make
1333 @item make @var{make-args}
1334 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1335 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1336 @end table
1337
1338 @node Logging Output
1339 @section Logging Output
1340 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1341 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1342
1343 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1344 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1345
1346 @table @code
1347 @kindex set logging
1348 @item set logging on
1349 Enable logging.
1350 @item set logging off
1351 Disable logging.
1352 @cindex logging file name
1353 @item set logging file @var{file}
1354 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1355 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1356 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1357 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1358 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1359 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1360 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1361 @kindex show logging
1362 @item show logging
1363 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1364 @end table
1365
1366 @node Commands
1367 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1368
1369 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1370 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1371 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1372 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1373 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1374
1375 @menu
1376 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1377 * Completion:: Command completion
1378 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1379 @end menu
1380
1381 @node Command Syntax
1382 @section Command Syntax
1383
1384 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1385 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1386 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1387 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1388 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1389 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1390
1391 @cindex abbreviation
1392 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1393 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1394 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1395 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1396 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1397 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1398 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1399
1400 @cindex repeating commands
1401 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1402 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1403 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1404 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1405 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1406 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1407 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1408
1409 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1410 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1411 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1412
1413 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1414 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1415 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1416 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1417 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1418
1419 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1420 @cindex comment
1421 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1422 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1423 Files,,Command Files}).
1424
1425 @cindex repeating command sequences
1426 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1427 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1428 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1429 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1430 for editing.
1431
1432 @node Completion
1433 @section Command Completion
1434
1435 @cindex completion
1436 @cindex word completion
1437 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1438 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1439 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1440 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1441
1442 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1443 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1444 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1445 enter it). For example, if you type
1446
1447 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1448 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1449 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1450 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1451 @smallexample
1452 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1453 @end smallexample
1454
1455 @noindent
1456 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1457 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1458
1459 @smallexample
1460 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1461 @end smallexample
1462
1463 @noindent
1464 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1465 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1466 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1467 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1468 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1469 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1470
1471 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1472 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1473 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1474 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1475 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1476 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1477 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1478 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1479 example:
1480
1481 @smallexample
1482 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1483 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1484 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1485 make_abs_section make_function_type
1486 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1487 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1488 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1489 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1490 @end smallexample
1491
1492 @noindent
1493 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1494 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1495 command.
1496
1497 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1498 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1499 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1500 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1501 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1502
1503 @cindex quotes in commands
1504 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1505 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1506 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1507 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1508 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1509 @value{GDBN} commands.
1510
1511 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1512 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1513 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1514 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1515 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1516 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1517 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1518 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1519 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1520 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1521 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1522
1523 @smallexample
1524 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1525 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1526 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1527 @end smallexample
1528
1529 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1530 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1531 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1532 place:
1533
1534 @smallexample
1535 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1536 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1537 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1538 @end smallexample
1539
1540 @noindent
1541 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1542 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1543 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1544
1545 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1546 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1547 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1548 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1549
1550 @cindex completion of structure field names
1551 @cindex structure field name completion
1552 @cindex completion of union field names
1553 @cindex union field name completion
1554 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1555 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1556 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1557 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1558 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1559 left-hand-side:
1560
1561 @smallexample
1562 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1563 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1564 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1565 @end smallexample
1566
1567 @noindent
1568 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1569 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1570 follows:
1571
1572 @smallexample
1573 struct ui_file
1574 @{
1575 int *magic;
1576 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1577 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1578 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1579 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1580 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1581 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1582 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1583 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1584 void *to_data;
1585 @}
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588
1589 @node Help
1590 @section Getting Help
1591 @cindex online documentation
1592 @kindex help
1593
1594 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1595 using the command @code{help}.
1596
1597 @table @code
1598 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1599 @item help
1600 @itemx h
1601 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1602 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1603
1604 @smallexample
1605 (@value{GDBP}) help
1606 List of classes of commands:
1607
1608 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1609 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1610 data -- Examining data
1611 files -- Specifying and examining files
1612 internals -- Maintenance commands
1613 obscure -- Obscure features
1614 running -- Running the program
1615 stack -- Examining the stack
1616 status -- Status inquiries
1617 support -- Support facilities
1618 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1619 stopping the program
1620 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1621
1622 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1623 commands in that class.
1624 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1625 documentation.
1626 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1627 (@value{GDBP})
1628 @end smallexample
1629 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1630
1631 @item help @var{class}
1632 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1633 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1634 help display for the class @code{status}:
1635
1636 @smallexample
1637 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1638 Status inquiries.
1639
1640 List of commands:
1641
1642 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1643 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1644 info -- Generic command for showing things
1645 about the program being debugged
1646 show -- Generic command for showing things
1647 about the debugger
1648
1649 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1650 documentation.
1651 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1652 (@value{GDBP})
1653 @end smallexample
1654
1655 @item help @var{command}
1656 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1657 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1658
1659 @kindex apropos
1660 @item apropos @var{args}
1661 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1662 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1663 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1664
1665 @smallexample
1666 apropos reload
1667 @end smallexample
1668
1669 @noindent
1670 results in:
1671
1672 @smallexample
1673 @c @group
1674 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1675 multiple times in one run
1676 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1677 multiple times in one run
1678 @c @end group
1679 @end smallexample
1680
1681 @kindex complete
1682 @item complete @var{args}
1683 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1684 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1685 command you want completed. For example:
1686
1687 @smallexample
1688 complete i
1689 @end smallexample
1690
1691 @noindent results in:
1692
1693 @smallexample
1694 @group
1695 if
1696 ignore
1697 info
1698 inspect
1699 @end group
1700 @end smallexample
1701
1702 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1703 @end table
1704
1705 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1706 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1707 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1708 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1709 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1710 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1711
1712 @c @group
1713 @table @code
1714 @kindex info
1715 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1716 @item info
1717 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1718 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1719 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1720 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1721 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1722 @w{@code{help info}}.
1723
1724 @kindex set
1725 @item set
1726 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1727 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1728 @code{set prompt $}.
1729
1730 @kindex show
1731 @item show
1732 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1733 @value{GDBN} itself.
1734 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1735 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1736 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1737 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1738
1739 @kindex info set
1740 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1741 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1742 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1743 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1744 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1745 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1746 @end table
1747 @c @end group
1748
1749 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1750 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1751
1752 @table @code
1753 @kindex show version
1754 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1755 @item show version
1756 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1757 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1758 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1759 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1760 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1761 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1762 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1763 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1764 @value{GDBN}.
1765
1766 @kindex show copying
1767 @kindex info copying
1768 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1769 @item show copying
1770 @itemx info copying
1771 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1772
1773 @kindex show warranty
1774 @kindex info warranty
1775 @item show warranty
1776 @itemx info warranty
1777 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1778 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1779
1780 @end table
1781
1782 @node Running
1783 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1784
1785 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1786 debugging information when you compile it.
1787
1788 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1789 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1790 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1791 kill a child process.
1792
1793 @menu
1794 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1795 * Starting:: Starting your program
1796 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1797 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1798
1799 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1800 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1801 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1802 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1803
1804 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1805 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1806 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1807 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1808 @end menu
1809
1810 @node Compilation
1811 @section Compiling for Debugging
1812
1813 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1814 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1815 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1816 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1817 and addresses in the executable code.
1818
1819 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1820 the compiler.
1821
1822 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1823 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1824 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1825 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1826 executables containing debugging information.
1827
1828 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1829 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1830 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1831 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1832 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1833
1834 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1835 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1836 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1837
1838 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1839 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1840 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1841 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1842 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1843 provides macro information if you specify the options
1844 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1845 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1846 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1847 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1848 @option{-g} alone.
1849
1850 @need 2000
1851 @node Starting
1852 @section Starting your Program
1853 @cindex starting
1854 @cindex running
1855
1856 @table @code
1857 @kindex run
1858 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1859 @item run
1860 @itemx r
1861 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1862 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1863 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1864 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1865 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1866
1867 @end table
1868
1869 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1870 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1871 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1872 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1873 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1874 message like this one:
1875
1876 @smallexample
1877 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1878 Try "help target" or "continue".
1879 @end smallexample
1880
1881 @noindent
1882 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1883 first (@pxref{load}).
1884
1885 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1886 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1887 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1888 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1889 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1890 divided into four categories:
1891
1892 @table @asis
1893 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1894 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1895 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1896 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1897 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1898 the arguments.
1899 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1900 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1901 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1902
1903 @item The @emph{environment.}
1904 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1905 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1906 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1907 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1908
1909 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1910 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1911 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1912 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1913
1914 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1915 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1916 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1917 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1918 set a different device for your program.
1919 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1920
1921 @cindex pipes
1922 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1923 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1924 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1925 wrong program.
1926 @end table
1927
1928 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1929 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1930 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1931 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1932 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1933
1934 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1935 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1936 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1937 your current breakpoints.
1938
1939 @table @code
1940 @kindex start
1941 @item start
1942 @cindex run to main procedure
1943 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1944 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1945 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1946 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1947 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1948 procedure, depending on the language used.
1949
1950 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1951 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1952 the @samp{run} command.
1953
1954 @cindex elaboration phase
1955 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1956 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1957 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1958 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1959 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1960 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1961 will remain to halt execution.
1962
1963 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1964 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1965 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1966 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1967 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1968
1969 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1970 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1971 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1972 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1973 elaboration code before running your program.
1974
1975 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1976 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1977 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1978 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1979 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1980 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1981 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1982 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1983 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1984 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1985 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1986
1987 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1988 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1989 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1990 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1991
1992 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1993 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1994 environment:
1995
1996 @smallexample
1997 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1998 (@value{GDBP}) run
1999 @end smallexample
2000
2001 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2002 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2003
2004 @kindex set disable-randomization
2005 @item set disable-randomization
2006 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2007 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2008 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2009 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2010 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2011
2012 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2013 behavior using
2014
2015 @smallexample
2016 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2017 @end smallexample
2018
2019 @item set disable-randomization off
2020 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2021 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2022 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2023 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2024 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2025 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2026
2027 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2028 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2029 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2030 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2031 a code at its expected addresses.
2032
2033 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2034 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2035 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2036 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2037 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2038 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2039 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2040 a randomly chosen address.
2041
2042 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2043 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2044 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2045 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2046 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2047
2048 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2049 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2050
2051 @item show disable-randomization
2052 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2053 the virtual address space of the started program.
2054
2055 @end table
2056
2057 @node Arguments
2058 @section Your Program's Arguments
2059
2060 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2061 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2062 @code{run} command.
2063 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2064 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2065 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2066 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2067 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2068
2069 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2070 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2071 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2072 the program, not by the shell.
2073
2074 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2075 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2076
2077 @table @code
2078 @kindex set args
2079 @item set args
2080 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2081 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2082 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2083 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2084 it again without arguments.
2085
2086 @kindex show args
2087 @item show args
2088 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2089 @end table
2090
2091 @node Environment
2092 @section Your Program's Environment
2093
2094 @cindex environment (of your program)
2095 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2096 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2097 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2098 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2099 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2100 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2101 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2102
2103 @table @code
2104 @kindex path
2105 @item path @var{directory}
2106 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2107 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2108 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2109 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2110 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2111 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2112 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2113
2114 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2115 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2116 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2117 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2118 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2119 @var{directory} to the search path.
2120 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2121 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2122
2123 @kindex show paths
2124 @item show paths
2125 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2126 environment variable).
2127
2128 @kindex show environment
2129 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2130 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2131 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2132 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2133 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2134
2135 @kindex set environment
2136 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2137 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2138 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2139 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2140 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2141 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2142 null value.
2143 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2144 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2145
2146 For example, this command:
2147
2148 @smallexample
2149 set env USER = foo
2150 @end smallexample
2151
2152 @noindent
2153 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2154 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2155 are not actually required.)
2156
2157 @kindex unset environment
2158 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2159 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2160 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2161 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2162 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2163 @end table
2164
2165 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2166 the shell indicated
2167 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2168 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2169 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2170 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2171 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2172 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2173 @file{.profile}.
2174
2175 @node Working Directory
2176 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2177
2178 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2179 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2180 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2181 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2182 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2183 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2184
2185 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2186 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2187 Specify Files}.
2188
2189 @table @code
2190 @kindex cd
2191 @cindex change working directory
2192 @item cd @var{directory}
2193 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2194
2195 @kindex pwd
2196 @item pwd
2197 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2201 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2202 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2203 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2204 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2205 current working directory of the debuggee.
2206
2207 @node Input/Output
2208 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2209
2210 @cindex redirection
2211 @cindex i/o
2212 @cindex terminal
2213 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2214 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2215 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2216 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2217 running your program.
2218
2219 @table @code
2220 @kindex info terminal
2221 @item info terminal
2222 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2223 program is using.
2224 @end table
2225
2226 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2227 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2228
2229 @smallexample
2230 run > outfile
2231 @end smallexample
2232
2233 @noindent
2234 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2235
2236 @kindex tty
2237 @cindex controlling terminal
2238 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2239 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2240 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2241 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2242 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2243
2244 @smallexample
2245 tty /dev/ttyb
2246 @end smallexample
2247
2248 @noindent
2249 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2250 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2251 that as their controlling terminal.
2252
2253 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2254 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2255 terminal.
2256
2257 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2258 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2259 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2260 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2261
2262 @cindex inferior tty
2263 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2264 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2265 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2266 program.
2267
2268 @table @code
2269 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2270 @kindex set inferior-tty
2271 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2272
2273 @item show inferior-tty
2274 @kindex show inferior-tty
2275 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2276 @end table
2277
2278 @node Attach
2279 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2280 @kindex attach
2281 @cindex attach
2282
2283 @table @code
2284 @item attach @var{process-id}
2285 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2286 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2287 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2288 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2289 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2290
2291 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2292 executing the command.
2293 @end table
2294
2295 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2296 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2297 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2298 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2299
2300 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2301 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2302 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2303 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2304 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2305 Specify Files}.
2306
2307 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2308 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2309 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2310 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2311 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2312 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2313 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2314
2315 @table @code
2316 @kindex detach
2317 @item detach
2318 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2319 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2320 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2321 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2322 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2323 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2324 executing the command.
2325 @end table
2326
2327 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2328 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2329 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2330 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2331 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2332 Messages}).
2333
2334 @node Kill Process
2335 @section Killing the Child Process
2336
2337 @table @code
2338 @kindex kill
2339 @item kill
2340 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2341 @end table
2342
2343 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2344 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2345 is running.
2346
2347 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2348 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2349 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2350 outside the debugger.
2351
2352 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2353 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2354 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2355 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2356 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2357 breakpoint settings).
2358
2359 @node Inferiors and Programs
2360 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2361
2362 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2363 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2364 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2365 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2366 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2367 from multiple executables.
2368
2369 @cindex inferior
2370 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2371 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2372 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2373 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2374 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2375 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2376 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2377 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2378 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2379 threads running in it.
2380
2381 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2382 inferiors}}:
2383
2384 @table @code
2385 @kindex info inferiors
2386 @item info inferiors
2387 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2388
2389 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2390
2391 @enumerate
2392 @item
2393 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2394
2395 @item
2396 the target system's inferior identifier
2397
2398 @item
2399 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2400
2401 @end enumerate
2402
2403 @noindent
2404 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2405 indicates the current inferior.
2406
2407 For example,
2408 @end table
2409 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2410
2411 @smallexample
2412 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2413 Num Description Executable
2414 2 process 2307 hello
2415 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2416 @end smallexample
2417
2418 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2419
2420 @table @code
2421 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2422 @item inferior @var{infno}
2423 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2424 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2425 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2426 @end table
2427
2428
2429 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2430 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2431 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2432 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2433 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2434 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2435
2436 @table @code
2437 @kindex add-inferior
2438 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2439 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2440 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2441 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2442 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2443 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2444
2445 @kindex clone-inferior
2446 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2447 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2448 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2449 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2450 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2451
2452 @smallexample
2453 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2454 Num Description Executable
2455 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2456 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2457 Added inferior 2.
2458 1 inferiors added.
2459 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2460 Num Description Executable
2461 2 <null> helloworld
2462 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2463 @end smallexample
2464
2465 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2466
2467 @kindex remove-inferior
2468 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2469 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2470 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2471 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2472
2473 @end table
2474
2475 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2476 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2477 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2478 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2479
2480 @table @code
2481 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2482 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2483 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2484 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2485
2486 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2487 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2488 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2489 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2490 @end table
2491
2492 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2493 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2494 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2495 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2496
2497
2498 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2499 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2500
2501 @table @code
2502 @kindex set print inferior-events
2503 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2504 @item set print inferior-events
2505 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2506 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2507 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2508 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2509 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2510 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2511
2512 @kindex show print inferior-events
2513 @item show print inferior-events
2514 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2515 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2516 @end table
2517
2518 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2519 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2520 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2521
2522
2523 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2524 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2525 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2526 info program-spaces}} command.
2527
2528 @table @code
2529 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2530 @item maint info program-spaces
2531 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2532 @value{GDBN}.
2533
2534 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2535
2536 @enumerate
2537 @item
2538 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2539
2540 @item
2541 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2542 the @code{file} command.
2543
2544 @end enumerate
2545
2546 @noindent
2547 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2548 indicates the current program space.
2549
2550 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2551 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2552 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2553
2554 @smallexample
2555 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2556 Id Executable
2557 2 goodbye
2558 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2559 * 1 hello
2560 @end smallexample
2561
2562 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2563 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2564 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2565 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2566 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2567
2568 @smallexample
2569 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2570 Id Executable
2571 * 1 vfork-test
2572 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2573 @end smallexample
2574
2575 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2576 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2577 @end table
2578
2579 @node Threads
2580 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2581
2582 @cindex threads of execution
2583 @cindex multiple threads
2584 @cindex switching threads
2585 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2586 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2587 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2588 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2589 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2590 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2591 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2592
2593 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2594 programs:
2595
2596 @itemize @bullet
2597 @item automatic notification of new threads
2598 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2599 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2600 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2601 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2602 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2603 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2604 messages on thread start and exit.
2605 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2606 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2607 isn't compatible with the program.
2608 @end itemize
2609
2610 @quotation
2611 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2612 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2613 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2614 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2615 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2616 like this:
2617
2618 @smallexample
2619 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2620 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2621 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2622 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2623 @end smallexample
2624 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2625 @c doesn't support threads"?
2626 @end quotation
2627
2628 @cindex focus of debugging
2629 @cindex current thread
2630 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2631 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2632 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2633 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2634 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2635
2636 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2637 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2638 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2639 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2640 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2641 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2642 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2643 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2644 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2645 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2646
2647 @smallexample
2648 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2649 @end smallexample
2650
2651 @noindent
2652 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2653 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2654 further qualifier.
2655
2656 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2657 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2658 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2659 @c program?
2660 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2661 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2662 @c threads ab initio?
2663
2664 @cindex thread number
2665 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2666 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2667 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2668
2669 @table @code
2670 @kindex info threads
2671 @item info threads
2672 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2673 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2674
2675 @enumerate
2676 @item
2677 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2678
2679 @item
2680 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2681
2682 @item
2683 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2684 @end enumerate
2685
2686 @noindent
2687 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2688 indicates the current thread.
2689
2690 For example,
2691 @end table
2692 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2693
2694 @smallexample
2695 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2696 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2697 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2698 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2699 at threadtest.c:68
2700 @end smallexample
2701
2702 On HP-UX systems:
2703
2704 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2705 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2706 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2707 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2708 thread in your program.
2709
2710 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2711 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2712 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2713 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2714 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2715 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2716 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2717 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2718 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2719 HP-UX, you see
2720
2721 @smallexample
2722 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2723 @end smallexample
2724
2725 @noindent
2726 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2727
2728 @table @code
2729 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2730 @item info threads
2731 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2732 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2733
2734 @enumerate
2735 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2736
2737 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2738
2739 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2740 @end enumerate
2741
2742 @noindent
2743 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2744 indicates the current thread.
2745
2746 For example,
2747 @end table
2748 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2749
2750 @smallexample
2751 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2752 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2753 at quicksort.c:137
2754 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2755 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2756 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2757 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2758 @end smallexample
2759
2760 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2761 Solaris-specific command:
2762
2763 @table @code
2764 @item maint info sol-threads
2765 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2766 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2767 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2768 @end table
2769
2770 @table @code
2771 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2772 @item thread @var{threadno}
2773 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2774 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2775 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2776 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2777 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2778
2779 @smallexample
2780 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2781 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2782 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2783 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2784 @end smallexample
2785
2786 @noindent
2787 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2788 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2789 threads.
2790
2791 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2792 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2793 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2794 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2795 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2796 information on convenience variables.
2797
2798 @kindex thread apply
2799 @cindex apply command to several threads
2800 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2801 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2802 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2803 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2804 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2805 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2806 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2807 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2808
2809 @kindex set print thread-events
2810 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2811 @item set print thread-events
2812 @itemx set print thread-events on
2813 @itemx set print thread-events off
2814 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2815 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2816 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2817 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2818 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2819
2820 @kindex show print thread-events
2821 @item show print thread-events
2822 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2823 have started and exited.
2824 @end table
2825
2826 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2827 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2828 programs with multiple threads.
2829
2830 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2831 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2832
2833 @table @code
2834 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2835 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2836 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2837 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2838 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2839 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2840 an empty list.
2841
2842 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2843 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2844 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2845 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2846 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2847 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2848
2849 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2850 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2851 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2852 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2853 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2854 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2855 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2856
2857 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2858 only on some platforms.
2859
2860 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2861 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2862 Display current libthread_db search path.
2863 @end table
2864
2865 @node Forks
2866 @section Debugging Forks
2867
2868 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2869 @cindex multiple processes
2870 @cindex processes, multiple
2871 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2872 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2873 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2874 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2875 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2876 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2877 will cause it to terminate.
2878
2879 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2880 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2881 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2882 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2883 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2884 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2885 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2886 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2887 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2888 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2889
2890 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2891 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2892 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2893 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2894
2895 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2896 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2897
2898 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2899 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2900
2901 @table @code
2902 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2903 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2904 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2905 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2906 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2907
2908 @table @code
2909 @item parent
2910 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2911 unimpeded. This is the default.
2912
2913 @item child
2914 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2915 unimpeded.
2916
2917 @end table
2918
2919 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2920 @item show follow-fork-mode
2921 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2922 @end table
2923
2924 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2925 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2926 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2927
2928 @table @code
2929 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2930 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2931 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2932 retain debugger control over them both.
2933
2934 @table @code
2935 @item on
2936 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2937 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2938 independently. This is the default.
2939
2940 @item off
2941 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2942 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2943 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2944 is held suspended.
2945
2946 @end table
2947
2948 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2949 @item show detach-on-fork
2950 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2951 @end table
2952
2953 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2954 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2955 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2956 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2957 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2958 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2959
2960 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2961 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2962 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2963 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2964 and Programs}.
2965
2966 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2967 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2968 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2969 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2970 the child process's @code{main}.
2971
2972 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2973 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2974
2975 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2976 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2977 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2978 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2979 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2980 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2981 command.
2982
2983 @table @code
2984 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2985 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2986
2987 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2988 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2989
2990 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2991
2992 @table @code
2993 @item new
2994 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2995 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2996 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2997 original inferior.
2998
2999 For example:
3000
3001 @smallexample
3002 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3003 (gdb) info inferior
3004 Id Description Executable
3005 * 1 <null> prog1
3006 (@value{GDBP}) run
3007 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3008 Program exited normally.
3009 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3010 Id Description Executable
3011 * 2 <null> prog2
3012 1 <null> prog1
3013 @end smallexample
3014
3015 @item same
3016 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3017 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3018 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3019 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3020 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3021
3022 For example:
3023
3024 @smallexample
3025 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3026 Id Description Executable
3027 * 1 <null> prog1
3028 (@value{GDBP}) run
3029 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3030 Program exited normally.
3031 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3032 Id Description Executable
3033 * 1 <null> prog2
3034 @end smallexample
3035
3036 @end table
3037 @end table
3038
3039 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3040 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3041 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3042
3043 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3044 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3045
3046 @cindex checkpoint
3047 @cindex restart
3048 @cindex bookmark
3049 @cindex snapshot of a process
3050 @cindex rewind program state
3051
3052 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3053 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3054 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3055 later.
3056
3057 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3058 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3059 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3060 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3061 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3062
3063 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3064 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3065 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3066 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3067 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3068 start again from there.
3069
3070 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3071 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3072
3073 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3074
3075 @table @code
3076 @kindex checkpoint
3077 @item checkpoint
3078 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3079 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3080 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3081
3082 @kindex info checkpoints
3083 @item info checkpoints
3084 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3085 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3086 listed:
3087
3088 @table @code
3089 @item Checkpoint ID
3090 @item Process ID
3091 @item Code Address
3092 @item Source line, or label
3093 @end table
3094
3095 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3096 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3097 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3098 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3099 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3100 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3101 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3102
3103 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3104 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3105 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3106 the debugger.
3107
3108 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3109 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3110 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3111
3112 @end table
3113
3114 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3115 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3116 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3117 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3118 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3119 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3120 previously read data can be read again.
3121
3122 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3123 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3124 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3125 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3126 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3127 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3128
3129 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3130 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3131 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3132 different execution path this time.
3133
3134 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3135 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3136 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3137 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3138 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3139 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3140 potentially pose a problem.
3141
3142 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3143
3144 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3145 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3146 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3147 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3148 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3149 next.
3150
3151 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3152 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3153 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3154 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3155 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3156
3157 @node Stopping
3158 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3159
3160 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3161 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3162 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3163
3164 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3165 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3166 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3167 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3168 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3169 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3170 explicitly request this information at any time.
3171
3172 @table @code
3173 @kindex info program
3174 @item info program
3175 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3176 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3177 @end table
3178
3179 @menu
3180 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3181 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3182 * Signals:: Signals
3183 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3184 @end menu
3185
3186 @node Breakpoints
3187 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3188
3189 @cindex breakpoints
3190 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3191 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3192 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3193 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3194 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3195 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3196 program.
3197
3198 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3199 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3200 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3201 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3202 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3203 call).
3204
3205 @cindex watchpoints
3206 @cindex data breakpoints
3207 @cindex memory tracing
3208 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3209 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3210 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3211 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3212 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3213 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3214 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3215 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3216 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3217 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3218 same commands.
3219
3220 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3221 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3222 Automatic Display}.
3223
3224 @cindex catchpoints
3225 @cindex breakpoint on events
3226 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3227 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3228 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3229 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3230 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3231 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3232 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3233
3234 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3235 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3236 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3237 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3238 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3239 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3240 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3241 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3242 enable it again.
3243
3244 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3245 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3246 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3247 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3248 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3249 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3250 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3251
3252 @menu
3253 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3254 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3255 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3256 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3257 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3258 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3259 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3260 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3261 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3262 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3263 @end menu
3264
3265 @node Set Breaks
3266 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3267
3268 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3269 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3270 @c
3271 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3272
3273 @kindex break
3274 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3275 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3276 @cindex latest breakpoint
3277 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3278 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3279 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3280 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3281 convenience variables.
3282
3283 @table @code
3284 @item break @var{location}
3285 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3286 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3287 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3288 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3289 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3290
3291 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3292 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3293 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3294 that situation.
3295
3296 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3297 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3298 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3299
3300 @item break
3301 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3302 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3303 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3304 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3305 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3306 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3307 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3308 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3309 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3310 inside loops.
3311
3312 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3313 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3314 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3315 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3316 existed when your program stopped.
3317
3318 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3319 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3320 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3321 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3322 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3323 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3324 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3325
3326 @kindex tbreak
3327 @item tbreak @var{args}
3328 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3329 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3330 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3331 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3332
3333 @kindex hbreak
3334 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3335 @item hbreak @var{args}
3336 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3337 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3338 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3339 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3340 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3341 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3342 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3343 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3344 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3345 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3346 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3347 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3348 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3349 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3350 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3351 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3352 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3353 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3354
3355 @kindex thbreak
3356 @item thbreak @var{args}
3357 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3358 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3359 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3360 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3361 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3362 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3363 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3364 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3365
3366 @kindex rbreak
3367 @cindex regular expression
3368 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3369 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3370 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3371 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3372 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3373 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3374 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3375 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3376 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3377
3378 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3379 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3380 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3381 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3382 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3383 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3384
3385 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3386 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3387 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3388 classes.
3389
3390 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3391 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3392 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3393
3394 @smallexample
3395 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3396 @end smallexample
3397
3398 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3399 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3400 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3401 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3402 every function in a given file:
3403
3404 @smallexample
3405 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3406 @end smallexample
3407
3408 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3409 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3410
3411 @kindex info breakpoints
3412 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3413 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3414 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3415 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3416 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3417 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3418 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3419
3420 @table @emph
3421 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3422 @item Type
3423 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3424 @item Disposition
3425 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3426 @item Enabled or Disabled
3427 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3428 that are not enabled.
3429 @item Address
3430 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3431 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3432 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3433 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3434 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3435 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3436 @item What
3437 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3438 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3439 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3440 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3441 @end table
3442
3443 @noindent
3444 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3445 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3446 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3447 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3448 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3449 valid location.
3450
3451 @noindent
3452 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3453 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3454 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3455 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3456 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3457
3458 @noindent
3459 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3460 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3461 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3462 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3463 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3464 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3465 @end table
3466
3467 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3468 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3469 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3470 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3471
3472 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3473 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3474 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3475 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3476
3477 @itemize @bullet
3478 @item
3479 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3480 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3481
3482 @item
3483 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3484 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3485
3486 @item
3487 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3488 several places where that function is inlined.
3489 @end itemize
3490
3491 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3492 the relevant locations@footnote{
3493 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3494 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3495 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3496 info with line numbers for them.}.
3497
3498 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3499 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3500 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3501 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3502 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3503 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3504 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3505
3506 For example:
3507
3508 @smallexample
3509 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3510 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3511 stop only if i==1
3512 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3513 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3514 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3515 @end smallexample
3516
3517 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3518 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3519 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3520 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3521 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3522 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3523 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3524 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3525 that belong to that breakpoint.
3526
3527 @cindex pending breakpoints
3528 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3529 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3530 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3531 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3532 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3533 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3534 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3535 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3536 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3537 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3538 is not yet resolved.
3539
3540 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3541 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3542 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3543 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3544 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3545 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3546
3547 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3548 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3549 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3550 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3551
3552 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3553 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3554 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3555
3556 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3557 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3558 address specification to an address:
3559
3560 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3561 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3562 @table @code
3563 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3564 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3565 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3566
3567 @item set breakpoint pending on
3568 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3569 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3570
3571 @item set breakpoint pending off
3572 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3573 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3574 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3575
3576 @item show breakpoint pending
3577 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3578 @end table
3579
3580 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3581 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3582 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3583
3584 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3585 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3586 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3587 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3588 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3589 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3590 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3591 breakpoints.
3592
3593 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3594
3595 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3596 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3597 @table @code
3598 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3599 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3600 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3601 breakpoint must be used.
3602
3603 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3604 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3605 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3606 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3607 @end table
3608
3609 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3610 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3611 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3612 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3613 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3614 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3615 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3616 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3617 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3618
3619 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3620 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3621 @table @code
3622 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3623 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3624 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3625 removed from the target when it stops.
3626
3627 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3628 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3629 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3630 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3631 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3632
3633 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3634 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3635 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3636 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3637 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3638 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3639 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3640 @end table
3641
3642 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3643 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3644 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3645 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3646 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3647 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3648 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3649 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3650
3651
3652 @node Set Watchpoints
3653 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3654
3655 @cindex setting watchpoints
3656 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3657 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3658 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3659 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3660 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3661
3662 @itemize @bullet
3663 @item
3664 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3665
3666 @item
3667 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3668 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3669 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3670
3671 @item
3672 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3673 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3674 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3675 @end itemize
3676
3677 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3678 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3679 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3680 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3681 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3682 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3683 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3684 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3685 the expression changes.
3686
3687 @cindex software watchpoints
3688 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3689 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3690 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3691 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3692 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3693 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3694 culprit.)
3695
3696 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3697 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3698 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3699
3700 @table @code
3701 @kindex watch
3702 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3703 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3704 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3705 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3706 to watch the value of a single variable:
3707
3708 @smallexample
3709 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3710 @end smallexample
3711
3712 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3713 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3714 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3715 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3716 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3717 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3718
3719 @kindex rwatch
3720 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3721 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3722 by the program.
3723
3724 @kindex awatch
3725 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3726 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3727 or written into by the program.
3728
3729 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3730 @item info watchpoints
3731 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3732 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3733 @end table
3734
3735 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3736 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3737 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3738 a never-changing value:
3739
3740 @smallexample
3741 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3742 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3743 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3744 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3745 @end smallexample
3746
3747 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3748 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3749 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3750 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3751 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3752 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3753
3754 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3755 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3756 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3757 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3758 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3759 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3760 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3761 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3762
3763 @table @code
3764 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3765 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3766 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3767
3768 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3769 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3770 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3771 @end table
3772
3773 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3774 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3775 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3776
3777 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3778
3779 @smallexample
3780 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3781 @end smallexample
3782
3783 @noindent
3784 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3785
3786 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3787 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3788 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3789 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3790 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3791 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3792 will print a message like this:
3793
3794 @smallexample
3795 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3796 @end smallexample
3797
3798 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3799 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3800 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3801 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3802 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3803 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3804 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3805 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3806
3807 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3808 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3809 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3810 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3811 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3812 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3813
3814 @smallexample
3815 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3816 @end smallexample
3817
3818 @noindent
3819 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3820
3821 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3822 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3823 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3824 expression with separately allocated resources.
3825
3826 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3827 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3828 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3829
3830 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3831 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3832 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3833 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3834 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3835 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3836 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3837 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3838 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3839
3840 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3841 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3842 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3843 watched expression from every thread.
3844
3845 @quotation
3846 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3847 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3848 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3849 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3850 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3851 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3852 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3853 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3854 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3855 @end quotation
3856
3857 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3858
3859 @node Set Catchpoints
3860 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3861 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3862 @cindex exception handlers
3863 @cindex event handling
3864
3865 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3866 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3867 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3868
3869 @table @code
3870 @kindex catch
3871 @item catch @var{event}
3872 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3873 @table @code
3874 @item throw
3875 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3876 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3877
3878 @item catch
3879 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3880
3881 @item exception
3882 @cindex Ada exception catching
3883 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3884 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3885 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3886 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3887 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3888
3889 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3890 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3891 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3892 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3893 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3894 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3895 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3896 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3897
3898 @item exception unhandled
3899 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3900
3901 @item assert
3902 A failed Ada assertion.
3903
3904 @item exec
3905 @cindex break on fork/exec
3906 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3907 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3908
3909 @item syscall
3910 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3911 @cindex break on a system call.
3912 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3913 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3914 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3915 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3916 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3917 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3918 will be caught.
3919
3920 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3921 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3922 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3923 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3924
3925 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3926 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3927 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3928 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3929
3930 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3931 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3932 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3933 available choices.
3934
3935 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3936 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3937 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3938 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3939 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3940 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3941 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3942 behind the OS upgrades).
3943
3944 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3945 arguments to it:
3946
3947 @smallexample
3948 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3949 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3950 (@value{GDBP}) r
3951 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3952
3953 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3954 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3955 (@value{GDBP}) c
3956 Continuing.
3957
3958 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3959 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3960 (@value{GDBP})
3961 @end smallexample
3962
3963 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3964
3965 @smallexample
3966 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3967 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3968 (@value{GDBP}) r
3969 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3970
3971 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3972 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3973 (@value{GDBP}) c
3974 Continuing.
3975
3976 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3977 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3978 (@value{GDBP})
3979 @end smallexample
3980
3981 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3982 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3983 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3984
3985 @smallexample
3986 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3987 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3988 (@value{GDBP}) r
3989 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3990
3991 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3992 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3993 (@value{GDBP}) c
3994 Continuing.
3995
3996 Program exited normally.
3997 (@value{GDBP})
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4001 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4002 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4003 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4004
4005 @smallexample
4006 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4007 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4008 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4009 (@value{GDBP})
4010 @end smallexample
4011
4012 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4013 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4014 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4015 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4016 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4017 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4018
4019 @smallexample
4020 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4021 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4022 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4023 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4024 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4025 (@value{GDBP})
4026 @end smallexample
4027
4028 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4029
4030 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4031 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4032
4033 @smallexample
4034 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4035 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4036 @end smallexample
4037
4038 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4039
4040 @item fork
4041 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4042 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4043
4044 @item vfork
4045 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4046 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4047
4048 @end table
4049
4050 @item tcatch @var{event}
4051 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4052 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4053
4054 @end table
4055
4056 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4057
4058 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4059 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4060
4061 @itemize @bullet
4062 @item
4063 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4064 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4065 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4066 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4067 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4068 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4069 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4070 disabled within interactive calls.
4071
4072 @item
4073 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4074
4075 @item
4076 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4077 @end itemize
4078
4079 @cindex raise exceptions
4080 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4081 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4082 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4083 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4084 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4085 out where the exception was raised.
4086
4087 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4088 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4089 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4090 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4091
4092 @smallexample
4093 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4094 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4095 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4096 @end smallexample
4097
4098 @noindent
4099 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4100 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4101 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4102
4103 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4104 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4105 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4106 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4107 raised.
4108
4109
4110 @node Delete Breaks
4111 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4112
4113 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4114 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4115 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4116 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4117 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4118 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4119
4120 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4121 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4122 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4123 their breakpoint numbers.
4124
4125 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4126 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4127 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4128
4129 @table @code
4130 @kindex clear
4131 @item clear
4132 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4133 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4134 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4135 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4136
4137 @item clear @var{location}
4138 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4139 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4140 most useful ones are listed below:
4141
4142 @table @code
4143 @item clear @var{function}
4144 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4145 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4146
4147 @item clear @var{linenum}
4148 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4149 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4150 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4151 @end table
4152
4153 @cindex delete breakpoints
4154 @kindex delete
4155 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4156 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4157 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4158 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4159 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4160 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4161 @end table
4162
4163 @node Disabling
4164 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4165
4166 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4167 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4168 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4169 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4170 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4171
4172 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4173 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4174 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4175 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4176 do not know which numbers to use.
4177
4178 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4179 affects all of its locations.
4180
4181 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4182 states of enablement:
4183
4184 @itemize @bullet
4185 @item
4186 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4187 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4188 @item
4189 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4190 @item
4191 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4192 disabled.
4193 @item
4194 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4195 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4196 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4197 @end itemize
4198
4199 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4200 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4201
4202 @table @code
4203 @kindex disable
4204 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4205 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4206 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4207 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4208 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4209 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4210 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4211
4212 @kindex enable
4213 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4214 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4215 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4216
4217 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4218 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4219 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4220
4221 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4222 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4223 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4224 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4225 @end table
4226
4227 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4228 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4229 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4230 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4231 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4232 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4233 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4234 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4235 Stepping}.)
4236
4237 @node Conditions
4238 @subsection Break Conditions
4239 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4240 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4241
4242 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4243 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4244 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4245 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4246 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4247 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4248 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4249 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4250
4251 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4252 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4253 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4254 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4255 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4256
4257 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4258 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4259 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4260 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4261 one.
4262
4263 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4264 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4265 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4266 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4267 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4268 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4269 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4270 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4271 conditions for the
4272 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4273 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4274
4275 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4276 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4277 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4278 with the @code{condition} command.
4279
4280 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4281 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4282 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4283 catchpoint.
4284
4285 @table @code
4286 @kindex condition
4287 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4288 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4289 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4290 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4291 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4292 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4293 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4294 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4295 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4296 prints an error message:
4297
4298 @smallexample
4299 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4300 @end smallexample
4301
4302 @noindent
4303 @value{GDBN} does
4304 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4305 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4306 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4307
4308 @item condition @var{bnum}
4309 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4310 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4311 @end table
4312
4313 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4314 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4315 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4316 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4317 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4318 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4319 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4320 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4321 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4322 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4323 your program reaches it.
4324
4325 @table @code
4326 @kindex ignore
4327 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4328 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4329 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4330 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4331 takes no action.
4332
4333 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4334 a count of zero.
4335
4336 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4337 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4338 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4339 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4340
4341 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4342 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4343 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4344
4345 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4346 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4347 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4348 Variables}.
4349 @end table
4350
4351 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4352
4353
4354 @node Break Commands
4355 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4356
4357 @cindex breakpoint commands
4358 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4359 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4360 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4361 enable other breakpoints.
4362
4363 @table @code
4364 @kindex commands
4365 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4366 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4367 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4368 @itemx end
4369 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4370 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4371 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4372
4373 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4374 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4375
4376 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4377 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4378 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4379 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4380 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4381 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4382 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4383 Expressions}).
4384 @end table
4385
4386 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4387 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4388
4389 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4390 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4391 that resumes execution.
4392
4393 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4394 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4395 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4396 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4397 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4398
4399 @kindex silent
4400 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4401 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4402 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4403 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4404 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4405 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4406
4407 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4408 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4409 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4410
4411 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4412 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4413
4414 @smallexample
4415 break foo if x>0
4416 commands
4417 silent
4418 printf "x is %d\n",x
4419 cont
4420 end
4421 @end smallexample
4422
4423 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4424 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4425 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4426 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4427 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4428 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4429 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4430
4431 @smallexample
4432 break 403
4433 commands
4434 silent
4435 set x = y + 4
4436 cont
4437 end
4438 @end smallexample
4439
4440 @node Save Breakpoints
4441 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4442
4443 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4444 breakpoints}} command.
4445
4446 @table @code
4447 @kindex save breakpoints
4448 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4449 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4450 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4451 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4452 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4453 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4454 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4455 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4456 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4457 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4458 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4459 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4460 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4461 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4462 that can no longer be recreated.
4463 @end table
4464
4465 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4466 @node Error in Breakpoints
4467 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4468
4469 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4470 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4471
4472 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4473 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4474 @smallexample
4475 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4476 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4477 @end smallexample
4478
4479 @noindent
4480 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4481 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4482 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4483
4484 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4485 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4486
4487 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4488 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4489 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4490
4491 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4492 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4493 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4494 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4495
4496 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4497 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4498 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4499 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4500 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4501 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4502 first in the bundle.
4503
4504 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4505 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4506 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4507 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4508 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4509 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4510 is hit.
4511
4512 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4513 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4514
4515 @smallexample
4516 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4517 @end smallexample
4518
4519 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4520 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4521 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4522 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4523 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4524 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4525 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4526 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4527
4528 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4529 adjusted breakpoints:
4530
4531 @smallexample
4532 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4533 to 0x00010410.
4534 @end smallexample
4535
4536 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4537 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4538 frequently than expected.
4539
4540 @node Continuing and Stepping
4541 @section Continuing and Stepping
4542
4543 @cindex stepping
4544 @cindex continuing
4545 @cindex resuming execution
4546 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4547 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4548 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4549 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4550 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4551 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4552 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4553 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4554
4555 @table @code
4556 @kindex continue
4557 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4558 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4559 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4560 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4561 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4562 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4563 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4564 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4565 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4566 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4567
4568 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4569 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4570 @code{continue} is ignored.
4571
4572 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4573 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4574 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4575 @code{continue}.
4576 @end table
4577
4578 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4579 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4580 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4581 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4582
4583 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4584 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4585 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4586 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4587 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4588 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4589
4590 @table @code
4591 @kindex step
4592 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4593 @item step
4594 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4595 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4596 abbreviated @code{s}.
4597
4598 @quotation
4599 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4600 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4601 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4602 @c distinction here.
4603 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4604 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4605 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4606 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4607 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4608 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4609 below.
4610 @end quotation
4611
4612 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4613 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4614 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4615 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4616 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4617 called within the line.
4618
4619 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4620 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4621 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4622 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4623 was any debugging information about the routine.
4624
4625 @item step @var{count}
4626 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4627 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4628 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4629
4630 @kindex next
4631 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4632 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4633 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4634 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4635 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4636 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4637 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4638 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4639
4640 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4641
4642
4643 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4644 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4645 @c
4646 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4647 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4648 @c function are executed without stopping.
4649
4650 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4651 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4652 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4653
4654 @kindex set step-mode
4655 @item set step-mode
4656 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4657 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4658 @itemx set step-mode on
4659 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4660 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4661 information rather than stepping over it.
4662
4663 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4664 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4665 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4666
4667 @item set step-mode off
4668 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4669 debug information. This is the default.
4670
4671 @item show step-mode
4672 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4673 source line debug information.
4674
4675 @kindex finish
4676 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4677 @item finish
4678 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4679 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4680 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4681
4682 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4683 ,Returning from a Function}).
4684
4685 @kindex until
4686 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4687 @cindex run until specified location
4688 @item until
4689 @itemx u
4690 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4691 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4692 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4693 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4694 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4695 than the address of the jump.
4696
4697 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4698 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4699 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4700 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4701 through the next iteration.
4702
4703 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4704 stack frame.
4705
4706 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4707 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4708 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4709 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4710 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4711
4712 @smallexample
4713 (@value{GDBP}) f
4714 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4715 206 expand_input();
4716 (@value{GDBP}) until
4717 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4718 @end smallexample
4719
4720 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4721 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4722 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4723 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4724 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4725 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4726 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4727
4728 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4729 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4730 argument.
4731
4732 @item until @var{location}
4733 @itemx u @var{location}
4734 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4735 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4736 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4737 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4738 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4739 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4740 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4741 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4742 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4743 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4744 invocations have returned.
4745
4746 @smallexample
4747 94 int factorial (int value)
4748 95 @{
4749 96 if (value > 1) @{
4750 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4751 98 @}
4752 99 return (value);
4753 100 @}
4754 @end smallexample
4755
4756
4757 @kindex advance @var{location}
4758 @itemx advance @var{location}
4759 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4760 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4761 @ref{Specify Location}.
4762 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4763 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4764 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4765 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4766
4767
4768 @kindex stepi
4769 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4770 @item stepi
4771 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4772 @itemx si
4773 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4774
4775 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4776 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4777 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4778 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4779
4780 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4781
4782 @need 750
4783 @kindex nexti
4784 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4785 @item nexti
4786 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4787 @itemx ni
4788 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4789 proceed until the function returns.
4790
4791 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4792 @end table
4793
4794 @node Signals
4795 @section Signals
4796 @cindex signals
4797
4798 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4799 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4800 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4801 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4802 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4803 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4804 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4805 requested an alarm).
4806
4807 @cindex fatal signals
4808 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4809 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4810 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4811 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4812 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4813 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4814
4815 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4816 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4817 signal.
4818
4819 @cindex handling signals
4820 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4821 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4822 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4823 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4824 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4825
4826 @table @code
4827 @kindex info signals
4828 @kindex info handle
4829 @item info signals
4830 @itemx info handle
4831 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4832 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4833 the defined types of signals.
4834
4835 @item info signals @var{sig}
4836 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4837
4838 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4839
4840 @kindex handle
4841 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4842 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4843 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4844 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4845 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4846 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4847 say what change to make.
4848 @end table
4849
4850 @c @group
4851 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4852 Their full names are:
4853
4854 @table @code
4855 @item nostop
4856 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4857 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4858
4859 @item stop
4860 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4861 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4862
4863 @item print
4864 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4865
4866 @item noprint
4867 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4868 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4869
4870 @item pass
4871 @itemx noignore
4872 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4873 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4874 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4875
4876 @item nopass
4877 @itemx ignore
4878 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4879 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4880 @end table
4881 @c @end group
4882
4883 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4884 program until you
4885 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4886 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4887 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4888 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4889 program sees that signal when you continue.
4890
4891 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4892 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4893 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4894 erroneous signals.
4895
4896 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4897 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4898 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4899 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4900 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4901 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4902 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4903 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4904 Program a Signal}.
4905
4906 @cindex extra signal information
4907 @anchor{extra signal information}
4908
4909 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4910 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4911 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4912 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4913 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4914 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4915 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4916 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4917 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4918 system header.
4919
4920 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4921 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4922
4923 @smallexample
4924 @group
4925 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4926 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4927 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4928 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4929 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4930 type = struct @{
4931 int si_signo;
4932 int si_errno;
4933 int si_code;
4934 union @{
4935 int _pad[28];
4936 struct @{...@} _kill;
4937 struct @{...@} _timer;
4938 struct @{...@} _rt;
4939 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4940 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4941 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4942 @} _sifields;
4943 @}
4944 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4945 type = struct @{
4946 void *si_addr;
4947 @}
4948 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4949 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4950 @end group
4951 @end smallexample
4952
4953 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4954
4955 @node Thread Stops
4956 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4957
4958 @cindex stopped threads
4959 @cindex threads, stopped
4960
4961 @cindex continuing threads
4962 @cindex threads, continuing
4963
4964 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4965 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4966 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4967 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4968 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4969 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4970 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4971 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4972 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4973
4974 @menu
4975 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4976 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4977 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4978 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4979 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4980 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
4981 @end menu
4982
4983 @node All-Stop Mode
4984 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4985
4986 @cindex all-stop mode
4987
4988 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4989 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4990 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4991 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4992 underfoot.
4993
4994 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4995 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4996 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4997
4998 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4999 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5000 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5001 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5002 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5003 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5004 stops.
5005
5006 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5007 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5008 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5009 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5010
5011 @cindex automatic thread selection
5012 @cindex switching threads automatically
5013 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5014 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5015 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5016 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5017 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5018 thread.
5019
5020 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5021 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5022
5023 @table @code
5024 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5025 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5026 @cindex lock scheduler
5027 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5028 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5029 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5030 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5031 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5032 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5033 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5034 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5035 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5036 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5037 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5038 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5039
5040 @item show scheduler-locking
5041 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5042 @end table
5043
5044 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5045 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5046 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5047 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5048 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5049 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5050 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5051 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5052 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5053 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5054 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5055 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5056 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5057 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5058
5059 @table @code
5060 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5061 @item set schedule-multiple
5062 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5063 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5064 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5065 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5066 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5067 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5068
5069 @item show schedule-multiple
5070 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5071 multiple processes.
5072 @end table
5073
5074 @node Non-Stop Mode
5075 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5076
5077 @cindex non-stop mode
5078
5079 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5080 @c with more details.
5081
5082 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5083 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5084 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5085 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5086 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5087 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5088
5089 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5090 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5091 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5092 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5093 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5094 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5095 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5096 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5097 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5098 independently and simultaneously.
5099
5100 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5101 or attach to your program:
5102
5103 @smallexample
5104 # Enable the async interface.
5105 set target-async 1
5106
5107 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5108 set pagination off
5109
5110 # Finally, turn it on!
5111 set non-stop on
5112 @end smallexample
5113
5114 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5115
5116 @table @code
5117 @kindex set non-stop
5118 @item set non-stop on
5119 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5120 @item set non-stop off
5121 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5122 @kindex show non-stop
5123 @item show non-stop
5124 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5125 @end table
5126
5127 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5128 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5129 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5130 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5131 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5132 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5133 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5134 default.
5135
5136 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5137 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5138 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5139
5140 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5141 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5142 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5143 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5144 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5145
5146 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5147 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5148 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5149 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5150 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5151
5152 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5153
5154 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5155 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5156 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5157 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5158 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5159 previously current thread.
5160
5161 @node Background Execution
5162 @subsection Background Execution
5163
5164 @cindex foreground execution
5165 @cindex background execution
5166 @cindex asynchronous execution
5167 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5168
5169 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5170 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5171 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5172 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5173 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5174 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5175
5176 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5177 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5178 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5179
5180 @table @code
5181 @kindex set target-async
5182 @item set target-async on
5183 Enable asynchronous mode.
5184 @item set target-async off
5185 Disable asynchronous mode.
5186 @kindex show target-async
5187 @item show target-async
5188 Show the current target-async setting.
5189 @end table
5190
5191 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5192 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5193
5194 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5195 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5196 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5197 are:
5198
5199 @table @code
5200 @kindex run&
5201 @item run
5202 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5203
5204 @item attach
5205 @kindex attach&
5206 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5207
5208 @item step
5209 @kindex step&
5210 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5211
5212 @item stepi
5213 @kindex stepi&
5214 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5215
5216 @item next
5217 @kindex next&
5218 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5219
5220 @item nexti
5221 @kindex nexti&
5222 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5223
5224 @item continue
5225 @kindex continue&
5226 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5227
5228 @item finish
5229 @kindex finish&
5230 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5231
5232 @item until
5233 @kindex until&
5234 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5235
5236 @end table
5237
5238 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5239 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5240 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5241 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5242 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5243 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5244
5245 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5246 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5247
5248 @table @code
5249 @kindex interrupt
5250 @item interrupt
5251 @itemx interrupt -a
5252
5253 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5254 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5255 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5256 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5257 @end table
5258
5259 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5260 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5261
5262 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5263 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5264 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5265
5266 @table @code
5267 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5268 @cindex thread breakpoints
5269 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5270 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5271 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5272 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5273 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5274 specify some source line.
5275
5276 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5277 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5278 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5279 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5280 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5281
5282 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5283 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5284 program.
5285
5286 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5287 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5288 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5289
5290 @smallexample
5291 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5292 @end smallexample
5293
5294 @end table
5295
5296 @node Interrupted System Calls
5297 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5298
5299 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5300 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5301 @cindex premature return from system calls
5302 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5303 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5304 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5305 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5306 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5307 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5308 stop execution.
5309
5310 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5311 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5312 style anyways.
5313
5314 For example, do not write code like this:
5315
5316 @smallexample
5317 sleep (10);
5318 @end smallexample
5319
5320 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5321 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5322
5323 Instead, write this:
5324
5325 @smallexample
5326 int unslept = 10;
5327 while (unslept > 0)
5328 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5329 @end smallexample
5330
5331 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5332 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5333 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5334 @value{GDBN}.
5335
5336 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5337 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5338 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5339 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5340
5341 @node Observer Mode
5342 @subsection Observer Mode
5343
5344 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5345 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5346 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5347 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5348 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5349
5350 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5351 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5352 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5353 mode.
5354
5355 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5356 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5357 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5358 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5359 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5360
5361 @table @code
5362
5363 @kindex observer
5364 @item set observer on
5365 @itemx set observer off
5366 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5367 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5368 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5369 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5370
5371 @item show observer
5372 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5373
5374 @kindex may-write-registers
5375 @item set may-write-registers on
5376 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5377 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5378 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5379 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5380
5381 @item show may-write-registers
5382 Show the current permission to write registers.
5383
5384 @kindex may-write-memory
5385 @item set may-write-memory on
5386 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5387 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5388 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5389 defaults to @code{on}.
5390
5391 @item show may-write-memory
5392 Show the current permission to write memory.
5393
5394 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5395 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5396 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5397 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5398 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5399 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5400
5401 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5402 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5403
5404 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5405 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5406 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5407 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5408 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5409 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5410 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5411
5412 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5413 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5414
5415 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5416 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5417 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5418 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5419 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5420 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5421 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5422
5423 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5424 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5425
5426 @kindex may-interrupt
5427 @item set may-interrupt on
5428 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5429 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5430 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5431 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5432 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5433
5434 @item show may-interrupt
5435 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5436
5437 @end table
5438
5439 @node Reverse Execution
5440 @chapter Running programs backward
5441 @cindex reverse execution
5442 @cindex running programs backward
5443
5444 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5445 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5446 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5447 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5448
5449 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5450 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5451 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5452 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5453 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5454 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5455
5456 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5457 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5458 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5459 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5460 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5461 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5462 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5463 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5464 prior values@footnote{
5465 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5466 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5467 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5468
5469 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5470 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5471 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5472 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5473 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5474 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5475 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5476 }.
5477
5478 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5479 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5480
5481 @table @code
5482 @kindex reverse-continue
5483 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5484 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5485 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5486 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5487 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5488 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5489 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5490
5491 @kindex reverse-step
5492 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5493 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5494 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5495 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5496
5497 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5498 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5499 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5500 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5501 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5502 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5503
5504 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5505 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5506
5507 @kindex reverse-stepi
5508 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5509 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5510 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5511 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5512 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5513 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5514 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5515
5516 @kindex reverse-next
5517 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5518 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5519 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5520 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5521 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5522 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5523 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5524 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5525 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5526 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5527
5528 @kindex reverse-nexti
5529 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5530 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5531 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5532 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5533 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5534 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5535 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5536 frame) is reached.
5537
5538 @kindex reverse-finish
5539 @item reverse-finish
5540 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5541 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5542 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5543 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5544
5545 @kindex set exec-direction
5546 @item set exec-direction
5547 Set the direction of target execution.
5548 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5549 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5550 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5551 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5552 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5553 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5554 @item set exec-direction forward
5555 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5556 This is the default.
5557 @end table
5558
5559
5560 @node Process Record and Replay
5561 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5562 @cindex process record and replay
5563 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5564
5565 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5566 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5567 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5568
5569 @cindex replay mode
5570 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5571 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5572 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5573 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5574 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5575 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5576 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5577 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5578 execution log.
5579
5580 @cindex record mode
5581 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5582 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5583 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5584 for future replay.
5585
5586 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5587 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5588 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5589 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5590 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5591 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5592
5593 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5594 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5595 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5596 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5597
5598 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5599 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5600
5601 @table @code
5602 @kindex target record
5603 @kindex record
5604 @kindex rec
5605 @item target record
5606 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5607 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5608 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5609 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5610 the @kbd{target record} command.
5611
5612 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5613
5614 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5615 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5616 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5617 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5618 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5619
5620 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5621 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5622 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5623 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5624 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5625 support these two modes.
5626
5627 @kindex record stop
5628 @kindex rec s
5629 @item record stop
5630 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5631 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5632 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5633
5634 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5635 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5636 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5637 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5638 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5639
5640 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5641 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5642 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5643 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5644 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5645
5646 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5647 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5648
5649 @kindex record save
5650 @item record save @var{filename}
5651 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5652 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5653 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5654
5655 @kindex record restore
5656 @item record restore @var{filename}
5657 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5658 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5659
5660 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5661 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5662 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5663
5664 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5665 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5666 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5667 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5668 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5669 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5670 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5671 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5672
5673 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5674 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5675 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5676
5677 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5678 @item show record insn-number-max
5679 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5680
5681 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5682 @item set record stop-at-limit
5683 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5684 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5685 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5686 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5687 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5688 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5689
5690 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5691 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5692
5693 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5694 @item show record stop-at-limit
5695 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5696
5697 @kindex set record memory-query
5698 @item set record memory-query
5699 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5700 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5701 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5702
5703 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5704 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5705 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5706 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5707 results.
5708
5709 @kindex show record memory-query
5710 @item show record memory-query
5711 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5712
5713 @kindex info record
5714 @item info record
5715 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5716 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5717
5718 @itemize @bullet
5719 @item
5720 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5721 @item
5722 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5723 @item
5724 Highest recorded instruction number.
5725 @item
5726 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5727 @item
5728 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5729 @item
5730 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5731 @end itemize
5732
5733 @kindex record delete
5734 @kindex rec del
5735 @item record delete
5736 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5737 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5738 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5739 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5740 @end table
5741
5742
5743 @node Stack
5744 @chapter Examining the Stack
5745
5746 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5747 stopped and how it got there.
5748
5749 @cindex call stack
5750 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5751 is generated.
5752 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5753 the arguments of the call,
5754 and the local variables of the function being called.
5755 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5756 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5757 stack}.
5758
5759 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5760 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5761
5762 @cindex selected frame
5763 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5764 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5765 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5766 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5767 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5768 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5769
5770 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5771 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5772 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5773
5774 @menu
5775 * Frames:: Stack frames
5776 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5777 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5778 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5779
5780 @end menu
5781
5782 @node Frames
5783 @section Stack Frames
5784
5785 @cindex frame, definition
5786 @cindex stack frame
5787 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5788 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5789 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5790 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5791 which the function is executing.
5792
5793 @cindex initial frame
5794 @cindex outermost frame
5795 @cindex innermost frame
5796 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5797 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5798 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5799 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5800 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5801 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5802 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5803 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5804
5805 @cindex frame pointer
5806 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5807 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5808 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5809 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5810 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5811 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5812
5813 @cindex frame number
5814 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5815 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5816 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5817 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5818 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5819
5820 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5821 @c underflow problems.
5822 @cindex frameless execution
5823 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5824 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5825 @smallexample
5826 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5827 @end smallexample
5828 generates functions without a frame.)
5829 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5830 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5831 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5832 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5833 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5834 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5835 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5836
5837 @table @code
5838 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5839 @cindex current stack frame
5840 @item frame @var{args}
5841 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5842 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5843 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5844 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5845
5846 @kindex select-frame
5847 @cindex selecting frame silently
5848 @item select-frame
5849 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5850 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5851 @code{frame}.
5852 @end table
5853
5854 @node Backtrace
5855 @section Backtraces
5856
5857 @cindex traceback
5858 @cindex call stack traces
5859 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5860 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5861 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5862 stack.
5863
5864 @table @code
5865 @kindex backtrace
5866 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5867 @item backtrace
5868 @itemx bt
5869 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5870 frames in the stack.
5871
5872 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5873 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5874
5875 @item backtrace @var{n}
5876 @itemx bt @var{n}
5877 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5878
5879 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5880 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5881 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5882
5883 @item backtrace full
5884 @itemx bt full
5885 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5886 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5887 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5888 number of frames to print, as described above.
5889 @end table
5890
5891 @kindex where
5892 @kindex info stack
5893 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5894 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5895
5896 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5897 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5898 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5899 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5900 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5901 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5902 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5903 multi-threaded program.
5904
5905 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5906 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5907 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5908 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5909 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5910 line number.
5911
5912 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5913 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5914
5915 @smallexample
5916 @group
5917 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5918 at builtin.c:993
5919 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5920 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5921 at macro.c:71
5922 (More stack frames follow...)
5923 @end group
5924 @end smallexample
5925
5926 @noindent
5927 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5928 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5929 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5930
5931 @noindent
5932 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5933 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5934 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5935 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5936 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5937
5938 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5939 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5940 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5941 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5942 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5943 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5944 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5945 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5946 such a backtrace might look like:
5947
5948 @smallexample
5949 @group
5950 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5951 at builtin.c:993
5952 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5953 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5954 at macro.c:71
5955 (More stack frames follow...)
5956 @end group
5957 @end smallexample
5958
5959 @noindent
5960 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5961 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5962
5963 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5964 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5965 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5966
5967 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5968 @cindex program entry point
5969 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5970 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5971 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5972 @code{main}@footnote{
5973 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5974 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5975 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5976 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5977 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5978 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5979
5980 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5981 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5982
5983 @table @code
5984 @item set backtrace past-main
5985 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5986 @kindex set backtrace
5987 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5988
5989 @item set backtrace past-main off
5990 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5991 default.
5992
5993 @item show backtrace past-main
5994 @kindex show backtrace
5995 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5996
5997 @item set backtrace past-entry
5998 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5999 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6000 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6001 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6002
6003 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6004 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6005 application. This is the default.
6006
6007 @item show backtrace past-entry
6008 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6009
6010 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6011 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6012 @cindex backtrace limit
6013 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6014 unlimited.
6015
6016 @item show backtrace limit
6017 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6018 @end table
6019
6020 @node Selection
6021 @section Selecting a Frame
6022
6023 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6024 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6025 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6026 of the stack frame just selected.
6027
6028 @table @code
6029 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6030 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6031 @item frame @var{n}
6032 @itemx f @var{n}
6033 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6034 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6035 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6036 @code{main}.
6037
6038 @item frame @var{addr}
6039 @itemx f @var{addr}
6040 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6041 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6042 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6043 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6044 switches between them.
6045
6046 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6047 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6048
6049 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6050 pointer and a program counter.
6051
6052 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6053 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6054
6055 @kindex up
6056 @item up @var{n}
6057 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6058 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6059 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6060
6061 @kindex down
6062 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6063 @item down @var{n}
6064 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6065 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6066 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6067 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6068 @end table
6069
6070 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6071 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6072 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6073 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6074
6075 @need 1000
6076 For example:
6077
6078 @smallexample
6079 @group
6080 (@value{GDBP}) up
6081 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6082 at env.c:10
6083 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6084 @end group
6085 @end smallexample
6086
6087 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6088 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6089 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6090 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6091 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6092 for details.
6093
6094 @table @code
6095 @kindex down-silently
6096 @kindex up-silently
6097 @item up-silently @var{n}
6098 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6099 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6100 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6101 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6102 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6103 distracting.
6104 @end table
6105
6106 @node Frame Info
6107 @section Information About a Frame
6108
6109 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6110 stack frame.
6111
6112 @table @code
6113 @item frame
6114 @itemx f
6115 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6116 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6117 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6118 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6119 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6120
6121 @kindex info frame
6122 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6123 @item info frame
6124 @itemx info f
6125 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6126 including:
6127
6128 @itemize @bullet
6129 @item
6130 the address of the frame
6131 @item
6132 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6133 @item
6134 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6135 @item
6136 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6137 @item
6138 the address of the frame's arguments
6139 @item
6140 the address of the frame's local variables
6141 @item
6142 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6143 @item
6144 which registers were saved in the frame
6145 @end itemize
6146
6147 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6148 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6149 the usual conventions.
6150
6151 @item info frame @var{addr}
6152 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6153 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6154 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6155 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6156 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6157 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6158
6159 @kindex info args
6160 @item info args
6161 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6162
6163 @item info locals
6164 @kindex info locals
6165 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6166 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6167 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6168
6169 @kindex info catch
6170 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6171 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6172 @item info catch
6173 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6174 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6175 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6176 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6177 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6178
6179 @end table
6180
6181
6182 @node Source
6183 @chapter Examining Source Files
6184
6185 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6186 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6187 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6188 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6189 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6190 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6191 source files by explicit command.
6192
6193 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6194 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6195 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6196
6197 @menu
6198 * List:: Printing source lines
6199 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6200 * Edit:: Editing source files
6201 * Search:: Searching source files
6202 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6203 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6204 @end menu
6205
6206 @node List
6207 @section Printing Source Lines
6208
6209 @kindex list
6210 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6211 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6212 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6213 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6214 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6215
6216 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6217
6218 @table @code
6219 @item list @var{linenum}
6220 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6221 current source file.
6222
6223 @item list @var{function}
6224 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6225 @var{function}.
6226
6227 @item list
6228 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6229 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6230 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6231 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6232 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6233
6234 @item list -
6235 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6236 @end table
6237
6238 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6239 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6240 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6241
6242 @table @code
6243 @kindex set listsize
6244 @item set listsize @var{count}
6245 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6246 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6247
6248 @kindex show listsize
6249 @item show listsize
6250 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6251 @end table
6252
6253 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6254 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6255 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6256 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6257 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6258
6259 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6260 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6261 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6262 to specify some source line.
6263
6264 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6265
6266 @table @code
6267 @item list @var{linespec}
6268 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6269
6270 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6271 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6272 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6273 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6274 the same source file as the first linespec.
6275
6276 @item list ,@var{last}
6277 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6278
6279 @item list @var{first},
6280 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6281
6282 @item list +
6283 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6284
6285 @item list -
6286 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6287
6288 @item list
6289 As described in the preceding table.
6290 @end table
6291
6292 @node Specify Location
6293 @section Specifying a Location
6294 @cindex specifying location
6295 @cindex linespec
6296
6297 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6298 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6299 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6300 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6301
6302 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6303 @value{GDBN} understands:
6304
6305 @table @code
6306 @item @var{linenum}
6307 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6308
6309 @item -@var{offset}
6310 @itemx +@var{offset}
6311 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6312 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6313 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6314 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6315 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6316 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6317 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6318 linespec.
6319
6320 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6321 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6322
6323 @item @var{function}
6324 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6325 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6326
6327 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6328 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6329 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6330 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6331 functions in different source files.
6332
6333 @item @var{label}
6334 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6335 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6336 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6337 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6338 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6339
6340 @item *@var{address}
6341 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6342 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6343 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6344 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6345 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6346 source files.
6347
6348 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6349 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6350 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6351 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6352 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6353 of @var{address}:
6354
6355 @table @code
6356 @item @var{expression}
6357 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6358
6359 @item @var{funcaddr}
6360 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6361 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6362 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6363 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6364 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6365 (although the Pascal form also works).
6366
6367 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6368 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6369
6370 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6371 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6372 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6373 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6374 functions with identical names in different source files.
6375 @end table
6376
6377 @end table
6378
6379
6380 @node Edit
6381 @section Editing Source Files
6382 @cindex editing source files
6383
6384 @kindex edit
6385 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6386 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6387 The editing program of your choice
6388 is invoked with the current line set to
6389 the active line in the program.
6390 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6391 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6392
6393 @table @code
6394 @item edit @var{location}
6395 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6396 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6397 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6398 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6399 command most commonly used:
6400
6401 @table @code
6402 @item edit @var{number}
6403 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6404
6405 @item edit @var{function}
6406 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6407 @end table
6408
6409 @end table
6410
6411 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6412 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6413 @footnote{
6414 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6415 following command-line syntax:
6416 @smallexample
6417 ex +@var{number} file
6418 @end smallexample
6419 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6420 the file where to start editing.}.
6421 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6422 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6423 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6424 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6425 @smallexample
6426 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6427 export EDITOR
6428 gdb @dots{}
6429 @end smallexample
6430 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6431 @smallexample
6432 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6433 gdb @dots{}
6434 @end smallexample
6435
6436 @node Search
6437 @section Searching Source Files
6438 @cindex searching source files
6439
6440 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6441 regular expression.
6442
6443 @table @code
6444 @kindex search
6445 @kindex forward-search
6446 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6447 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6448 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6449 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6450 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6451 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6452 @code{fo}.
6453
6454 @kindex reverse-search
6455 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6456 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6457 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6458 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6459 this command as @code{rev}.
6460 @end table
6461
6462 @node Source Path
6463 @section Specifying Source Directories
6464
6465 @cindex source path
6466 @cindex directories for source files
6467 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6468 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6469 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6470 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6471 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6472 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6473 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6474
6475 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6476 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6477 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6478 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6479 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6480 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6481 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6482 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6483 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6484 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6485 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6486
6487 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6488 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6489 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6490 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6491 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6492 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6493
6494 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6495 source files.
6496
6497 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6498 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6499 each line is in the file.
6500
6501 @kindex directory
6502 @kindex dir
6503 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6504 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6505 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6506
6507 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6508 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6509
6510 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6511 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6512 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6513 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6514 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6515 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6516 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6517 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6518 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6519 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6520 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6521 name to look up the sources.
6522
6523 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6524 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6525 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6526 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6527 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6528 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6529 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6530 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6531
6532 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6533 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6534 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6535 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6536 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6537 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6538 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6539
6540 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6541 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6542 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6543 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6544 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6545 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6546 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6547 command.
6548
6549 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6550 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6551 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6552 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6553 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6554 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6555 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6556
6557 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6558 @cindex default source path substitution
6559 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6560 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6561 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6562 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6563 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6564 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6565 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6566 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6567 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6568 together.
6569
6570 @table @code
6571 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6572 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6573 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6574 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6575 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6576 part of absolute file names) or
6577 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6578 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6579
6580 @kindex cdir
6581 @kindex cwd
6582 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6583 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6584 @cindex compilation directory
6585 @cindex current directory
6586 @cindex working directory
6587 @cindex directory, current
6588 @cindex directory, compilation
6589 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6590 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6591 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6592 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6593 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6594 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6595
6596 @item directory
6597 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6598
6599 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6600 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6601
6602 @item show directories
6603 @kindex show directories
6604 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6605
6606 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6607 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6608 @kindex set substitute-path
6609 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6610 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6611 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6612
6613 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6614 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6615
6616 @smallexample
6617 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6618 @end smallexample
6619
6620 @noindent
6621 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6622 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6623 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6624
6625 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6626 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6627 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6628 the substitution.
6629
6630 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6631
6632 @smallexample
6633 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6634 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6635 @end smallexample
6636
6637 @noindent
6638 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6639 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6640 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6641 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6642
6643
6644 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6645 @kindex unset substitute-path
6646 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6647 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6648 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6649
6650 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6651
6652 @item show substitute-path [path]
6653 @kindex show substitute-path
6654 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6655 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6656
6657 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6658 rules.
6659
6660 @end table
6661
6662 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6663 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6664 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6665
6666 @enumerate
6667 @item
6668 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6669
6670 @item
6671 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6672 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6673 directories in one command.
6674 @end enumerate
6675
6676 @node Machine Code
6677 @section Source and Machine Code
6678 @cindex source line and its code address
6679
6680 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6681 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6682 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6683 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6684 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6685 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6686 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6687 well as hex.
6688
6689 @table @code
6690 @kindex info line
6691 @item info line @var{linespec}
6692 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6693 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6694 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6695 @end table
6696
6697 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6698 the object code for the first line of function
6699 @code{m4_changequote}:
6700
6701 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6702 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6703 @smallexample
6704 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6705 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6706 @end smallexample
6707
6708 @noindent
6709 @cindex code address and its source line
6710 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6711 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6712 @smallexample
6713 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6714 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6715 @end smallexample
6716
6717 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6718 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6719 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6720 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6721 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6722 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6723 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6724 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6725 Variables}).
6726
6727 @table @code
6728 @kindex disassemble
6729 @cindex assembly instructions
6730 @cindex instructions, assembly
6731 @cindex machine instructions
6732 @cindex listing machine instructions
6733 @item disassemble
6734 @itemx disassemble /m
6735 @itemx disassemble /r
6736 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6737 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6738 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6739 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6740 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6741 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6742 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6743 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6744 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6745 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6746 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6747 there could be several functions in the given range).
6748
6749 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6750 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6751
6752 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6753 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6754 @end table
6755
6756 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6757 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6758
6759 @smallexample
6760 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6761 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6762 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6763 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6764 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6765 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6766 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6767 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6768 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6769 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6770 End of assembler dump.
6771 @end smallexample
6772
6773 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6774 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6775
6776 @smallexample
6777 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6778 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6779 5 @{
6780 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6781 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6782 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6783 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6784 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6785
6786 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6787 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6788 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6789
6790 7 return 0;
6791 8 @}
6792 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6793 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6794 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6795
6796 End of assembler dump.
6797 @end smallexample
6798
6799 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6800 mnemonics or other syntax.
6801
6802 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6803 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6804 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6805 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6806 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6807
6808 @table @code
6809 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6810 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6811 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6812 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6813 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6814 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6815
6816 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6817 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6818 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6819 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6820
6821 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6822 @item show disassembly-flavor
6823 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6824 @end table
6825
6826 @table @code
6827 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6828 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6829 @item set disassemble-next-line
6830 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6831 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6832 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6833 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6834 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6835 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6836 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6837 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6838 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6839 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6840 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6841 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6842 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6843 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6844 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6845 instruction.
6846 @end table
6847
6848
6849 @node Data
6850 @chapter Examining Data
6851
6852 @cindex printing data
6853 @cindex examining data
6854 @kindex print
6855 @kindex inspect
6856 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6857 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6858 @c different window or something like that.
6859 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6860 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6861 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6862 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6863 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6864 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6865
6866 @table @code
6867 @item print @var{expr}
6868 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6869 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6870 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6871 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6872 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6873 Formats}.
6874
6875 @item print
6876 @itemx print /@var{f}
6877 @cindex reprint the last value
6878 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6879 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6880 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6881 @end table
6882
6883 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6884 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6885 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6886
6887 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6888 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6889 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6890 Table}.
6891
6892 @menu
6893 * Expressions:: Expressions
6894 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6895 * Variables:: Program variables
6896 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6897 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6898 * Memory:: Examining memory
6899 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6900 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6901 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6902 * Value History:: Value history
6903 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6904 * Registers:: Registers
6905 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6906 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6907 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6908 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6909 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6910 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6911 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6912 character set than GDB does
6913 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6914 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6915 @end menu
6916
6917 @node Expressions
6918 @section Expressions
6919
6920 @cindex expressions
6921 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6922 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6923 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6924 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6925 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6926 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6927 @ref{Compilation}.
6928
6929 @cindex arrays in expressions
6930 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6931 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6932 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6933 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6934 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6935 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6936
6937 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6938 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6939 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6940 languages.
6941
6942 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6943 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6944
6945 @cindex casts, in expressions
6946 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6947 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6948 at that address in memory.
6949 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6950
6951 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6952 to programming languages:
6953
6954 @table @code
6955 @item @@
6956 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6957 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6958
6959 @item ::
6960 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6961 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6962
6963 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6964 @cindex type casting memory
6965 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6966 @cindex casts, to view memory
6967 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6968 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6969 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6970 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6971 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6972 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6973 @end table
6974
6975 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6976 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6977 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6978
6979 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6980 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6981 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6982 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6983 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6984 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6985 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6986
6987 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6988 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6989 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6990 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6991 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6992 as well.
6993
6994 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6995 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6996 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6997 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6998 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6999 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7000 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7001 choices.
7002
7003 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7004 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7005 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7006
7007 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7008 @smallexample
7009 @group
7010 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7011 [0] cancel
7012 [1] all
7013 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7014 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7015 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7016 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7017 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7018 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7019 > 2 4 6
7020 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7021 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7022 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7023 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7024 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7025 breakpoints.
7026 (@value{GDBP})
7027 @end group
7028 @end smallexample
7029
7030 @table @code
7031 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7032 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7033 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7034
7035 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7036 is ambiguous.
7037
7038 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7039 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7040 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7041 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7042 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7043 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7044 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7045 in the use of the menu.
7046
7047 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7048 when an ambiguity is detected.
7049
7050 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7051 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7052
7053 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7054 @item show multiple-symbols
7055 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7056 @end table
7057
7058 @node Variables
7059 @section Program Variables
7060
7061 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7062 in your program.
7063
7064 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7065 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7066
7067 @itemize @bullet
7068 @item
7069 global (or file-static)
7070 @end itemize
7071
7072 @noindent or
7073
7074 @itemize @bullet
7075 @item
7076 visible according to the scope rules of the
7077 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7078 @end itemize
7079
7080 @noindent This means that in the function
7081
7082 @smallexample
7083 foo (a)
7084 int a;
7085 @{
7086 bar (a);
7087 @{
7088 int b = test ();
7089 bar (b);
7090 @}
7091 @}
7092 @end smallexample
7093
7094 @noindent
7095 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7096 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7097 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7098 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7099
7100 @cindex variable name conflict
7101 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7102 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7103 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7104 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7105 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7106 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7107 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7108
7109 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7110 @ifnotinfo
7111 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7112 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7113 @end ifnotinfo
7114 @smallexample
7115 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7116 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7117 @end smallexample
7118
7119 @noindent
7120 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7121 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7122 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7123 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7124
7125 @smallexample
7126 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7127 @end smallexample
7128
7129 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7130 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7131 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7132 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7133 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7134 @c conflict?? --mew
7135
7136 @cindex wrong values
7137 @cindex variable values, wrong
7138 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7139 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7140 @quotation
7141 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7142 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7143 scope, and just before exit.
7144 @end quotation
7145 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7146 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7147 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7148 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7149 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7150 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7151 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7152 variable definitions may be gone.
7153
7154 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7155 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7156 when compiling.
7157
7158 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7159 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7160 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7161 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7162 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7163 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7164 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7165
7166 @smallexample
7167 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7168 @end smallexample
7169
7170 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7171 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7172 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7173 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7174 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7175 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7176 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7177 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7178 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7179 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7180 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7181
7182 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7183 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7184 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7185 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7186
7187 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7188 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7189 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7190 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7191 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7192 For program code
7193
7194 @smallexample
7195 char var0[] = "A";
7196 signed char var1[] = "A";
7197 @end smallexample
7198
7199 You get during debugging
7200 @smallexample
7201 (gdb) print var0
7202 $1 = "A"
7203 (gdb) print var1
7204 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7205 @end smallexample
7206
7207 @node Arrays
7208 @section Artificial Arrays
7209
7210 @cindex artificial array
7211 @cindex arrays
7212 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7213 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7214 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7215 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7216 program.
7217
7218 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7219 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7220 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7221 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7222 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7223 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7224 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7225 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7226 example. If a program says
7227
7228 @smallexample
7229 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7230 @end smallexample
7231
7232 @noindent
7233 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7234
7235 @smallexample
7236 p *array@@len
7237 @end smallexample
7238
7239 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7240 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7241 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7242 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7243 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7244
7245 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7246 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7247 The value need not be in memory:
7248 @smallexample
7249 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7250 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7251 @end smallexample
7252
7253 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7254 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7255 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7256 @smallexample
7257 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7258 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7259 @end smallexample
7260
7261 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7262 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7263 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7264 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7265 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7266 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7267 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7268 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7269 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7270 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7271
7272 @smallexample
7273 set $i = 0
7274 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7275 @key{RET}
7276 @key{RET}
7277 @dots{}
7278 @end smallexample
7279
7280 @node Output Formats
7281 @section Output Formats
7282
7283 @cindex formatted output
7284 @cindex output formats
7285 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7286 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7287 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7288 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7289 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7290
7291 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7292 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7293 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7294 letters supported are:
7295
7296 @table @code
7297 @item x
7298 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7299 hexadecimal.
7300
7301 @item d
7302 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7303
7304 @item u
7305 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7306
7307 @item o
7308 Print as integer in octal.
7309
7310 @item t
7311 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7312 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7313 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7314 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7315
7316 @item a
7317 @cindex unknown address, locating
7318 @cindex locate address
7319 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7320 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7321 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7322
7323 @smallexample
7324 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7325 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7326 @end smallexample
7327
7328 @noindent
7329 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7330 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7331
7332 @item c
7333 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7334 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7335 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7336 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7337
7338 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7339 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7340 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7341 data.
7342
7343 @item f
7344 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7345 using typical floating point syntax.
7346
7347 @item s
7348 @cindex printing strings
7349 @cindex printing byte arrays
7350 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7351 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7352 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7353 natural types.
7354
7355 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7356 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7357 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7358 array.
7359
7360 @item r
7361 @cindex raw printing
7362 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7363 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7364 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7365 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7366 pretty-printer which might exist.
7367 @end table
7368
7369 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7370
7371 @smallexample
7372 p/x $pc
7373 @end smallexample
7374
7375 @noindent
7376 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7377 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7378
7379 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7380 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7381 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7382
7383 @node Memory
7384 @section Examining Memory
7385
7386 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7387 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7388
7389 @cindex examining memory
7390 @table @code
7391 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7392 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7393 @itemx x @var{addr}
7394 @itemx x
7395 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7396 @end table
7397
7398 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7399 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7400 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7401 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7402 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7403
7404 @table @r
7405 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7406 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7407 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7408 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7409 @c 4.1.2.
7410
7411 @item @var{f}, the display format
7412 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7413 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7414 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7415 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7416 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7417
7418 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7419 The unit size is any of
7420
7421 @table @code
7422 @item b
7423 Bytes.
7424 @item h
7425 Halfwords (two bytes).
7426 @item w
7427 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7428 @item g
7429 Giant words (eight bytes).
7430 @end table
7431
7432 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7433 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7434 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7435 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7436 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7437 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7438 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7439 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7440 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7441 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7442 be altered.
7443
7444 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7445 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7446 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7447 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7448 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7449 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7450 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7451 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7452 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7453 a value from memory).
7454 @end table
7455
7456 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7457 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7458 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7459 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7460 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7461
7462 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7463 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7464 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7465 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7466 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7467
7468 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7469 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7470 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7471 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7472 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7473 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7474 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7475 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7476 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7477
7478 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7479 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7480 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7481 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7482 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7483 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7484 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7485
7486 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7487 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7488
7489 @smallexample
7490 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7491 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7492 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7493 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7494 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7495 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7496 @end smallexample
7497
7498 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7499 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7500 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7501 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7502 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7503 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7504 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7505 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7506 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7507
7508 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7509 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7510 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7511
7512 @cindex remote memory comparison
7513 @cindex verify remote memory image
7514 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7515 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7516 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7517 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7518 situations.
7519
7520 @table @code
7521 @kindex compare-sections
7522 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7523 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7524 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7525 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7526 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7527 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7528 remote request.
7529 @end table
7530
7531 @node Auto Display
7532 @section Automatic Display
7533 @cindex automatic display
7534 @cindex display of expressions
7535
7536 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7537 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7538 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7539 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7540 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7541 The automatic display looks like this:
7542
7543 @smallexample
7544 2: foo = 38
7545 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7546 @end smallexample
7547
7548 @noindent
7549 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7550 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7551 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7552 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7553 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7554 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7555
7556 @table @code
7557 @kindex display
7558 @item display @var{expr}
7559 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7560 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7561
7562 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7563
7564 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7565 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7566 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7567 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7568 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7569
7570 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7571 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7572 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7573 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7574 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7575 @end table
7576
7577 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7578 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7579 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7580
7581 @table @code
7582 @kindex delete display
7583 @kindex undisplay
7584 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7585 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7586 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7587
7588 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7589 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7590
7591 @kindex disable display
7592 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7593 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7594 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7595 enabled again later.
7596
7597 @kindex enable display
7598 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7599 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7600 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7601
7602 @item display
7603 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7604 done when your program stops.
7605
7606 @kindex info display
7607 @item info display
7608 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7609 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7610 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7611 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7612 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7613 @end table
7614
7615 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7616 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7617 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7618 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7619 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7620 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7621 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7622 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7623 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7624 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7625 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7626
7627 @node Print Settings
7628 @section Print Settings
7629
7630 @cindex format options
7631 @cindex print settings
7632 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7633 and symbols are printed.
7634
7635 @noindent
7636 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7637
7638 @table @code
7639 @kindex set print
7640 @item set print address
7641 @itemx set print address on
7642 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7643 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7644 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7645 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7646 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7647 @code{set print address on}:
7648
7649 @smallexample
7650 @group
7651 (@value{GDBP}) f
7652 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7653 at input.c:530
7654 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7655 @end group
7656 @end smallexample
7657
7658 @item set print address off
7659 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7660 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7661
7662 @smallexample
7663 @group
7664 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7665 (@value{GDBP}) f
7666 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7667 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7668 @end group
7669 @end smallexample
7670
7671 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7672 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7673 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7674 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7675
7676 @kindex show print
7677 @item show print address
7678 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7679 @end table
7680
7681 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7682 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7683 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7684 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7685 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7686 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7687 it prints a symbolic address:
7688
7689 @table @code
7690 @item set print symbol-filename on
7691 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7692 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7693 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7694 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7695
7696 @item set print symbol-filename off
7697 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7698 default.
7699
7700 @item show print symbol-filename
7701 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7702 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7703 @end table
7704
7705 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7706 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7707 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7708
7709 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7710 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7711
7712 @table @code
7713 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7714 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7715 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7716 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7717 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7718 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7719
7720 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7721 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7722 symbolic address.
7723 @end table
7724
7725 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7726 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7727 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7728 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7729 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7730 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7731 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7732 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7733
7734 @smallexample
7735 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7736 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7737 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7738 @end smallexample
7739
7740 @quotation
7741 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7742 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7743 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7744 @end quotation
7745
7746 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7747
7748 @table @code
7749 @item set print array
7750 @itemx set print array on
7751 @cindex pretty print arrays
7752 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7753 but uses more space. The default is off.
7754
7755 @item set print array off
7756 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7757
7758 @item show print array
7759 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7760 arrays.
7761
7762 @cindex print array indexes
7763 @item set print array-indexes
7764 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7765 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7766 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7767 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7768
7769 @item set print array-indexes off
7770 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7771
7772 @item show print array-indexes
7773 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7774 arrays.
7775
7776 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7777 @cindex number of array elements to print
7778 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7779 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7780 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7781 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7782 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7783 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7784 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7785
7786 @item show print elements
7787 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7788 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7789
7790 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7791 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7792 @cindex printing frame argument values
7793 @cindex print all frame argument values
7794 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7795 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7796 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7797 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7798 values are:
7799
7800 @table @code
7801 @item all
7802 The values of all arguments are printed.
7803
7804 @item scalars
7805 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7806 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7807 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7808 only scalar arguments are shown:
7809
7810 @smallexample
7811 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7812 at frame-args.c:23
7813 @end smallexample
7814
7815 @item none
7816 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7817 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7818
7819 @smallexample
7820 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7821 at frame-args.c:23
7822 @end smallexample
7823 @end table
7824
7825 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7826 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7827 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7828 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7829 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7830 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7831 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7832 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7833 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7834 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7835
7836 @item show print frame-arguments
7837 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7838
7839 @item set print repeats
7840 @cindex repeated array elements
7841 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7842 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7843 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7844 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7845 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7846 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7847 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7848
7849 @item show print repeats
7850 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7851 elements.
7852
7853 @item set print null-stop
7854 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7855 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7856 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7857 contain only short strings.
7858 The default is off.
7859
7860 @item show print null-stop
7861 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7862 @sc{null} character.
7863
7864 @item set print pretty on
7865 @cindex print structures in indented form
7866 @cindex indentation in structure display
7867 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7868 per line, like this:
7869
7870 @smallexample
7871 @group
7872 $1 = @{
7873 next = 0x0,
7874 flags = @{
7875 sweet = 1,
7876 sour = 1
7877 @},
7878 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7879 @}
7880 @end group
7881 @end smallexample
7882
7883 @item set print pretty off
7884 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7885
7886 @smallexample
7887 @group
7888 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7889 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7890 @end group
7891 @end smallexample
7892
7893 @noindent
7894 This is the default format.
7895
7896 @item show print pretty
7897 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7898
7899 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7900 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7901 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7902 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7903 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7904 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7905 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7906 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7907
7908 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7909 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7910 international character sets, and is the default.
7911
7912 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7913 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7914
7915 @item set print union on
7916 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7917 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7918 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7919
7920 @item set print union off
7921 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7922 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7923 instead.
7924
7925 @item show print union
7926 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7927 structures and other unions.
7928
7929 For example, given the declarations
7930
7931 @smallexample
7932 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7933 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7934 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7935 Bug_forms;
7936
7937 struct thing @{
7938 Species it;
7939 union @{
7940 Tree_forms tree;
7941 Bug_forms bug;
7942 @} form;
7943 @};
7944
7945 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7946 @end smallexample
7947
7948 @noindent
7949 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7950
7951 @smallexample
7952 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7953 @end smallexample
7954
7955 @noindent
7956 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7957
7958 @smallexample
7959 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7960 @end smallexample
7961
7962 @noindent
7963 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7964 and in Pascal.
7965 @end table
7966
7967 @need 1000
7968 @noindent
7969 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7970
7971 @table @code
7972 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7973 @item set print demangle
7974 @itemx set print demangle on
7975 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7976 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7977 linkage. The default is on.
7978
7979 @item show print demangle
7980 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7981
7982 @item set print asm-demangle
7983 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7984 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7985 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7986 The default is off.
7987
7988 @item show print asm-demangle
7989 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7990 or demangled form.
7991
7992 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7993 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7994 @kindex set demangle-style
7995 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7996 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7997 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7998
7999 @table @code
8000 @item auto
8001 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8002
8003 @item gnu
8004 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8005 This is the default.
8006
8007 @item hp
8008 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8009
8010 @item lucid
8011 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8012
8013 @item arm
8014 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8015 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8016 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8017 require further enhancement to permit that.
8018
8019 @end table
8020 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8021
8022 @item show demangle-style
8023 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8024
8025 @item set print object
8026 @itemx set print object on
8027 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8028 @cindex display derived types
8029 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8030 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8031 the virtual function table.
8032
8033 @item set print object off
8034 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8035 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8036
8037 @item show print object
8038 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8039
8040 @item set print static-members
8041 @itemx set print static-members on
8042 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8043 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8044
8045 @item set print static-members off
8046 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8047
8048 @item show print static-members
8049 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8050
8051 @item set print pascal_static-members
8052 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8053 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8054 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8055 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8056
8057 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8058 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8059
8060 @item show print pascal_static-members
8061 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8062
8063 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8064 @item set print vtbl
8065 @itemx set print vtbl on
8066 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8067 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8068 @cindex VTBL display
8069 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8070 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8071 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8072
8073 @item set print vtbl off
8074 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8075
8076 @item show print vtbl
8077 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8078 @end table
8079
8080 @node Pretty Printing
8081 @section Pretty Printing
8082
8083 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8084 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8085 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8086
8087 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
8088 pretty-printer:
8089
8090 @smallexample
8091 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8092 $1 = @{
8093 static npos = 4294967295,
8094 _M_dataplus = @{
8095 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8096 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8097 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8098 @},
8099 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8100 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8101 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8102 @}
8103 @}
8104 @end smallexample
8105
8106 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8107
8108 @smallexample
8109 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8110 $2 = "abcd"
8111 @end smallexample
8112
8113 For implementing pretty printers for new types you should read the Python API
8114 details (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
8115
8116 @node Value History
8117 @section Value History
8118
8119 @cindex value history
8120 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8121 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8122 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8123 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8124 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8125 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8126 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8127 symbol table.
8128
8129 @cindex @code{$}
8130 @cindex @code{$$}
8131 @cindex history number
8132 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8133 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8134 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8135 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8136 history number.
8137
8138 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8139 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8140 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8141 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8142 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8143 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8144 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8145
8146 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8147 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8148
8149 @smallexample
8150 p *$
8151 @end smallexample
8152
8153 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8154 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8155
8156 @smallexample
8157 p *$.next
8158 @end smallexample
8159
8160 @noindent
8161 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8162 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8163
8164 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8165 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8166
8167 @smallexample
8168 print x
8169 set x=5
8170 @end smallexample
8171
8172 @noindent
8173 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8174 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8175
8176 @table @code
8177 @kindex show values
8178 @item show values
8179 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8180 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8181 values} does not change the history.
8182
8183 @item show values @var{n}
8184 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8185
8186 @item show values +
8187 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8188 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8189 @end table
8190
8191 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8192 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8193
8194 @node Convenience Vars
8195 @section Convenience Variables
8196
8197 @cindex convenience variables
8198 @cindex user-defined variables
8199 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8200 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8201 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8202 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8203 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8204
8205 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8206 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8207 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8208 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8209 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8210
8211 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8212 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8213 For example:
8214
8215 @smallexample
8216 set $foo = *object_ptr
8217 @end smallexample
8218
8219 @noindent
8220 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8221 @code{object_ptr}.
8222
8223 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8224 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8225 value with another assignment at any time.
8226
8227 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8228 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8229 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8230 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8231
8232 @table @code
8233 @kindex show convenience
8234 @cindex show all user variables
8235 @item show convenience
8236 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8237 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8238
8239 @kindex init-if-undefined
8240 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8241 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8242 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8243 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8244 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8245 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8246 override default values used in a command script.
8247
8248 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8249 any side-effects do not occur.
8250 @end table
8251
8252 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8253 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8254 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8255
8256 @smallexample
8257 set $i = 0
8258 print bar[$i++]->contents
8259 @end smallexample
8260
8261 @noindent
8262 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8263
8264 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8265 values likely to be useful.
8266
8267 @table @code
8268 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8269 @item $_
8270 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8271 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8272 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8273 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8274 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8275 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8276 to the type of @code{$__}.
8277
8278 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8279 @item $__
8280 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8281 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8282 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8283
8284 @item $_exitcode
8285 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8286 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8287 the program being debugged terminates.
8288
8289 @item $_sdata
8290 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8291 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8292 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8293 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8294 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8295
8296 @item $_siginfo
8297 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8298 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8299 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8300 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8301 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8302
8303 @item $_tlb
8304 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8305 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8306 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8307 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8308 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8309 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8310
8311 @end table
8312
8313 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8314 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8315 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8316
8317 @cindex convenience functions
8318 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8319 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8320 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8321 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8322 @value{GDBN}.
8323
8324 @table @code
8325 @item help function
8326 @kindex help function
8327 @cindex show all convenience functions
8328 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8329 @end table
8330
8331 @node Registers
8332 @section Registers
8333
8334 @cindex registers
8335 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8336 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8337 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8338 your machine.
8339
8340 @table @code
8341 @kindex info registers
8342 @item info registers
8343 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8344 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8345
8346 @kindex info all-registers
8347 @cindex floating point registers
8348 @item info all-registers
8349 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8350 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8351
8352 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8353 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8354 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8355 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8356 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8357 @end table
8358
8359 @cindex stack pointer register
8360 @cindex program counter register
8361 @cindex process status register
8362 @cindex frame pointer register
8363 @cindex standard registers
8364 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8365 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8366 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8367 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8368 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8369 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8370 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8371 you could print the program counter in hex with
8372
8373 @smallexample
8374 p/x $pc
8375 @end smallexample
8376
8377 @noindent
8378 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8379
8380 @smallexample
8381 x/i $pc
8382 @end smallexample
8383
8384 @noindent
8385 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8386 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8387 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8388 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8389 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8390 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8391 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8392
8393 @smallexample
8394 set $sp += 4
8395 @end smallexample
8396
8397 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8398 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8399 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8400 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8401 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8402 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8403 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8404
8405 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8406 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8407 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8408 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8409 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8410 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8411 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8412
8413 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8414 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8415 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8416 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8417 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8418 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8419 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8420 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8421 prints the data in both formats.
8422
8423 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8424 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8425 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8426 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8427 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8428 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8429 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8430
8431 @smallexample
8432 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8433 $1 = @{
8434 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8435 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8436 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8437 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8438 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8439 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8440 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8441 @}
8442 @end smallexample
8443
8444 @noindent
8445 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8446 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8447 value to a @code{struct} member:
8448
8449 @smallexample
8450 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8451 @end smallexample
8452
8453 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8454 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8455 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8456 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8457 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8458 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8459
8460 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8461 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8462 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8463 frame makes no difference.
8464
8465 @node Floating Point Hardware
8466 @section Floating Point Hardware
8467 @cindex floating point
8468
8469 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8470 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473 @kindex info float
8474 @item info float
8475 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8476 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8477 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8478 the ARM and x86 machines.
8479 @end table
8480
8481 @node Vector Unit
8482 @section Vector Unit
8483 @cindex vector unit
8484
8485 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8486 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8487
8488 @table @code
8489 @kindex info vector
8490 @item info vector
8491 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8492 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8493 @end table
8494
8495 @node OS Information
8496 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8497 @cindex OS information
8498
8499 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8500 you debug your program.
8501
8502 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8503 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8504 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8505 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8506 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8507 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8508 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8509 structure.
8510
8511 @table @code
8512 @item info udot
8513 @kindex info udot
8514 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8515 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8516 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8517 the @code{examine} command.
8518 @end table
8519
8520 @cindex auxiliary vector
8521 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8522 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8523 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8524 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8525 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8526 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8527 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8528 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8529 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8530 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8531 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8532 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8533
8534 @table @code
8535 @kindex info auxv
8536 @item info auxv
8537 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8538 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8539 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8540 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8541 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8542 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8543 an unrecognized tag.
8544 @end table
8545
8546 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8547 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8548 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8549 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8550
8551 @table @code
8552 @kindex info os
8553 @item info os
8554 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8555 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8556 report an error.
8557
8558 @kindex info os processes
8559 @item info os processes
8560 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8561 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8562 the command corresponding to the process.
8563 @end table
8564
8565 @node Memory Region Attributes
8566 @section Memory Region Attributes
8567 @cindex memory region attributes
8568
8569 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8570 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8571 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8572 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8573 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8574 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8575 user can override the fetched regions.
8576
8577 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8578 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8579 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8580 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8581 all memory.
8582
8583 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8584 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8585
8586 @table @code
8587 @kindex mem
8588 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8589 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8590 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8591 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8592 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8593 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8594
8595 @item mem auto
8596 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8597 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8598
8599 @kindex delete mem
8600 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8601 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8602 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8603
8604 @kindex disable mem
8605 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8606 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8607 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8608 It may be enabled again later.
8609
8610 @kindex enable mem
8611 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8612 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8613
8614 @kindex info mem
8615 @item info mem
8616 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8617 for each region:
8618
8619 @table @emph
8620 @item Memory Region Number
8621 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8622 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8623 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8624
8625 @item Lo Address
8626 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8627
8628 @item Hi Address
8629 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8630
8631 @item Attributes
8632 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8633 @end table
8634 @end table
8635
8636
8637 @subsection Attributes
8638
8639 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8640 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8641 write accesses to a memory region.
8642
8643 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8644 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8645 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8646
8647 @table @code
8648 @item ro
8649 Memory is read only.
8650 @item wo
8651 Memory is write only.
8652 @item rw
8653 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8654 @end table
8655
8656 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8657 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8658 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8659 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8660 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8661
8662 @table @code
8663 @item 8
8664 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8665 @item 16
8666 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8667 @item 32
8668 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8669 @item 64
8670 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8671 @end table
8672
8673 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8674 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8675 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8676 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8677 @c
8678 @c @table @code
8679 @c @item hwbreak
8680 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8681 @c @item swbreak (default)
8682 @c @end table
8683
8684 @subsubsection Data Cache
8685 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8686 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8687 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8688 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8689 registers.
8690
8691 @table @code
8692 @item cache
8693 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8694 @item nocache
8695 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8696 @end table
8697
8698 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8699 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8700 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8701 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8702 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8703
8704 @table @code
8705 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8706 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8707 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8708 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8709 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8710 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8711 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8712 The default value is @code{on}.
8713 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8714 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8715 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8716 @end table
8717
8718
8719 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8720 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8721 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8722 @c
8723 @c @table @code
8724 @c @item verify
8725 @c @item noverify (default)
8726 @c @end table
8727
8728 @node Dump/Restore Files
8729 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8730 @cindex dump/restore files
8731 @cindex append data to a file
8732 @cindex dump data to a file
8733 @cindex restore data from a file
8734
8735 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8736 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8737 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8738 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8739 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8740 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8741 files.
8742
8743 @table @code
8744
8745 @kindex dump
8746 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8747 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8748 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8749 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8750
8751 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8752 @table @code
8753 @item binary
8754 Raw binary form.
8755 @item ihex
8756 Intel hex format.
8757 @item srec
8758 Motorola S-record format.
8759 @item tekhex
8760 Tektronix Hex format.
8761 @end table
8762
8763 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8764 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8765 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8766 form.
8767
8768 @kindex append
8769 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8770 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8771 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8772 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8773 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8774
8775 @kindex restore
8776 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8777 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8778 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8779 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8780 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8781
8782 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8783 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8784 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8785 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8786 from that location.
8787
8788 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8789 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8790 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8791 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8792
8793 @end table
8794
8795 @node Core File Generation
8796 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8797 @cindex dump core from inferior
8798
8799 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8800 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8801 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8802 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8803 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8804 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8805 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8806
8807 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8808 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8809 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8810
8811 @table @code
8812 @kindex gcore
8813 @kindex generate-core-file
8814 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8815 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8816 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8817 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8818 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8819 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8820
8821 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8822 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8823 @end table
8824
8825 @node Character Sets
8826 @section Character Sets
8827 @cindex character sets
8828 @cindex charset
8829 @cindex translating between character sets
8830 @cindex host character set
8831 @cindex target character set
8832
8833 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8834 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8835 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8836 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8837 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8838 @dfn{target character set}.
8839
8840 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8841 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8842 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8843 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8844 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8845 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8846 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8847 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8848 character and string literals in expressions.
8849
8850 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8851 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8852 target-charset} command, described below.
8853
8854 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8855 support:
8856
8857 @table @code
8858 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8859 @kindex set target-charset
8860 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8861 list of supported target character sets, type
8862 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8863
8864 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8865 @kindex set host-charset
8866 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8867
8868 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8869 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8870 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8871 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8872 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8873
8874 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8875 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8876 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8877
8878 @item set charset @var{charset}
8879 @kindex set charset
8880 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8881 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8882 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8883 for both host and target.
8884
8885 @item show charset
8886 @kindex show charset
8887 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8888
8889 @item show host-charset
8890 @kindex show host-charset
8891 Show the name of the current host character set.
8892
8893 @item show target-charset
8894 @kindex show target-charset
8895 Show the name of the current target character set.
8896
8897 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8898 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8899 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8900 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8901 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8902 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8903
8904 @item show target-wide-charset
8905 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8906 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8907 @end table
8908
8909 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8910 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8911 @file{charset-test.c}:
8912
8913 @smallexample
8914 #include <stdio.h>
8915
8916 char ascii_hello[]
8917 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8918 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8919 char ibm1047_hello[]
8920 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8921 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8922
8923 main ()
8924 @{
8925 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8926 @}
8927 @end smallexample
8928
8929 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8930 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8931 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8932
8933 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8934
8935 @smallexample
8936 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8937 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8938 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8939 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8940 @dots{}
8941 (@value{GDBP})
8942 @end smallexample
8943
8944 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8945 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8946 strings:
8947
8948 @smallexample
8949 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8950 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8951 (@value{GDBP})
8952 @end smallexample
8953
8954 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8955 initial character set:
8956 @smallexample
8957 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8958 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8959 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8960 (@value{GDBP})
8961 @end smallexample
8962
8963 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8964 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8965 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8966 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8967 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8968
8969 @smallexample
8970 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8971 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8972 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8973 $2 = 72 'H'
8974 (@value{GDBP})
8975 @end smallexample
8976
8977 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8978 literals you use in expressions:
8979
8980 @smallexample
8981 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8982 $3 = 43 '+'
8983 (@value{GDBP})
8984 @end smallexample
8985
8986 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8987 character.
8988
8989 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8990 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8991 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8992
8993 @smallexample
8994 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8995 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8996 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8997 $5 = 200 '\310'
8998 (@value{GDBP})
8999 @end smallexample
9000
9001 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9002 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9003
9004 @smallexample
9005 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9006 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9007 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9008 @end smallexample
9009
9010 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9011 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9012 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9013 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9014 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9015
9016 @smallexample
9017 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9018 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9019 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9020 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9021 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9022 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9023 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9024 $7 = 72 '\110'
9025 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9026 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9027 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9028 $9 = 200 'H'
9029 (@value{GDBP})
9030 @end smallexample
9031
9032 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9033 string literals you use in expressions:
9034
9035 @smallexample
9036 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9037 $10 = 78 '+'
9038 (@value{GDBP})
9039 @end smallexample
9040
9041 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9042 character.
9043
9044 @node Caching Remote Data
9045 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9046 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9047
9048 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9049 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9050 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9051 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9052 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9053 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9054 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9055 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9056 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9057 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9058 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9059 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9060 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9061 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9062 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9063
9064 @table @code
9065 @kindex set remotecache
9066 @item set remotecache on
9067 @itemx set remotecache off
9068 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9069 with old scripts.
9070
9071 @kindex show remotecache
9072 @item show remotecache
9073 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9074
9075 @kindex set stack-cache
9076 @item set stack-cache on
9077 @itemx set stack-cache off
9078 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9079 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9080
9081 @kindex show stack-cache
9082 @item show stack-cache
9083 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9084
9085 @kindex info dcache
9086 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9087 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9088 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9089 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9090 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9091 operation.
9092
9093 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9094 printed in hex.
9095 @end table
9096
9097 @node Searching Memory
9098 @section Search Memory
9099 @cindex searching memory
9100
9101 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9102 @code{find} command.
9103
9104 @table @code
9105 @kindex find
9106 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9107 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9108 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9109 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9110 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9111 @end table
9112
9113 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9114 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9115
9116 @table @r
9117 @item @var{s}, search query size
9118 The size of each search query value.
9119
9120 @table @code
9121 @item b
9122 bytes
9123 @item h
9124 halfwords (two bytes)
9125 @item w
9126 words (four bytes)
9127 @item g
9128 giant words (eight bytes)
9129 @end table
9130
9131 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9132 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9133 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9134
9135 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9136 value's type in the current language.
9137 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9138 pattern as a mixture of types.
9139 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9140 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9141 which is typically four bytes.
9142
9143 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9144 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9145 @end table
9146
9147 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9148 (@code{"}).
9149 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9150 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9151
9152 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9153 number of matches found.
9154
9155 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9156 @samp{$_}.
9157 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9158
9159 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9160
9161 @smallexample
9162 void
9163 hello ()
9164 @{
9165 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9166 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9167 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9168 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9169 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9170 @}
9171 @end smallexample
9172
9173 @noindent
9174 you get during debugging:
9175
9176 @smallexample
9177 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9178 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9179 1 pattern found
9180 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9181 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9182 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9183 2 patterns found
9184 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9185 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9186 1 pattern found
9187 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9188 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9189 1 pattern found
9190 (gdb) print $numfound
9191 $1 = 1
9192 (gdb) print $_
9193 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9194 @end smallexample
9195
9196 @node Optimized Code
9197 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9198 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9199 @cindex debugging optimized code
9200
9201 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9202 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9203 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9204 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9205 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9206 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9207 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9208
9209 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9210 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9211 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9212 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9213
9214 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9215 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9216 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9217 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9218 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9219 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9220
9221 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9222 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9223 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9224 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9225 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9226
9227 @menu
9228 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9229 @end menu
9230
9231 @node Inline Functions
9232 @section Inline Functions
9233 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9234
9235 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9236 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9237 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9238 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9239 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9240 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9241 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9242 @code{info frame} command.
9243
9244 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9245 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9246 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9247 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9248 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9249 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9250 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9251 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9252 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9253 local variables in the caller.
9254
9255 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9256 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9257 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9258 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9259 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9260 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9261 instructions are executed.
9262
9263 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9264 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9265 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9266 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9267
9268 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9269 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9270
9271 @itemize @bullet
9272 @item
9273 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9274 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9275 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9276 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9277 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9278 function instead.
9279
9280 @item
9281 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9282 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9283 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9284 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9285 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9286 or inside the inlined function instead.
9287
9288 @item
9289 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9290 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9291 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9292 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9293
9294 @end itemize
9295
9296
9297 @node Macros
9298 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9299
9300 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9301 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9302 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9303 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9304 where it was defined.
9305
9306 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9307 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9308 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9309 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9310
9311 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9312 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9313 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9314 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9315 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9316 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9317 see @ref{List}.
9318
9319 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9320 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9321 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9322
9323 @table @code
9324
9325 @kindex macro expand
9326 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9327 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9328 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9329 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9330 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9331 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9332 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9333 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9334 it can be any string of tokens.
9335
9336 @kindex macro exp1
9337 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9338 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9339 @cindex expand macro once
9340 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9341 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9342 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9343 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9344 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9345 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9346 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9347 can be any string of tokens.
9348
9349 @kindex info macro
9350 @cindex macro definition, showing
9351 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9352 @item info macro @var{macro}
9353 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9354 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9355
9356 @kindex macro define
9357 @cindex user-defined macros
9358 @cindex defining macros interactively
9359 @cindex macros, user-defined
9360 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9361 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9362 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9363 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9364 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9365 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9366 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9367 @var{arglist}.
9368
9369 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9370 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9371 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9372 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9373 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9374
9375 @kindex macro undef
9376 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9377 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9378 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9379 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9380 in the program being debugged.
9381
9382 @kindex macro list
9383 @item macro list
9384 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9385 @end table
9386
9387 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9388 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9389 show our source files:
9390
9391 @smallexample
9392 $ cat sample.c
9393 #include <stdio.h>
9394 #include "sample.h"
9395
9396 #define M 42
9397 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9398
9399 main ()
9400 @{
9401 #define N 28
9402 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9403 #undef N
9404 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9405 #define N 1729
9406 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9407 @}
9408 $ cat sample.h
9409 #define Q <
9410 $
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9414 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9415 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9416 information.
9417
9418 @smallexample
9419 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9420 $
9421 @end smallexample
9422
9423 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9424
9425 @smallexample
9426 $ gdb -nw sample
9427 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9428 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9429 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9430 (@value{GDBP})
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9434 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9435 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9436
9437 @smallexample
9438 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9439 3
9440 4 #define M 42
9441 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9442 6
9443 7 main ()
9444 8 @{
9445 9 #define N 28
9446 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9447 11 #undef N
9448 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9449 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9450 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9451 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9452 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9453 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9454 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9455 #define Q <
9456 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9457 expands to: (42 + 1)
9458 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9459 expands to: once (M + 1)
9460 (@value{GDBP})
9461 @end smallexample
9462
9463 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9464 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9465 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9466 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9467
9468 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9469 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9470
9471 @smallexample
9472 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9473 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9474 (@value{GDBP}) run
9475 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9476
9477 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9478 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9479 (@value{GDBP})
9480 @end smallexample
9481
9482 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9483
9484 @smallexample
9485 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9486 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9487 #define N 28
9488 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9489 expands to: 28 < 42
9490 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9491 $1 = 1
9492 (@value{GDBP})
9493 @end smallexample
9494
9495 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9496 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9497 thereof) in force at each point:
9498
9499 @smallexample
9500 (@value{GDBP}) next
9501 Hello, world!
9502 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9503 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9504 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9505 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9506 (@value{GDBP}) next
9507 We're so creative.
9508 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9509 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9510 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9511 #define N 1729
9512 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9513 expands to: 1729 < 42
9514 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9515 $2 = 0
9516 (@value{GDBP})
9517 @end smallexample
9518
9519 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9520 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9521 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9522 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9523
9524 @smallexample
9525 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9526 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9527 -D__STDC__=1
9528 (@value{GDBP})
9529 @end smallexample
9530
9531
9532 @node Tracepoints
9533 @chapter Tracepoints
9534 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9535 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9536
9537 @cindex tracepoints
9538 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9539 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9540 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9541 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9542 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9543 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9544 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9545
9546 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9547 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9548 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9549 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9550 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9551 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9552 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9553 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9554 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9555 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9556 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9557
9558 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9559 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9560 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9561 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9562 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9563 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9564 Packets}.
9565
9566 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9567 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9568 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9569
9570 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9571
9572 @menu
9573 * Set Tracepoints::
9574 * Analyze Collected Data::
9575 * Tracepoint Variables::
9576 * Trace Files::
9577 @end menu
9578
9579 @node Set Tracepoints
9580 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9581
9582 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9583 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9584 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9585 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9586 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9587 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9588 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9589
9590 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9591 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9592 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9593 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9594 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9595 tracepoint was hit.
9596
9597 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9598 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9599 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9600 either.
9601
9602 @cindex fast tracepoints
9603 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9604 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9605 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9606
9607 @cindex static tracepoints
9608 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9609 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9610 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9611 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9612 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9613 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9614 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9615 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9616 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9617 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9618 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9619 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9620 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9621 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9622 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9623 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9624 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9625 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9626 static tracepoint marker.
9627
9628 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9629 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9630
9631 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9632 conditions and actions.
9633
9634 @menu
9635 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9636 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9637 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9638 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9639 * Trace State Variables::
9640 * Tracepoint Actions::
9641 * Listing Tracepoints::
9642 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9643 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9644 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9645 @end menu
9646
9647 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9648 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9649
9650 @table @code
9651 @cindex set tracepoint
9652 @kindex trace
9653 @item trace @var{location}
9654 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9655 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9656 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9657 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9658 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9659 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9660 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9661 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9662 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9663
9664 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9665
9666 @smallexample
9667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9668
9669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9670
9671 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9672
9673 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9674
9675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9676 @end smallexample
9677
9678 @noindent
9679 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9680
9681 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9682 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9683 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9684 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9685 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9686 information on tracepoint conditions.
9687
9688 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9689 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9690 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9691 @kindex ftrace
9692 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9693 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9694 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9695 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9696 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9697 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9698 message.
9699
9700 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9701 @code{trace}.
9702
9703 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9704 @cindex set static tracepoint
9705 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9706 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9707 @kindex strace
9708 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9709 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9710 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9711 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9712 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9713
9714 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9715 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9716 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9717 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9718 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9719 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9720 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9721 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9722 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9723 tracing engine:
9724
9725 @smallexample
9726 main ()
9727 @{
9728 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9729 @}
9730 @end smallexample
9731
9732 @noindent
9733 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9734 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9735
9736 @smallexample
9737 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9738 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9739 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9740 Data: "str %s"
9741 [etc...]
9742 @end smallexample
9743
9744 @noindent
9745 so you may probe the marker above with:
9746
9747 @smallexample
9748 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9749 @end smallexample
9750
9751 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9752 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9753 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9754 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9755 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9756 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9757 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9758 the @samp{Data:} field.
9759
9760 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9761 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9762 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9763
9764 @vindex $tpnum
9765 @cindex last tracepoint number
9766 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9767 @cindex tracepoint number
9768 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9769 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9770
9771 @kindex delete tracepoint
9772 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9773 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9774 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9775 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9776 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9777
9778 Examples:
9779
9780 @smallexample
9781 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9782
9783 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9784 @end smallexample
9785
9786 @noindent
9787 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9788 @end table
9789
9790 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9791 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9792
9793 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9794
9795 @table @code
9796 @kindex disable tracepoint
9797 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9798 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9799 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9800 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9801 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9802
9803 @kindex enable tracepoint
9804 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9805 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9806 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9807 run.
9808 @end table
9809
9810 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9811 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9812
9813 @table @code
9814 @kindex passcount
9815 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9816 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9817 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9818 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9819 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9820 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9821 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9822 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9823 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9824 user.
9825
9826 Examples:
9827
9828 @smallexample
9829 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9830 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9831
9832 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9833 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9834 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9835 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9836 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9837 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9838 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9839 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9840 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9841 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9842 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9843 @end smallexample
9844 @end table
9845
9846 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9847 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9848 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9849 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9850
9851 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9852 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9853 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9854 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9855 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9856 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9857 is true.
9858
9859 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9860 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9861 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9862 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9863 just as with breakpoints.
9864
9865 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9866 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9867 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9868 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9869 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9870 accesses, and so forth.
9871
9872 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9873 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9874 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9875 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9876 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9877 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9878 search through.
9879
9880 @smallexample
9881 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9882 @end smallexample
9883
9884 @node Trace State Variables
9885 @subsection Trace State Variables
9886 @cindex trace state variables
9887
9888 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9889 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9890 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9891 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9892 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9893 integers.
9894
9895 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9896 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9897 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9898 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9899
9900 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9901 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9902 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9903 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9904 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9905 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9906 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9907 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9908 variable with the same name.
9909
9910 @table @code
9911
9912 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9913 @kindex tvariable
9914 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9915 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9916 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9917 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9918 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9919 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9920 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9921 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9922 value. The default initial value is 0.
9923
9924 @item info tvariables
9925 @kindex info tvariables
9926 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9927 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9928 currently running.
9929
9930 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9931 @kindex delete tvariable
9932 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9933 are specified.
9934
9935 @end table
9936
9937 @node Tracepoint Actions
9938 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9939
9940 @table @code
9941 @kindex actions
9942 @cindex tracepoint actions
9943 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9944 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9945 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9946 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9947 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9948 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9949 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9950 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9951 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
9952 @code{while-stepping}.
9953
9954 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
9955 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
9956 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
9957
9958 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9959 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9960 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9961
9962 @smallexample
9963 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9964
9965 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9966
9967 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9968 @end smallexample
9969
9970 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9971 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9972 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9973 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9974 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
9975 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9976 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
9977 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
9978
9979 @smallexample
9980 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9981 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9982 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9983 > collect bar,baz
9984 > collect $regs
9985 > while-stepping 12
9986 > collect $pc, arr[i]
9987 > end
9988 end
9989 @end smallexample
9990
9991 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9992 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9993 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9994 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9995 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9996 special arguments are supported:
9997
9998 @table @code
9999 @item $regs
10000 Collect all registers.
10001
10002 @item $args
10003 Collect all function arguments.
10004
10005 @item $locals
10006 Collect all local variables.
10007
10008 @item $_sdata
10009 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10010 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10011 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10012 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10013 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10014 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10015 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10016 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10017 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10018
10019 @smallexample
10020 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10021 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10022 @end smallexample
10023
10024 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10025 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10026 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10027 @value{GDBN}.
10028 @end table
10029
10030 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10031 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10032 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10033
10034 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10035 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10036
10037 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10038 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10039 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10040 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10041 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10042 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10043 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10044 action were used.
10045
10046 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10047 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10048 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10049 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10050 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10051 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10052
10053 @smallexample
10054 > while-stepping 12
10055 > collect $regs, myglobal
10056 > end
10057 >
10058 @end smallexample
10059
10060 @noindent
10061 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10062 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10063 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10064 @code{stepping}.
10065
10066 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10067 @kindex set default-collect
10068 @cindex default collection action
10069 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10070 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10071 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10072 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10073 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10074 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10075
10076 @item show default-collect
10077 @kindex show default-collect
10078 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10079 tracepoint hit.
10080
10081 @end table
10082
10083 @node Listing Tracepoints
10084 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10085
10086 @table @code
10087 @kindex info tracepoints
10088 @kindex info tp
10089 @cindex information about tracepoints
10090 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10091 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10092 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10093 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10094 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10095 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10096
10097 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10098 tracing:
10099
10100 @itemize @bullet
10101 @item
10102 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10103 @end itemize
10104
10105 @smallexample
10106 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10107 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10108 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10109 while-stepping 20
10110 collect globfoo, $regs
10111 end
10112 collect globfoo2
10113 end
10114 pass count 1200
10115 (@value{GDBP})
10116 @end smallexample
10117
10118 @noindent
10119 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10120 @end table
10121
10122 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10123 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10124
10125 @table @code
10126 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10127 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10128 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10129 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10130 program.
10131
10132 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10133
10134 @table @emph
10135 @item Count
10136 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10137 stable identifier.
10138 @item ID
10139 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10140 @item Enabled or Disabled
10141 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10142 that are not enabled.
10143 @item Address
10144 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10145 @item What
10146 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10147 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10148 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10149 will be left blank.
10150 @end table
10151
10152 @noindent
10153 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10154
10155 @table @emph
10156 @item Data
10157 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10158 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10159 marker call.
10160 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10161 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10162 @end table
10163
10164 @smallexample
10165 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10166 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10167 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10168 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10169 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10170 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10171 Data: str %s
10172 (@value{GDBP})
10173 @end smallexample
10174 @end table
10175
10176 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10177 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10178
10179 @table @code
10180 @kindex tstart
10181 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10182 @cindex collected data discarded
10183 @item tstart
10184 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10185 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10186 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10187 experiment.
10188
10189 @kindex tstop
10190 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10191 @item tstop
10192 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10193 stops collecting data.
10194
10195 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10196 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10197 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10198
10199 @kindex tstatus
10200 @cindex status of trace data collection
10201 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10202 @item tstatus
10203 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10204 collection.
10205 @end table
10206
10207 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10208
10209 @smallexample
10210 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10211 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10212 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10213 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10214 > while-stepping 11
10215 > collect $regs
10216 > end
10217 > end
10218 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10219 [time passes @dots{}]
10220 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10221 @end smallexample
10222
10223 @cindex disconnected tracing
10224 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10225 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10226 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10227 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10228 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10229 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10230 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10231 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10232
10233 @table @code
10234 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10235 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10236 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10237 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10238 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10239 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10240 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10241 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10242
10243 @item show disconnected-tracing
10244 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10245 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10246
10247 @end table
10248
10249 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10250 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10251 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10252 it will continue after reconnection.
10253
10254 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10255 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10256 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10257 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10258 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10259 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10260 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10261 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10262 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10263 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10264
10265 @cindex circular trace buffer
10266 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10267 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10268 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10269 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10270 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10271 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10272 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10273 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10274 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10275 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10276 the next run.
10277
10278 @table @code
10279 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10280 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10281 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10282 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10283 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10284 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10285 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10286
10287 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10288 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10289 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10290 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10291 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10292 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10293
10294 @end table
10295
10296 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10297 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10298
10299 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10300 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10301 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10302 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10303 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10304 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10305 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10306 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10307 mentioned here.
10308
10309 @itemize @bullet
10310
10311 @item
10312 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10313 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10314 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10315 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10316 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10317 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10318 cannot be collected either.
10319
10320 @item
10321 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10322 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10323 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10324 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10325 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10326 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10327 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10328 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10329 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10330 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10331
10332 @item
10333 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10334 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10335 in a misleading way.
10336
10337 @item
10338 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10339 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10340 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10341 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10342 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10343 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10344 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10345 by @code{ptr}.
10346
10347 @item
10348 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10349 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10350 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10351 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10352 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10353 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10354 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10355 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10356 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10357 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10358 invalid address.
10359
10360 @item
10361 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10362 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10363 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10364 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10365 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10366 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10367 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10368 it to zero.
10369
10370 @end itemize
10371
10372 @node Analyze Collected Data
10373 @section Using the Collected Data
10374
10375 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10376 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10377 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10378 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10379 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10380 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10381 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10382 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10383 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10384 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10385 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10386 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10387 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10388 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10389 the buffer will fail.
10390
10391 @menu
10392 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10393 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10394 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10395 @end menu
10396
10397 @node tfind
10398 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10399
10400 @kindex tfind
10401 @cindex select trace snapshot
10402 @cindex find trace snapshot
10403 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10404 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10405 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10406 snapshot is selected.
10407
10408 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10409
10410 @table @code
10411 @item tfind start
10412 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10413 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10414
10415 @item tfind none
10416 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10417
10418 @item tfind end
10419 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10420
10421 @item tfind
10422 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10423
10424 @item tfind -
10425 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10426 retracing earlier steps.
10427
10428 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10429 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10430 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10431 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10432 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10433
10434 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10435 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10436 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10437 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10438 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10439
10440 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10441 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10442 addresses (exclusive).
10443
10444 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10445 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10446 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10447
10448 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10449 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10450 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10451 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10452 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10453 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10454 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10455 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10456 @end table
10457
10458 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10459 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10460 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10461 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10462 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10463 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10464 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10465 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10466 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10467 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10468 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10469 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10470 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10471 tracepoint as the current one.
10472
10473 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10474 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10475 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10476 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10477 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10478
10479 @smallexample
10480 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10481 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10482 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10483 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10484 > tfind
10485 > end
10486
10487 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10488 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10489 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10490 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10491 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10492 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10493 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10494 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10495 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10496 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10497 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10498 @end smallexample
10499
10500 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10501 the buffer:
10502
10503 @smallexample
10504 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10505 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10506 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10507 > tfind line
10508 > end
10509
10510 Frame 0, X = 1
10511 Frame 7, X = 2
10512 Frame 13, X = 255
10513 @end smallexample
10514
10515 @node tdump
10516 @subsection @code{tdump}
10517 @kindex tdump
10518 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10519 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10520
10521 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10522 the current trace snapshot.
10523
10524 @smallexample
10525 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10526 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10527 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10528 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10529 > end
10530
10531 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10532
10533 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10534 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10535 at gdb_test.c:444
10536 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10537
10538 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10539 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10540 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10541 d1 0x18 24
10542 d2 0x80 128
10543 d3 0x33 51
10544 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10545 d5 0x22 34
10546 d6 0xe0 224
10547 d7 0x380035 3670069
10548 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10549 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10550 a2 0x100 256
10551 a3 0x322000 3284992
10552 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10553 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10554 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10555 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10556 ps 0x0 0
10557 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10558 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10559 fpstatus 0x0 0
10560 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10561 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10562 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10563 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10564 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10565 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10566 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10567 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10568 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10569
10570 (@value{GDBP})
10571 @end smallexample
10572
10573 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10574 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10575 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10576 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10577
10578 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10579 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10580 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10581 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10582 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10583 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10584 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10585 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10586 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10587 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10588
10589 @node save tracepoints
10590 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10591 @kindex save tracepoints
10592 @kindex save-tracepoints
10593 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10594
10595 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10596 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10597 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10598 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10599 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10600 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10601
10602 @node Tracepoint Variables
10603 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10604 @cindex tracepoint variables
10605 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10606
10607 @table @code
10608 @vindex $trace_frame
10609 @item (int) $trace_frame
10610 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10611 snapshot is selected.
10612
10613 @vindex $tracepoint
10614 @item (int) $tracepoint
10615 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10616
10617 @vindex $trace_line
10618 @item (int) $trace_line
10619 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10620
10621 @vindex $trace_file
10622 @item (char []) $trace_file
10623 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10624
10625 @vindex $trace_func
10626 @item (char []) $trace_func
10627 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10628 @end table
10629
10630 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10631 use @code{output} instead.
10632
10633 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10634 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10635 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10636 which are managed by the target.
10637
10638 @smallexample
10639 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10640
10641 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10642 > output $trace_file
10643 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10644 > tfind
10645 > end
10646 @end smallexample
10647
10648 @node Trace Files
10649 @section Using Trace Files
10650 @cindex trace files
10651
10652 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10653 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10654 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10655 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10656 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10657
10658 @table @code
10659
10660 @kindex tsave
10661 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10662 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10663 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10664 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10665 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10666 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10667 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10668 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10669 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10670
10671 @kindex target tfile
10672 @kindex tfile
10673 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10674 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10675 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10676 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10677 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10678 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10679 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10680
10681 @end table
10682
10683 @node Overlays
10684 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10685 @cindex overlays
10686
10687 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10688 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10689 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10690 use overlays.
10691
10692 @menu
10693 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10694 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10695 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10696 mapped by asking the inferior.
10697 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10698 @end menu
10699
10700 @node How Overlays Work
10701 @section How Overlays Work
10702 @cindex mapped overlays
10703 @cindex unmapped overlays
10704 @cindex load address, overlay's
10705 @cindex mapped address
10706 @cindex overlay area
10707
10708 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10709 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10710 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10711 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10712 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10713
10714 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10715 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10716 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10717 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10718 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10719 largest overlay as well.
10720
10721 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10722 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10723 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10724 there.
10725
10726 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10727 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10728 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10729
10730 @smallexample
10731 @group
10732 Data Instruction Larger
10733 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10734 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10735 | | | | | |
10736 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10737 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10738 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10739 | and heap | | | | | |
10740 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10741 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10742 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10743 | | | | | |
10744 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10745 address | | | | | |
10746 | overlay | <-' | | |
10747 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10748 | | <---. | | load address
10749 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10750 | | | |
10751 +-----------+ | |
10752 +-----------+
10753 | |
10754 +-----------+
10755
10756 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10757 @end group
10758 @end smallexample
10759
10760 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10761 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10762 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10763 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10764 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10765 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10766 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10767 program and the overlay area.
10768
10769 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10770 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10771 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10772 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10773 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10774 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10775 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10776
10777 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10778 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10779 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10780
10781 @itemize @bullet
10782
10783 @item
10784 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10785 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10786 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10787 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10788
10789 @item
10790 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10791 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10792 your program's performance.
10793
10794 @item
10795 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10796 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10797 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10798 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10799 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10800 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10801 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10802
10803 @item
10804 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10805 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10806 instruction and data spaces.
10807
10808 @end itemize
10809
10810 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10811 improved in many ways:
10812
10813 @itemize @bullet
10814
10815 @item
10816 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10817 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10818 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10819 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10820 area in the usual way.
10821
10822 @item
10823 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10824 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10825
10826 @item
10827 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10828 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10829 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10830 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10831 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10832 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10833 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10834
10835 @end itemize
10836
10837
10838 @node Overlay Commands
10839 @section Overlay Commands
10840
10841 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10842 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10843 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10844 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10845 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10846 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10847
10848 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10849 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10850
10851 @table @code
10852 @item overlay off
10853 @kindex overlay
10854 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10855 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10856 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10857 overlay support is disabled.
10858
10859 @item overlay manual
10860 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10861 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10862 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10863 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10864 commands described below.
10865
10866 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10867 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10868 @cindex map an overlay
10869 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10870 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10871 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10872 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10873 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10874 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10875
10876 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10877 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10878 @cindex unmap an overlay
10879 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10880 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10881 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10882 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10883
10884 @item overlay auto
10885 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10886 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10887 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10888 Overlay Debugging}.
10889
10890 @item overlay load-target
10891 @itemx overlay load
10892 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10893 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10894 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10895 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10896 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10897 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10898
10899 @item overlay list-overlays
10900 @itemx overlay list
10901 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10902 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10903 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10904
10905 @end table
10906
10907 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10908 of the function the address falls in:
10909
10910 @smallexample
10911 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10912 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10913 @end smallexample
10914 @noindent
10915 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10916 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10917 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10918 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10919
10920 @smallexample
10921 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10922 No sections are mapped.
10923 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10924 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10925 @end smallexample
10926 @noindent
10927 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10928 name normally:
10929
10930 @smallexample
10931 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10932 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10933 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10934 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10935 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10936 @end smallexample
10937
10938 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10939 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10940 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10941 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10942 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10943
10944 @itemize @bullet
10945 @item
10946 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10947 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10948 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10949 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10950 @item
10951 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10952 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10953 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10954 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10955 breakpoints properly.
10956 @end itemize
10957
10958
10959 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10960 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10961 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10962
10963 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10964 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10965 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10966 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10967 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10968 current state of the overlays.
10969
10970 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10971 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10972
10973 @table @asis
10974
10975 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10976 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10977
10978 @smallexample
10979 struct
10980 @{
10981 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10982 unsigned long vma;
10983
10984 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10985 unsigned long size;
10986
10987 /* The overlay's load address. */
10988 unsigned long lma;
10989
10990 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10991 zero otherwise. */
10992 unsigned long mapped;
10993 @}
10994 @end smallexample
10995
10996 @item @code{_novlys}:
10997 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10998 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10999
11000 @end table
11001
11002 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11003 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11004 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11005 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11006 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11007 currently mapped.
11008
11009 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11010 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11011 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11012 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11013 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11014 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11015 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11016 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11017 are not being executed.
11018
11019 @node Overlay Sample Program
11020 @section Overlay Sample Program
11021 @cindex overlay example program
11022
11023 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11024 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11025 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11026 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11027 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11028 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11029 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11030
11031 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11032 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11033 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11034 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11035
11036 @table @file
11037 @item overlays.c
11038 The main program file.
11039 @item ovlymgr.c
11040 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11041 @item foo.c
11042 @itemx bar.c
11043 @itemx baz.c
11044 @itemx grbx.c
11045 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11046 @item d10v.ld
11047 @itemx m32r.ld
11048 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11049 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11050 @end table
11051
11052 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11053 cross-compiler like this:
11054
11055 @smallexample
11056 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11057 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11058 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11059 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11060 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11061 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11062 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11063 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11064 @end smallexample
11065
11066 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11067 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11068 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11069
11070
11071 @node Languages
11072 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11073 @cindex languages
11074
11075 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11076 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11077 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11078 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11079 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11080 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11081
11082 @cindex working language
11083 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11084 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11085 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11086 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11087 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11088 language}.
11089
11090 @menu
11091 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11092 * Show:: Displaying the language
11093 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11094 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11095 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11096 @end menu
11097
11098 @node Setting
11099 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11100
11101 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11102 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11103 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11104 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11105 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11106 are printed, etc.
11107
11108 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11109 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11110 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11111 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11112 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11113 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11114 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11115 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11116 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11117 Displaying the Language}.
11118
11119 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11120 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11121 another language. In that case, make the
11122 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11123 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11124 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11125
11126 @menu
11127 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11128 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11129 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11130 @end menu
11131
11132 @node Filenames
11133 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11134
11135 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11136 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11137
11138 @table @file
11139 @item .ada
11140 @itemx .ads
11141 @itemx .adb
11142 @itemx .a
11143 Ada source file.
11144
11145 @item .c
11146 C source file
11147
11148 @item .C
11149 @itemx .cc
11150 @itemx .cp
11151 @itemx .cpp
11152 @itemx .cxx
11153 @itemx .c++
11154 C@t{++} source file
11155
11156 @item .d
11157 D source file
11158
11159 @item .m
11160 Objective-C source file
11161
11162 @item .f
11163 @itemx .F
11164 Fortran source file
11165
11166 @item .mod
11167 Modula-2 source file
11168
11169 @item .s
11170 @itemx .S
11171 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11172 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11173 @end table
11174
11175 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11176 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11177
11178 @node Manually
11179 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11180
11181 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11182 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11183 your program.
11184
11185 @kindex set language
11186 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11187 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11188 a language, such as
11189 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11190 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11191
11192 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11193 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11194 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11195 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11196 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11197 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11198 command such as:
11199
11200 @smallexample
11201 print a = b + c
11202 @end smallexample
11203
11204 @noindent
11205 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11206 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11207 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11208 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11209
11210 @node Automatically
11211 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11212
11213 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11214 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11215 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11216 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11217 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11218 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11219 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11220 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11221 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11222
11223 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11224 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11225 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11226 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11227 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11228
11229 @node Show
11230 @section Displaying the Language
11231
11232 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11233 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11234
11235 @table @code
11236 @item show language
11237 @kindex show language
11238 Display the current working language. This is the
11239 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11240 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11241
11242 @item info frame
11243 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11244 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11245 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11246 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11247 information listed here.
11248
11249 @item info source
11250 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11251 Display the source language of this source file.
11252 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11253 information listed here.
11254 @end table
11255
11256 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11257 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11258 with a language explicitly:
11259
11260 @table @code
11261 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11262 @kindex set extension-language
11263 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11264 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11265
11266 @item info extensions
11267 @kindex info extensions
11268 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11269 @end table
11270
11271 @node Checks
11272 @section Type and Range Checking
11273
11274 @quotation
11275 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11276 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11277 section documents the intended facilities.
11278 @end quotation
11279 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11280
11281 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11282 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11283 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11284 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11285 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11286 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11287 errors when your program is running.
11288
11289 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11290 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11291 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11292 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11293 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11294 automatically based on your program's source language.
11295 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11296 settings of supported languages.
11297
11298 @menu
11299 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11300 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11301 @end menu
11302
11303 @cindex type checking
11304 @cindex checks, type
11305 @node Type Checking
11306 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11307
11308 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11309 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11310 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11311 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11312
11313 @smallexample
11314 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11315 @exdent but
11316 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11317 @end smallexample
11318
11319 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11320 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11321
11322 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11323 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11324 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11325 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11326 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11327 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11328 also issues a warning.
11329
11330 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11331 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11332 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11333 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11334 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11335 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11336
11337 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11338 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11339 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11340 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11341 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11342 details on specific languages.
11343
11344 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11345
11346 @kindex set check type
11347 @kindex show check type
11348 @table @code
11349 @item set check type auto
11350 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11351 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11352 each language.
11353
11354 @item set check type on
11355 @itemx set check type off
11356 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11357 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11358 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11359 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11360 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11361
11362 @item set check type warn
11363 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11364 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11365 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11366 numbers and structures.
11367
11368 @item show type
11369 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11370 is setting it automatically.
11371 @end table
11372
11373 @cindex range checking
11374 @cindex checks, range
11375 @node Range Checking
11376 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11377
11378 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11379 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11380 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11381 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11382 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11383
11384 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11385 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11386 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11387 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11388
11389 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11390 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11391 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11392 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11393 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11394 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11395
11396 @smallexample
11397 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11398 @end smallexample
11399
11400 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11401 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11402 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11403
11404 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11405
11406 @kindex set check range
11407 @kindex show check range
11408 @table @code
11409 @item set check range auto
11410 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11411 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11412 each language.
11413
11414 @item set check range on
11415 @itemx set check range off
11416 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11417 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11418 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11419 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11420
11421 @item set check range warn
11422 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11423 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11424 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11425 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11426 systems).
11427
11428 @item show range
11429 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11430 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11431 @end table
11432
11433 @node Supported Languages
11434 @section Supported Languages
11435
11436 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
11437 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11438 @c This is false ...
11439 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11440 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11441 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11442 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11443 language.
11444
11445 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11446 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11447 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11448 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11449 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11450 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11451 language reference or tutorial.
11452
11453 @menu
11454 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11455 * D:: D
11456 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11457 * Fortran:: Fortran
11458 * Pascal:: Pascal
11459 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11460 * Ada:: Ada
11461 @end menu
11462
11463 @node C
11464 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11465
11466 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11467 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11468
11469 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11470 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11471 together.
11472
11473 @cindex C@t{++}
11474 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11475 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11476 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11477 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11478 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11479 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11480 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11481
11482 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11483 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11484 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11485 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11486 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11487 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11488
11489 @menu
11490 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11491 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11492 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11493 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11494 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11495 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11496 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11497 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11498 @end menu
11499
11500 @node C Operators
11501 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11502
11503 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11504
11505 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11506 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11507 often defined on groups of types.
11508
11509 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11510
11511 @itemize @bullet
11512
11513 @item
11514 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11515 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11516
11517 @item
11518 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11519 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11520
11521 @item
11522 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11523
11524 @item
11525 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11526
11527 @end itemize
11528
11529 @noindent
11530 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11531 in order of increasing precedence:
11532
11533 @table @code
11534 @item ,
11535 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11536 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11537 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11538
11539 @item =
11540 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11541 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11542
11543 @item @var{op}=
11544 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11545 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11546 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11547 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11548 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11549
11550 @item ?:
11551 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11552 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11553 integral type.
11554
11555 @item ||
11556 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11557
11558 @item &&
11559 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11560
11561 @item |
11562 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11563
11564 @item ^
11565 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11566
11567 @item &
11568 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11569
11570 @item ==@r{, }!=
11571 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11572 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11573
11574 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11575 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11576 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11577 and non-zero for true.
11578
11579 @item <<@r{, }>>
11580 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11581
11582 @item @@
11583 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11584
11585 @item +@r{, }-
11586 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11587 pointer types.
11588
11589 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11590 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11591 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11592 integral types.
11593
11594 @item ++@r{, }--
11595 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11596 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11597 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11598 operation takes place.
11599
11600 @item *
11601 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11602 @code{++}.
11603
11604 @item &
11605 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11606
11607 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11608 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11609 to examine the address
11610 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11611 stored.
11612
11613 @item -
11614 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11615 precedence as @code{++}.
11616
11617 @item !
11618 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11619 @code{++}.
11620
11621 @item ~
11622 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11623 @code{++}.
11624
11625
11626 @item .@r{, }->
11627 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11628 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11629 pointer based on the stored type information.
11630 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11631
11632 @item .*@r{, }->*
11633 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11634
11635 @item []
11636 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11637 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11638
11639 @item ()
11640 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11641
11642 @item ::
11643 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11644 and @code{class} types.
11645
11646 @item ::
11647 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11648 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11649 above.
11650 @end table
11651
11652 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11653 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11654 predefined meaning.
11655
11656 @node C Constants
11657 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11658
11659 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11660
11661 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11662 following ways:
11663
11664 @itemize @bullet
11665 @item
11666 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11667 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11668 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11669 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11670 @code{long} value.
11671
11672 @item
11673 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11674 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11675 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11676 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11677 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11678 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11679 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11680 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11681 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11682 constant.
11683
11684 @item
11685 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11686 integral equivalents.
11687
11688 @item
11689 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11690 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11691 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11692 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11693 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11694 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11695 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11696 @samp{\n} for newline.
11697
11698 @item
11699 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11700 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11701 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11702 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11703 characters.
11704
11705 @item
11706 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11707 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11708
11709 @item
11710 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11711 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11712 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11713 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11714 @end itemize
11715
11716 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11717 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11718
11719 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11720 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11721
11722 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11723 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11724 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11725 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11726 @quotation
11727 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11728 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11729 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11730 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11731 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11732 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11733 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11734 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11735 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11736 C@t{++} code.
11737 @end quotation
11738
11739 @enumerate
11740
11741 @cindex member functions
11742 @item
11743 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11744
11745 @smallexample
11746 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11747 @end smallexample
11748
11749 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11750 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11751 @item
11752 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11753 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11754 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11755 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11756
11757 @cindex call overloaded functions
11758 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11759 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11760 @item
11761 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11762 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11763 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11764 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11765 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11766 default arguments.
11767
11768 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11769 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11770 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11771 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11772 number of function arguments.
11773
11774 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11775 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11776 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11777
11778 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11779 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11780 @smallexample
11781 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11782 @end smallexample
11783
11784 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11785 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11786
11787 @cindex reference declarations
11788 @item
11789 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11790 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11791 dereferenced.
11792
11793 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11794 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11795 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11796 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11797 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11798
11799 @item
11800 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11801 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11802 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11803 necessary, for example in an expression like
11804 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11805 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11806 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11807 @end enumerate
11808
11809 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11810 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11811 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11812 invoking user-defined operators.
11813
11814 @node C Defaults
11815 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11816
11817 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11818
11819 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11820 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11821 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11822 selects the working language.
11823
11824 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11825 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11826 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11827 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11828 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11829 for further details.
11830
11831 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11832 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11833 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11834
11835 @node C Checks
11836 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11837
11838 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11839
11840 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11841 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11842 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11843
11844 @itemize @bullet
11845 @item
11846 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11847 enumerated tag.
11848
11849 @item
11850 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11851 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11852
11853 @ignore
11854 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11855 @c FIXME--beers?
11856 @item
11857 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11858 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11859 compilers.)
11860 @end ignore
11861 @end itemize
11862
11863 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11864 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11865 that is not itself an array.
11866
11867 @node Debugging C
11868 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11869
11870 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11871 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11872 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11873 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11874
11875 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11876 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11877 ,Expressions}.
11878
11879 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11880 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11881
11882 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11883
11884 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11885 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11886
11887 @table @code
11888 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11889 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11890 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11891 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11892 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11893 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11894
11895 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11896 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11897 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11898 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11899 classes.
11900 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11901
11902 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11903 @item catch throw
11904 @itemx catch catch
11905 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11906 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11907
11908 @cindex inheritance
11909 @item ptype @var{typename}
11910 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11911 @var{typename}.
11912 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11913
11914 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11915 @item set print demangle
11916 @itemx show print demangle
11917 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11918 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11919 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11920 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11921 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11922
11923 @item set print object
11924 @itemx show print object
11925 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11926 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11927
11928 @item set print vtbl
11929 @itemx show print vtbl
11930 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11931 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11932 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11933 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11934
11935 @kindex set overload-resolution
11936 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11937 @item set overload-resolution on
11938 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11939 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11940 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11941 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11942 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11943 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11944
11945 @item set overload-resolution off
11946 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11947 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11948 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11949 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11950 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11951 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11952 argument types.
11953
11954 @kindex show overload-resolution
11955 @item show overload-resolution
11956 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11957
11958 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11959 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11960 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11961 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11962 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11963 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11964 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11965 @end table
11966
11967 @node Decimal Floating Point
11968 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11969 @cindex decimal floating point format
11970
11971 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11972 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11973 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11974 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11975
11976 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11977 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11978 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11979 target.
11980
11981 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11982 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11983 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11984
11985 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11986 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11987 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11988
11989 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11990 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11991 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11992
11993 @node D
11994 @subsection D
11995
11996 @cindex D
11997 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
11998 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
11999 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12000
12001 @node Objective-C
12002 @subsection Objective-C
12003
12004 @cindex Objective-C
12005 This section provides information about some commands and command
12006 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12007 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12008 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12009
12010 @menu
12011 * Method Names in Commands::
12012 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12013 @end menu
12014
12015 @node Method Names in Commands
12016 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12017
12018 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12019 names as line specifications:
12020
12021 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12022 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12023 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12024 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12025 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12026 @itemize
12027 @item @code{clear}
12028 @item @code{break}
12029 @item @code{info line}
12030 @item @code{jump}
12031 @item @code{list}
12032 @end itemize
12033
12034 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12035
12036 @smallexample
12037 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12038 @end smallexample
12039
12040 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12041 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12042 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12043 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12044 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12045 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12046 debugged, enter:
12047
12048 @smallexample
12049 break -[Fruit create]
12050 @end smallexample
12051
12052 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12053 enter:
12054
12055 @smallexample
12056 list +[NSText initialize]
12057 @end smallexample
12058
12059 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12060 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12061 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12062 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12063
12064 @smallexample
12065 break create
12066 @end smallexample
12067
12068 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12069 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12070 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12071 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12072 none apply.
12073
12074 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12075 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12076
12077 @smallexample
12078 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12079 @end smallexample
12080
12081 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12082 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12083 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12084 @kindex print-object
12085 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12086
12087 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12088
12089 @smallexample
12090 print -[@var{object} hash]
12091 @end smallexample
12092
12093 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12094 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12095 @noindent
12096 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12097 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12098 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12099 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12100 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12101 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12102
12103 @node Fortran
12104 @subsection Fortran
12105 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12106
12107 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12108 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12109
12110 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12111 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12112 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12113 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12114 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12115 underscore.
12116
12117 @menu
12118 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12119 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12120 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12121 @end menu
12122
12123 @node Fortran Operators
12124 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12125
12126 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12127
12128 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12129 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12130 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12131
12132 @table @code
12133 @item **
12134 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12135 of the second one.
12136
12137 @item :
12138 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12139 represent a section of array.
12140
12141 @item %
12142 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12143 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12144 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12145 union type.
12146 @end table
12147
12148 @node Fortran Defaults
12149 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12150
12151 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12152
12153 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12154 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12155 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12156 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12157
12158 @node Special Fortran Commands
12159 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12160
12161 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12162
12163 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12164 such as displaying common blocks.
12165
12166 @table @code
12167 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12168 @kindex info common
12169 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12170 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12171 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12172 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12173 printed.
12174 @end table
12175
12176 @node Pascal
12177 @subsection Pascal
12178
12179 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12180 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12181 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12182 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12183 syntax.
12184
12185 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12186 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12187 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12188
12189 @node Modula-2
12190 @subsection Modula-2
12191
12192 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12193
12194 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12195 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12196 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12197 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12198 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12199 table.
12200
12201 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12202 @menu
12203 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12204 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12205 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12206 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12207 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12208 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12209 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12210 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12211 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12212 @end menu
12213
12214 @node M2 Operators
12215 @subsubsection Operators
12216 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12217
12218 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12219 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12220 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12221 following definitions hold:
12222
12223 @itemize @bullet
12224
12225 @item
12226 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12227 their subranges.
12228
12229 @item
12230 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12231
12232 @item
12233 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12234
12235 @item
12236 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12237 @var{type}}.
12238
12239 @item
12240 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12241
12242 @item
12243 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12244
12245 @item
12246 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12247 @end itemize
12248
12249 @noindent
12250 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12251 increasing precedence:
12252
12253 @table @code
12254 @item ,
12255 Function argument or array index separator.
12256
12257 @item :=
12258 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12259 @var{value}.
12260
12261 @item <@r{, }>
12262 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12263 types.
12264
12265 @item <=@r{, }>=
12266 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12267 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12268 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12269
12270 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12271 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12272 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12273 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12274 comment character.
12275
12276 @item IN
12277 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12278 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12279
12280 @item OR
12281 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12282
12283 @item AND@r{, }&
12284 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12285
12286 @item @@
12287 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12288
12289 @item +@r{, }-
12290 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12291 and difference on set types.
12292
12293 @item *
12294 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12295 on set types.
12296
12297 @item /
12298 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12299 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12300
12301 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12302 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12303 precedence as @code{*}.
12304
12305 @item -
12306 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12307
12308 @item ^
12309 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12310
12311 @item NOT
12312 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12313 @code{^}.
12314
12315 @item .
12316 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12317 precedence as @code{^}.
12318
12319 @item []
12320 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12321
12322 @item ()
12323 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12324 as @code{^}.
12325
12326 @item ::@r{, }.
12327 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12328 @end table
12329
12330 @quotation
12331 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12332 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12333 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12334 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12335 @end quotation
12336
12337
12338 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12339 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12340 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12341
12342 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12343 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12344
12345 @table @var
12346
12347 @item a
12348 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12349
12350 @item c
12351 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12352
12353 @item i
12354 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12355
12356 @item m
12357 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12358 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12359 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12360
12361 @item n
12362 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12363
12364 @item r
12365 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12366
12367 @item t
12368 represents a type.
12369
12370 @item v
12371 represents a variable.
12372
12373 @item x
12374 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12375 explanation of the function for details.
12376 @end table
12377
12378 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12379
12380 @table @code
12381 @item ABS(@var{n})
12382 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12383
12384 @item CAP(@var{c})
12385 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12386 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12387
12388 @item CHR(@var{i})
12389 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12390
12391 @item DEC(@var{v})
12392 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12393
12394 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12395 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12396 new value.
12397
12398 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12399 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12400 set.
12401
12402 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12403 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12404
12405 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12406 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12407
12408 @item INC(@var{v})
12409 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12410
12411 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12412 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12413 new value.
12414
12415 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12416 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12417 there. Returns the new set.
12418
12419 @item MAX(@var{t})
12420 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12421
12422 @item MIN(@var{t})
12423 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12424
12425 @item ODD(@var{i})
12426 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12427
12428 @item ORD(@var{x})
12429 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12430 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12431 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12432 integral, character and enumerated types.
12433
12434 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12435 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12436
12437 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12438 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12439
12440 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12441 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12442
12443 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12444 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12445 @end table
12446
12447 @quotation
12448 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12449 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12450 an error.
12451 @end quotation
12452
12453 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12454 @node M2 Constants
12455 @subsubsection Constants
12456
12457 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12458 ways:
12459
12460 @itemize @bullet
12461
12462 @item
12463 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12464 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12465 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12466 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12467
12468 @item
12469 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12470 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12471 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12472 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12473 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12474 digits.
12475
12476 @item
12477 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12478 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12479 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12480 followed by a @samp{C}.
12481
12482 @item
12483 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12484 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12485 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12486 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12487 sequences.
12488
12489 @item
12490 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12491
12492 @item
12493 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12494 @code{FALSE}.
12495
12496 @item
12497 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12498
12499 @item
12500 Set constants are not yet supported.
12501 @end itemize
12502
12503 @node M2 Types
12504 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12505 @cindex Modula-2 types
12506
12507 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12508 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12509 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12510 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12511 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12512 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12513
12514 The first example contains the following section of code:
12515
12516 @smallexample
12517 VAR
12518 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12519 r: [20..40] ;
12520 @end smallexample
12521
12522 @noindent
12523 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12524 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12525
12526 @smallexample
12527 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12528 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12529 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12530 SET OF CHAR
12531 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12532 21
12533 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12534 [20..40]
12535 @end smallexample
12536
12537 @noindent
12538 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12539
12540 @smallexample
12541 VAR
12542 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12543 @end smallexample
12544
12545 @noindent
12546 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12547
12548 @smallexample
12549 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12550 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12551 @end smallexample
12552
12553 @noindent
12554 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12555 expressions using the debugger.
12556
12557 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12558 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12559
12560 @smallexample
12561 VAR
12562 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12563 @end smallexample
12564
12565 @smallexample
12566 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12567 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12568 @end smallexample
12569
12570 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12571 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12572 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12573 above.
12574
12575 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12576
12577 @smallexample
12578 TYPE
12579 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12580 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12581 VAR
12582 s: t ;
12583 BEGIN
12584 s := blue ;
12585 @end smallexample
12586
12587 @noindent
12588 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12589 and value of a variable.
12590
12591 @smallexample
12592 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12593 $1 = blue
12594 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12595 type = [blue..yellow]
12596 @end smallexample
12597
12598 @noindent
12599 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12600 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12601 their @code{C} counterparts.
12602
12603 @smallexample
12604 VAR
12605 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12606 BEGIN
12607 s[1] := 1 ;
12608 @end smallexample
12609
12610 @smallexample
12611 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12612 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12613 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12614 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12615 @end smallexample
12616
12617 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12618 pointer types as shown in this example:
12619
12620 @smallexample
12621 VAR
12622 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12623 BEGIN
12624 NEW(s) ;
12625 s^[1] := 1 ;
12626 @end smallexample
12627
12628 @noindent
12629 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12630
12631 @smallexample
12632 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12633 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12634 @end smallexample
12635
12636 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12637 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12638 types:
12639
12640 @smallexample
12641 TYPE
12642 foo = RECORD
12643 f1: CARDINAL ;
12644 f2: CHAR ;
12645 f3: myarray ;
12646 END ;
12647
12648 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12649 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12650 VAR
12651 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12652 @end smallexample
12653
12654 @noindent
12655 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12656 below.
12657
12658 @smallexample
12659 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12660 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12661 f1 : CARDINAL;
12662 f2 : CHAR;
12663 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12664 END
12665 @end smallexample
12666
12667 @node M2 Defaults
12668 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12669 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12670
12671 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12672 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12673 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12674 selected the working language.
12675
12676 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12677 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12678 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12679 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12680
12681 @node Deviations
12682 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12683 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12684
12685 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12686 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12687
12688 @itemize @bullet
12689 @item
12690 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12691 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12692 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12693 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12694 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12695 returned a pointer.)
12696
12697 @item
12698 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12699 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12700 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12701 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12702
12703 @item
12704 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12705 argument.
12706
12707 @item
12708 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12709 @end itemize
12710
12711 @node M2 Checks
12712 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12713 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12714
12715 @quotation
12716 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12717 range checking.
12718 @end quotation
12719 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12720
12721 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12722
12723 @itemize @bullet
12724 @item
12725 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12726 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12727
12728 @item
12729 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12730 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12731 @end itemize
12732
12733 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12734 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12735
12736 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12737 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12738
12739 @node M2 Scope
12740 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12741 @cindex scope
12742 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12743 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12744 @ifinfo
12745 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12746 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12747 @end ifinfo
12748 @ifnotinfo
12749 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12750 @end ifnotinfo
12751
12752 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12753 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12754 similar syntax:
12755
12756 @smallexample
12757
12758 @var{module} . @var{id}
12759 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12760 @end smallexample
12761
12762 @noindent
12763 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12764 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12765 identifier within your program, except another module.
12766
12767 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12768 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12769 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12770 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12771
12772 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12773 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12774 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12775 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12776 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12777 @var{module}.
12778
12779 @node GDB/M2
12780 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12781
12782 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12783 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12784 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12785 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12786 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12787 analogue in Modula-2.
12788
12789 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12790 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12791 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12792 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12793 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12794 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12795
12796 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12797 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12798 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12799
12800 @node Ada
12801 @subsection Ada
12802 @cindex Ada
12803
12804 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12805 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12806 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12807 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12808 to be difficult.
12809
12810
12811 @cindex expressions in Ada
12812 @menu
12813 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12814 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12815 in @value{GDBN}.
12816 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12817 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12818 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12819 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12820 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12821 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12822 @end menu
12823
12824 @node Ada Mode Intro
12825 @subsubsection Introduction
12826 @cindex Ada mode, general
12827
12828 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12829 syntax, with some extensions.
12830 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12831
12832 @itemize @bullet
12833 @item
12834 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12835 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12836 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12837 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12838
12839 @item
12840 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12841 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12842
12843 @item
12844 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12845 @end itemize
12846
12847 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12848 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12849 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12850 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12851 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12852
12853 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12854 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12855 was translated from an Ada source file.
12856
12857 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12858 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12859 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12860 middle (to allow based literals).
12861
12862 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12863 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12864 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12865 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12866 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12867 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12868
12869 @node Omissions from Ada
12870 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12871 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12872
12873 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12874
12875 @itemize @bullet
12876 @item
12877 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12878
12879 @itemize @minus
12880 @item
12881 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12882 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12883
12884 @item
12885 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12886
12887 @item
12888 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12889
12890 @item
12891 @t{'Tag}.
12892
12893 @item
12894 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12895 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12896
12897 @item
12898 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12899 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12900
12901 @item
12902 @t{'Address}.
12903 @end itemize
12904
12905 @item
12906 The names in
12907 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12908 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12909 not currently available.
12910
12911 @item
12912 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12913 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12914 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12915 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12916 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12917 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12918 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12919 indeterminate values.
12920
12921 @item
12922 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12923 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12924 are not implemented.
12925
12926 @item
12927 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12928 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12929 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12930 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12931 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12932
12933 @smallexample
12934 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12935 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12936 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12937 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12938 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12939 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12940 @end smallexample
12941
12942 Changing a
12943 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12944 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12945 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12946 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12947 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12948 declared to have a type such as:
12949
12950 @smallexample
12951 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12952 Id : Integer;
12953 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12954 end record;
12955 @end smallexample
12956
12957 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12958 assignments:
12959
12960 @smallexample
12961 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12962 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12963 @end smallexample
12964
12965 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12966 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12967 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12968 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12969 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12970 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12971 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12972 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12973
12974 @item
12975 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12976
12977 @item
12978 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12979 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12980 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12981 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12982 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12983 the proper resolution.
12984
12985 @item
12986 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12987
12988 @item
12989 Entry calls are not implemented.
12990
12991 @item
12992 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12993 formats are not supported.
12994
12995 @item
12996 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12997
12998 @item
12999 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13000 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13001 context.
13002 Should your program
13003 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13004 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13005 @end itemize
13006
13007 @node Additions to Ada
13008 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13009 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13010
13011 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13012 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13013
13014 @itemize @bullet
13015 @item
13016 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13017 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13018 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13019 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13020 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13021 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13022 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13023 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13024
13025 @item
13026 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13027 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13028 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13029
13030 @item
13031 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13032 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13033
13034 @item
13035 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13036 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13037 @end itemize
13038
13039 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13040 additions specific to Ada:
13041
13042 @itemize @bullet
13043 @item
13044 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13045 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13046
13047 @smallexample
13048 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13049 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13050 @end smallexample
13051
13052 @item
13053 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13054 the value of its right-hand operand.
13055 This allows, for example,
13056 complex conditional breaks:
13057
13058 @smallexample
13059 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13060 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13061 @end smallexample
13062
13063 @item
13064 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13065 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13066 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13067 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13068 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13069 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13070 in strings. For example,
13071 @smallexample
13072 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13073 @end smallexample
13074 @noindent
13075 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13076 after each period.
13077
13078 @item
13079 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13080 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13081 to write
13082
13083 @smallexample
13084 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13085 @end smallexample
13086
13087 @item
13088 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13089 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13090 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13091 of 3 might print as
13092
13093 @smallexample
13094 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13095 @end smallexample
13096
13097 @noindent
13098 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13099 clause.
13100
13101 @item
13102 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13103 multi-character subsequence of
13104 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13105 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13106 in place of @t{a'length}.
13107
13108 @item
13109 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13110 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13111 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13112 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13113 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13114 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13115 For example,
13116 @smallexample
13117 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13118 @end smallexample
13119
13120 @item
13121 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13122 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13123 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13124 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13125 object.
13126
13127 @end itemize
13128
13129 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13130 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13131
13132 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13133 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13134 before reaching the main procedure.
13135 As defined in the Ada Reference
13136 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13137 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13138 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13139 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13140
13141 @node Ada Tasks
13142 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13143 @cindex Ada, tasking
13144
13145 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13146 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13147
13148 @table @code
13149 @kindex info tasks
13150 @item info tasks
13151 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13152
13153
13154 @smallexample
13155 @iftex
13156 @leftskip=0.5cm
13157 @end iftex
13158 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13159 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13160 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13161 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13162 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13163 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13164
13165 @end smallexample
13166
13167 @noindent
13168 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13169 task currently being inspected.
13170
13171 @table @asis
13172 @item ID
13173 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13174
13175 @item TID
13176 The Ada task ID.
13177
13178 @item P-ID
13179 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13180
13181 @item Pri
13182 The base priority of the task.
13183
13184 @item State
13185 Current state of the task.
13186
13187 @table @code
13188 @item Unactivated
13189 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13190 executing.
13191
13192 @item Runnable
13193 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13194 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13195
13196 @item Terminated
13197 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13198 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13199 terminated themselves.
13200
13201 @item Child Activation Wait
13202 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13203
13204 @item Accept Statement
13205 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13206
13207 @item Waiting on entry call
13208 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13209
13210 @item Async Select Wait
13211 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13212 select statement.
13213
13214 @item Delay Sleep
13215 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13216 alternative open.
13217
13218 @item Child Termination Wait
13219 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13220 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13221 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13222
13223 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13224 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13225 finish terminating.
13226
13227 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13228 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13229 @end table
13230
13231 @item Name
13232 Name of the task in the program.
13233
13234 @end table
13235
13236 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13237 @item info task @var{taskno}
13238 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13239 the following example:
13240 @smallexample
13241 @iftex
13242 @leftskip=0.5cm
13243 @end iftex
13244 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13245 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13246 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13247 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13248 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13249 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13250 Name: task_1
13251 Thread: 0x807f378
13252 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13253 Base Priority: 15
13254 State: Runnable
13255 @end smallexample
13256
13257 @item task
13258 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13259 @cindex current Ada task ID
13260 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13261
13262 @smallexample
13263 @iftex
13264 @leftskip=0.5cm
13265 @end iftex
13266 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13267 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13268 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13269 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13270 (@value{GDBP}) task
13271 [Current task is 2]
13272 @end smallexample
13273
13274 @item task @var{taskno}
13275 @cindex Ada task switching
13276 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13277 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13278 from the current task to the given task.
13279
13280 @smallexample
13281 @iftex
13282 @leftskip=0.5cm
13283 @end iftex
13284 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13285 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13286 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13287 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13288 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13289 [Switching to task 1]
13290 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13291 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13292 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13293 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13294 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13295 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13296 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13297 @end smallexample
13298
13299 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13300 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13301 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13302 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13303 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13304 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13305 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13306 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13307 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13308
13309 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13310 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13311 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13312 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13313 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13314
13315 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13316 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13317 program.
13318
13319 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13320 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13321 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13322
13323 For example,
13324
13325 @smallexample
13326 @iftex
13327 @leftskip=0.5cm
13328 @end iftex
13329 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13330 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13331 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13332 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13333 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13334 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13335 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13336 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13337 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13338 Continuing.
13339 task # 1 running
13340 task # 2 running
13341
13342 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13343 15 flush;
13344 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13345 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13346 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13347 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13348 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13349 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13350 @end smallexample
13351 @end table
13352
13353 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13354 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13355 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13356
13357 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13358 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13359 the platform being used.
13360 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13361 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13362 as usual.
13363
13364 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13365 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13366 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13367 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13368 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13369 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13370
13371 @node Ada Glitches
13372 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13373 @cindex Ada, problems
13374
13375 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13376 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13377 @value{GDBN},
13378 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13379 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13380
13381 @itemize @bullet
13382 @item
13383 Currently, the debugger
13384 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
13385 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
13386 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
13387 to get it printed properly.
13388
13389 @item
13390 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13391 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13392
13393 @item
13394 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13395 argument lists are treated as positional).
13396
13397 @item
13398 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13399
13400 @item
13401 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13402 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13403 the host machine.
13404
13405 @item
13406 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13407 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13408 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13409 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13410 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13411 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13412 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13413 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13414 you can usually resolve the confusion
13415 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13416 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13417 @end itemize
13418
13419 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13420 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13421 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13422 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13423 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13424 enabled.
13425
13426 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13427 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13428 @table @code
13429
13430 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13431 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13432 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13433 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13434 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13435 This is the default.
13436
13437 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13438 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13439 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13440 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13441 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13442 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13443 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13444
13445 @end table
13446
13447 @node Unsupported Languages
13448 @section Unsupported Languages
13449
13450 @cindex unsupported languages
13451 @cindex minimal language
13452 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13453 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13454 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13455 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13456 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13457 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13458
13459 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13460 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13461 language.
13462
13463 @node Symbols
13464 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13465
13466 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13467 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13468 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13469 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13470 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13471 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13472 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13473
13474 @cindex symbol names
13475 @cindex names of symbols
13476 @cindex quoting names
13477 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13478 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13479 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13480 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13481 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13482 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13483 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13484 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13485
13486 @smallexample
13487 p 'foo.c'::x
13488 @end smallexample
13489
13490 @noindent
13491 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13492
13493 @table @code
13494 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13495 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13496 @kindex set case-sensitive
13497 @item set case-sensitive on
13498 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13499 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13500 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13501 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13502 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13503 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13504 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13505 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13506 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13507 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13508 case-insensitive matches.
13509
13510 @kindex show case-sensitive
13511 @item show case-sensitive
13512 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13513 lookups.
13514
13515 @kindex info address
13516 @cindex address of a symbol
13517 @item info address @var{symbol}
13518 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13519 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13520 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13521 is always stored.
13522
13523 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13524 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13525 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13526
13527 @kindex info symbol
13528 @cindex symbol from address
13529 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13530 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13531 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13532 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13533 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13534
13535 @smallexample
13536 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13537 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13538 @end smallexample
13539
13540 @noindent
13541 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13542 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13543
13544 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13545 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13546
13547 @smallexample
13548 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13549 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13550 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13551 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13552 @end smallexample
13553
13554 @kindex whatis
13555 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13556 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13557 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13558 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13559 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13560 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13561 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13562 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13563 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13564 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13565 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13566
13567 @kindex ptype
13568 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13569 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13570 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13571 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13572
13573 For example, for this variable declaration:
13574
13575 @smallexample
13576 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13577 @end smallexample
13578
13579 @noindent
13580 the two commands give this output:
13581
13582 @smallexample
13583 @group
13584 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13585 type = struct complex
13586 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13587 type = struct complex @{
13588 double real;
13589 double imag;
13590 @}
13591 @end group
13592 @end smallexample
13593
13594 @noindent
13595 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13596 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13597
13598 @cindex incomplete type
13599 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13600 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13601 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13602 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13603 given these declarations:
13604
13605 @smallexample
13606 struct foo;
13607 struct foo *fooptr;
13608 @end smallexample
13609
13610 @noindent
13611 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13612
13613 @smallexample
13614 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13615 $1 = <incomplete type>
13616 @end smallexample
13617
13618 @noindent
13619 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13620 completely specified.
13621
13622 @kindex info types
13623 @item info types @var{regexp}
13624 @itemx info types
13625 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13626 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13627 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13628 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13629 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13630 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13631 name is @code{value}.
13632
13633 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13634 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13635 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13636
13637 @kindex info scope
13638 @cindex local variables
13639 @item info scope @var{location}
13640 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13641 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13642 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13643 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13644 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13645
13646 @smallexample
13647 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13648 Scope for command_line_handler:
13649 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13650 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13651 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13652 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13653 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13654 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13655 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13656 @end smallexample
13657
13658 @noindent
13659 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13660 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13661 collect}.
13662
13663 @kindex info source
13664 @item info source
13665 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13666 the function containing the current point of execution:
13667 @itemize @bullet
13668 @item
13669 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13670 @item
13671 the directory it was compiled in,
13672 @item
13673 its length, in lines,
13674 @item
13675 which programming language it is written in,
13676 @item
13677 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13678 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13679 @item
13680 whether the debugging information includes information about
13681 preprocessor macros.
13682 @end itemize
13683
13684
13685 @kindex info sources
13686 @item info sources
13687 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13688 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13689 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13690
13691 @kindex info functions
13692 @item info functions
13693 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13694
13695 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13696 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13697 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13698 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13699 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13700 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13701 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13702 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13703
13704 @kindex info variables
13705 @item info variables
13706 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13707 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13708
13709 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13710 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13711 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13712 @var{regexp}.
13713
13714 @kindex info classes
13715 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13716 @item info classes
13717 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13718 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13719 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13720 expression.
13721
13722 @kindex info selectors
13723 @item info selectors
13724 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13725 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13726 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13727 expression.
13728
13729 @ignore
13730 This was never implemented.
13731 @kindex info methods
13732 @item info methods
13733 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13734 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13735 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13736 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13737 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13738 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13739 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13740 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13741 @end ignore
13742
13743 @cindex reloading symbols
13744 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13745 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13746 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13747 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13748 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13749
13750 @table @code
13751 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13752 @item set symbol-reloading on
13753 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13754 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13755
13756 @item set symbol-reloading off
13757 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13758 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13759 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13760 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13761 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13762 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13763 name.
13764
13765 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13766 @item show symbol-reloading
13767 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13768 @end table
13769
13770 @cindex opaque data types
13771 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13772 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13773 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13774 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13775 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13776 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13777 another source file. The default is on.
13778
13779 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13780 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13781
13782 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13783 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13784 is printed as follows:
13785 @smallexample
13786 @{<no data fields>@}
13787 @end smallexample
13788
13789 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13790 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13791 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13792
13793 @kindex maint print symbols
13794 @cindex symbol dump
13795 @kindex maint print psymbols
13796 @cindex partial symbol dump
13797 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13798 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13799 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13800 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13801 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13802 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13803 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13804 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13805 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13806 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13807 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13808 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13809 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13810 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13811 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13812 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13813 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13814
13815 @kindex maint info symtabs
13816 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13817 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13818 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13819 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13820 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13821 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13822 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13823
13824 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13825 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13826 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13827 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13828 structure in more detail. For example:
13829
13830 @smallexample
13831 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13832 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13833 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13834 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13835 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13836 readin no
13837 fullname (null)
13838 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13839 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13840 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13841 dependencies (none)
13842 @}
13843 @}
13844 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13845 (@value{GDBP})
13846 @end smallexample
13847 @noindent
13848 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13849 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13850 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13851 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13852 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13853
13854 @smallexample
13855 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13856 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13857 line 1574.
13858 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13859 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13860 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13861 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13862 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13863 dirname (null)
13864 fullname (null)
13865 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13866 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13867 debugformat DWARF 2
13868 @}
13869 @}
13870 (@value{GDBP})
13871 @end smallexample
13872 @end table
13873
13874
13875 @node Altering
13876 @chapter Altering Execution
13877
13878 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13879 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13880 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13881 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13882 program.
13883
13884 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13885 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13886 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13887
13888 @menu
13889 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13890 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13891 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13892 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13893 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13894 * Patching:: Patching your program
13895 @end menu
13896
13897 @node Assignment
13898 @section Assignment to Variables
13899
13900 @cindex assignment
13901 @cindex setting variables
13902 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13903 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13904
13905 @smallexample
13906 print x=4
13907 @end smallexample
13908
13909 @noindent
13910 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13911 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13912 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13913 information on operators in supported languages.
13914
13915 @kindex set variable
13916 @cindex variables, setting
13917 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13918 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13919 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13920 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13921 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13922
13923 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13924 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13925 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13926 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13927 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13928 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13929 command @code{set width}:
13930
13931 @smallexample
13932 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13933 type = double
13934 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13935 $4 = 13
13936 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13937 Invalid syntax in expression.
13938 @end smallexample
13939
13940 @noindent
13941 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13942 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13943
13944 @smallexample
13945 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13946 @end smallexample
13947
13948 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13949 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13950 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13951 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13952 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13953 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13954
13955 @smallexample
13956 @group
13957 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13958 type = double
13959 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13960 $1 = 1
13961 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13962 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13963 $2 = 1
13964 (@value{GDBP}) r
13965 The program being debugged has been started already.
13966 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13967 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13968 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13969 Invalid bfd target.
13970 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13971 The current BFD target is "=4".
13972 @end group
13973 @end smallexample
13974
13975 @noindent
13976 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13977 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13978 @code{g}, use
13979
13980 @smallexample
13981 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13982 @end smallexample
13983
13984 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13985 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13986 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13987 same length or shorter.
13988 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13989 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13990
13991 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13992 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13993 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13994 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13995 and representation in memory), and
13996
13997 @smallexample
13998 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13999 @end smallexample
14000
14001 @noindent
14002 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14003
14004 @node Jumping
14005 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14006
14007 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14008 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14009 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14010
14011 @table @code
14012 @kindex jump
14013 @item jump @var{linespec}
14014 @itemx jump @var{location}
14015 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14016 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14017 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14018 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14019 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14020 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14021
14022 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14023 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14024 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14025 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14026 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14027 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14028 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14029 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14030 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14031 @end table
14032
14033 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14034 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14035 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14036 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14037 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14038 example,
14039
14040 @smallexample
14041 set $pc = 0x485
14042 @end smallexample
14043
14044 @noindent
14045 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14046 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14047 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14048
14049 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14050 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14051 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14052 detail.
14053
14054 @c @group
14055 @node Signaling
14056 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14057 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14058
14059 @table @code
14060 @kindex signal
14061 @item signal @var{signal}
14062 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14063 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14064 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14065 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14066
14067 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14068 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14069 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14070 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14071 signal.
14072
14073 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14074 after executing the command.
14075 @end table
14076 @c @end group
14077
14078 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14079 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14080 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14081 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14082 passes the signal directly to your program.
14083
14084
14085 @node Returning
14086 @section Returning from a Function
14087
14088 @table @code
14089 @cindex returning from a function
14090 @kindex return
14091 @item return
14092 @itemx return @var{expression}
14093 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14094 command. If you give an
14095 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14096 value.
14097 @end table
14098
14099 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14100 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14101 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14102 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14103
14104 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14105 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14106 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14107 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14108 of functions.
14109
14110 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14111 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14112 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14113 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14114 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14115
14116 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14117 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14118 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14119 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14120 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14121 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14122 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14123 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14124 assignment into the right register(s).
14125
14126 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14127 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14128 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14129 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14130 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14131 into a @code{long long int}:
14132
14133 @smallexample
14134 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14135 29 return 31;
14136 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14137 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14138 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14139 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14140 (@value{GDBP})
14141 @end smallexample
14142
14143 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14144 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14145 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14146 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14147 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14148 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14149 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14150 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14151
14152 @smallexample
14153 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14154 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14155 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14156 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14157 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14158 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14159 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14160 (@value{GDBP})
14161 @end smallexample
14162
14163 @node Calling
14164 @section Calling Program Functions
14165
14166 @table @code
14167 @cindex calling functions
14168 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14169 @item print @var{expr}
14170 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14171 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14172 debugged.
14173
14174 @kindex call
14175 @item call @var{expr}
14176 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14177 returned values.
14178
14179 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14180 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14181 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14182 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14183 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14184 value history.
14185 @end table
14186
14187 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14188 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14189 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14190 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14191
14192 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14193 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14194 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14195 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14196 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14197 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14198 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14199 in that case is controlled by the
14200 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14201
14202 @table @code
14203 @item set unwindonsignal
14204 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14205 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14206 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14207 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14208 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14209 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14210 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14211 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14212 received.
14213
14214 @item show unwindonsignal
14215 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14216 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14217 @value{GDBN}.
14218
14219 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14220 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14221 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14222 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14223 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14224 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14225 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14226 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14227 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14228 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14229
14230 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14231 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14232 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14233 @value{GDBN}.
14234
14235 @end table
14236
14237 @cindex weak alias functions
14238 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14239 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14240 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14241 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14242 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14243 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14244 function instead.
14245
14246 @node Patching
14247 @section Patching Programs
14248
14249 @cindex patching binaries
14250 @cindex writing into executables
14251 @cindex writing into corefiles
14252
14253 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14254 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14255 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14256 patching your program's binary.
14257
14258 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14259 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14260 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14261 repairs.
14262
14263 @table @code
14264 @kindex set write
14265 @item set write on
14266 @itemx set write off
14267 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14268 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14269 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14270
14271 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14272 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14273 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14274
14275 @item show write
14276 @kindex show write
14277 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14278 as well as reading.
14279 @end table
14280
14281 @node GDB Files
14282 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14283
14284 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14285 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14286 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14287 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14288
14289 @menu
14290 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14291 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14292 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14293 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14294 @end menu
14295
14296 @node Files
14297 @section Commands to Specify Files
14298
14299 @cindex symbol table
14300 @cindex core dump file
14301
14302 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14303 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14304 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14305 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14306
14307 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14308 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14309 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14310 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14311 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14312 new files are useful.
14313
14314 @table @code
14315 @cindex executable file
14316 @kindex file
14317 @item file @var{filename}
14318 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14319 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14320 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14321 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14322 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14323 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14324 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14325 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14326
14327 @cindex unlinked object files
14328 @cindex patching object files
14329 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14330 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14331 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14332 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14333 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14334 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14335 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14336 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14337
14338 @item file
14339 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14340 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14341
14342 @kindex exec-file
14343 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14344 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14345 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14346 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14347 discard information on the executable file.
14348
14349 @kindex symbol-file
14350 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14351 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14352 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14353 table and program to run from the same file.
14354
14355 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14356 program's symbol table.
14357
14358 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14359 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14360 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14361 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14362 @value{GDBN}.
14363
14364 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14365 executing it once.
14366
14367 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14368 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14369 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14370 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14371 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14372 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14373 optimized code.
14374
14375 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14376 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14377 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14378 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14379 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14380
14381 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14382 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14383 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14384 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14385 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14386 Warnings and Messages}.)
14387
14388 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14389 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14390 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14391 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14392 in stabs format.
14393
14394 @kindex readnow
14395 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14396 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14397 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14398 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14399 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14400 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14401 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14402 entire symbol table available.
14403
14404 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14405 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14406 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14407 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14408 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14409 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14410 @c files.
14411
14412 @kindex core-file
14413 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14414 @itemx core
14415 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14416 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14417 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14418 executable file itself for other parts.
14419
14420 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14421 to be used.
14422
14423 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14424 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14425 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14426 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14427 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14428
14429 @kindex add-symbol-file
14430 @cindex dynamic linking
14431 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14432 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14433 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14434 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14435 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14436 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14437 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14438 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14439 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14440 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14441 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14442 @var{address} as an expression.
14443
14444 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14445 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14446 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14447 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14448 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14449
14450 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14451 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14452 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14453 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14454 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14455 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14456 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14457 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14458 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14459
14460 @itemize @bullet
14461 @item
14462 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14463 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14464 @item
14465 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14466 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14467 @item
14468 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14469 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14470 @end itemize
14471
14472 @noindent
14473 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14474 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14475 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14476 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14477 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14478 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14479 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14480 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14481 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14482 way.
14483
14484 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14485
14486 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14487 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14488 @cindex load symbols from memory
14489 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14490 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14491 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14492 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14493 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14494 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14495 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14496 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14497 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14498
14499 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14500 @kindex assf
14501 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14502 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14503 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14504 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14505 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14506 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14507 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14508 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14509 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14510 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14511
14512 @kindex section
14513 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14514 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14515 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14516 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14517 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14518 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14519 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14520 their addresses.
14521
14522 @kindex info files
14523 @kindex info target
14524 @item info files
14525 @itemx info target
14526 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14527 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14528 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14529 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14530 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14531 current ones.
14532
14533 @kindex maint info sections
14534 @item maint info sections
14535 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14536 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14537 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14538 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14539 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14540 may be arbitrarily combined):
14541
14542 @table @code
14543 @item ALLOBJ
14544 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14545 @item @var{sections}
14546 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14547 @item @var{section-flags}
14548 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14549 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14550 @table @code
14551 @item ALLOC
14552 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14553 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14554 @item LOAD
14555 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14556 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14557 @item RELOC
14558 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14559 @item READONLY
14560 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14561 @item CODE
14562 Section contains executable code only.
14563 @item DATA
14564 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14565 @item ROM
14566 Section will reside in ROM.
14567 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14568 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14569 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14570 Section is not empty.
14571 @item NEVER_LOAD
14572 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14573 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14574 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14575 COFF shared library information.
14576 @item IS_COMMON
14577 Section contains common symbols.
14578 @end table
14579 @end table
14580 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14581 @cindex read-only sections
14582 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14583 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14584 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14585 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14586 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14587 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14588 enhancement to debugging performance.
14589
14590 The default is off.
14591
14592 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14593 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14594 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14595 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14596
14597 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14598 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14599 @end table
14600
14601 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14602 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14603 name and remembers it that way.
14604
14605 @cindex shared libraries
14606 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14607 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14608 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14609
14610 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14611 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14612
14613 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14614 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14615 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14616 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14617 debugging a core file).
14618
14619 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14620 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14621
14622 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14623 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14624 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14625
14626 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14627 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14628 particularly large or there are many of them.
14629
14630 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14631 commands:
14632
14633 @table @code
14634 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14635 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14636 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14637 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14638 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14639 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14640 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14641 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14642
14643 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14644 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14645 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14646 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14647 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14648 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14649 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14650 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14651 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14652
14653 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14654 @item show auto-solib-add
14655 Display the current autoloading mode.
14656 @end table
14657
14658 @cindex load shared library
14659 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14660 command:
14661
14662 @table @code
14663 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14664 @kindex info share
14665 @item info share @var{regex}
14666 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14667 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14668 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14669 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14670
14671 @kindex sharedlibrary
14672 @kindex share
14673 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14674 @itemx share @var{regex}
14675 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14676 Unix regular expression.
14677 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14678 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14679 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14680 loaded.
14681
14682 @item nosharedlibrary
14683 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14684 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14685 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14686 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14687 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14688 discarded.
14689 @end table
14690
14691 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14692 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14693 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14694
14695 @table @code
14696 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14697 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14698 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14699 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14700 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14701 shared library.
14702
14703 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14704 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14705 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14706 library events happen.
14707 @end table
14708
14709 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14710 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14711 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14712 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14713 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14714 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14715 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14716 not.
14717
14718 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14719 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14720 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14721 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14722 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14723
14724 @table @code
14725 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14726 @cindex system root, alternate
14727 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14728 @kindex set sysroot
14729 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14730 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14731 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14732 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14733 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14734 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14735 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14736 under @var{path}.
14737
14738 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14739 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14740 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14741 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14742 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14743 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14744 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14745 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14746 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14747
14748 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
14749 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
14750 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
14751 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
14752 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
14753
14754 @smallexample
14755 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
14756 @end smallexample
14757
14758 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
14759 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
14760 system:
14761
14762 @smallexample
14763 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
14764 @end smallexample
14765
14766 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
14767 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
14768 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
14769 colons:
14770
14771 @smallexample
14772 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
14773 @end smallexample
14774
14775 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
14776 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
14777 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
14778 @samp{z}):
14779
14780 @smallexample
14781 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
14782 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14783 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14784 @end smallexample
14785
14786 @noindent
14787 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
14788 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
14789 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
14790
14791 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
14792 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
14793
14794 @smallexample
14795 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
14796 @end smallexample
14797
14798 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
14799 if you don't want or need to.
14800
14801 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14802 sysroot}.
14803
14804 @cindex default system root
14805 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14806 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14807 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14808 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14809 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14810 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14811 location.
14812
14813 @kindex show sysroot
14814 @item show sysroot
14815 Display the current shared library prefix.
14816
14817 @kindex set solib-search-path
14818 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14819 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14820 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14821 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14822 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14823 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14824 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14825 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14826 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14827 of shared library symbols.
14828
14829 @kindex show solib-search-path
14830 @item show solib-search-path
14831 Display the current shared library search path.
14832
14833 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
14834 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
14835 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
14836 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
14837 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
14838
14839 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
14840 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
14841 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
14842 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
14843 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
14844 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
14845 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
14846 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
14847 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
14848 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
14849 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
14850 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
14851 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
14852 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
14853 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
14854 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
14855 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
14856 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
14857 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
14858 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
14859 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
14860 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
14861
14862 @table @code
14863 @item unix
14864 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
14865 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
14866 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
14867 the forward slash.
14868
14869 @item dos-based
14870 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
14871 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
14872 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
14873 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
14874 considered directory separators.
14875
14876 @item auto
14877 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
14878 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
14879 This is the default.
14880 @end table
14881 @end table
14882
14883
14884 @node Separate Debug Files
14885 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14886 @cindex separate debugging information files
14887 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14888 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14889 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14890 @cindex global debugging information directory
14891 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14892 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14893
14894 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14895 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14896 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14897 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14898 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14899 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14900 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14901
14902 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14903 file:
14904
14905 @itemize @bullet
14906 @item
14907 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14908 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14909 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14910 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14911 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14912 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14913 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14914 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14915
14916 @item
14917 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14918 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14919 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14920 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14921 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14922 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14923 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14924 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14925 below.
14926 @end itemize
14927
14928 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14929 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14930
14931 @itemize @bullet
14932 @item
14933 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14934 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14935 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14936 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14937 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14938
14939 @item
14940 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14941 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14942 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14943 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14944 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14945 hex characters, not 10.)
14946 @end itemize
14947
14948 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14949 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14950 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14951 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14952 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14953 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14954
14955 @itemize @minus
14956 @item
14957 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14958 @item
14959 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14960 @item
14961 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14962 @item
14963 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14964 @end itemize
14965
14966 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14967 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14968
14969 @table @code
14970
14971 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14972 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14973 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14974 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14975 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14976
14977 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14978 @item show debug-file-directory
14979 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14980 information files.
14981
14982 @end table
14983
14984 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14985 @cindex debug link sections
14986 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14987 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14988
14989 @itemize
14990 @item
14991 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14992 a zero byte,
14993 @item
14994 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14995 boundary within the section, and
14996 @item
14997 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14998 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14999 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15000 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15001 @end itemize
15002
15003 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15004 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15005 described above.
15006
15007 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15008 @cindex build ID sections
15009 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15010 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15011 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15012 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15013 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15014 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15015 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15016 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15017 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15018
15019 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15020 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15021 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15022 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15023 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15024 in an ordinary executable.
15025
15026 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15027 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15028 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15029 following commands:
15030
15031 @smallexample
15032 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15033 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15034 @end smallexample
15035
15036 @noindent
15037 These commands remove the debugging
15038 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15039 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15040 two files:
15041
15042 @itemize @bullet
15043 @item
15044 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15045 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15046
15047 @smallexample
15048 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15049 @end smallexample
15050
15051 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15052 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15053 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15054 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15055
15056 @item
15057 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15058 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15059 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15060 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15061 @end itemize
15062
15063 @noindent
15064
15065 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15066 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15067 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15068
15069 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15070 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15071 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15072 @c different ways!
15073 @ifhtml
15074 @display
15075 @html
15076 <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>
15077 + <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
15078 @end html
15079 @end display
15080 @end ifhtml
15081 @ifnothtml
15082 @display
15083 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15084 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15085 @end display
15086 @end ifnothtml
15087
15088 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15089 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15090 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15091 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15092 CRC.
15093
15094 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15095 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15096 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15097 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15098 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15099 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15100
15101 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15102 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15103 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15104 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15105 @code{0xffffffff}.
15106
15107 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15108 @smallexample
15109 unsigned long
15110 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15111 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15112 @{
15113 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15114 @{
15115 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15116 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15117 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15118 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15119 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15120 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15121 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15122 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15123 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15124 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15125 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15126 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15127 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15128 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15129 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15130 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15131 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15132 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15133 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15134 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15135 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15136 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15137 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15138 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15139 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15140 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15141 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15142 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15143 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15144 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15145 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15146 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15147 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15148 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15149 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15150 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15151 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15152 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15153 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15154 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15155 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15156 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15157 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15158 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15159 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15160 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15161 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15162 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15163 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15164 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15165 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15166 0x2d02ef8d
15167 @};
15168 unsigned char *end;
15169
15170 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15171 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15172 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15173 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15174 @}
15175 @end smallexample
15176
15177 @noindent
15178 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15179
15180
15181 @node Symbol Errors
15182 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15183
15184 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15185 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15186 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15187 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15188 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15189 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15190 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15191 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15192 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15193 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15194 Messages}).
15195
15196 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15197
15198 @table @code
15199 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15200
15201 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15202 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15203 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15204 in its outer scope blocks.
15205
15206 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15207 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15208 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15209 function.
15210
15211 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15212
15213 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15214 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15215 do so.
15216
15217 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15218 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15219 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15220 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15221 Messages}.)
15222
15223 @item bad block start address patched
15224
15225 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15226 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15227 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15228
15229 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15230 starting on the previous source line.
15231
15232 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15233
15234 @cindex foo
15235 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15236 larger than the size of the string table.
15237
15238 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15239 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15240 with this name.
15241
15242 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15243
15244 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15245 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15246 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15247
15248 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15249 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15250 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15251 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15252 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15253 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15254
15255 @item stub type has NULL name
15256
15257 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15258
15259 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15260 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15261 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15262 it.
15263
15264 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15265
15266 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15267
15268 @end table
15269
15270 @node Data Files
15271 @section GDB Data Files
15272
15273 @cindex prefix for data files
15274 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15275 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15276
15277 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15278 is currently using.
15279
15280 @table @code
15281 @kindex set data-directory
15282 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15283 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15284 to @var{directory}.
15285
15286 @kindex show data-directory
15287 @item show data-directory
15288 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15289 @end table
15290
15291 @cindex default data directory
15292 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15293 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15294 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15295 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15296 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15297 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15298 location.
15299
15300 @node Targets
15301 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15302
15303 @cindex debugging target
15304 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15305
15306 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15307 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15308 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15309 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15310 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15311 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15312 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15313 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15314
15315 @cindex target architecture
15316 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15317 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15318 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15319 command.
15320
15321 @table @code
15322 @kindex set architecture
15323 @kindex show architecture
15324 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15325 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15326 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15327 supported architectures.
15328
15329 @item show architecture
15330 Show the current target architecture.
15331
15332 @item set processor
15333 @itemx processor
15334 @kindex set processor
15335 @kindex show processor
15336 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15337 and @code{show architecture}.
15338 @end table
15339
15340 @menu
15341 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15342 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15343 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15344 @end menu
15345
15346 @node Active Targets
15347 @section Active Targets
15348
15349 @cindex stacking targets
15350 @cindex active targets
15351 @cindex multiple targets
15352
15353 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
15354 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
15355 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
15356 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
15357 a core file.
15358
15359 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
15360 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
15361 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
15362 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
15363 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
15364 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
15365 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
15366 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
15367 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
15368
15369 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
15370 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
15371 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
15372 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
15373 process target is active.
15374
15375 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
15376 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
15377 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
15378 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
15379 Process}).
15380
15381 @node Target Commands
15382 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15383
15384 @table @code
15385 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15386 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15387 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15388 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15389 protocol of the target machine.
15390
15391 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15392 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15393 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15394
15395 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15396 after executing the command.
15397
15398 @kindex help target
15399 @item help target
15400 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15401 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15402 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15403
15404 @item help target @var{name}
15405 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15406 select it.
15407
15408 @kindex set gnutarget
15409 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15410 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15411 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15412 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15413 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15414 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15415
15416 @quotation
15417 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15418 you must know the actual BFD name.
15419 @end quotation
15420
15421 @noindent
15422 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15423
15424 @kindex show gnutarget
15425 @item show gnutarget
15426 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15427 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15428 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15429 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15430 @end table
15431
15432 @cindex common targets
15433 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15434 configuration):
15435
15436 @table @code
15437 @kindex target
15438 @item target exec @var{program}
15439 @cindex executable file target
15440 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15441 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15442
15443 @item target core @var{filename}
15444 @cindex core dump file target
15445 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15446 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15447
15448 @item target remote @var{medium}
15449 @cindex remote target
15450 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15451 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15452 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15453
15454 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15455 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15456
15457 @smallexample
15458 target remote /dev/ttya
15459 @end smallexample
15460
15461 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15462 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15463 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15464 clobbered by the download.
15465
15466 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15467 @cindex built-in simulator target
15468 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15469 In general,
15470 @smallexample
15471 target sim
15472 load
15473 run
15474 @end smallexample
15475 @noindent
15476 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15477 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15478 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15479 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15480 Processors}.
15481
15482 @end table
15483
15484 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15485
15486 @table @code
15487
15488 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15489 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15490 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15491
15492 @end table
15493
15494 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15495 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15496
15497 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15498 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15499 various aspects of this process.
15500
15501 @table @code
15502
15503 @item set hash
15504 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15505 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15506 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15507 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15508 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15509 monitor.
15510
15511 @item show hash
15512 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15513 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15514
15515 @item set debug monitor
15516 @kindex set debug monitor
15517 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15518 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15519 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15520
15521 @item show debug monitor
15522 @kindex show debug monitor
15523 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15524 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15525 @end table
15526
15527 @table @code
15528
15529 @kindex load @var{filename}
15530 @item load @var{filename}
15531 @anchor{load}
15532 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15533 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15534 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15535 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15536 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15537 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15538
15539 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15540 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15541 target is @dots{}}''
15542
15543 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15544 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15545 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15546 specifies a fixed address.
15547 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15548
15549 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15550 load programs into flash memory.
15551
15552 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15553 @end table
15554
15555 @node Byte Order
15556 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15557
15558 @cindex choosing target byte order
15559 @cindex target byte order
15560
15561 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15562 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15563 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15564 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15565 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15566 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15567
15568 @table @code
15569 @kindex set endian
15570 @item set endian big
15571 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15572
15573 @item set endian little
15574 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15575
15576 @item set endian auto
15577 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15578 executable.
15579
15580 @item show endian
15581 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15582
15583 @end table
15584
15585 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15586 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15587 target system.
15588
15589
15590 @node Remote Debugging
15591 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15592 @cindex remote debugging
15593
15594 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15595 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15596 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15597 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15598 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15599
15600 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15601 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15602 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15603 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15604 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15605 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15606
15607 Other remote targets may be available in your
15608 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15609
15610 @menu
15611 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15612 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15613 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15614 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15615 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15616 @end menu
15617
15618 @node Connecting
15619 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15620
15621 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15622 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15623 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15624 program as the first argument.
15625
15626 @cindex @code{target remote}
15627 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15628 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15629 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15630 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15631 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15632 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15633
15634 @table @code
15635
15636 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15637 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15638 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15639 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15640
15641 @smallexample
15642 target remote /dev/ttyb
15643 @end smallexample
15644
15645 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15646 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15647 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15648 @code{target} command.
15649
15650 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15651 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15652 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15653 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15654 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15655 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15656 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15657 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15658 target.
15659
15660 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15661 @code{manyfarms}:
15662
15663 @smallexample
15664 target remote manyfarms:2828
15665 @end smallexample
15666
15667 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15668 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15669 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15670 port 1234 on your local machine:
15671
15672 @smallexample
15673 target remote :1234
15674 @end smallexample
15675 @noindent
15676
15677 Note that the colon is still required here.
15678
15679 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15680 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15681 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15682 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15683
15684 @smallexample
15685 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15686 @end smallexample
15687
15688 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15689 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15690 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15691 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15692
15693 @item target remote | @var{command}
15694 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15695 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15696 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15697 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15698 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15699 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15700 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15701 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15702
15703 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15704 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15705 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15706
15707 @end table
15708
15709 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15710 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15711 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15712 need to use @kbd{run}.
15713
15714 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15715 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15716 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15717 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15718 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15719 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15720 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15721
15722 @smallexample
15723 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15724 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15725 @end smallexample
15726
15727 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15728 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15729 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15730 goes back to waiting.
15731
15732 @table @code
15733 @kindex detach (remote)
15734 @item detach
15735 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15736 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15737 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15738 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15739 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15740
15741 @kindex disconnect
15742 @item disconnect
15743 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15744 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15745 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15746 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15747 another target.
15748
15749 @cindex send command to remote monitor
15750 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15751 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
15752 @kindex monitor
15753 @item monitor @var{cmd}
15754 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15755 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15756 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15757 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15758 and implement.
15759 @end table
15760
15761 @node File Transfer
15762 @section Sending files to a remote system
15763 @cindex remote target, file transfer
15764 @cindex file transfer
15765 @cindex sending files to remote systems
15766
15767 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15768 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15769 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15770 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15771 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15772 the only way to upload or download files.
15773
15774 Not all remote targets support these commands.
15775
15776 @table @code
15777 @kindex remote put
15778 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15779 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15780 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15781
15782 @kindex remote get
15783 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15784 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15785 on the host system.
15786
15787 @kindex remote delete
15788 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15789 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15790
15791 @end table
15792
15793 @node Server
15794 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15795
15796 @kindex gdbserver
15797 @cindex remote connection without stubs
15798 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15799 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15800 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15801
15802 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15803 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15804 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15805 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15806 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15807 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15808 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15809 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15810 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15811 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15812 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15813 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15814 choice for debugging.
15815
15816 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15817 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15818 protocol.
15819
15820 @quotation
15821 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15822 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15823 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15824 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15825 @code{gdbserver}.
15826 @end quotation
15827
15828 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15829 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15830
15831 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15832 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15833 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15834 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15835 system does all the symbol handling.
15836
15837 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15838 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15839 syntax is:
15840
15841 @smallexample
15842 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15843 @end smallexample
15844
15845 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15846 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15847 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15848 @file{/dev/com1}:
15849
15850 @smallexample
15851 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15852 @end smallexample
15853
15854 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15855 with it.
15856
15857 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15858
15859 @smallexample
15860 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15861 @end smallexample
15862
15863 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15864 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15865 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15866 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15867 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15868 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15869 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15870 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15871 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15872 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15873 @code{target remote} command.
15874
15875 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15876
15877 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15878 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15879
15880 @smallexample
15881 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15882 @end smallexample
15883
15884 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15885 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15886
15887 @pindex pidof
15888 @cindex attach to a program by name
15889 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15890 @code{pidof} utility:
15891
15892 @smallexample
15893 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15894 @end smallexample
15895
15896 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15897 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15898 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15899
15900 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15901 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15902 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15903
15904 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15905 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15906 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15907 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15908
15909 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15910 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15911 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15912 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15913 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15914 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15915 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15916 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15917 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15918
15919 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15920 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15921 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15922 the program you want to debug.
15923
15924 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15925 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15926 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15927
15928 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15929
15930 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15931 status information about the debugging process. The
15932 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15933 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15934 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15935
15936 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15937 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15938 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15939 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15940
15941 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15942 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15943 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15944 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15945
15946 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15947 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15948 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15949 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15950
15951 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15952 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15953 environment:
15954
15955 @smallexample
15956 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15957 @end smallexample
15958
15959 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15960
15961 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15962
15963 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15964 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15965 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15966 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15967
15968 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15969 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15970 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15971 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15972 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15973 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15974 programs.
15975
15976 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15977 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15978 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15979 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15980 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15981 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15982 already on the target.
15983
15984 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15985 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15986 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15987
15988 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15989 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15990 Here are the available commands.
15991
15992 @table @code
15993 @item monitor help
15994 List the available monitor commands.
15995
15996 @item monitor set debug 0
15997 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15998 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15999
16000 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16001 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16002 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16003 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16004
16005 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16006 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16007 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16008 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16009 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16010 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16011
16012 @item monitor exit
16013 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16014 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16015 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16016 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16017 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16018
16019 @end table
16020
16021 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16022 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16023
16024 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16025 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16026
16027 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16028 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16029 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16030 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16031 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16032 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16033 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16034 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16035 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16036 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16037 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16038 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16039
16040 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16041
16042 @table @code
16043 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16044
16045 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16046 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16047 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16048
16049 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16050
16051 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16052 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16053 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16054 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16055 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16056 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16057
16058 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16059
16060 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16061 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16062 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16063 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16064 command for that. For example:
16065
16066 @smallexample
16067 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16068 @end smallexample
16069
16070 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16071 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16072 @end table
16073
16074 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16075 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16076 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16077 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16078 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16079 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16080 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16081 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16082 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16083 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16084
16085 @smallexample
16086 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16087 @end smallexample
16088
16089 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16090
16091 @smallexample
16092 $ gdb myprogram
16093 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16094 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16095 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16096 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16097 @end smallexample
16098
16099 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16100 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16101 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16102 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16103 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16104 tracing.
16105
16106 @node Remote Configuration
16107 @section Remote Configuration
16108
16109 @kindex set remote
16110 @kindex show remote
16111 This section documents the configuration options available when
16112 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16113 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16114 system-call-allowed}.
16115
16116 @table @code
16117 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16118 @cindex address size for remote targets
16119 @cindex bits in remote address
16120 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16121 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16122 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16123 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16124
16125 @item show remoteaddresssize
16126 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16127
16128 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16129 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16130 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16131 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16132 remote targets.
16133
16134 @item show remotebaud
16135 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16136
16137 @item set remotebreak
16138 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16139 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16140 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16141 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16142 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16143 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16144 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16145 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16146
16147 @item show remotebreak
16148 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16149 interrupt the remote program.
16150
16151 @item set remoteflow on
16152 @itemx set remoteflow off
16153 @kindex set remoteflow
16154 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16155 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16156
16157 @item show remoteflow
16158 @kindex show remoteflow
16159 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16160
16161 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16162 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16163 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16164 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16165 @code{ascii}.
16166
16167 @item show remotelogbase
16168 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16169 protocol.
16170
16171 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16172 @cindex record serial communications on file
16173 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16174 default is not to record at all.
16175
16176 @item show remotelogfile.
16177 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16178 serial communications.
16179
16180 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16181 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16182 @cindex remote timeout
16183 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16184 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16185
16186 @item show remotetimeout
16187 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16188 responses.
16189
16190 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16191 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16192 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16193 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16194 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16195 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16196 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16197 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16198
16199 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16200 @itemx show remote exec-file
16201 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16202 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16203 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16204 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16205 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16206 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16207
16208 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16209 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16210 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16211 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16212 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16213 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16214 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16215 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16216 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16217 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16218
16219 @item show interrupt-sequence
16220 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16221 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16222 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16223 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16224
16225 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16226 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16227 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16228 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16229 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16230 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16231
16232 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16233 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16234 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16235
16236 @kindex set tcp
16237 @kindex show tcp
16238 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16239 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16240 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16241 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16242 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16243 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16244 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16245 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16246 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16247
16248 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16249 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16250
16251 @item show tcp auto-retry
16252 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16253
16254 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16255 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16256 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16257 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16258 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16259 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16260 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16261 value.
16262
16263 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16264 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16265 @end table
16266
16267 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16268 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16269 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16270 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16271 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16272 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16273 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16274 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16275 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16276
16277 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16278 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16279 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16280 @value{GDBN} developers.
16281
16282 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16283 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16284 are:
16285
16286 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16287 @item Command Name
16288 @tab Remote Packet
16289 @tab Related Features
16290
16291 @item @code{fetch-register}
16292 @tab @code{p}
16293 @tab @code{info registers}
16294
16295 @item @code{set-register}
16296 @tab @code{P}
16297 @tab @code{set}
16298
16299 @item @code{binary-download}
16300 @tab @code{X}
16301 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16302
16303 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16304 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16305 @tab @code{info auxv}
16306
16307 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16308 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16309 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16310
16311 @item @code{attach}
16312 @tab @code{vAttach}
16313 @tab @code{attach}
16314
16315 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16316 @tab @code{vCont}
16317 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16318
16319 @item @code{run}
16320 @tab @code{vRun}
16321 @tab @code{run}
16322
16323 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16324 @tab @code{Z0}
16325 @tab @code{break}
16326
16327 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16328 @tab @code{Z1}
16329 @tab @code{hbreak}
16330
16331 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16332 @tab @code{Z2}
16333 @tab @code{watch}
16334
16335 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16336 @tab @code{Z3}
16337 @tab @code{rwatch}
16338
16339 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16340 @tab @code{Z4}
16341 @tab @code{awatch}
16342
16343 @item @code{target-features}
16344 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16345 @tab @code{set architecture}
16346
16347 @item @code{library-info}
16348 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16349 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16350
16351 @item @code{memory-map}
16352 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16353 @tab @code{info mem}
16354
16355 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16356 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16357 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16358
16359 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16360 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16361 @tab @code{info spu}
16362
16363 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16364 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16365 @tab @code{info spu}
16366
16367 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16368 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16369 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16370
16371 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16372 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16373 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16374
16375 @item @code{threads}
16376 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16377 @tab @code{info threads}
16378
16379 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16380 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16381 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16382
16383 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16384 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16385 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16386
16387 @item @code{search-memory}
16388 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16389 @tab @code{find}
16390
16391 @item @code{supported-packets}
16392 @tab @code{qSupported}
16393 @tab Remote communications parameters
16394
16395 @item @code{pass-signals}
16396 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16397 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16398
16399 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16400 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16401 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16402
16403 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16404 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16405 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16406
16407 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16408 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16409 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16410
16411 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16412 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16413 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16414
16415 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16416 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16417 @tab @code{remote delete}
16418
16419 @item @code{noack-packet}
16420 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16421 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16422
16423 @item @code{osdata}
16424 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16425 @tab @code{info os}
16426
16427 @item @code{query-attached}
16428 @tab @code{qAttached}
16429 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16430 @end multitable
16431
16432 @node Remote Stub
16433 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16434
16435 @cindex debugging stub, example
16436 @cindex remote stub, example
16437 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16438 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16439 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16440 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16441 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16442 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16443 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16444 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16445
16446 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16447 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16448 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16449 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16450 program, you need:
16451
16452 @enumerate
16453 @item
16454 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16455 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16456 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16457
16458 @item
16459 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16460 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16461
16462 @item
16463 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16464 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16465 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16466 documentation.
16467 @end enumerate
16468
16469 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16470 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16471 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16472
16473 @table @emph
16474 @item On the host,
16475 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16476 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16477 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16478
16479 @item On the target,
16480 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16481 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16482 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16483
16484 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16485 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16486 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16487 @end table
16488
16489 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16490 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16491 @sc{sparc} boards.
16492
16493 @cindex remote serial stub list
16494 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16495
16496 @table @code
16497
16498 @item i386-stub.c
16499 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16500 @cindex Intel
16501 @cindex i386
16502 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16503
16504 @item m68k-stub.c
16505 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16506 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16507 @cindex m680x0
16508 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16509
16510 @item sh-stub.c
16511 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16512 @cindex Renesas
16513 @cindex SH
16514 For Renesas SH architectures.
16515
16516 @item sparc-stub.c
16517 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16518 @cindex Sparc
16519 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16520
16521 @item sparcl-stub.c
16522 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16523 @cindex Fujitsu
16524 @cindex SparcLite
16525 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16526
16527 @end table
16528
16529 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16530 recently added stubs.
16531
16532 @menu
16533 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16534 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16535 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16536 @end menu
16537
16538 @node Stub Contents
16539 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16540
16541 @cindex remote serial stub
16542 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16543 subroutines:
16544
16545 @table @code
16546 @item set_debug_traps
16547 @findex set_debug_traps
16548 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16549 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16550 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16551 beginning of your program.
16552
16553 @item handle_exception
16554 @findex handle_exception
16555 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16556 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16557 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16558 run when a trap is triggered.
16559
16560 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16561 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16562 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16563 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16564 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16565 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16566 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16567 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16568 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16569 machine.
16570
16571 @item breakpoint
16572 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16573 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16574 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16575 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16576 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16577 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16578 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16579 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16580 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16581 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16582 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16583
16584 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16585 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16586 start of your debugging session.
16587 @end table
16588
16589 @node Bootstrapping
16590 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16591
16592 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16593 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16594 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16595 debugging target machine.
16596
16597 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16598 serial port.
16599
16600 @table @code
16601 @item int getDebugChar()
16602 @findex getDebugChar
16603 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16604 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16605 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16606
16607 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16608 @findex putDebugChar
16609 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16610 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16611 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16612 @end table
16613
16614 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16615 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16616 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16617 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16618 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16619 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16620 remote system to stop.
16621
16622 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16623 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16624 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16625 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16626
16627 Other routines you need to supply are:
16628
16629 @table @code
16630 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16631 @findex exceptionHandler
16632 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16633 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16634 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16635 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16636 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16637 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16638 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16639 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16640 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16641 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16642 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16643 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16644 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16645
16646 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16647 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16648 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16649 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16650 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16651
16652 @item void flush_i_cache()
16653 @findex flush_i_cache
16654 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16655 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16656 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16657
16658 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16659 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16660 @end table
16661
16662 @noindent
16663 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16664
16665 @table @code
16666 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16667 @findex memset
16668 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16669 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16670 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16671 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16672 @end table
16673
16674 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16675 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16676 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16677 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16678
16679
16680 @node Debug Session
16681 @subsection Putting it All Together
16682
16683 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16684 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16685 steps.
16686
16687 @enumerate
16688 @item
16689 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16690 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16691 @display
16692 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16693 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16694 @end display
16695
16696 @item
16697 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16698
16699 @smallexample
16700 set_debug_traps();
16701 breakpoint();
16702 @end smallexample
16703
16704 @item
16705 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16706 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16707
16708 @smallexample
16709 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16710 @end smallexample
16711
16712 @noindent
16713 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16714 function in your program, that function is called when
16715 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16716 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16717 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16718
16719 @item
16720 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16721 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
16722
16723 @item
16724 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
16725 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
16726
16727 @item
16728 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
16729 @c document that. FIXME.
16730 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
16731 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
16732
16733 @item
16734 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
16735 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16736
16737 @end enumerate
16738
16739 @node Configurations
16740 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
16741
16742 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
16743 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
16744 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
16745
16746 There are three major categories of configurations: native
16747 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
16748 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
16749 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
16750 are quite different from each other.
16751
16752 @menu
16753 * Native::
16754 * Embedded OS::
16755 * Embedded Processors::
16756 * Architectures::
16757 @end menu
16758
16759 @node Native
16760 @section Native
16761
16762 This section describes details specific to particular native
16763 configurations.
16764
16765 @menu
16766 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
16767 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
16768 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
16769 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
16770 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
16771 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
16772 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
16773 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
16774 @end menu
16775
16776 @node HP-UX
16777 @subsection HP-UX
16778
16779 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
16780 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
16781 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
16782
16783
16784 @node BSD libkvm Interface
16785 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
16786
16787 @cindex libkvm
16788 @cindex kernel memory image
16789 @cindex kernel crash dump
16790
16791 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16792 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16793 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16794 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16795 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16796 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16797 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16798 @code{kvm} target:
16799
16800 @smallexample
16801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16802 @end smallexample
16803
16804 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16805 argument:
16806
16807 @smallexample
16808 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16809 @end smallexample
16810
16811 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16812 available:
16813
16814 @table @code
16815 @kindex kvm
16816 @item kvm pcb
16817 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16818
16819 @item kvm proc
16820 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16821 modern FreeBSD systems.
16822 @end table
16823
16824 @node SVR4 Process Information
16825 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
16826 @cindex /proc
16827 @cindex examine process image
16828 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16829
16830 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16831 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16832 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16833 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16834 proc} is available to report information about the process running
16835 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16836 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16837 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16838 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16839
16840 @table @code
16841 @kindex info proc
16842 @cindex process ID
16843 @item info proc
16844 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16845 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16846 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16847 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16848 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16849 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16850 executable file's absolute file name.
16851
16852 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16853 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16854 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16855 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16856 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16857 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16858
16859 @item info proc mappings
16860 @cindex memory address space mappings
16861 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16862 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16863 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16864 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16865 memory access rights to that range.
16866
16867 @item info proc stat
16868 @itemx info proc status
16869 @cindex process detailed status information
16870 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16871 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16872 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16873 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16874 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16875 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16876 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16877
16878 @item info proc all
16879 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16880 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16881
16882 @ignore
16883 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16884 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16885 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16886 @kindex info proc times
16887 @item info proc times
16888 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16889 its children.
16890
16891 @kindex info proc id
16892 @item info proc id
16893 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16894 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16895 @end ignore
16896
16897 @item set procfs-trace
16898 @kindex set procfs-trace
16899 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16900 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16901
16902 @item show procfs-trace
16903 @kindex show procfs-trace
16904 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16905
16906 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16907 @kindex set procfs-file
16908 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16909 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16910 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16911 standard output.
16912
16913 @item show procfs-file
16914 @kindex show procfs-file
16915 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16916
16917 @item proc-trace-entry
16918 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16919 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16920 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16921 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16922 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16923 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16924 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16925 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16926 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16927
16928 @item info pidlist
16929 @kindex info pidlist
16930 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16931 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16932 processes and all the threads within each process.
16933
16934 @item info meminfo
16935 @kindex info meminfo
16936 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16937 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16938 @end table
16939
16940 @node DJGPP Native
16941 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16942 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16943 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16944 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16945
16946 @cindex DPMI
16947 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16948 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16949 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16950 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16951
16952 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16953 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16954 subsection describes those commands.
16955
16956 @table @code
16957 @kindex info dos
16958 @item info dos
16959 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16960 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16961
16962 @kindex sysinfo
16963 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16964 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16965 @item info dos sysinfo
16966 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16967 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16968 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16969
16970 @cindex GDT
16971 @cindex LDT
16972 @cindex IDT
16973 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16974 @cindex descriptor tables display
16975 @item info dos gdt
16976 @itemx info dos ldt
16977 @itemx info dos idt
16978 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16979 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16980 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16981 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16982 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16983 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16984 rights.
16985
16986 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16987 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16988 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16989 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16990 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16991
16992 @cindex garbled pointers
16993 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16994 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16995 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16996 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16997 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16998 debugged program's data segment:
16999
17000 @smallexample
17001 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17002 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17003 @end smallexample
17004
17005 @noindent
17006 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17007 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17008
17009 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17010 @item info dos pde
17011 @itemx info dos pte
17012 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17013 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17014 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17015 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17016 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17017 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17018 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17019 that is currently in use.
17020
17021 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17022 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17023 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17024 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17025 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17026 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17027 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17028
17029 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17030 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17031 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17032 controller.
17033
17034 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17035
17036 @cindex physical address from linear address
17037 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17038 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17039 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17040 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17041 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17042 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17043 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17044
17045 @smallexample
17046 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17047 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17048 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17049 @end smallexample
17050
17051 @noindent
17052 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17053 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17054 attributes of that page.
17055
17056 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17057 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17058 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17059 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17060 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17061 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17062
17063 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17064 transfer buffer:
17065
17066 @smallexample
17067 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17068 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17069 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17070 @end smallexample
17071
17072 @noindent
17073 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17074 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17075 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17076 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17077 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17078
17079 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17080 @end table
17081
17082 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17083 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17084 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17085 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17086
17087 @table @code
17088 @kindex set com1base
17089 @kindex set com1irq
17090 @kindex set com2base
17091 @kindex set com2irq
17092 @kindex set com3base
17093 @kindex set com3irq
17094 @kindex set com4base
17095 @kindex set com4irq
17096 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17097 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17098 port.
17099
17100 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17101 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17102 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17103
17104 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17105 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17106 other 3 COM ports.
17107
17108 @kindex show com1base
17109 @kindex show com1irq
17110 @kindex show com2base
17111 @kindex show com2irq
17112 @kindex show com3base
17113 @kindex show com3irq
17114 @kindex show com4base
17115 @kindex show com4irq
17116 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17117 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17118 lines used by the COM ports.
17119
17120 @item info serial
17121 @kindex info serial
17122 @cindex DOS serial port status
17123 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17124 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17125 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17126 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17127 @end table
17128
17129
17130 @node Cygwin Native
17131 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17132 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17133 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17134 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17135
17136 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17137 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17138
17139 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17140 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17141 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17142 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17143 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17144 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17145 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17146 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17147
17148 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17149 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17150 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17151
17152 @table @code
17153 @kindex info w32
17154 @item info w32
17155 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17156 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17157
17158 @item info w32 selector
17159 This command displays information returned by
17160 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17161 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17162 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17163 Without argument, this command displays information
17164 about the six segment registers.
17165
17166 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17167 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17168 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17169 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17170
17171 @kindex info dll
17172 @item info dll
17173 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17174
17175 @kindex dll-symbols
17176 @item dll-symbols
17177 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17178 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17179
17180 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17181 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17182 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17183 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17184 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17185 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17186 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17187 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17188 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17189 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17190 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17191
17192 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17193 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17194 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17195 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17196
17197 @kindex set new-console
17198 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17199 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17200 be started in a new console on next start.
17201 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17202 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17203
17204 @kindex show new-console
17205 @item show new-console
17206 Displays whether a new console is used
17207 when the debuggee is started.
17208
17209 @kindex set new-group
17210 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17211 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17212 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17213 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17214 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17215
17216 @kindex show new-group
17217 @item show new-group
17218 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17219
17220 @kindex set debugevents
17221 @item set debugevents
17222 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17223 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17224 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17225 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17226 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17227
17228 @kindex set debugexec
17229 @item set debugexec
17230 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17231 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17232
17233 @kindex set debugexceptions
17234 @item set debugexceptions
17235 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17236 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17237
17238 @kindex set debugmemory
17239 @item set debugmemory
17240 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17241 and writes by the debugger.
17242
17243 @kindex set shell
17244 @item set shell
17245 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17246 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17247
17248 @kindex show shell
17249 @item show shell
17250 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17251
17252 @end table
17253
17254 @menu
17255 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17256 @end menu
17257
17258 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17259 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17260 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17261 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17262
17263 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17264 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17265 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17266 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17267 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17268 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17269 ``minimal symbols''.
17270
17271 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17272 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17273 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17274 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17275 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17276 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17277 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17278 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17279 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17280 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17281
17282 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17283
17284 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17285 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17286 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17287 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17288 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17289 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17290 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17291 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17292 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17293
17294 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17295 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17296 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17297 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17298 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17299 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17300
17301 @smallexample
17302 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17303 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17304
17305 Non-debugging symbols:
17306 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17307 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17308 @end smallexample
17309
17310 @smallexample
17311 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17312 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17313
17314 Non-debugging symbols:
17315 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17316 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17317 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17318 [etc...]
17319 @end smallexample
17320
17321 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17322
17323 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17324 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17325 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17326 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17327 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17328 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17329 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17330
17331 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17332 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17333 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17334 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17335 problem:
17336
17337 @smallexample
17338 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17339 $1 = 268572168
17340 @end smallexample
17341
17342 @smallexample
17343 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17344 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17345 @end smallexample
17346
17347 And two possible solutions:
17348
17349 @smallexample
17350 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17351 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17352 @end smallexample
17353
17354 @smallexample
17355 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17356 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17357 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17358 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17359 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17360 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17361 @end smallexample
17362
17363 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17364 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17365 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17366 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17367 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17368
17369 @smallexample
17370 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17371 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17372 @end smallexample
17373
17374 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17375 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17376 safe.
17377
17378 @node Hurd Native
17379 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17380 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17381
17382 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17383 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17384
17385 @table @code
17386 @item set signals
17387 @itemx set sigs
17388 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17389 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17390 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17391 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17392 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17393 @code{signals}.
17394
17395 @item show signals
17396 @itemx show sigs
17397 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17398 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17399 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17400
17401 @item set signal-thread
17402 @itemx set sigthread
17403 @kindex set signal-thread
17404 @kindex set sigthread
17405 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17406 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17407 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17408 signal-thread}.
17409
17410 @item show signal-thread
17411 @itemx show sigthread
17412 @kindex show signal-thread
17413 @kindex show sigthread
17414 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17415 delivered a signal.
17416
17417 @item set stopped
17418 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17419 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17420 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17421 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17422
17423 @item show stopped
17424 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17425 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17426 stopped.
17427
17428 @item set exceptions
17429 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17430 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17431 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17432 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17433 trapping on.
17434
17435 @item show exceptions
17436 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17437 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17438
17439 @item set task pause
17440 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17441 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17442 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17443 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17444 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17445 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17446 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17447 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17448 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17449
17450 @item show task pause
17451 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17452 Show the current state of task suspension.
17453
17454 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17455 @cindex task suspend count
17456 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17457 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17458 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17459
17460 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17461 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17462
17463 @item set task exception-port
17464 @itemx set task excp
17465 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17466 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17467 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17468 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17469
17470 @item set noninvasive
17471 @cindex noninvasive task options
17472 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17473 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17474 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17475 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17476
17477 @item info send-rights
17478 @itemx info receive-rights
17479 @itemx info port-rights
17480 @itemx info port-sets
17481 @itemx info dead-names
17482 @itemx info ports
17483 @itemx info psets
17484 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17485 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17486 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17487 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17488 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17489 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17490 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17491 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17492 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17493
17494 @item set thread pause
17495 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17496 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17497 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17498 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17499 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17500 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17501 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17502 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17503 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17504 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17505 only the current thread.
17506
17507 @item show thread pause
17508 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17509 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17510
17511 @item set thread run
17512 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17513
17514 @item show thread run
17515 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17516
17517 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17518 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17519 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17520 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17521 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17522 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17523 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17524
17525 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17526 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17527 detaching.
17528
17529 @item set thread exception-port
17530 @itemx set thread excp
17531 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17532 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17533 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17534
17535 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17536 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17537 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17538 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17539
17540 @item set thread default
17541 @itemx show thread default
17542 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17543 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17544 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17545 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17546 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17547 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17548 the non-default commands.
17549 @end table
17550
17551
17552 @node Neutrino
17553 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17554 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17555
17556 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17557 Neutrino target:
17558
17559 @table @code
17560 @item set debug nto-debug
17561 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17562 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17563 Neutrino support.
17564
17565 @item show debug nto-debug
17566 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17567 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17568 @end table
17569
17570 @node Darwin
17571 @subsection Darwin
17572 @cindex Darwin
17573
17574 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17575
17576 @table @code
17577 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17578 @kindex set debug darwin
17579 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17580 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17581
17582 @item show debug darwin
17583 @kindex show debug darwin
17584 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17585
17586 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17587 @kindex set debug mach-o
17588 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17589 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17590 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17591 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17592 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17593 usage.
17594
17595 @item show debug mach-o
17596 @kindex show debug mach-o
17597 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17598
17599 @item set mach-exceptions on
17600 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17601 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17602 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17603 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17604 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17605 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17606
17607 @item show mach-exceptions
17608 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17609 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17610 @end table
17611
17612
17613 @node Embedded OS
17614 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17615
17616 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17617 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17618 architectures.
17619
17620 @menu
17621 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17622 @end menu
17623
17624 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17625 various real-time operating systems.
17626
17627 @node VxWorks
17628 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17629
17630 @cindex VxWorks
17631
17632 @table @code
17633
17634 @kindex target vxworks
17635 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17636 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17637 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17638
17639 @end table
17640
17641 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17642 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17643
17644 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17645 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17646 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17647 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17648 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17649 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17650 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17651
17652 @table @code
17653 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17654 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17655 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17656 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17657 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17658 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17659 of a thin network line.
17660 @end table
17661
17662 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17663 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17664 procedures.
17665
17666 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17667 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17668 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17669 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17670 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17671 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17672 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17673 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17674 manual.
17675 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17676
17677 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17678 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17679 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17680 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17681
17682 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17683
17684 @smallexample
17685 (vxgdb)
17686 @end smallexample
17687
17688 @menu
17689 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17690 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17691 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17692 @end menu
17693
17694 @node VxWorks Connection
17695 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17696
17697 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17698 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17699
17700 @smallexample
17701 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17702 @end smallexample
17703
17704 @need 750
17705 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17706
17707 @smallexample
17708 Attaching remote machine across net...
17709 Connected to tt.
17710 @end smallexample
17711
17712 @need 1000
17713 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17714 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17715 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17716 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17717 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17718
17719 @smallexample
17720 prog.o: No such file or directory.
17721 @end smallexample
17722
17723 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
17724 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
17725 command again.
17726
17727 @node VxWorks Download
17728 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
17729
17730 @cindex download to VxWorks
17731 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
17732 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
17733 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
17734 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
17735 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
17736 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
17737 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
17738 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
17739 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
17740 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
17741 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
17742 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
17743 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
17744 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
17745 program, type this on VxWorks:
17746
17747 @smallexample
17748 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
17749 @end smallexample
17750
17751 @noindent
17752 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17753
17754 @smallexample
17755 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
17756 (vxgdb) load prog.o
17757 @end smallexample
17758
17759 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
17760
17761 @smallexample
17762 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
17763 @end smallexample
17764
17765 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
17766 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
17767 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
17768 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
17769 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
17770 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
17771 table.)
17772
17773 @node VxWorks Attach
17774 @subsubsection Running Tasks
17775
17776 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
17777 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
17778 follows:
17779
17780 @smallexample
17781 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
17782 @end smallexample
17783
17784 @noindent
17785 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
17786 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
17787 the time of attachment.
17788
17789 @node Embedded Processors
17790 @section Embedded Processors
17791
17792 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
17793 configurations.
17794
17795 @cindex send command to simulator
17796 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17797 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17798
17799 @table @code
17800 @item sim @var{command}
17801 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
17802 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17803 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17804 acceptable commands.
17805 @end table
17806
17807
17808 @menu
17809 * ARM:: ARM RDI
17810 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17811 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
17812 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17813 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17814 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17815 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
17816 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17817 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17818 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17819 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17820 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
17821 * CRIS:: CRIS
17822 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17823 @end menu
17824
17825 @node ARM
17826 @subsection ARM
17827 @cindex ARM RDI
17828
17829 @table @code
17830 @kindex target rdi
17831 @item target rdi @var{dev}
17832 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17833 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17834 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17835
17836 @kindex target rdp
17837 @item target rdp @var{dev}
17838 ARM Demon monitor.
17839
17840 @end table
17841
17842 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17843
17844 @table @code
17845 @item set arm disassembler
17846 @kindex set arm
17847 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17848 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17849
17850 @item show arm disassembler
17851 @kindex show arm
17852 Show the current disassembly style.
17853
17854 @item set arm apcs32
17855 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17856 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17857
17858 @item show arm apcs32
17859 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17860
17861 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17862 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17863 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17864
17865 @table @code
17866 @item auto
17867 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17868 @item softfpa
17869 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17870 processors.
17871 @item fpa
17872 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17873 @item softvfp
17874 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17875 @item vfp
17876 VFP co-processor.
17877 @end table
17878
17879 @item show arm fpu
17880 Show the current type of the FPU.
17881
17882 @item set arm abi
17883 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17884
17885 @item show arm abi
17886 Show the currently used ABI.
17887
17888 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17889 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17890 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17891 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17892 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17893 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17894 register).
17895
17896 @item show arm fallback-mode
17897 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17898
17899 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17900 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17901 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17902 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17903 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17904
17905 @item show arm force-mode
17906 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17907
17908 @item set debug arm
17909 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17910 target support subsystem.
17911
17912 @item show debug arm
17913 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17914 @end table
17915
17916 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17917 using the RDI interface:
17918
17919 @table @code
17920 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17921 @kindex rdilogfile
17922 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17923 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17924 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17925 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17926 @file{rdi.log}.
17927
17928 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17929 @kindex rdilogenable
17930 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17931 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17932 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17933 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17934 are logged to a file.
17935
17936 @item set rdiromatzero
17937 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17938 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17939 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17940 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17941 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17942 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17943
17944 @item show rdiromatzero
17945 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17946 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17947
17948 @item set rdiheartbeat
17949 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17950 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17951 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17952 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17953 well as the Angel monitor.
17954
17955 @item show rdiheartbeat
17956 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17957 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17958 @end table
17959
17960 @table @code
17961 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17962 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
17963
17964 @table @code
17965 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
17966 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
17967 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
17968 The default value is @code{all}.
17969
17970 @table @code
17971 @item none
17972 @item demon
17973 @item angel
17974 @item redboot
17975 @item all
17976 @end table
17977 @end table
17978 @end table
17979
17980 @node M32R/D
17981 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17982
17983 @table @code
17984 @kindex target m32r
17985 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17986 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17987
17988 @kindex target m32rsdi
17989 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17990 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17991 @end table
17992
17993 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17994
17995 @table @code
17996 @item set download-path @var{path}
17997 @kindex set download-path
17998 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17999 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18000
18001 @item show download-path
18002 @kindex show download-path
18003 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18004
18005 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18006 @kindex set board-address
18007 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18008 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18009
18010 @item show board-address
18011 @kindex show board-address
18012 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18013
18014 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18015 @kindex set server-address
18016 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18017 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18018 host machine.
18019
18020 @item show server-address
18021 @kindex show server-address
18022 Display the IP address of the download server.
18023
18024 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18025 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18026 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18027 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18028 executable file is uploaded.
18029
18030 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18031 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18032 Test the @code{upload} command.
18033 @end table
18034
18035 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18036
18037 @table @code
18038 @item sdireset
18039 @kindex sdireset
18040 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18041 This command resets the SDI connection.
18042
18043 @item sdistatus
18044 @kindex sdistatus
18045 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18046
18047 @item debug_chaos
18048 @kindex debug_chaos
18049 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18050 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18051
18052 @item use_debug_dma
18053 @kindex use_debug_dma
18054 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18055
18056 @item use_mon_code
18057 @kindex use_mon_code
18058 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18059
18060 @item use_ib_break
18061 @kindex use_ib_break
18062 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18063
18064 @item use_dbt_break
18065 @kindex use_dbt_break
18066 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18067 @end table
18068
18069 @node M68K
18070 @subsection M68k
18071
18072 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18073 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18074
18075 @table @code
18076
18077 @kindex target dbug
18078 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18079 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18080
18081 @end table
18082
18083 @node MicroBlaze
18084 @subsection MicroBlaze
18085 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18086 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18087
18088 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18089 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18090 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18091 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18092 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18093 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18094 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18095 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18096 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18097 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18098 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18099
18100 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18101
18102 @table @code
18103 @item target remote :1234
18104 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18105 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18106
18107 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18108 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18109 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18110
18111 @item load
18112 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18113
18114 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18115 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18116
18117 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18118 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18119 @end table
18120
18121 @node MIPS Embedded
18122 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18123
18124 @cindex MIPS boards
18125 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18126 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18127 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18128
18129 @need 1000
18130 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18131
18132 @table @code
18133 @item target mips @var{port}
18134 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18135 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18136 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18137 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18138 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18139 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18140 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18141
18142 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18143 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18144 debugger:
18145
18146 @smallexample
18147 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18148 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18149 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18150 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18151 (@value{GDBP}) run
18152 @end smallexample
18153
18154 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18155 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18156 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18157 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18158 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18159
18160 @item target pmon @var{port}
18161 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18162 PMON ROM monitor.
18163
18164 @item target ddb @var{port}
18165 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18166 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18167
18168 @item target lsi @var{port}
18169 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18170 LSI variant of PMON.
18171
18172 @kindex target r3900
18173 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18174 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18175
18176 @kindex target array
18177 @item target array @var{dev}
18178 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18179
18180 @end table
18181
18182
18183 @noindent
18184 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18185
18186 @table @code
18187 @item set mipsfpu double
18188 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18189 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18190 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18191 @itemx show mipsfpu
18192 @kindex set mipsfpu
18193 @kindex show mipsfpu
18194 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18195 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18196 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18197 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18198 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18199 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18200 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18201 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18202 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18203 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18204 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18205 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18206 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18207
18208 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18209 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18210 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18211
18212 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18213 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18214
18215 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18216 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18217 @itemx show timeout
18218 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18219 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18220 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18221 @kindex set timeout
18222 @kindex show timeout
18223 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18224 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18225 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18226 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18227 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18228 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18229 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18230 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18231 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18232 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18233
18234 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18235 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18236 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18237 to run before stopping.
18238
18239 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18240 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18241 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18242 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18243 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18244 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18245
18246 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18247 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18248 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18249 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18250
18251 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18252 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18253 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18254 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18255 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18256 @table @asis
18257 @item pmon target
18258 @samp{PMON}
18259 @item ddb target
18260 @samp{NEC010}
18261 @item lsi target
18262 @samp{PMON>}
18263 @end table
18264
18265 @item show monitor-prompt
18266 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18267 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18268 remote monitor.
18269
18270 @item set monitor-warnings
18271 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18272 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18273 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18274 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18275 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18276
18277 @item show monitor-warnings
18278 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18279 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18280
18281 @item pmon @var{command}
18282 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18283 @cindex send PMON command
18284 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18285 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18286 @end table
18287
18288 @node OpenRISC 1000
18289 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18290 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18291
18292 @cindex or1k boards
18293 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18294 about platform and commands.
18295
18296 @table @code
18297
18298 @kindex target jtag
18299 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18300
18301 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18302 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18303 connected via parallel port to the board.
18304
18305 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18306
18307 @kindex or1ksim
18308 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18309 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18310 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18311
18312 @kindex info or1k spr
18313 @item info or1k spr
18314 Displays spr groups.
18315
18316 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18317 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18318 Displays register names in selected group.
18319
18320 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18321 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18322 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18323 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18324 Shows information about specified spr register.
18325
18326 @kindex spr
18327 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18328 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18329 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18330 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18331 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18332 @end table
18333
18334 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18335 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18336 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18337 triggers can be set using:
18338 @table @code
18339 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18340 Load effective address/data
18341 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18342 Store effective address/data
18343 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18344 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18345 @item $FETCH
18346 Fetch data
18347 @end table
18348
18349 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18350 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18351
18352 @code{htrace} commands:
18353 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18354 @table @code
18355 @kindex hwatch
18356 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18357 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18358 or Data. For example:
18359
18360 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18361
18362 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18363
18364 @kindex htrace
18365 @item htrace info
18366 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18367
18368 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18369 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18370
18371 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18372 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18373
18374 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18375 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18376
18377 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18378 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18379 triggered.
18380
18381 @item htrace enable
18382 @itemx htrace disable
18383 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18384
18385 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18386 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18387
18388 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18389 will be written there.
18390
18391 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18392 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18393
18394 @item htrace mode continuous
18395 Set continuous trace mode.
18396
18397 @item htrace mode suspend
18398 Set suspend trace mode.
18399
18400 @end table
18401
18402 @node PowerPC Embedded
18403 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18404
18405 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18406
18407 @table @code
18408 @kindex set powerpc
18409 @item set powerpc soft-float
18410 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18411 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18412 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18413 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18414
18415 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18416 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18417 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18418 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18419 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18420 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18421 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18422 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18423
18424 @kindex target dink32
18425 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18426 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18427
18428 @kindex target ppcbug
18429 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18430 @kindex target ppcbug1
18431 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18432 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18433
18434 @kindex target sds
18435 @item target sds @var{dev}
18436 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18437 @end table
18438
18439 @cindex SDS protocol
18440 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18441 by @value{GDBN}:
18442
18443 @table @code
18444 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18445 @kindex set sdstimeout
18446 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18447 default is 2 seconds.
18448
18449 @item show sdstimeout
18450 @kindex show sdstimeout
18451 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18452
18453 @item sds @var{command}
18454 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18455 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18456 @end table
18457
18458
18459 @node PA
18460 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18461
18462 @table @code
18463
18464 @kindex target op50n
18465 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18466 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18467
18468 @kindex target w89k
18469 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18470 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18471
18472 @end table
18473
18474 @node Sparclet
18475 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18476
18477 @cindex Sparclet
18478
18479 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18480 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18481 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18482 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18483 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18484
18485 @table @code
18486 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18487 @kindex remotetimeout
18488 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18489 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18490 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18491 @end table
18492
18493 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18494 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18495 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18496 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18497 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18498
18499 @smallexample
18500 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18501 @end smallexample
18502
18503 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18504
18505 @smallexample
18506 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18507 @end smallexample
18508
18509 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18510 Once you have set
18511 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18512 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18513 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18514
18515 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18516
18517 @smallexample
18518 (gdbslet)
18519 @end smallexample
18520
18521 @menu
18522 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18523 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18524 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18525 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18526 @end menu
18527
18528 @node Sparclet File
18529 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18530
18531 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18532
18533 @smallexample
18534 (gdbslet) file prog
18535 @end smallexample
18536
18537 @need 1000
18538 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18539 @value{GDBN} locates
18540 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18541 path.
18542 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18543 files will be searched as well.
18544 @value{GDBN} locates
18545 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18546 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18547 If it fails
18548 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18549
18550 @smallexample
18551 prog: No such file or directory.
18552 @end smallexample
18553
18554 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18555 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18556 @code{target} command again.
18557
18558 @node Sparclet Connection
18559 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18560
18561 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18562 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18563
18564 @smallexample
18565 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18566 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18567 main () at ../prog.c:3
18568 @end smallexample
18569
18570 @need 750
18571 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18572
18573 @smallexample
18574 Connected to ttya.
18575 @end smallexample
18576
18577 @node Sparclet Download
18578 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18579
18580 @cindex download to Sparclet
18581 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18582 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18583 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18584 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18585 command.
18586 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18587 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18588 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18589 of each of the file's sections.
18590 For instance, if the program
18591 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18592 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18593
18594 @smallexample
18595 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18596 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18597 @end smallexample
18598
18599 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18600 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18601 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18602
18603 @node Sparclet Execution
18604 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18605
18606 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18607 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18608 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18609 manual for the list of commands.
18610
18611 @smallexample
18612 (gdbslet) b main
18613 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18614 (gdbslet) run
18615 Starting program: prog
18616 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18617 3 char *symarg = 0;
18618 (gdbslet) step
18619 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18620 (gdbslet)
18621 @end smallexample
18622
18623 @node Sparclite
18624 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18625
18626 @table @code
18627
18628 @kindex target sparclite
18629 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18630 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18631 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18632 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18633 remote protocol.
18634
18635 @end table
18636
18637 @node Z8000
18638 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18639
18640 @cindex Z8000
18641 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18642 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18643
18644 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18645 a Z8000 simulator.
18646
18647 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18648 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18649 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18650 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18651
18652 @table @code
18653 @item target sim @var{args}
18654 @kindex sim
18655 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18656 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18657 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18658 @end table
18659
18660 @noindent
18661 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18662 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18663 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18664 to run your program, and so on.
18665
18666 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18667 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18668 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18669
18670 @table @code
18671
18672 @item cycles
18673 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18674
18675 @item insts
18676 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18677
18678 @item time
18679 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18680
18681 @end table
18682
18683 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18684 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18685 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18686 simulated clock ticks.
18687
18688 @node AVR
18689 @subsection Atmel AVR
18690 @cindex AVR
18691
18692 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18693 following AVR-specific commands:
18694
18695 @table @code
18696 @item info io_registers
18697 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18698 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18699 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18700 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18701 @end table
18702
18703 @node CRIS
18704 @subsection CRIS
18705 @cindex CRIS
18706
18707 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18708 following CRIS-specific commands:
18709
18710 @table @code
18711 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
18712 @cindex CRIS version
18713 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
18714 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
18715 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
18716
18717 @item show cris-version
18718 Show the current CRIS version.
18719
18720 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
18721 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
18722 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
18723 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
18724 @code{R59}.
18725
18726 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
18727 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
18728
18729 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
18730 @cindex CRIS mode
18731 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
18732 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
18733 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
18734
18735 @item show cris-mode
18736 Show the current CRIS mode.
18737 @end table
18738
18739 @node Super-H
18740 @subsection Renesas Super-H
18741 @cindex Super-H
18742
18743 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
18744 commands:
18745
18746 @table @code
18747 @item regs
18748 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
18749 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
18750
18751 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
18752 @kindex set sh calling-convention
18753 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
18754 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
18755 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
18756 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
18757 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
18758 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
18759 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
18760 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
18761 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
18762 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
18763
18764 @item show sh calling-convention
18765 @kindex show sh calling-convention
18766 Show the current calling convention setting.
18767
18768 @end table
18769
18770
18771 @node Architectures
18772 @section Architectures
18773
18774 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
18775 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
18776
18777 @menu
18778 * i386::
18779 * A29K::
18780 * Alpha::
18781 * MIPS::
18782 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
18783 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18784 * PowerPC::
18785 @end menu
18786
18787 @node i386
18788 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
18789
18790 @table @code
18791 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
18792 @kindex set struct-convention
18793 @cindex struct return convention
18794 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
18795 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
18796 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
18797 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
18798 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
18799 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
18800 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
18801 be returned in a register.
18802
18803 @item show struct-convention
18804 @kindex show struct-convention
18805 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
18806 from functions.
18807 @end table
18808
18809 @node A29K
18810 @subsection A29K
18811
18812 @table @code
18813
18814 @kindex set rstack_high_address
18815 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
18816 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
18817 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18818 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18819 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18820 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18821 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18822 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18823 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18824 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18825 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18826 hexadecimal.
18827
18828 @kindex show rstack_high_address
18829 @item show rstack_high_address
18830 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18831 processors.
18832
18833 @end table
18834
18835 @node Alpha
18836 @subsection Alpha
18837
18838 See the following section.
18839
18840 @node MIPS
18841 @subsection MIPS
18842
18843 @cindex stack on Alpha
18844 @cindex stack on MIPS
18845 @cindex Alpha stack
18846 @cindex MIPS stack
18847 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18848 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18849 find the beginning of a function.
18850
18851 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18852 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18853 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18854 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18855 commands:
18856
18857 @table @code
18858 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18859 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18860 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18861 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18862 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18863 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18864 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18865 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18866
18867 @item show heuristic-fence-post
18868 Display the current limit.
18869 @end table
18870
18871 @noindent
18872 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18873 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18874
18875 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18876 programs:
18877
18878 @table @code
18879 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
18880 @kindex set mips abi
18881 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
18882 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18883 values of @var{arg} are:
18884
18885 @table @samp
18886 @item auto
18887 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18888 default).
18889 @item o32
18890 @item o64
18891 @item n32
18892 @item n64
18893 @item eabi32
18894 @item eabi64
18895 @item auto
18896 @end table
18897
18898 @item show mips abi
18899 @kindex show mips abi
18900 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18901
18902 @item set mipsfpu
18903 @itemx show mipsfpu
18904 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18905
18906 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18907 @kindex set mips mask-address
18908 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18909 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18910 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18911 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18912 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18913
18914 @item show mips mask-address
18915 @kindex show mips mask-address
18916 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18917 not.
18918
18919 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18920 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18921 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18922 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18923 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18924 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18925
18926 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18927 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18928 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18929
18930 @item set debug mips
18931 @kindex set debug mips
18932 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18933 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18934
18935 @item show debug mips
18936 @kindex show debug mips
18937 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18938 @end table
18939
18940
18941 @node HPPA
18942 @subsection HPPA
18943 @cindex HPPA support
18944
18945 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18946 following special commands:
18947
18948 @table @code
18949 @item set debug hppa
18950 @kindex set debug hppa
18951 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18952 messages are to be displayed.
18953
18954 @item show debug hppa
18955 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18956
18957 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18958 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18959 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18960 given @var{address}.
18961
18962 @end table
18963
18964
18965 @node SPU
18966 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18967 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18968 @cindex SPU
18969
18970 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18971 it provides the following special commands:
18972
18973 @table @code
18974 @item info spu event
18975 @kindex info spu
18976 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18977 and pending event status.
18978
18979 @item info spu signal
18980 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18981 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18982 notification channels.
18983
18984 @item info spu mailbox
18985 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18986 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18987 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18988
18989 @item info spu dma
18990 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18991 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18992 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18993
18994 @item info spu proxydma
18995 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18996 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18997 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18998
18999 @end table
19000
19001 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19002 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19003 special commands:
19004
19005 @table @code
19006 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19007 @kindex set spu
19008 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19009 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19010 function. The default is @code{off}.
19011
19012 @item show spu stop-on-load
19013 @kindex show spu
19014 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19015
19016 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19017 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19018 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19019 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19020 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19021 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19022
19023 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19024 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19025
19026 @end table
19027
19028 @node PowerPC
19029 @subsection PowerPC
19030 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19031
19032 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19033 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19034 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19035 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19036 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19037
19038 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19039 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19040 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19041
19042 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19043 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19044
19045
19046 @node Controlling GDB
19047 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19048
19049 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19050 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19051 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19052 described here.
19053
19054 @menu
19055 * Prompt:: Prompt
19056 * Editing:: Command editing
19057 * Command History:: Command history
19058 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19059 * Numbers:: Numbers
19060 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19061 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19062 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19063 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19064 @end menu
19065
19066 @node Prompt
19067 @section Prompt
19068
19069 @cindex prompt
19070
19071 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19072 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19073 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19074 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19075 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19076 which one you are talking to.
19077
19078 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19079 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19080 or a prompt that does not.
19081
19082 @table @code
19083 @kindex set prompt
19084 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19085 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19086
19087 @kindex show prompt
19088 @item show prompt
19089 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19090 @end table
19091
19092 @node Editing
19093 @section Command Editing
19094 @cindex readline
19095 @cindex command line editing
19096
19097 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19098 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19099 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19100 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19101 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19102 debugging sessions.
19103
19104 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19105 command @code{set}.
19106
19107 @table @code
19108 @kindex set editing
19109 @cindex editing
19110 @item set editing
19111 @itemx set editing on
19112 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19113
19114 @item set editing off
19115 Disable command line editing.
19116
19117 @kindex show editing
19118 @item show editing
19119 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19120 @end table
19121
19122 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
19123 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19124 encouraged to read that chapter.
19125
19126 @node Command History
19127 @section Command History
19128 @cindex command history
19129
19130 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19131 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19132 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19133 history facility.
19134
19135 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19136 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
19137 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
19138
19139 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19140 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19141 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19142 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19143 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19144 pressed on a line by itself.
19145
19146 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19147 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19148 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19149 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19150
19151 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19152 history.
19153
19154 @table @code
19155 @cindex history substitution
19156 @cindex history file
19157 @kindex set history filename
19158 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19159 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19160 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19161 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19162 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19163 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19164 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19165 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19166 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19167 is not set.
19168
19169 @cindex save command history
19170 @kindex set history save
19171 @item set history save
19172 @itemx set history save on
19173 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19174 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19175
19176 @item set history save off
19177 Stop recording command history in a file.
19178
19179 @cindex history size
19180 @kindex set history size
19181 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19182 @item set history size @var{size}
19183 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19184 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19185 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19186 @end table
19187
19188 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19189 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
19190
19191 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19192 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19193 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19194 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19195 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19196 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19197 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19198 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19199
19200 The commands to control history expansion are:
19201
19202 @table @code
19203 @item set history expansion on
19204 @itemx set history expansion
19205 @kindex set history expansion
19206 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19207
19208 @item set history expansion off
19209 Disable history expansion.
19210
19211 @c @group
19212 @kindex show history
19213 @item show history
19214 @itemx show history filename
19215 @itemx show history save
19216 @itemx show history size
19217 @itemx show history expansion
19218 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19219 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19220 @c @end group
19221 @end table
19222
19223 @table @code
19224 @kindex show commands
19225 @cindex show last commands
19226 @cindex display command history
19227 @item show commands
19228 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19229
19230 @item show commands @var{n}
19231 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19232
19233 @item show commands +
19234 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19235 @end table
19236
19237 @node Screen Size
19238 @section Screen Size
19239 @cindex size of screen
19240 @cindex pauses in output
19241
19242 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19243 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19244 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19245 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19246 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19247 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19248 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19249 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19250
19251 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19252 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19253 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19254 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19255 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19256 width} commands:
19257
19258 @table @code
19259 @kindex set height
19260 @kindex set width
19261 @kindex show width
19262 @kindex show height
19263 @item set height @var{lpp}
19264 @itemx show height
19265 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19266 @itemx show width
19267 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19268 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19269 commands display the current settings.
19270
19271 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19272 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19273 file or to an editor buffer.
19274
19275 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19276 from wrapping its output.
19277
19278 @item set pagination on
19279 @itemx set pagination off
19280 @kindex set pagination
19281 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19282 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19283 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19284 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19285
19286 @item show pagination
19287 @kindex show pagination
19288 Show the current pagination mode.
19289 @end table
19290
19291 @node Numbers
19292 @section Numbers
19293 @cindex number representation
19294 @cindex entering numbers
19295
19296 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19297 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19298 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19299 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19300 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19301 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19302 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19303 both input and output with the commands described below.
19304
19305 @table @code
19306 @kindex set input-radix
19307 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19308 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19309 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19310 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19311 example, any of
19312
19313 @smallexample
19314 set input-radix 012
19315 set input-radix 10.
19316 set input-radix 0xa
19317 @end smallexample
19318
19319 @noindent
19320 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19321 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19322 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19323 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19324 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19325 change the radix.
19326
19327 @kindex set output-radix
19328 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19329 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19330 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19331 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19332
19333 @kindex show input-radix
19334 @item show input-radix
19335 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19336
19337 @kindex show output-radix
19338 @item show output-radix
19339 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19340
19341 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19342 @itemx show radix
19343 @kindex set radix
19344 @kindex show radix
19345 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19346 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19347 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19348 default value of 10.
19349
19350 @end table
19351
19352 @node ABI
19353 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19354
19355 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19356 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19357 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19358 current ABI.
19359
19360 @cindex OS ABI
19361 @kindex set osabi
19362 @kindex show osabi
19363
19364 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19365 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19366 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19367 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19368 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19369 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19370 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19371 platform provides.
19372
19373 @table @code
19374 @item show osabi
19375 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19376
19377 @item set osabi
19378 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19379
19380 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19381 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19382 @end table
19383
19384 @cindex float promotion
19385
19386 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19387 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19388 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19389 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19390 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19391 @code{double} and then passed.
19392
19393 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19394 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19395 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19396
19397 @table @code
19398 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19399 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19400 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19401 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19402 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19403
19404 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19405 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19406 functions.
19407
19408 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19409 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19410 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19411 @end table
19412
19413 @kindex set cp-abi
19414 @kindex show cp-abi
19415 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19416 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19417 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19418 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19419 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19420 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19421 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19422 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19423 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19424 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19425 ``auto''.
19426
19427 @table @code
19428 @item show cp-abi
19429 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19430
19431 @item set cp-abi
19432 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19433
19434 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19435 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19436 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19437 @end table
19438
19439 @node Messages/Warnings
19440 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19441
19442 @cindex verbose operation
19443 @cindex optional warnings
19444 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19445 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19446 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19447 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19448
19449 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19450 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19451 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19452
19453 @table @code
19454 @kindex set verbose
19455 @item set verbose on
19456 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19457
19458 @item set verbose off
19459 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19460
19461 @kindex show verbose
19462 @item show verbose
19463 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19464 @end table
19465
19466 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19467 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19468 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19469 Symbol Files}).
19470
19471 @table @code
19472
19473 @kindex set complaints
19474 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19475 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19476 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19477 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19478 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19479
19480 @kindex show complaints
19481 @item show complaints
19482 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19483
19484 @end table
19485
19486 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19487 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19488 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19489 you try to run a program which is already running:
19490
19491 @smallexample
19492 (@value{GDBP}) run
19493 The program being debugged has been started already.
19494 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19495 @end smallexample
19496
19497 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19498 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19499
19500 @table @code
19501
19502 @kindex set confirm
19503 @cindex flinching
19504 @cindex confirmation
19505 @cindex stupid questions
19506 @item set confirm off
19507 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19508 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19509 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19510
19511 @item set confirm on
19512 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19513
19514 @kindex show confirm
19515 @item show confirm
19516 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19517
19518 @end table
19519
19520 @cindex command tracing
19521 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19522 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19523 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19524 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19525
19526 @table @code
19527 @kindex set trace-commands
19528 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19529 @item set trace-commands on
19530 Enable command tracing.
19531 @item set trace-commands off
19532 Disable command tracing.
19533 @item show trace-commands
19534 Display the current state of command tracing.
19535 @end table
19536
19537 @node Debugging Output
19538 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19539 @cindex optional debugging messages
19540
19541 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19542 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19543 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19544 section documents those commands.
19545
19546 @table @code
19547 @kindex set exec-done-display
19548 @item set exec-done-display
19549 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19550 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19551 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19552 @kindex show exec-done-display
19553 @item show exec-done-display
19554 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19555 notification.
19556 @kindex set debug
19557 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19558 @cindex architecture debugging info
19559 @item set debug arch
19560 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19561 @kindex show debug
19562 @item show debug arch
19563 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19564 @item set debug aix-thread
19565 @cindex AIX threads
19566 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19567 module.
19568 @item show debug aix-thread
19569 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19570 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19571 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19572 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19573 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19574 A value of zero turns off the display.
19575 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19576 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19577 @item set debug displaced
19578 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19579 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19580 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19581 @item show debug displaced
19582 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19583 related to displaced stepping.
19584 @item set debug event
19585 @cindex event debugging info
19586 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19587 default is off.
19588 @item show debug event
19589 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19590 info.
19591 @item set debug expression
19592 @cindex expression debugging info
19593 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19594 expression parsing. The default is off.
19595 @item show debug expression
19596 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19597 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19598 @item set debug frame
19599 @cindex frame debugging info
19600 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19601 default is off.
19602 @item show debug frame
19603 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19604 info.
19605 @item set debug gnu-nat
19606 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19607 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19608 @item show debug gnu-nat
19609 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19610 @item set debug infrun
19611 @cindex inferior debugging info
19612 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19613 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19614 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19615 @item show debug infrun
19616 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19617 @item set debug lin-lwp
19618 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19619 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19620 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19621 @item show debug lin-lwp
19622 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19623 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19624 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19625 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19626 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19627 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19628 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19629 @item set debug observer
19630 @cindex observer debugging info
19631 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19632 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19633 @item show debug observer
19634 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19635 @item set debug overload
19636 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19637 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19638 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19639 is off.
19640 @item show debug overload
19641 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19642 debugging info.
19643 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19644 @cindex debug expression parser
19645 @item set debug parser
19646 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19647 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19648 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19649 details. The default is off.
19650 @item show debug parser
19651 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19652 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19653 @cindex serial connections, debugging
19654 @cindex debug remote protocol
19655 @cindex remote protocol debugging
19656 @cindex display remote packets
19657 @item set debug remote
19658 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19659 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19660 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19661 @item show debug remote
19662 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19663 @item set debug serial
19664 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19665 default is off.
19666 @item show debug serial
19667 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19668 info.
19669 @item set debug solib-frv
19670 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19671 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19672 @item show debug solib-frv
19673 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19674 messages.
19675 @item set debug target
19676 @cindex target debugging info
19677 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19678 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19679 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19680 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19681 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19682 @item show debug target
19683 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19684 info.
19685 @item set debug timestamp
19686 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19687 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19688 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19689 message.
19690 @item show debug timestamp
19691 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19692 debugging info.
19693 @item set debugvarobj
19694 @cindex variable object debugging info
19695 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19696 info. The default is off.
19697 @item show debugvarobj
19698 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19699 debugging info.
19700 @item set debug xml
19701 @cindex XML parser debugging
19702 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19703 @item show debug xml
19704 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19705 @end table
19706
19707 @node Other Misc Settings
19708 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19709 @cindex miscellaneous settings
19710
19711 @table @code
19712 @kindex set interactive-mode
19713 @item set interactive-mode
19714 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
19715 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
19716 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
19717 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
19718
19719 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
19720 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
19721 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
19722 inside a cygwin window.
19723
19724 @kindex show interactive-mode
19725 @item show interactive-mode
19726 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
19727 @end table
19728
19729 @node Extending GDB
19730 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
19731 @cindex extending GDB
19732
19733 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
19734 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
19735 Python scripting language.
19736
19737 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
19738 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
19739 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
19740 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
19741 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19742 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
19743
19744 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
19745 setting:
19746
19747 @table @code
19748 @kindex set script-extension
19749 @kindex show script-extension
19750 @item set script-extension off
19751 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19752
19753 @item set script-extension soft
19754 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19755 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
19756 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
19757 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
19758
19759 @item set script-extension strict
19760 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19761 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
19762 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
19763
19764 @item show script-extension
19765 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
19766
19767 @end table
19768
19769 @menu
19770 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
19771 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19772 @end menu
19773
19774 @node Sequences
19775 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
19776
19777 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
19778 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
19779 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
19780 files.
19781
19782 @menu
19783 * Define:: How to define your own commands
19784 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
19785 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
19786 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
19787 @end menu
19788
19789 @node Define
19790 @subsection User-defined Commands
19791
19792 @cindex user-defined command
19793 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
19794 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
19795 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
19796 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
19797 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
19798 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
19799
19800 @smallexample
19801 define adder
19802 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19803 end
19804 @end smallexample
19805
19806 @noindent
19807 To execute the command use:
19808
19809 @smallexample
19810 adder 1 2 3
19811 @end smallexample
19812
19813 @noindent
19814 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
19815 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
19816 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
19817 functions calls.
19818
19819 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
19820 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
19821 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
19822 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
19823
19824 @smallexample
19825 define adder
19826 if $argc == 2
19827 print $arg0 + $arg1
19828 end
19829 if $argc == 3
19830 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19831 end
19832 end
19833 @end smallexample
19834
19835 @table @code
19836
19837 @kindex define
19838 @item define @var{commandname}
19839 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
19840 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
19841 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
19842 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
19843 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
19844 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
19845
19846 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
19847 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
19848 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19849
19850 @kindex document
19851 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
19852 @item document @var{commandname}
19853 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
19854 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
19855 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
19856 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
19857 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
19858 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19859
19860 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19861 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19862 does not change the documentation.
19863
19864 @kindex dont-repeat
19865 @cindex don't repeat command
19866 @item dont-repeat
19867 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19868 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19869 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19870
19871 @kindex help user-defined
19872 @item help user-defined
19873 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19874 (if any) for each.
19875
19876 @kindex show user
19877 @item show user
19878 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
19879 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19880 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19881 definitions for all user-defined commands.
19882
19883 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19884 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
19885 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
19886 @item show max-user-call-depth
19887 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
19888 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19889 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19890 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19891 @end table
19892
19893 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19894 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19895
19896 When user-defined commands are executed, the
19897 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19898 stops execution of the user-defined command.
19899
19900 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19901 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19902 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19903 messages when used in a user-defined command.
19904
19905 @node Hooks
19906 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19907 @cindex command hooks
19908 @cindex hooks, for commands
19909 @cindex hooks, pre-command
19910
19911 @kindex hook
19912 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19913 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19914 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19915 before that command.
19916
19917 @cindex hooks, post-command
19918 @kindex hookpost
19919 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19920 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19921 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19922 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19923 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19924
19925 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19926 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19927
19928 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19929 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19930
19931 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19932 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19933 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19934 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19935 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19936
19937 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19938 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19939 you could define:
19940
19941 @smallexample
19942 define hook-stop
19943 handle SIGALRM nopass
19944 end
19945
19946 define hook-run
19947 handle SIGALRM pass
19948 end
19949
19950 define hook-continue
19951 handle SIGALRM pass
19952 end
19953 @end smallexample
19954
19955 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19956 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19957 you could define:
19958
19959 @smallexample
19960 define hook-echo
19961 echo <<<---
19962 end
19963
19964 define hookpost-echo
19965 echo --->>>\n
19966 end
19967
19968 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19969 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19970 (@value{GDBP})
19971
19972 @end smallexample
19973
19974 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19975 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19976 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19977 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19978 @c or not?
19979 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19980 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19981 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19982
19983 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19984 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19985 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19986
19987 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19988 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19989
19990 @node Command Files
19991 @subsection Command Files
19992
19993 @cindex command files
19994 @cindex scripting commands
19995 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19996 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19997 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19998 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19999 terminal.
20000
20001 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20002 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20003 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20004 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20005 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20006
20007 @table @code
20008 @kindex source
20009 @cindex execute commands from a file
20010 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20011 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20012 @end table
20013
20014 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20015 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20016 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20017 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20018 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20019
20020 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20021 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20022 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20023 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20024 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20025 is not relevant to scripts.
20026
20027 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20028 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20029 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20030 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20031 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20032 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20033 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20034 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20035 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20036 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20037 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20038 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20039 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20040 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20041
20042 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20043 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20044 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20045
20046 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20047 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20048 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20049 when called from command files.
20050
20051 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20052 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20053 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20054 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20055 the next command.
20056
20057 @smallexample
20058 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20059 @end smallexample
20060
20061 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20062 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20063 would be directed to @file{log}.
20064
20065 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20066 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20067 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20068 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20069 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20070 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20071 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20072 conditionally, etc.
20073
20074 @table @code
20075 @kindex if
20076 @kindex else
20077 @item if
20078 @itemx else
20079 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20080 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20081 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20082 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20083 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20084 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20085 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20086
20087 @kindex while
20088 @item while
20089 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20090 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20091 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20092 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20093 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20094 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20095
20096 @kindex loop_break
20097 @item loop_break
20098 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20099 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20100 line.
20101
20102 @kindex loop_continue
20103 @item loop_continue
20104 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20105 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20106 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20107 the controlling expression.
20108
20109 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20110 @item end
20111 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20112 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20113 @end table
20114
20115
20116 @node Output
20117 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20118
20119 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20120 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20121 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20122 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20123 want.
20124
20125 @table @code
20126 @kindex echo
20127 @item echo @var{text}
20128 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20129 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20130 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20131 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20132 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20133 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20134 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20135 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20136 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20137 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20138 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20139
20140 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20141 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20142
20143 @smallexample
20144 echo This is some text\n\
20145 which is continued\n\
20146 onto several lines.\n
20147 @end smallexample
20148
20149 produces the same output as
20150
20151 @smallexample
20152 echo This is some text\n
20153 echo which is continued\n
20154 echo onto several lines.\n
20155 @end smallexample
20156
20157 @kindex output
20158 @item output @var{expression}
20159 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20160 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20161 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20162 on expressions.
20163
20164 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20165 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20166 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20167 Formats}, for more information.
20168
20169 @kindex printf
20170 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20171 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20172 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20173 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20174 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20175 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20176 executing the code below:
20177
20178 @smallexample
20179 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20180 @end smallexample
20181
20182 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20183 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20184 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20185 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20186 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20187 printed.
20188
20189 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20190
20191 @smallexample
20192 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20193 @end smallexample
20194
20195 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20196 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20197 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20198
20199 @itemize @bullet
20200 @item
20201 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20202
20203 @item
20204 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20205 width.
20206
20207 @item
20208 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20209 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20210
20211 @item
20212 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20213 supported.
20214
20215 @item
20216 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20217
20218 @item
20219 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20220 @end itemize
20221
20222 @noindent
20223 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20224 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20225 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20226 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20227
20228 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20229 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20230 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20231 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20232 supported.
20233
20234 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20235 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20236 together with a floating point specifier.
20237 letters:
20238
20239 @itemize @bullet
20240 @item
20241 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20242
20243 @item
20244 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20245
20246 @item
20247 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20248 @end itemize
20249
20250 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20251 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20252 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20253
20254 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20255 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20256
20257 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20258 @smallexample
20259 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20260 @end smallexample
20261
20262 @kindex eval
20263 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20264 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20265 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20266
20267 @end table
20268
20269 @node Python
20270 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20271 @cindex python scripting
20272 @cindex scripting with python
20273
20274 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20275 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20276 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20277
20278 @cindex python directory
20279 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20280 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20281 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20282 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20283 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20284
20285 @menu
20286 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20287 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20288 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20289 @end menu
20290
20291 @node Python Commands
20292 @subsection Python Commands
20293 @cindex python commands
20294 @cindex commands to access python
20295
20296 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20297 and one related setting:
20298
20299 @table @code
20300 @kindex python
20301 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20302 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20303
20304 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20305 argument as a Python command. For example:
20306
20307 @smallexample
20308 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20309 23
20310 @end smallexample
20311
20312 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20313 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20314 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20315 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20316 containing @code{end}. For example:
20317
20318 @smallexample
20319 (@value{GDBP}) python
20320 Type python script
20321 End with a line saying just "end".
20322 >print 23
20323 >end
20324 23
20325 @end smallexample
20326
20327 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20328 @item maint set python print-stack
20329 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20330 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20331 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20332 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20333 disabled.
20334 @end table
20335
20336 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20337 interpreter:
20338
20339 @table @code
20340 @item source @file{script-name}
20341 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20342 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20343 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20344
20345 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20346 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20347 and thus is always available.
20348 @end table
20349
20350 @node Python API
20351 @subsection Python API
20352 @cindex python api
20353 @cindex programming in python
20354
20355 @cindex python stdout
20356 @cindex python pagination
20357 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20358 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20359 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20360 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20361 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20362
20363 @menu
20364 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20365 * Exception Handling::
20366 * Values From Inferior::
20367 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20368 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20369 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20370 * Disabling Pretty-Printers:: Disabling broken printers.
20371 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20372 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20373 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20374 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20375 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20376 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20377 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20378 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20379 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20380 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20381 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20382 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20383 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20384 @end menu
20385
20386 @node Basic Python
20387 @subsubsection Basic Python
20388
20389 @cindex python functions
20390 @cindex python module
20391 @cindex gdb module
20392 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20393 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20394 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20395 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20396
20397 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20398 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20399 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20400 @end defvar
20401
20402 @findex gdb.execute
20403 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20404 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20405 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20406 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20407
20408 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20409 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20410 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20411
20412 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20413 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20414 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20415 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20416 return value is @code{None}.
20417 @end defun
20418
20419 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20420 @defun breakpoints
20421 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20422 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20423 @end defun
20424
20425 @findex gdb.parameter
20426 @defun parameter parameter
20427 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20428 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20429 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20430 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20431
20432 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20433 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
20434 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
20435 @end defun
20436
20437 @findex gdb.history
20438 @defun history number
20439 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20440 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20441 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20442 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20443 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20444 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20445 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
20446 raised.
20447
20448 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20449 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20450 @end defun
20451
20452 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20453 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20454 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20455 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20456 @var{expression} must be a string.
20457
20458 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20459 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20460 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20461 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20462 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20463 @end defun
20464
20465 @findex gdb.write
20466 @defun write string
20467 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20468 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20469 call this function.
20470 @end defun
20471
20472 @findex gdb.flush
20473 @defun flush
20474 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20475 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20476 function.
20477 @end defun
20478
20479 @findex gdb.target_charset
20480 @defun target_charset
20481 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20482 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20483 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20484 @end defun
20485
20486 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20487 @defun target_wide_charset
20488 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20489 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20490 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20491 never returned.
20492 @end defun
20493
20494 @node Exception Handling
20495 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20496 @cindex python exceptions
20497 @cindex exceptions, python
20498
20499 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20500 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20501 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20502 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20503 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20504 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20505 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20506
20507 @smallexample
20508 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20509 Traceback (most recent call last):
20510 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20511 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20512 @end smallexample
20513
20514 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
20515 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
20516 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20517 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
20518 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
20519 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
20520 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
20521 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
20522 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20523 traceback.
20524
20525 @findex gdb.GdbError
20526 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20527 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20528 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20529 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20530 to handle this case. Example:
20531
20532 @smallexample
20533 (gdb) python
20534 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20535 > """Greet the whole world."""
20536 > def __init__ (self):
20537 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20538 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20539 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20540 > if len (argv) != 0:
20541 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20542 > print "Hello, World!"
20543 >HelloWorld ()
20544 >end
20545 (gdb) hello-world 42
20546 hello-world takes no arguments
20547 @end smallexample
20548
20549 @node Values From Inferior
20550 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20551 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
20552 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
20553
20554 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20555 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20556 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20557 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20558 fetching values when necessary.
20559
20560 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
20561 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
20562 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
20563
20564 @smallexample
20565 bar = some_val + 2
20566 @end smallexample
20567
20568 @noindent
20569 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
20570 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
20571
20572 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
20573 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
20574 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
20575 can access its @code{foo} element with:
20576
20577 @smallexample
20578 bar = some_val['foo']
20579 @end smallexample
20580
20581 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
20582
20583 The following attributes are provided:
20584
20585 @table @code
20586 @defivar Value address
20587 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
20588 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
20589 this attribute holds @code{None}.
20590 @end defivar
20591
20592 @cindex optimized out value in Python
20593 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
20594 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
20595 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
20596 @end defivar
20597
20598 @defivar Value type
20599 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
20600 @code{gdb.Type} object.
20601 @end defivar
20602 @end table
20603
20604 The following methods are provided:
20605
20606 @table @code
20607 @defmethod Value cast type
20608 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
20609 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
20610 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
20611 reason, this method throws an exception.
20612 @end defmethod
20613
20614 @defmethod Value dereference
20615 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
20616 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
20617 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
20618
20619 @smallexample
20620 int *foo;
20621 @end smallexample
20622
20623 @noindent
20624 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
20625 @code{foo} points to like this:
20626
20627 @smallexample
20628 bar = foo.dereference ()
20629 @end smallexample
20630
20631 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
20632 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
20633 @end defmethod
20634
20635 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20636 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20637 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
20638 throw an exception.
20639
20640 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
20641 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
20642 language.
20643
20644 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
20645 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
20646 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
20647 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
20648 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
20649
20650 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20651 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
20652 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
20653 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
20654 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
20655 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
20656 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
20657 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
20658 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
20659
20660 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
20661 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
20662
20663 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20664 fetched and converted to the given length.
20665 @end defmethod
20666
20667 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20668 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20669 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
20670 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
20671
20672 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20673 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
20674 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
20675 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
20676 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
20677
20678 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
20679 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
20680 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
20681 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
20682 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
20683 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
20684
20685 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20686 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
20687 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
20688 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
20689 @end defmethod
20690 @end table
20691
20692 @node Types In Python
20693 @subsubsection Types In Python
20694 @cindex types in Python
20695 @cindex Python, working with types
20696
20697 @tindex gdb.Type
20698 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
20699 @code{gdb.Type}.
20700
20701 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20702 module:
20703
20704 @findex gdb.lookup_type
20705 @defun lookup_type name [block]
20706 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
20707 type to look up. It must be a string.
20708
20709 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20710 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20711
20712 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
20713 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
20714 @end defun
20715
20716 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
20717
20718 @table @code
20719 @defivar Type code
20720 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
20721 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
20722 @end defivar
20723
20724 @defivar Type sizeof
20725 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
20726 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
20727 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
20728 @end defivar
20729
20730 @defivar Type tag
20731 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
20732 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
20733 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
20734 @code{None} is returned.
20735 @end defivar
20736 @end table
20737
20738 The following methods are provided:
20739
20740 @table @code
20741 @defmethod Type fields
20742 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
20743 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
20744 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
20745 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
20746 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
20747 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
20748
20749 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
20750 @table @code
20751 @item bitpos
20752 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
20753 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
20754 position of the field.
20755
20756 @item name
20757 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
20758
20759 @item artificial
20760 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
20761 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
20762 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
20763
20764 @item is_base_class
20765 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
20766 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
20767 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
20768 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
20769
20770 @item bitsize
20771 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
20772 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
20773 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
20774
20775 @item type
20776 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
20777 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
20778 @end table
20779 @end defmethod
20780
20781 @defmethod Type const
20782 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20783 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
20784 @end defmethod
20785
20786 @defmethod Type volatile
20787 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20788 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
20789 @end defmethod
20790
20791 @defmethod Type unqualified
20792 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
20793 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
20794 @code{volatile}.
20795 @end defmethod
20796
20797 @defmethod Type range
20798 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
20799 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
20800 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
20801 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
20802 @end defmethod
20803
20804 @defmethod Type reference
20805 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
20806 type.
20807 @end defmethod
20808
20809 @defmethod Type pointer
20810 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
20811 type.
20812 @end defmethod
20813
20814 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
20815 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
20816 after removing all layers of typedefs.
20817 @end defmethod
20818
20819 @defmethod Type target
20820 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
20821 of this type.
20822
20823 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
20824 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
20825 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
20826 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
20827 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
20828 target type is the aliased type.
20829
20830 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
20831 exception.
20832 @end defmethod
20833
20834 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
20835 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
20836 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
20837 @var{n}th template argument.
20838
20839 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
20840 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
20841
20842 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20843 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20844 @end defmethod
20845 @end table
20846
20847
20848 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
20849 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
20850 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20851
20852 @table @code
20853 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
20854 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
20855 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
20856 The type is a pointer.
20857
20858 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20859 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20860 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20861 The type is an array.
20862
20863 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20864 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20865 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20866 The type is a structure.
20867
20868 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
20869 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
20870 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
20871 The type is a union.
20872
20873 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20874 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20875 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20876 The type is an enum.
20877
20878 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20879 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20880 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20881 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
20882
20883 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20884 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20885 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20886 The type is a function.
20887
20888 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
20889 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
20890 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
20891 The type is an integer type.
20892
20893 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
20894 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
20895 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
20896 A floating point type.
20897
20898 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
20899 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
20900 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
20901 The special type @code{void}.
20902
20903 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
20904 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
20905 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
20906 A Pascal set type.
20907
20908 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20909 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20910 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20911 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
20912
20913 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
20914 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
20915 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
20916 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
20917 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
20918
20919 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20920 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20921 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20922 A string of bits.
20923
20924 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20925 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20926 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20927 An unknown or erroneous type.
20928
20929 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20930 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20931 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20932 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20933
20934 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20935 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20936 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20937 A pointer-to-member-function.
20938
20939 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20940 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20941 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20942 A pointer-to-member.
20943
20944 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20945 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20946 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
20947 A reference type.
20948
20949 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20950 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20951 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20952 A character type.
20953
20954 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20955 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20956 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20957 A boolean type.
20958
20959 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20960 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20961 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20962 A complex float type.
20963
20964 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20965 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20966 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20967 A typedef to some other type.
20968
20969 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20970 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20971 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20972 A C@t{++} namespace.
20973
20974 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20975 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20976 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20977 A decimal floating point type.
20978
20979 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20980 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20981 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20982 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20983 convenience functions.
20984 @end table
20985
20986 @node Pretty Printing API
20987 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
20988
20989 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
20990
20991 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20992 specific interface, defined here.
20993
20994 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20995 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20996 children of the pretty-printer's value.
20997
20998 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20999 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21000 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21001 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21002 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21003
21004 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21005 as though the value has no children.
21006 @end defop
21007
21008 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21009 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21010 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21011 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21012 printed.
21013
21014 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21015 string.
21016
21017 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21018
21019 @table @samp
21020 @item array
21021 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21022 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21023 @code{set print array}.
21024
21025 @item map
21026 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21027 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21028 values.
21029
21030 @item string
21031 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21032 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21033 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21034 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21035 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21036 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21037 @end table
21038 @end defop
21039
21040 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21041 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21042 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21043
21044 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21045 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21046 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21047 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21048 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21049 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21050 the result of @code{children}.
21051
21052 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21053
21054 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21055 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21056 another pretty-printer.
21057
21058 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21059 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21060 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21061 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21062 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21063
21064 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21065 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21066
21067 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21068 @end defop
21069
21070 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21071 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21072
21073 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21074 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21075 as a pretty-printer.
21076 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21077 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21078 attribute.
21079
21080 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21081 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21082 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21083 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21084 @code{None}.
21085
21086 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21087 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21088 each enabled function (@pxref{Disabling Pretty-Printers})
21089 in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives
21090 a pretty-printer object.
21091 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21092 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21093 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21094 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21095 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21096 object is returned.
21097
21098 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21099 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21100 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21101 object is returned.
21102
21103 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21104 written:
21105
21106 @smallexample
21107 class StdStringPrinter:
21108 "Print a std::string"
21109
21110 def __init__ (self, val):
21111 self.val = val
21112
21113 def to_string (self):
21114 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21115
21116 def display_hint (self):
21117 return 'string'
21118 @end smallexample
21119
21120 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21121 example above might be written.
21122
21123 @smallexample
21124 def str_lookup_function (val):
21125
21126 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21127 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21128 if lookup_tag == None:
21129 return None
21130 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
21131 return StdStringPrinter (val)
21132
21133 return None
21134 @end smallexample
21135
21136 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21137 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21138 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21139 returns @code{None}.
21140
21141 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21142 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21143 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21144 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21145 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21146 different names.
21147
21148 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21149 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21150 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21151 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21152 the current objfile.
21153
21154 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21155 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21156 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21157 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21158 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21159 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21160 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21161 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21162 inferior.
21163
21164 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21165 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21166
21167 @smallexample
21168 def register_printers (objfile):
21169 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
21170 @end smallexample
21171
21172 @noindent
21173 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21174
21175 @smallexample
21176 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21177 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
21178 @end smallexample
21179
21180 @node Disabling Pretty-Printers
21181 @subsubsection Disabling Pretty-Printers
21182 @cindex disabling pretty-printers
21183
21184 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21185 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21186 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21187
21188 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21189 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21190 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21191 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21192 with a broken printer.
21193
21194 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21195 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21196 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21197 the printer is enabled.
21198
21199 @node Inferiors In Python
21200 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21201 @cindex inferiors in python
21202
21203 @findex gdb.Inferior
21204 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21205 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21206 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21207 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21208
21209 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21210 module:
21211
21212 @defun inferiors
21213 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21214 @end defun
21215
21216 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21217
21218 @table @code
21219 @defivar Inferior num
21220 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21221 @end defivar
21222
21223 @defivar Inferior pid
21224 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21225 system.
21226 @end defivar
21227
21228 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21229 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21230 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21231 @end defivar
21232 @end table
21233
21234 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21235
21236 @table @code
21237 @defmethod Inferior threads
21238 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21239 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21240 return an empty tuple.
21241 @end defmethod
21242
21243 @findex gdb.read_memory
21244 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21245 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21246 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21247 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21248 function.
21249 @end defmethod
21250
21251 @findex gdb.write_memory
21252 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21253 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21254 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21255 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21256 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21257 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21258 @end defmethod
21259
21260 @findex gdb.search_memory
21261 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21262 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21263 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21264 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21265 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21266 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21267 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21268 the pattern could not be found.
21269 @end defmethod
21270 @end table
21271
21272 @node Threads In Python
21273 @subsubsection Threads In Python
21274 @cindex threads in python
21275
21276 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
21277 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
21278 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
21279
21280 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21281 module:
21282
21283 @findex gdb.selected_thread
21284 @defun selected_thread
21285 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
21286 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
21287 @end defun
21288
21289 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
21290
21291 @table @code
21292 @defivar InferiorThread num
21293 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
21294 @end defivar
21295
21296 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
21297 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
21298 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
21299 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
21300 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
21301 does not use that identifier.
21302 @end defivar
21303 @end table
21304
21305 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
21306
21307 @table @code
21308 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
21309 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
21310 by this object.
21311 @end defmethod
21312
21313 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
21314 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
21315 @end defmethod
21316
21317 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
21318 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
21319 @end defmethod
21320
21321 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
21322 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
21323 @end defmethod
21324 @end table
21325
21326 @node Commands In Python
21327 @subsubsection Commands In Python
21328
21329 @cindex commands in python
21330 @cindex python commands
21331 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
21332 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
21333 class, most commonly using a subclass.
21334
21335 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
21336 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
21337 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
21338 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21339
21340 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
21341 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21342 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
21343 an exception is raised.
21344
21345 There is no support for multi-line commands.
21346
21347 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21348 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
21349 new command in the help system.
21350
21351 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
21352 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
21353 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
21354 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
21355 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
21356 error will occur when completion is attempted.
21357
21358 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
21359 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
21360 registered.
21361
21362 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
21363 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
21364 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
21365 not documented.'' is used.
21366 @end defmethod
21367
21368 @cindex don't repeat Python command
21369 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
21370 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
21371 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
21372 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
21373 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
21374 @end defmethod
21375
21376 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
21377 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
21378
21379 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
21380 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
21381
21382 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
21383 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
21384 that the command came from elsewhere.
21385
21386 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
21387 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
21388
21389 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
21390 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
21391 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
21392 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
21393 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
21394 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
21395 Example:
21396
21397 @smallexample
21398 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
21399 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
21400 @end smallexample
21401
21402 @end defmethod
21403
21404 @cindex completion of Python commands
21405 @defmethod Command complete text word
21406 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
21407 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
21408 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
21409 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
21410 complete}).
21411
21412 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
21413 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
21414 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
21415 using a word-breaking heuristic.
21416
21417 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
21418 @itemize @bullet
21419 @item
21420 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
21421 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
21422 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
21423 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
21424 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
21425 sequence are ignored.
21426
21427 @item
21428 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
21429 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
21430 function is invoked, and its result is used.
21431
21432 @item
21433 All other results are treated as though there were no available
21434 completions.
21435 @end itemize
21436 @end defmethod
21437
21438 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
21439 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
21440 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
21441 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
21442 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
21443 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21444
21445 @table @code
21446 @findex COMMAND_NONE
21447 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
21448 @item COMMAND_NONE
21449 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
21450 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
21451
21452 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
21453 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
21454 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
21455 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
21456 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
21457 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21458 commands in this category.
21459
21460 @findex COMMAND_DATA
21461 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
21462 @item COMMAND_DATA
21463 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
21464 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
21465 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
21466 in this category.
21467
21468 @findex COMMAND_STACK
21469 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
21470 @item COMMAND_STACK
21471 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
21472 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
21473 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
21474 list of commands in this category.
21475
21476 @findex COMMAND_FILES
21477 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
21478 @item COMMAND_FILES
21479 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
21480 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
21481 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21482 commands in this category.
21483
21484 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
21485 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
21486 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
21487 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
21488 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
21489 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
21490 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
21491 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21492 commands in this category.
21493
21494 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
21495 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
21496 @item COMMAND_STATUS
21497 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
21498 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
21499 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
21500 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
21501
21502 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21503 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21504 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
21505 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
21506 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
21507 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
21508 this category.
21509
21510 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21511 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21512 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
21513 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
21514 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
21515 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21516 commands in this category.
21517
21518 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
21519 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
21520 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
21521 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
21522 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
21523 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
21524 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
21525 category.
21526
21527 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21528 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21529 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
21530 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
21531 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
21532 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21533 commands in this category.
21534 @end table
21535
21536 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
21537 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
21538 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
21539 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21540
21541 @table @code
21542 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
21543 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
21544 @item COMPLETE_NONE
21545 This constant means that no completion should be done.
21546
21547 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
21548 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
21549 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
21550 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
21551
21552 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
21553 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
21554 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
21555 This constant means that location completion should be done.
21556 @xref{Specify Location}.
21557
21558 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
21559 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
21560 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
21561 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
21562 command names.
21563
21564 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21565 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21566 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
21567 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
21568 as the source.
21569 @end table
21570
21571 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
21572 implemented in Python:
21573
21574 @smallexample
21575 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21576 """Greet the whole world."""
21577
21578 def __init__ (self):
21579 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21580
21581 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
21582 print "Hello, World!"
21583
21584 HelloWorld ()
21585 @end smallexample
21586
21587 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
21588 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
21589 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
21590 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
21591
21592 @node Parameters In Python
21593 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
21594
21595 @cindex parameters in python
21596 @cindex python parameters
21597 @tindex gdb.Parameter
21598 @tindex Parameter
21599 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
21600 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
21601 class.
21602
21603 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
21604 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
21605
21606 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
21607 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
21608 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
21609 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
21610 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
21611
21612 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
21613 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
21614 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
21615 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21616
21617 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
21618 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21619 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
21620 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
21621 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
21622 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
21623 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
21624
21625 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
21626 can be found, an exception is raised.
21627
21628 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21629 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
21630 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
21631
21632 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
21633 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
21634 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
21635 completion.
21636
21637 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
21638 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
21639 represent the possible values for the parameter.
21640
21641 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
21642 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
21643
21644 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
21645 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
21646 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
21647 @end defmethod
21648
21649 @defivar Parameter set_doc
21650 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
21651 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
21652 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
21653 have no effect.
21654 @end defivar
21655
21656 @defivar Parameter show_doc
21657 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
21658 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
21659 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
21660 have no effect.
21661 @end defivar
21662
21663 @defivar Parameter value
21664 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
21665 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
21666 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
21667 @end defivar
21668
21669
21670 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
21671 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
21672 module:
21673
21674 @table @code
21675 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
21676 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
21677 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
21678 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
21679 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
21680
21681 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21682 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21683 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
21684 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
21685 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
21686 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
21687
21688 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
21689 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
21690 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
21691 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
21692 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
21693
21694 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
21695 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
21696 @item PARAM_INTEGER
21697 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
21698 to mean ``unlimited''.
21699
21700 @findex PARAM_STRING
21701 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
21702 @item PARAM_STRING
21703 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
21704 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
21705 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
21706 host charset.
21707
21708 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21709 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21710 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
21711 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
21712 passed through untranslated.
21713
21714 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21715 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21716 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
21717 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
21718
21719 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
21720 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
21721 @item PARAM_FILENAME
21722 The value is a filename. This is just like
21723 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
21724
21725 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
21726 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
21727 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
21728 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
21729 is interpreted as itself.
21730
21731 @findex PARAM_ENUM
21732 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
21733 @item PARAM_ENUM
21734 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
21735 constants provided when the parameter is created.
21736 @end table
21737
21738 @node Functions In Python
21739 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
21740
21741 @cindex writing convenience functions
21742 @cindex convenience functions in python
21743 @cindex python convenience functions
21744 @tindex gdb.Function
21745 @tindex Function
21746 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
21747 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
21748 class @code{gdb.Function}.
21749
21750 @defmethod Function __init__ name
21751 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
21752 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
21753 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
21754 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
21755 the given @var{name}.
21756
21757 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
21758 string for the new class.
21759 @end defmethod
21760
21761 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
21762 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
21763 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
21764 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
21765 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
21766 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
21767 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
21768 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
21769
21770 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
21771 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
21772 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
21773 @end defmethod
21774
21775 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
21776 be implemented in Python:
21777
21778 @smallexample
21779 class Greet (gdb.Function):
21780 """Return string to greet someone.
21781 Takes a name as argument."""
21782
21783 def __init__ (self):
21784 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
21785
21786 def invoke (self, name):
21787 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
21788
21789 Greet ()
21790 @end smallexample
21791
21792 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
21793 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
21794 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
21795 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
21796
21797 @node Progspaces In Python
21798 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
21799
21800 @cindex progspaces in python
21801 @tindex gdb.Progspace
21802 @tindex Progspace
21803 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
21804 of an address space.
21805 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
21806 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21807 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
21808 about program spaces.
21809
21810 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
21811 @code{gdb} module:
21812
21813 @findex gdb.current_progspace
21814 @defun current_progspace
21815 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
21816 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
21817 @end defun
21818
21819 @findex gdb.progspaces
21820 @defun progspaces
21821 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
21822 @end defun
21823
21824 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
21825 class.
21826
21827 @defivar Progspace filename
21828 The file name of the progspace as a string.
21829 @end defivar
21830
21831 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
21832 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21833 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21834 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21835 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21836 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21837 information.
21838 @end defivar
21839
21840 @node Objfiles In Python
21841 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
21842
21843 @cindex objfiles in python
21844 @tindex gdb.Objfile
21845 @tindex Objfile
21846 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
21847 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
21848 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
21849 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
21850 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
21851
21852 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
21853 @code{gdb} module:
21854
21855 @findex gdb.current_objfile
21856 @defun current_objfile
21857 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
21858 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
21859 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
21860 this function returns @code{None}.
21861 @end defun
21862
21863 @findex gdb.objfiles
21864 @defun objfiles
21865 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
21866 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21867 @end defun
21868
21869 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
21870 class.
21871
21872 @defivar Objfile filename
21873 The file name of the objfile as a string.
21874 @end defivar
21875
21876 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
21877 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21878 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21879 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21880 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21881 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21882 information.
21883 @end defivar
21884
21885 @node Frames In Python
21886 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
21887
21888 @cindex frames in python
21889 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
21890 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
21891 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
21892 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
21893 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
21894 exception.
21895
21896 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
21897 operator, like:
21898
21899 @smallexample
21900 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
21901 True
21902 @end smallexample
21903
21904 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
21905
21906 @findex gdb.selected_frame
21907 @defun selected_frame
21908 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
21909 @end defun
21910
21911 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
21912 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
21913 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
21914 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
21915 @end defun
21916
21917 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
21918
21919 @table @code
21920 @defmethod Frame is_valid
21921 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
21922 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
21923 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
21924 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
21925 @end defmethod
21926
21927 @defmethod Frame name
21928 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
21929 obtained.
21930 @end defmethod
21931
21932 @defmethod Frame type
21933 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
21934 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
21935 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
21936 @end defmethod
21937
21938 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
21939 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
21940 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
21941 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
21942 function to a string.
21943 @end defmethod
21944
21945 @defmethod Frame pc
21946 Returns the frame's resume address.
21947 @end defmethod
21948
21949 @defmethod Frame block
21950 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
21951 @end defmethod
21952
21953 @defmethod Frame function
21954 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
21955 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
21956 @end defmethod
21957
21958 @defmethod Frame older
21959 Return the frame that called this frame.
21960 @end defmethod
21961
21962 @defmethod Frame newer
21963 Return the frame called by this frame.
21964 @end defmethod
21965
21966 @defmethod Frame find_sal
21967 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
21968 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
21969 @end defmethod
21970
21971 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
21972 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
21973 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
21974 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
21975 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
21976 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
21977 @code{gdb.Block} object.
21978 @end defmethod
21979
21980 @defmethod Frame select
21981 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
21982 Stack}.
21983 @end defmethod
21984 @end table
21985
21986 @node Blocks In Python
21987 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21988
21989 @cindex blocks in python
21990 @tindex gdb.Block
21991
21992 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
21993 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
21994 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
21995 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
21996 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
21997 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
21998 stack.
21999
22000 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22001 module:
22002
22003 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22004 @defun block_for_pc pc
22005 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22006 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22007 will return @code{None}.
22008 @end defun
22009
22010 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22011
22012 @table @code
22013 @defivar Block start
22014 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22015 @end defivar
22016
22017 @defivar Block end
22018 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22019 @end defivar
22020
22021 @defivar Block function
22022 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22023 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22024 attribute is not writable.
22025 @end defivar
22026
22027 @defivar Block superblock
22028 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22029 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22030 @end defivar
22031 @end table
22032
22033 @node Symbols In Python
22034 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22035
22036 @cindex symbols in python
22037 @tindex gdb.Symbol
22038
22039 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22040 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22041 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22042 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22043
22044 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22045 module:
22046
22047 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22048 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
22049 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22050 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22051 arguments.
22052
22053 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22054 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22055 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22056 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22057 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22058 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22059 in this chapter.
22060 @end defun
22061
22062 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22063
22064 @table @code
22065 @defivar Symbol symtab
22066 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22067 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22068 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22069 @end defivar
22070
22071 @defivar Symbol name
22072 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22073 @end defivar
22074
22075 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
22076 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22077 This attribute is not writable.
22078 @end defivar
22079
22080 @defivar Symbol print_name
22081 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
22082 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
22083 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
22084 @end defivar
22085
22086 @defivar Symbol addr_class
22087 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
22088 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
22089 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
22090 @end defivar
22091
22092 @defivar Symbol is_argument
22093 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
22094 @end defivar
22095
22096 @defivar Symbol is_constant
22097 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
22098 @end defivar
22099
22100 @defivar Symbol is_function
22101 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
22102 @end defivar
22103
22104 @defivar Symbol is_variable
22105 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
22106 @end defivar
22107 @end table
22108
22109 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22110 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22111
22112 @table @code
22113 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22114 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22115 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22116 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
22117 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
22118 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22119 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22120 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22121 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22122 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
22123 type values.
22124 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22125 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22126 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22127 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
22128 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22129 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22130 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22131 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
22132 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22133 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22134 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22135 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
22136 contains everything minus functions and types.
22137 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22138 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22139 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
22140 This domain contains all functions.
22141 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22142 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22143 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22144 This domain contains all types.
22145 @end table
22146
22147 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22148 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22149
22150 @table @code
22151 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22152 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22153 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22154 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
22155 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22156 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22157 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22158 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22159 Value is constant int.
22160 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22161 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22162 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22163 Value is at a fixed address.
22164 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22165 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22166 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22167 Value is in a register.
22168 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22169 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22170 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22171 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
22172 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
22173 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22174 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22175 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22176 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
22177 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
22178 offset, not the value itself.
22179 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22180 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22181 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22182 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
22183 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
22184 itself.
22185 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22186 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22187 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22188 Value is a local variable.
22189 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22190 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22191 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22192 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
22193 have this class.
22194 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22195 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22196 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22197 Value is a block.
22198 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22199 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22200 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22201 Value is a byte-sequence.
22202 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22203 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22204 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22205 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
22206 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
22207 referenced.
22208 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22209 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22210 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22211 The value does not actually exist in the program.
22212 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22213 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22214 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22215 The value's address is a computed location.
22216 @end table
22217
22218 @node Symbol Tables In Python
22219 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
22220
22221 @cindex symbol tables in python
22222 @tindex gdb.Symtab
22223 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
22224
22225 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
22226 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
22227 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
22228 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
22229 @xref{Frames In Python}.
22230
22231 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
22232 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
22233
22234 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
22235
22236 @table @code
22237 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
22238 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
22239 This attribute is not writable.
22240 @end defivar
22241
22242 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
22243 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
22244 writable.
22245 @end defivar
22246
22247 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
22248 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
22249 attribute is not writable.
22250 @end defivar
22251 @end table
22252
22253 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
22254
22255 @table @code
22256 @defivar Symtab filename
22257 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
22258 @end defivar
22259
22260 @defivar Symtab objfile
22261 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22262 This attribute is not writable.
22263 @end defivar
22264 @end table
22265
22266 The following methods are provided:
22267
22268 @table @code
22269 @defmethod Symtab fullname
22270 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
22271 @end defmethod
22272 @end table
22273
22274 @node Breakpoints In Python
22275 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
22276
22277 @cindex breakpoints in python
22278 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
22279
22280 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
22281 class.
22282
22283 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]}
22284 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
22285 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
22286 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
22287 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
22288 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
22289 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
22290 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
22291 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{wp_class}
22292 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
22293 defined as @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not
22294 provided, it is assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
22295 @end defmethod
22296
22297 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
22298 @code{gdb} module:
22299
22300 @table @code
22301 @findex WP_READ
22302 @findex gdb.WP_READ
22303 @item WP_READ
22304 Read only watchpoint.
22305
22306 @findex WP_WRITE
22307 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
22308 @item WP_WRITE
22309 Write only watchpoint.
22310
22311 @findex WP_ACCESS
22312 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
22313 @item WP_ACCESS
22314 Read/Write watchpoint.
22315 @end table
22316
22317 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
22318 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
22319 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
22320 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
22321 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
22322 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
22323 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
22324 @end defmethod
22325
22326 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
22327 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
22328 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22329 @end defivar
22330
22331 @defivar Breakpoint silent
22332 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
22333 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22334
22335 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
22336 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
22337 @code{silent} attribute.
22338 @end defivar
22339
22340 @defivar Breakpoint thread
22341 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
22342 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
22343 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22344 @end defivar
22345
22346 @defivar Breakpoint task
22347 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
22348 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
22349 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
22350 is writable.
22351 @end defivar
22352
22353 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
22354 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22355 This attribute is writable.
22356 @end defivar
22357
22358 @defivar Breakpoint number
22359 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
22360 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
22361 @end defivar
22362
22363 @defivar Breakpoint type
22364 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
22365 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
22366 writable.
22367 @end defivar
22368
22369 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22370 module:
22371
22372 @table @code
22373 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
22374 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
22375 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
22376 Normal code breakpoint.
22377
22378 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
22379 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
22380 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
22381 Watchpoint breakpoint.
22382
22383 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22384 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22385 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22386 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
22387
22388 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22389 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22390 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22391 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
22392
22393 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22394 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22395 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22396 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
22397 @end table
22398
22399 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
22400 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22401 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
22402 @end defivar
22403
22404 @defivar Breakpoint location
22405 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
22406 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
22407 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
22408 attribute is not writable.
22409 @end defivar
22410
22411 @defivar Breakpoint expression
22412 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
22413 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
22414 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
22415 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22416 @end defivar
22417
22418 @defivar Breakpoint condition
22419 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
22420 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
22421 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22422 @end defivar
22423
22424 @defivar Breakpoint commands
22425 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
22426 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
22427 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
22428 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22429 @end defivar
22430
22431 @node Lazy Strings In Python
22432 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
22433
22434 @cindex lazy strings in python
22435 @tindex gdb.LazyString
22436
22437 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
22438 encoded until it is needed.
22439
22440 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
22441 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
22442 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
22443 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
22444 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
22445 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
22446 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
22447 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
22448 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
22449
22450 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
22451
22452 @defmethod LazyString value
22453 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
22454 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
22455 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
22456 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
22457 @end defmethod
22458
22459 @defivar LazyString address
22460 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
22461 writable.
22462 @end defivar
22463
22464 @defivar LazyString length
22465 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
22466 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
22467 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
22468 @end defivar
22469
22470 @defivar LazyString encoding
22471 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
22472 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
22473 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
22474 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
22475 is not writable.
22476 @end defivar
22477
22478 @defivar LazyString type
22479 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
22480 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
22481 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
22482 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
22483 writable.
22484 @end defivar
22485
22486 @node Auto-loading
22487 @subsection Auto-loading
22488 @cindex auto-loading, Python
22489
22490 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
22491 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
22492 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
22493 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
22494
22495 @menu
22496 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
22497 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22498 * Which flavor to choose?::
22499 @end menu
22500
22501 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
22502 debugging commands and scripts.
22503
22504 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
22505
22506 @table @code
22507 @kindex maint set python auto-load
22508 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
22509 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
22510
22511 @kindex maint show python auto-load
22512 @item maint show python auto-load
22513 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
22514 @end table
22515
22516 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
22517 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
22518 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
22519 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
22520
22521 @node objfile-gdb.py file
22522 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
22523 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
22524
22525 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
22526 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
22527 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
22528 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
22529 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
22530 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
22531
22532 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
22533 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
22534 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
22535 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
22536
22537 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
22538 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
22539 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
22540 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
22541 is the object file's real name, as described above.
22542
22543 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
22544 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
22545 @var{objfile} is opened.
22546 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
22547 is evaluated more than once.
22548
22549 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
22550 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22551 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
22552
22553 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
22554 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
22555 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
22556 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
22557
22558 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
22559 current directory and then along the source search path
22560 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
22561 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
22562 directory is not relevant to scripts.
22563
22564 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
22565 for example, this GCC macro:
22566
22567 @example
22568 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remote duplicates. */
22569 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
22570 asm("\
22571 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
22572 .byte 1\n\
22573 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
22574 .popsection \n\
22575 ");
22576 @end example
22577
22578 @noindent
22579 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
22580
22581 @example
22582 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
22583 @end example
22584
22585 The script name may include directories if desired.
22586
22587 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
22588 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
22589
22590 @node Which flavor to choose?
22591 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
22592
22593 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
22594 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
22595
22596 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
22597
22598 @itemize @bullet
22599 @item
22600 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
22601
22602 @item
22603 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
22604
22605 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
22606 in the source search path.
22607 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
22608 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
22609
22610 @item
22611 Doesn't require source code additions.
22612 @end itemize
22613
22614 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
22615
22616 @itemize @bullet
22617 @item
22618 Works with static linking.
22619
22620 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
22621 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
22622 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
22623 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
22624
22625 @item
22626 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
22627
22628 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
22629 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
22630
22631 @item
22632 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
22633
22634 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
22635 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
22636 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
22637 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
22638 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
22639 top of the source tree to the source search path.
22640 @end itemize
22641
22642 @node Interpreters
22643 @chapter Command Interpreters
22644 @cindex command interpreters
22645
22646 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
22647 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
22648 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
22649
22650 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
22651 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
22652 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
22653 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
22654
22655 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
22656 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
22657 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
22658 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
22659
22660 @table @code
22661 @item console
22662 @cindex console interpreter
22663 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
22664 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
22665 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
22666
22667 @item mi
22668 @cindex mi interpreter
22669 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
22670 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
22671 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
22672 Interface}.
22673
22674 @item mi2
22675 @cindex mi2 interpreter
22676 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
22677
22678 @item mi1
22679 @cindex mi1 interpreter
22680 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
22681
22682 @end table
22683
22684 @cindex invoke another interpreter
22685 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
22686 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
22687 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
22688 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
22689 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
22690 the IDE inoperable!
22691
22692 @kindex interpreter-exec
22693 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
22694 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
22695 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
22696 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
22697
22698 @smallexample
22699 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
22700 @end smallexample
22701
22702 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
22703 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
22704
22705 @node TUI
22706 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
22707 @cindex TUI
22708 @cindex Text User Interface
22709
22710 @menu
22711 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
22712 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
22713 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
22714 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
22715 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
22716 @end menu
22717
22718 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
22719 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
22720 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
22721 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
22722 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
22723 is available.
22724
22725 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
22726 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
22727 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
22728 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
22729 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
22730 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
22731
22732 @node TUI Overview
22733 @section TUI Overview
22734
22735 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
22736
22737 @table @emph
22738 @item command
22739 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
22740 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
22741 managed using readline.
22742
22743 @item source
22744 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
22745 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
22746
22747 @item assembly
22748 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
22749
22750 @item register
22751 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
22752 when their values change.
22753 @end table
22754
22755 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
22756 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
22757 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
22758 indicates the breakpoint type:
22759
22760 @table @code
22761 @item B
22762 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
22763
22764 @item b
22765 Breakpoint which was never hit.
22766
22767 @item H
22768 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
22769
22770 @item h
22771 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
22772 @end table
22773
22774 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
22775
22776 @table @code
22777 @item +
22778 Breakpoint is enabled.
22779
22780 @item -
22781 Breakpoint is disabled.
22782 @end table
22783
22784 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
22785 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
22786 changes.
22787
22788 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
22789 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
22790 layouts:
22791
22792 @itemize @bullet
22793 @item
22794 source only,
22795
22796 @item
22797 assembly only,
22798
22799 @item
22800 source and assembly,
22801
22802 @item
22803 source and registers, or
22804
22805 @item
22806 assembly and registers.
22807 @end itemize
22808
22809 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
22810
22811 @table @emph
22812 @item target
22813 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
22814 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
22815
22816 @item process
22817 Gives the current process or thread number.
22818 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
22819
22820 @item function
22821 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
22822 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
22823 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
22824 the string @code{??} is displayed.
22825
22826 @item line
22827 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
22828 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
22829
22830 @item pc
22831 Indicates the current program counter address.
22832 @end table
22833
22834 @node TUI Keys
22835 @section TUI Key Bindings
22836 @cindex TUI key bindings
22837
22838 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
22839 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
22840 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
22841
22842 @table @kbd
22843 @kindex C-x C-a
22844 @item C-x C-a
22845 @kindex C-x a
22846 @itemx C-x a
22847 @kindex C-x A
22848 @itemx C-x A
22849 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
22850 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
22851 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
22852 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
22853 The screen is then refreshed.
22854
22855 @kindex C-x 1
22856 @item C-x 1
22857 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
22858 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
22859 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
22860
22861 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
22862
22863 @kindex C-x 2
22864 @item C-x 2
22865 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
22866 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
22867 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
22868 previous layout and the new one.
22869
22870 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
22871
22872 @kindex C-x o
22873 @item C-x o
22874 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
22875 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
22876 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
22877
22878 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
22879
22880 @kindex C-x s
22881 @item C-x s
22882 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
22883 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
22884 @end table
22885
22886 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
22887
22888 @table @asis
22889 @kindex PgUp
22890 @item @key{PgUp}
22891 Scroll the active window one page up.
22892
22893 @kindex PgDn
22894 @item @key{PgDn}
22895 Scroll the active window one page down.
22896
22897 @kindex Up
22898 @item @key{Up}
22899 Scroll the active window one line up.
22900
22901 @kindex Down
22902 @item @key{Down}
22903 Scroll the active window one line down.
22904
22905 @kindex Left
22906 @item @key{Left}
22907 Scroll the active window one column left.
22908
22909 @kindex Right
22910 @item @key{Right}
22911 Scroll the active window one column right.
22912
22913 @kindex C-L
22914 @item @kbd{C-L}
22915 Refresh the screen.
22916 @end table
22917
22918 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
22919 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
22920 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
22921 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
22922 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
22923
22924 @node TUI Single Key Mode
22925 @section TUI Single Key Mode
22926 @cindex TUI single key mode
22927
22928 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
22929 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
22930 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
22931
22932 @table @kbd
22933 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22934 @item c
22935 continue
22936
22937 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22938 @item d
22939 down
22940
22941 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22942 @item f
22943 finish
22944
22945 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22946 @item n
22947 next
22948
22949 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22950 @item q
22951 exit the SingleKey mode.
22952
22953 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22954 @item r
22955 run
22956
22957 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22958 @item s
22959 step
22960
22961 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22962 @item u
22963 up
22964
22965 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22966 @item v
22967 info locals
22968
22969 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22970 @item w
22971 where
22972 @end table
22973
22974 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22975 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
22976 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
22977 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
22978 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
22979 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
22980
22981
22982 @node TUI Commands
22983 @section TUI-specific Commands
22984 @cindex TUI commands
22985
22986 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
22987 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
22988 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
22989 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
22990
22991 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
22992 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
22993 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
22994 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
22995 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
22996
22997 @table @code
22998 @item info win
22999 @kindex info win
23000 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
23001
23002 @item layout next
23003 @kindex layout
23004 Display the next layout.
23005
23006 @item layout prev
23007 Display the previous layout.
23008
23009 @item layout src
23010 Display the source window only.
23011
23012 @item layout asm
23013 Display the assembly window only.
23014
23015 @item layout split
23016 Display the source and assembly window.
23017
23018 @item layout regs
23019 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
23020
23021 @item focus next
23022 @kindex focus
23023 Make the next window active for scrolling.
23024
23025 @item focus prev
23026 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
23027
23028 @item focus src
23029 Make the source window active for scrolling.
23030
23031 @item focus asm
23032 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
23033
23034 @item focus regs
23035 Make the register window active for scrolling.
23036
23037 @item focus cmd
23038 Make the command window active for scrolling.
23039
23040 @item refresh
23041 @kindex refresh
23042 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
23043
23044 @item tui reg float
23045 @kindex tui reg
23046 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
23047
23048 @item tui reg general
23049 Show the general registers in the register window.
23050
23051 @item tui reg next
23052 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
23053 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
23054 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
23055 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
23056
23057 @item tui reg system
23058 Show the system registers in the register window.
23059
23060 @item update
23061 @kindex update
23062 Update the source window and the current execution point.
23063
23064 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
23065 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
23066 @kindex winheight
23067 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
23068 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
23069 decrease it.
23070
23071 @item tabset @var{nchars}
23072 @kindex tabset
23073 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
23074 @end table
23075
23076 @node TUI Configuration
23077 @section TUI Configuration Variables
23078 @cindex TUI configuration variables
23079
23080 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
23081
23082 @table @code
23083 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
23084 @kindex set tui border-kind
23085 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
23086 The possible values are the following:
23087 @table @code
23088 @item space
23089 Use a space character to draw the border.
23090
23091 @item ascii
23092 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
23093
23094 @item acs
23095 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
23096 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
23097 @end table
23098
23099 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
23100 @kindex set tui border-mode
23101 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
23102 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
23103 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
23104 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
23105 @table @code
23106 @item normal
23107 Use normal attributes to display the border.
23108
23109 @item standout
23110 Use standout mode.
23111
23112 @item reverse
23113 Use reverse video mode.
23114
23115 @item half
23116 Use half bright mode.
23117
23118 @item half-standout
23119 Use half bright and standout mode.
23120
23121 @item bold
23122 Use extra bright or bold mode.
23123
23124 @item bold-standout
23125 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
23126 @end table
23127 @end table
23128
23129 @node Emacs
23130 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
23131
23132 @cindex Emacs
23133 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
23134 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
23135 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
23136 @value{GDBN}.
23137
23138 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
23139 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
23140 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
23141 created Emacs buffer.
23142 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
23143
23144 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
23145 things:
23146
23147 @itemize @bullet
23148 @item
23149 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
23150 the GUD buffer.
23151
23152 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
23153 and output done by the program you are debugging.
23154
23155 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
23156 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
23157 in this way.
23158
23159 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
23160 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
23161 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
23162 stop.
23163
23164 @item
23165 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
23166
23167 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
23168 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
23169 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
23170 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
23171 and the source.
23172
23173 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
23174 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
23175 @end itemize
23176
23177 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
23178 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
23179 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
23180 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
23181
23182 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
23183 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
23184 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
23185 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
23186 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
23187 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
23188 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
23189 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
23190 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
23191
23192 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
23193 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
23194 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
23195 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23196
23197 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
23198 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
23199 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
23200 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
23201 one you want.
23202
23203 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
23204 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
23205
23206 @table @kbd
23207 @item C-h m
23208 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
23209
23210 @item C-c C-s
23211 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
23212 update the display window to show the current file and location.
23213
23214 @item C-c C-n
23215 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
23216 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
23217 to show the current file and location.
23218
23219 @item C-c C-i
23220 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
23221 display window accordingly.
23222
23223 @item C-c C-f
23224 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
23225 @code{finish} command.
23226
23227 @item C-c C-r
23228 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
23229 command.
23230
23231 @item C-c <
23232 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
23233 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
23234 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
23235
23236 @item C-c >
23237 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
23238 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
23239 @end table
23240
23241 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
23242 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
23243
23244 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
23245 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
23246 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
23247 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
23248 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
23249 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
23250 speedbar displays watch expressions.
23251
23252 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
23253 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
23254 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
23255 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
23256 frame.
23257
23258 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
23259 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
23260 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
23261 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
23262 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
23263 to correspond properly with the code.
23264
23265 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
23266 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
23267 Emacs Manual}).
23268
23269 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
23270 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
23271 @ignore
23272 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
23273 @kindex Epoch
23274 @kindex inspect
23275
23276 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
23277 called the @code{epoch}
23278 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
23279 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
23280 each value is printed in its own window.
23281 @end ignore
23282
23283
23284 @node GDB/MI
23285 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
23286
23287 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
23288
23289 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
23290 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
23291 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
23292 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
23293 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
23294 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
23295
23296 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
23297 in the form of a reference manual.
23298
23299 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
23300 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
23301 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
23302
23303 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
23304
23305 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
23306 This chapter uses the following notation:
23307
23308 @itemize @bullet
23309 @item
23310 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
23311
23312 @item
23313 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
23314 it may or may not be given.
23315
23316 @item
23317 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23318 may repeat zero or more times.
23319
23320 @item
23321 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23322 may repeat one or more times.
23323
23324 @item
23325 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
23326 @end itemize
23327
23328 @ignore
23329 @heading Dependencies
23330 @end ignore
23331
23332 @menu
23333 * GDB/MI General Design::
23334 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
23335 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
23336 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
23337 * GDB/MI Output Records::
23338 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
23339 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
23340 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
23341 * GDB/MI Program Context::
23342 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
23343 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
23344 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
23345 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
23346 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
23347 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
23348 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
23349 * GDB/MI File Commands::
23350 @ignore
23351 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
23352 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
23353 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
23354 @end ignore
23355 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
23356 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
23357 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
23358 @end menu
23359
23360 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23361 @node GDB/MI General Design
23362 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
23363 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
23364
23365 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
23366 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
23367 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
23368 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
23369 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
23370 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
23371 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
23372 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
23373 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
23374 a command and reported as part of that command response.
23375
23376 The important examples of notifications are:
23377 @itemize @bullet
23378
23379 @item
23380 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
23381 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
23382 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
23383 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
23384 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
23385 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
23386 command itself was successfully executed.
23387
23388 @item
23389 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
23390 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
23391 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
23392 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
23393 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
23394 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
23395
23396 @item
23397 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
23398 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
23399 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
23400 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
23401 orthogonal frontend design.
23402
23403 @end itemize
23404
23405 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
23406 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
23407 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
23408 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
23409 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
23410 the user interface.
23411
23412
23413 @menu
23414 * Context management::
23415 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
23416 * Thread groups::
23417 @end menu
23418
23419 @node Context management
23420 @subsection Context management
23421
23422 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
23423 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
23424 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
23425 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
23426 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
23427 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
23428 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
23429 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
23430 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
23431
23432 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
23433 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
23434 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
23435 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
23436 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
23437 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
23438 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
23439 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
23440 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
23441 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
23442 for thread and frame to operate on.
23443
23444 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
23445 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
23446 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
23447 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
23448 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
23449 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
23450 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
23451 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
23452 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
23453 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
23454
23455 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
23456 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
23457 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
23458 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
23459 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
23460 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
23461 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
23462 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
23463 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
23464 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
23465 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
23466 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
23467 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
23468 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
23469 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
23470 @samp{--frame} options.
23471
23472 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
23473 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
23474
23475 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
23476 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
23477 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
23478 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
23479 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
23480 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
23481 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
23482 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
23483 @code{-list-target-features} command.
23484
23485 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
23486 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
23487 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
23488 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
23489 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
23490 are running.
23491
23492 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
23493 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
23494 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
23495 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
23496 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
23497 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
23498 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
23499 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
23500 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
23501 @samp{--thread} option).
23502
23503 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
23504 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
23505 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
23506 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
23507
23508 @node Thread groups
23509 @subsection Thread groups
23510 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
23511 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
23512 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
23513 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
23514 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
23515
23516 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
23517 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
23518 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
23519 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
23520 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
23521 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
23522 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
23523 into processes.
23524
23525 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
23526 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
23527 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
23528 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
23529 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
23530 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
23531 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
23532 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
23533 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
23534 the members of specific thread group.
23535
23536 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
23537 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
23538 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
23539 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
23540 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
23541 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
23542 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
23543 after attaching to that thread group.
23544
23545 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
23546 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
23547 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
23548 such thread groups.
23549
23550 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23551 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
23552 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
23553
23554 @menu
23555 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
23556 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
23557 @end menu
23558
23559 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
23560 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
23561
23562 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
23563 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
23564 @table @code
23565 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
23566 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
23567
23568 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
23569 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
23570 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23571
23572 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
23573 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
23574 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
23575
23576 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
23577 "any sequence of digits"
23578
23579 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
23580 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
23581
23582 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
23583 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
23584
23585 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
23586 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
23587
23588 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
23589 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
23590 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
23591
23592 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
23593 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
23594
23595 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
23596 @code{CR | CR-LF}
23597 @end table
23598
23599 @noindent
23600 Notes:
23601
23602 @itemize @bullet
23603 @item
23604 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
23605 output is described below.
23606
23607 @item
23608 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
23609 finishes.
23610
23611 @item
23612 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
23613 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
23614 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
23615 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
23616 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
23617 @end itemize
23618
23619 Pragmatics:
23620
23621 @itemize @bullet
23622 @item
23623 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
23624
23625 @item
23626 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
23627 @end itemize
23628
23629 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
23630 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
23631
23632 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
23633 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
23634 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
23635 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
23636 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
23637 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
23638
23639 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
23640 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
23641 @var{token}.
23642
23643 @table @code
23644 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
23645 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
23646
23647 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
23648 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
23649
23650 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
23651 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
23652
23653 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
23654 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
23655
23656 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
23657 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
23658
23659 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
23660 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
23661
23662 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
23663 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
23664
23665 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
23666 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
23667
23668 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
23669 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
23670
23671 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
23672 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
23673 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
23674
23675 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
23676 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
23677
23678 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
23679 @code{ @var{string} }
23680
23681 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
23682 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
23683
23684 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
23685 @code{@var{c-string}}
23686
23687 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
23688 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
23689
23690 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
23691 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
23692 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
23693
23694 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
23695 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
23696
23697 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
23698 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
23699
23700 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
23701 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
23702
23703 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
23704 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
23705
23706 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
23707 @code{CR | CR-LF}
23708
23709 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
23710 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
23711 @end table
23712
23713 @noindent
23714 Notes:
23715
23716 @itemize @bullet
23717 @item
23718 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
23719
23720 @item
23721 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
23722 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
23723 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
23724 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
23725 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
23726 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
23727 prior command.
23728
23729 @item
23730 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23731 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
23732 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
23733 prefixed by @samp{+}.
23734
23735 @item
23736 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23737 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
23738 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
23739 @samp{*}.
23740
23741 @item
23742 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23743 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
23744 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
23745 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
23746
23747 @item
23748 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23749 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
23750 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
23751 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
23752
23753 @item
23754 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23755 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
23756 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
23757
23758 @item
23759 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23760 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
23761 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
23762 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
23763
23764 @item
23765 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
23766 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
23767 @var{values}.
23768
23769
23770 @end itemize
23771
23772 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
23773 details about the various output records.
23774
23775 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23776 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
23777 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
23778
23779 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
23780 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
23781
23782 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
23783 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
23784 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
23785 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
23786 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
23787 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
23788
23789 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
23790 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
23791 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
23792
23793 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23794 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
23795 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
23796 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
23797
23798 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
23799 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
23800
23801 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
23802 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
23803 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
23804 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
23805 might change.
23806
23807 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
23808 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
23809 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
23810 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
23811
23812 @itemize @bullet
23813 @item
23814 New MI commands may be added.
23815
23816 @item
23817 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
23818
23819 @item
23820 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
23821 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
23822
23823 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
23824 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
23825
23826 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
23827 @c resolve inconsistencies.
23828 @end itemize
23829
23830 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
23831 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
23832 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
23833 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
23834 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
23835
23836 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
23837 @c version?
23838
23839 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
23840 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
23841 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
23842 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
23843 @cindex mailing lists
23844
23845 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23846 @node GDB/MI Output Records
23847 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
23848
23849 @menu
23850 * GDB/MI Result Records::
23851 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
23852 * GDB/MI Async Records::
23853 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
23854 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
23855 @end menu
23856
23857 @node GDB/MI Result Records
23858 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
23859
23860 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23861 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
23862 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
23863 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
23864
23865 @table @code
23866 @findex ^done
23867 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
23868 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
23869 values.
23870
23871 @item "^running"
23872 @findex ^running
23873 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
23874 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
23875 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
23876 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
23877 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
23878 which threads are resumed.
23879
23880 @item "^connected"
23881 @findex ^connected
23882 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
23883
23884 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
23885 @findex ^error
23886 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
23887 error message.
23888
23889 @item "^exit"
23890 @findex ^exit
23891 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
23892
23893 @end table
23894
23895 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
23896 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
23897
23898 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
23899 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23900 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
23901 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
23902 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
23903
23904 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
23905 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
23906 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
23907 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
23908 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
23909
23910 @table @code
23911 @item "~" @var{string-output}
23912 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
23913 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
23914
23915 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
23916 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
23917 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
23918 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
23919
23920 @item "&" @var{string-output}
23921 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
23922 internals.
23923 @end table
23924
23925 @node GDB/MI Async Records
23926 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
23927
23928 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23929 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
23930 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
23931 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
23932 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
23933 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
23934
23935 The following is the list of possible async records:
23936
23937 @table @code
23938
23939 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
23940 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
23941 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
23942 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
23943 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
23944 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
23945 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
23946 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
23947 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
23948 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
23949
23950 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
23951 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
23952 following values:
23953
23954 @table @code
23955 @item breakpoint-hit
23956 A breakpoint was reached.
23957 @item watchpoint-trigger
23958 A watchpoint was triggered.
23959 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
23960 A read watchpoint was triggered.
23961 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
23962 An access watchpoint was triggered.
23963 @item function-finished
23964 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23965 @item location-reached
23966 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23967 @item watchpoint-scope
23968 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
23969 @item end-stepping-range
23970 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
23971 similar CLI command was accomplished.
23972 @item exited-signalled
23973 The inferior exited because of a signal.
23974 @item exited
23975 The inferior exited.
23976 @item exited-normally
23977 The inferior exited normally.
23978 @item signal-received
23979 A signal was received by the inferior.
23980 @end table
23981
23982 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
23983 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
23984 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
23985 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
23986 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
23987 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
23988 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
23989 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
23990 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
23991 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
23992 if such information is not available.
23993
23994 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
23995 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
23996 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
23997 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
23998 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
23999 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
24000 cannot be used in any way.
24001
24002 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
24003 A thread group became associated with a running program,
24004 either because the program was just started or the thread group
24005 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
24006 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
24007 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
24008
24009 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
24010 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
24011 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
24012 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
24013 thread group.
24014
24015 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24016 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24017 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
24018 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
24019 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
24020
24021 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
24022 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
24023 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
24024 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
24025 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
24026 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
24027 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
24028
24029 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
24030 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
24031 that thread.
24032
24033 @item =library-loaded,...
24034 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
24035 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
24036 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
24037 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
24038 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
24039 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
24040 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
24041 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
24042 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
24043 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
24044 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
24045 of all present thread groups.
24046
24047 @item =library-unloaded,...
24048 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
24049 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
24050 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
24051 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
24052 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
24053 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
24054 thread groups.
24055
24056 @end table
24057
24058 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
24059 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
24060
24061 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
24062 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
24063 fields:
24064
24065 @table @code
24066 @item level
24067 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
24068 zero. This field is always present.
24069
24070 @item func
24071 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
24072 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
24073
24074 @item addr
24075 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
24076
24077 @item file
24078 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
24079 address. This field may be absent.
24080
24081 @item line
24082 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
24083 may be absent.
24084
24085 @item from
24086 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
24087 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
24088
24089 @end table
24090
24091 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
24092 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
24093
24094 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
24095 uses a tuple with the following fields:
24096
24097 @table @code
24098 @item id
24099 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
24100 always present.
24101
24102 @item target-id
24103 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
24104
24105 @item details
24106 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
24107 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
24108 frontend. This field is optional.
24109
24110 @item state
24111 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
24112 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
24113
24114 @item core
24115 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
24116 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
24117 @end table
24118
24119
24120 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24121 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
24122 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
24123 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
24124
24125 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
24126 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
24127 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
24128 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
24129
24130 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
24131 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
24132
24133 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
24134
24135 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
24136 information of the breakpoint.
24137
24138 @smallexample
24139 -> -break-insert main
24140 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24141 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
24142 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
24143 <- (gdb)
24144 @end smallexample
24145
24146 @subheading Program Execution
24147
24148 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
24149 reason that execution stopped.
24150
24151 @smallexample
24152 -> -exec-run
24153 <- ^running
24154 <- (gdb)
24155 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
24156 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
24157 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
24158 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
24159 <- (gdb)
24160 -> -exec-continue
24161 <- ^running
24162 <- (gdb)
24163 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24164 <- (gdb)
24165 @end smallexample
24166
24167 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
24168
24169 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
24170
24171 @smallexample
24172 -> (gdb)
24173 <- -gdb-exit
24174 <- ^exit
24175 @end smallexample
24176
24177 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
24178 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
24179 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
24180 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
24181 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
24182 fails to exit in reasonable time.
24183
24184 @subheading A Bad Command
24185
24186 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
24187
24188 @smallexample
24189 -> -rubbish
24190 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
24191 <- (gdb)
24192 @end smallexample
24193
24194
24195 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24196 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
24197 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
24198
24199 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
24200 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
24201
24202 @subheading Motivation
24203
24204 The motivation for this collection of commands.
24205
24206 @subheading Introduction
24207
24208 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
24209
24210 @subheading Commands
24211
24212 For each command in the block, the following is described:
24213
24214 @subsubheading Synopsis
24215
24216 @smallexample
24217 -command @var{args}@dots{}
24218 @end smallexample
24219
24220 @subsubheading Result
24221
24222 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24223
24224 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
24225
24226 @subsubheading Example
24227
24228 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
24229 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
24230
24231
24232 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24233 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
24234 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
24235
24236 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
24237 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
24238 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
24239 breakpoints.
24240
24241 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
24242 @findex -break-after
24243
24244 @subsubheading Synopsis
24245
24246 @smallexample
24247 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
24248 @end smallexample
24249
24250 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
24251 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
24252 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
24253 @samp{-break-list} command below.
24254
24255 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24256
24257 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
24258
24259 @subsubheading Example
24260
24261 @smallexample
24262 (gdb)
24263 -break-insert main
24264 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24265 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24266 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24267 (gdb)
24268 -break-after 1 3
24269 ~
24270 ^done
24271 (gdb)
24272 -break-list
24273 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24274 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24275 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24276 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24277 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24278 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24279 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24280 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24281 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24282 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24283 (gdb)
24284 @end smallexample
24285
24286 @ignore
24287 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
24288 @findex -break-catch
24289 @end ignore
24290
24291 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
24292 @findex -break-commands
24293
24294 @subsubheading Synopsis
24295
24296 @smallexample
24297 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
24298 @end smallexample
24299
24300 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
24301 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
24302 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
24303 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
24304 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
24305 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
24306
24307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24308
24309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
24310
24311 @subsubheading Example
24312
24313 @smallexample
24314 (gdb)
24315 -break-insert main
24316 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24317 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24318 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24319 (gdb)
24320 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
24321 ^done
24322 (gdb)
24323 @end smallexample
24324
24325 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
24326 @findex -break-condition
24327
24328 @subsubheading Synopsis
24329
24330 @smallexample
24331 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
24332 @end smallexample
24333
24334 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
24335 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
24336 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
24337 command below).
24338
24339 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24340
24341 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
24342
24343 @subsubheading Example
24344
24345 @smallexample
24346 (gdb)
24347 -break-condition 1 1
24348 ^done
24349 (gdb)
24350 -break-list
24351 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24352 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24353 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24354 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24355 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24356 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24357 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24358 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24359 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24360 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24361 (gdb)
24362 @end smallexample
24363
24364 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
24365 @findex -break-delete
24366
24367 @subsubheading Synopsis
24368
24369 @smallexample
24370 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24371 @end smallexample
24372
24373 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
24374 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
24375
24376 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24377
24378 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
24379
24380 @subsubheading Example
24381
24382 @smallexample
24383 (gdb)
24384 -break-delete 1
24385 ^done
24386 (gdb)
24387 -break-list
24388 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
24389 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24390 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24391 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24392 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24393 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24394 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24395 body=[]@}
24396 (gdb)
24397 @end smallexample
24398
24399 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
24400 @findex -break-disable
24401
24402 @subsubheading Synopsis
24403
24404 @smallexample
24405 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24406 @end smallexample
24407
24408 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
24409 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
24410
24411 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24412
24413 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
24414
24415 @subsubheading Example
24416
24417 @smallexample
24418 (gdb)
24419 -break-disable 2
24420 ^done
24421 (gdb)
24422 -break-list
24423 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24424 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24425 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24426 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24427 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24428 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24429 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24430 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
24431 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24432 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
24433 (gdb)
24434 @end smallexample
24435
24436 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
24437 @findex -break-enable
24438
24439 @subsubheading Synopsis
24440
24441 @smallexample
24442 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24443 @end smallexample
24444
24445 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
24446
24447 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24448
24449 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
24450
24451 @subsubheading Example
24452
24453 @smallexample
24454 (gdb)
24455 -break-enable 2
24456 ^done
24457 (gdb)
24458 -break-list
24459 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24460 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24461 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24462 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24463 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24464 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24465 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24466 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24467 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24468 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
24469 (gdb)
24470 @end smallexample
24471
24472 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
24473 @findex -break-info
24474
24475 @subsubheading Synopsis
24476
24477 @smallexample
24478 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
24479 @end smallexample
24480
24481 @c REDUNDANT???
24482 Get information about a single breakpoint.
24483
24484 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24485
24486 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
24487
24488 @subsubheading Example
24489 N.A.
24490
24491 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
24492 @findex -break-insert
24493
24494 @subsubheading Synopsis
24495
24496 @smallexample
24497 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
24498 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
24499 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
24500 @end smallexample
24501
24502 @noindent
24503 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
24504
24505 @itemize @bullet
24506 @item function
24507 @c @item +offset
24508 @c @item -offset
24509 @c @item linenum
24510 @item filename:linenum
24511 @item filename:function
24512 @item *address
24513 @end itemize
24514
24515 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
24516
24517 @table @samp
24518 @item -t
24519 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
24520 @item -h
24521 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
24522 @item -c @var{condition}
24523 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
24524 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
24525 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
24526 @item -f
24527 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
24528 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
24529 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
24530 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
24531 cannot be parsed.
24532 @item -d
24533 Create a disabled breakpoint.
24534 @item -a
24535 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
24536 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
24537 @end table
24538
24539 @subsubheading Result
24540
24541 The result is in the form:
24542
24543 @smallexample
24544 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
24545 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
24546 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
24547 times="@var{times}"@}
24548 @end smallexample
24549
24550 @noindent
24551 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
24552 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
24553 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
24554 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
24555 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
24556 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
24557 which use the same output).
24558
24559 Note: this format is open to change.
24560 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
24561
24562 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24563
24564 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
24565 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
24566
24567 @subsubheading Example
24568
24569 @smallexample
24570 (gdb)
24571 -break-insert main
24572 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
24573 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
24574 (gdb)
24575 -break-insert -t foo
24576 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
24577 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
24578 (gdb)
24579 -break-list
24580 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24581 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24582 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24583 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24584 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24585 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24586 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24587 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24588 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
24589 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
24590 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
24591 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
24592 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
24593 (gdb)
24594 -break-insert -r foo.*
24595 ~int foo(int, int);
24596 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
24597 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
24598 (gdb)
24599 @end smallexample
24600
24601 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
24602 @findex -break-list
24603
24604 @subsubheading Synopsis
24605
24606 @smallexample
24607 -break-list
24608 @end smallexample
24609
24610 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
24611
24612 @table @samp
24613 @item Number
24614 number of the breakpoint
24615 @item Type
24616 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
24617 @item Disposition
24618 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
24619 or @samp{nokeep}
24620 @item Enabled
24621 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
24622 @item Address
24623 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
24624 @item What
24625 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
24626 name, line number
24627 @item Times
24628 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
24629 @end table
24630
24631 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
24632 @code{body} field is an empty list.
24633
24634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24635
24636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
24637
24638 @subsubheading Example
24639
24640 @smallexample
24641 (gdb)
24642 -break-list
24643 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24644 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24645 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24646 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24647 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24648 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24649 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24650 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24651 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
24652 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24653 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24654 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
24655 (gdb)
24656 @end smallexample
24657
24658 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
24659
24660 @smallexample
24661 (gdb)
24662 -break-list
24663 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
24664 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24665 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24666 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24667 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24668 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24669 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24670 body=[]@}
24671 (gdb)
24672 @end smallexample
24673
24674 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
24675 @findex -break-passcount
24676
24677 @subsubheading Synopsis
24678
24679 @smallexample
24680 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
24681 @end smallexample
24682
24683 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
24684 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
24685 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
24686 command @samp{passcount}.
24687
24688 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
24689 @findex -break-watch
24690
24691 @subsubheading Synopsis
24692
24693 @smallexample
24694 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
24695 @end smallexample
24696
24697 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
24698 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
24699 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
24700 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
24701 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
24702 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
24703 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
24704 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
24705
24706 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
24707 breakpoints inserted.
24708
24709 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24710
24711 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
24712 @samp{rwatch}.
24713
24714 @subsubheading Example
24715
24716 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
24717
24718 @smallexample
24719 (gdb)
24720 -break-watch x
24721 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
24722 (gdb)
24723 -exec-continue
24724 ^running
24725 (gdb)
24726 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
24727 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
24728 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
24729 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
24730 (gdb)
24731 @end smallexample
24732
24733 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
24734 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
24735 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
24736
24737 @smallexample
24738 (gdb)
24739 -break-watch C
24740 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
24741 (gdb)
24742 -exec-continue
24743 ^running
24744 (gdb)
24745 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
24746 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
24747 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24748 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24749 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
24750 (gdb)
24751 -exec-continue
24752 ^running
24753 (gdb)
24754 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
24755 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
24756 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24757 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24758 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24759 (gdb)
24760 @end smallexample
24761
24762 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
24763 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
24764 deleted.
24765
24766 @smallexample
24767 (gdb)
24768 -break-watch C
24769 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
24770 (gdb)
24771 -break-list
24772 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24773 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24774 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24775 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24776 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24777 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24778 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24779 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24780 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24781 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24782 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
24783 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
24784 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
24785 (gdb)
24786 -exec-continue
24787 ^running
24788 (gdb)
24789 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
24790 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
24791 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24792 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24793 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
24794 (gdb)
24795 -break-list
24796 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24797 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24798 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24799 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24800 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24801 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24802 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24803 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24804 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24805 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24806 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
24807 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
24808 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
24809 (gdb)
24810 -exec-continue
24811 ^running
24812 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
24813 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
24814 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24815 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24816 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24817 (gdb)
24818 -break-list
24819 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24820 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24821 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24822 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24823 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24824 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24825 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24826 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24827 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24828 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24829 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
24830 times="1"@}]@}
24831 (gdb)
24832 @end smallexample
24833
24834 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24835 @node GDB/MI Program Context
24836 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
24837
24838 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
24839 @findex -exec-arguments
24840
24841
24842 @subsubheading Synopsis
24843
24844 @smallexample
24845 -exec-arguments @var{args}
24846 @end smallexample
24847
24848 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
24849 @samp{-exec-run}.
24850
24851 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24852
24853 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
24854
24855 @subsubheading Example
24856
24857 @smallexample
24858 (gdb)
24859 -exec-arguments -v word
24860 ^done
24861 (gdb)
24862 @end smallexample
24863
24864
24865 @ignore
24866 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
24867 @findex -exec-show-arguments
24868
24869 @subsubheading Synopsis
24870
24871 @smallexample
24872 -exec-show-arguments
24873 @end smallexample
24874
24875 Print the arguments of the program.
24876
24877 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24878
24879 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
24880
24881 @subsubheading Example
24882 N.A.
24883 @end ignore
24884
24885
24886 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
24887 @findex -environment-cd
24888
24889 @subsubheading Synopsis
24890
24891 @smallexample
24892 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
24893 @end smallexample
24894
24895 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
24896
24897 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24898
24899 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
24900
24901 @subsubheading Example
24902
24903 @smallexample
24904 (gdb)
24905 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24906 ^done
24907 (gdb)
24908 @end smallexample
24909
24910
24911 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
24912 @findex -environment-directory
24913
24914 @subsubheading Synopsis
24915
24916 @smallexample
24917 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24918 @end smallexample
24919
24920 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
24921 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
24922 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
24923 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24924 occurs as normal.
24925 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24926 multiple directories in a single command
24927 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24928 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24929 If blanks are needed as
24930 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24931 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24932 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24933 character must not be used
24934 in any directory name.
24935 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
24936
24937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24938
24939 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
24940
24941 @subsubheading Example
24942
24943 @smallexample
24944 (gdb)
24945 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24946 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24947 (gdb)
24948 -environment-directory ""
24949 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24950 (gdb)
24951 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
24952 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
24953 (gdb)
24954 -environment-directory -r
24955 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
24956 (gdb)
24957 @end smallexample
24958
24959
24960 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
24961 @findex -environment-path
24962
24963 @subsubheading Synopsis
24964
24965 @smallexample
24966 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24967 @end smallexample
24968
24969 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
24970 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
24971 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
24972 supplied in addition to the
24973 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24974 occurs as normal.
24975 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24976 multiple directories in a single command
24977 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24978 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24979 If blanks are needed as
24980 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24981 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24982 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24983 character must not be used
24984 in any directory name.
24985 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
24986
24987
24988 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24989
24990 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
24991
24992 @subsubheading Example
24993
24994 @smallexample
24995 (gdb)
24996 -environment-path
24997 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
24998 (gdb)
24999 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
25000 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
25001 (gdb)
25002 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
25003 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
25004 (gdb)
25005 @end smallexample
25006
25007
25008 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
25009 @findex -environment-pwd
25010
25011 @subsubheading Synopsis
25012
25013 @smallexample
25014 -environment-pwd
25015 @end smallexample
25016
25017 Show the current working directory.
25018
25019 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25020
25021 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
25022
25023 @subsubheading Example
25024
25025 @smallexample
25026 (gdb)
25027 -environment-pwd
25028 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
25029 (gdb)
25030 @end smallexample
25031
25032 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25033 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
25034 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
25035
25036
25037 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
25038 @findex -thread-info
25039
25040 @subsubheading Synopsis
25041
25042 @smallexample
25043 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
25044 @end smallexample
25045
25046 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
25047 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
25048 threads. When printing information about all threads,
25049 also reports the current thread.
25050
25051 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25052
25053 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
25054 about all threads.
25055
25056 @subsubheading Example
25057
25058 @smallexample
25059 -thread-info
25060 ^done,threads=[
25061 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25062 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25063 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25064 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25065 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
25066 current-thread-id="1"
25067 (gdb)
25068 @end smallexample
25069
25070 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
25071
25072 @table @code
25073 @item stopped
25074 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
25075 threads.
25076
25077 @item running
25078 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
25079 threads.
25080
25081 @end table
25082
25083 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
25084 @findex -thread-list-ids
25085
25086 @subsubheading Synopsis
25087
25088 @smallexample
25089 -thread-list-ids
25090 @end smallexample
25091
25092 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
25093 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
25094
25095 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
25096 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
25097
25098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25099
25100 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
25101
25102 @subsubheading Example
25103
25104 @smallexample
25105 (gdb)
25106 -thread-list-ids
25107 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25108 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
25109 (gdb)
25110 @end smallexample
25111
25112
25113 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
25114 @findex -thread-select
25115
25116 @subsubheading Synopsis
25117
25118 @smallexample
25119 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
25120 @end smallexample
25121
25122 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
25123 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
25124
25125 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
25126 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
25127
25128 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25129
25130 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
25131
25132 @subsubheading Example
25133
25134 @smallexample
25135 (gdb)
25136 -exec-next
25137 ^running
25138 (gdb)
25139 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
25140 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
25141 (gdb)
25142 -thread-list-ids
25143 ^done,
25144 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25145 number-of-threads="3"
25146 (gdb)
25147 -thread-select 3
25148 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
25149 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
25150 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
25151 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
25152 (gdb)
25153 @end smallexample
25154
25155 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25156 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
25157 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
25158
25159 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
25160 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
25161 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
25162 other cases.
25163
25164 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
25165 @findex -exec-continue
25166
25167 @subsubheading Synopsis
25168
25169 @smallexample
25170 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
25171 @end smallexample
25172
25173 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
25174 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
25175 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
25176 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
25177 @itemize @bullet
25178 @item
25179 breakpoints or watchpoints
25180 @item
25181 signals or exceptions
25182 @item
25183 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
25184 @item
25185 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
25186 @end itemize
25187 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
25188 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
25189 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
25190 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
25191 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
25192 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
25193
25194 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25195
25196 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
25197
25198 @subsubheading Example
25199
25200 @smallexample
25201 -exec-continue
25202 ^running
25203 (gdb)
25204 @@Hello world
25205 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
25206 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
25207 line="13"@}
25208 (gdb)
25209 @end smallexample
25210
25211
25212 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
25213 @findex -exec-finish
25214
25215 @subsubheading Synopsis
25216
25217 @smallexample
25218 -exec-finish [--reverse]
25219 @end smallexample
25220
25221 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
25222 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
25223 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
25224 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
25225 function was called.
25226
25227 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25228
25229 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
25230
25231 @subsubheading Example
25232
25233 Function returning @code{void}.
25234
25235 @smallexample
25236 -exec-finish
25237 ^running
25238 (gdb)
25239 @@hello from foo
25240 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25241 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
25242 (gdb)
25243 @end smallexample
25244
25245 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
25246 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
25247 value itself.
25248
25249 @smallexample
25250 -exec-finish
25251 ^running
25252 (gdb)
25253 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
25254 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
25255 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25256 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
25257 (gdb)
25258 @end smallexample
25259
25260
25261 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
25262 @findex -exec-interrupt
25263
25264 @subsubheading Synopsis
25265
25266 @smallexample
25267 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
25268 @end smallexample
25269
25270 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
25271 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
25272 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
25273 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
25274 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
25275
25276 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
25277 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
25278 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
25279 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
25280
25281 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
25282 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
25283 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
25284 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
25285
25286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25287
25288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
25289
25290 @subsubheading Example
25291
25292 @smallexample
25293 (gdb)
25294 111-exec-continue
25295 111^running
25296
25297 (gdb)
25298 222-exec-interrupt
25299 222^done
25300 (gdb)
25301 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
25302 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25303 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
25304 (gdb)
25305
25306 (gdb)
25307 -exec-interrupt
25308 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
25309 (gdb)
25310 @end smallexample
25311
25312 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
25313 @findex -exec-jump
25314
25315 @subsubheading Synopsis
25316
25317 @smallexample
25318 -exec-jump @var{location}
25319 @end smallexample
25320
25321 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
25322 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
25323 different forms of @var{location}.
25324
25325 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25326
25327 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
25328
25329 @subsubheading Example
25330
25331 @smallexample
25332 -exec-jump foo.c:10
25333 *running,thread-id="all"
25334 ^running
25335 @end smallexample
25336
25337
25338 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
25339 @findex -exec-next
25340
25341 @subsubheading Synopsis
25342
25343 @smallexample
25344 -exec-next [--reverse]
25345 @end smallexample
25346
25347 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
25348 of the next source line is reached.
25349
25350 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
25351 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
25352 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
25353 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
25354 source line where the function was called.
25355
25356
25357 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25358
25359 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
25360
25361 @subsubheading Example
25362
25363 @smallexample
25364 -exec-next
25365 ^running
25366 (gdb)
25367 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
25368 (gdb)
25369 @end smallexample
25370
25371
25372 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
25373 @findex -exec-next-instruction
25374
25375 @subsubheading Synopsis
25376
25377 @smallexample
25378 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
25379 @end smallexample
25380
25381 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
25382 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
25383 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
25384 printed as well.
25385
25386 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
25387 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
25388 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
25389 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
25390 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
25391
25392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25393
25394 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
25395
25396 @subsubheading Example
25397
25398 @smallexample
25399 (gdb)
25400 -exec-next-instruction
25401 ^running
25402
25403 (gdb)
25404 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25405 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
25406 (gdb)
25407 @end smallexample
25408
25409
25410 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
25411 @findex -exec-return
25412
25413 @subsubheading Synopsis
25414
25415 @smallexample
25416 -exec-return
25417 @end smallexample
25418
25419 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
25420 Displays the new current frame.
25421
25422 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25423
25424 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
25425
25426 @subsubheading Example
25427
25428 @smallexample
25429 (gdb)
25430 200-break-insert callee4
25431 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
25432 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
25433 (gdb)
25434 000-exec-run
25435 000^running
25436 (gdb)
25437 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
25438 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25439 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25440 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
25441 (gdb)
25442 205-break-delete
25443 205^done
25444 (gdb)
25445 111-exec-return
25446 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
25447 args=[@{name="strarg",
25448 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25449 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25450 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25451 (gdb)
25452 @end smallexample
25453
25454
25455 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
25456 @findex -exec-run
25457
25458 @subsubheading Synopsis
25459
25460 @smallexample
25461 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
25462 @end smallexample
25463
25464 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
25465 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
25466 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
25467 the program has exited exceptionally.
25468
25469 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
25470 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
25471 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
25472 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
25473
25474 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25475
25476 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
25477
25478 @subsubheading Examples
25479
25480 @smallexample
25481 (gdb)
25482 -break-insert main
25483 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
25484 (gdb)
25485 -exec-run
25486 ^running
25487 (gdb)
25488 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
25489 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25490 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
25491 (gdb)
25492 @end smallexample
25493
25494 @noindent
25495 Program exited normally:
25496
25497 @smallexample
25498 (gdb)
25499 -exec-run
25500 ^running
25501 (gdb)
25502 x = 55
25503 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25504 (gdb)
25505 @end smallexample
25506
25507 @noindent
25508 Program exited exceptionally:
25509
25510 @smallexample
25511 (gdb)
25512 -exec-run
25513 ^running
25514 (gdb)
25515 x = 55
25516 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
25517 (gdb)
25518 @end smallexample
25519
25520 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
25521 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
25522
25523 @smallexample
25524 (gdb)
25525 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
25526 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
25527 @end smallexample
25528
25529
25530 @c @subheading -exec-signal
25531
25532
25533 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
25534 @findex -exec-step
25535
25536 @subsubheading Synopsis
25537
25538 @smallexample
25539 -exec-step [--reverse]
25540 @end smallexample
25541
25542 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
25543 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
25544 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
25545 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
25546 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
25547 previously executed source line.
25548
25549 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25550
25551 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
25552
25553 @subsubheading Example
25554
25555 Stepping into a function:
25556
25557 @smallexample
25558 -exec-step
25559 ^running
25560 (gdb)
25561 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25562 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
25563 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
25564 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
25565 (gdb)
25566 @end smallexample
25567
25568 Regular stepping:
25569
25570 @smallexample
25571 -exec-step
25572 ^running
25573 (gdb)
25574 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
25575 (gdb)
25576 @end smallexample
25577
25578
25579 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
25580 @findex -exec-step-instruction
25581
25582 @subsubheading Synopsis
25583
25584 @smallexample
25585 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
25586 @end smallexample
25587
25588 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
25589 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
25590 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
25591 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
25592 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
25593 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
25594 as well.
25595
25596 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25597
25598 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
25599
25600 @subsubheading Example
25601
25602 @smallexample
25603 (gdb)
25604 -exec-step-instruction
25605 ^running
25606
25607 (gdb)
25608 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25609 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25610 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
25611 (gdb)
25612 -exec-step-instruction
25613 ^running
25614
25615 (gdb)
25616 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
25617 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25618 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
25619 (gdb)
25620 @end smallexample
25621
25622
25623 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
25624 @findex -exec-until
25625
25626 @subsubheading Synopsis
25627
25628 @smallexample
25629 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
25630 @end smallexample
25631
25632 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
25633 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
25634 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
25635 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
25636
25637 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25638
25639 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
25640
25641 @subsubheading Example
25642
25643 @smallexample
25644 (gdb)
25645 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
25646 ^running
25647 (gdb)
25648 x = 55
25649 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25650 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
25651 (gdb)
25652 @end smallexample
25653
25654 @ignore
25655 @subheading -file-clear
25656 Is this going away????
25657 @end ignore
25658
25659 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25660 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
25661 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
25662
25663
25664 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
25665 @findex -stack-info-frame
25666
25667 @subsubheading Synopsis
25668
25669 @smallexample
25670 -stack-info-frame
25671 @end smallexample
25672
25673 Get info on the selected frame.
25674
25675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25676
25677 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
25678 (without arguments).
25679
25680 @subsubheading Example
25681
25682 @smallexample
25683 (gdb)
25684 -stack-info-frame
25685 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
25686 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25687 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
25688 (gdb)
25689 @end smallexample
25690
25691 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
25692 @findex -stack-info-depth
25693
25694 @subsubheading Synopsis
25695
25696 @smallexample
25697 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
25698 @end smallexample
25699
25700 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
25701 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
25702
25703 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25704
25705 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
25706
25707 @subsubheading Example
25708
25709 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
25710
25711 @smallexample
25712 (gdb)
25713 -stack-info-depth
25714 ^done,depth="12"
25715 (gdb)
25716 -stack-info-depth 4
25717 ^done,depth="4"
25718 (gdb)
25719 -stack-info-depth 12
25720 ^done,depth="12"
25721 (gdb)
25722 -stack-info-depth 11
25723 ^done,depth="11"
25724 (gdb)
25725 -stack-info-depth 13
25726 ^done,depth="12"
25727 (gdb)
25728 @end smallexample
25729
25730 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
25731 @findex -stack-list-arguments
25732
25733 @subsubheading Synopsis
25734
25735 @smallexample
25736 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
25737 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
25738 @end smallexample
25739
25740 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
25741 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
25742 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
25743 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
25744 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
25745 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
25746 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
25747 which case only existing frames will be returned.
25748
25749 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25750 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25751 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25752 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25753 structures and unions.
25754
25755 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
25756 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
25757
25758 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25759
25760 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
25761 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
25762 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
25763
25764 @subsubheading Example
25765
25766 @smallexample
25767 (gdb)
25768 -stack-list-frames
25769 ^done,
25770 stack=[
25771 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25772 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25773 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
25774 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
25775 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25776 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
25777 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
25778 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25779 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
25780 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
25781 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25782 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
25783 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
25784 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25785 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
25786 (gdb)
25787 -stack-list-arguments 0
25788 ^done,
25789 stack-args=[
25790 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25791 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
25792 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
25793 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
25794 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25795 (gdb)
25796 -stack-list-arguments 1
25797 ^done,
25798 stack-args=[
25799 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25800 frame=@{level="1",
25801 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25802 frame=@{level="2",args=[
25803 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25804 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25805 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
25806 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25807 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
25808 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
25809 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25810 (gdb)
25811 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
25812 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
25813 (gdb)
25814 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
25815 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
25816 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25817 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
25818 (gdb)
25819 @end smallexample
25820
25821 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
25822
25823
25824 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
25825 @findex -stack-list-frames
25826
25827 @subsubheading Synopsis
25828
25829 @smallexample
25830 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
25831 @end smallexample
25832
25833 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
25834 following info:
25835
25836 @table @samp
25837 @item @var{level}
25838 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
25839 @item @var{addr}
25840 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
25841 @item @var{func}
25842 Function name.
25843 @item @var{file}
25844 File name of the source file where the function lives.
25845 @item @var{line}
25846 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
25847 @end table
25848
25849 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
25850 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
25851 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
25852 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
25853 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
25854 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
25855 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
25856
25857 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25858
25859 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
25860
25861 @subsubheading Example
25862
25863 Full stack backtrace:
25864
25865 @smallexample
25866 (gdb)
25867 -stack-list-frames
25868 ^done,stack=
25869 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
25870 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
25871 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25872 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25873 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25874 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25875 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25876 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25877 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25878 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25879 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25880 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25881 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25882 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25883 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25884 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25885 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25886 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25887 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25888 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25889 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25890 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25891 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
25892 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
25893 (gdb)
25894 @end smallexample
25895
25896 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
25897
25898 @smallexample
25899 (gdb)
25900 -stack-list-frames 3 5
25901 ^done,stack=
25902 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25903 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25904 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25905 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25906 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25907 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25908 (gdb)
25909 @end smallexample
25910
25911 Show a single frame:
25912
25913 @smallexample
25914 (gdb)
25915 -stack-list-frames 3 3
25916 ^done,stack=
25917 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25918 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25919 (gdb)
25920 @end smallexample
25921
25922
25923 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
25924 @findex -stack-list-locals
25925
25926 @subsubheading Synopsis
25927
25928 @smallexample
25929 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
25930 @end smallexample
25931
25932 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
25933 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25934 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25935 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25936 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25937 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
25938 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
25939 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
25940 more detail.
25941
25942 This command is deprecated in favor of the
25943 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
25944
25945 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25946
25947 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
25948
25949 @subsubheading Example
25950
25951 @smallexample
25952 (gdb)
25953 -stack-list-locals 0
25954 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
25955 (gdb)
25956 -stack-list-locals --all-values
25957 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
25958 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
25959 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
25960 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
25961 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
25962 (gdb)
25963 @end smallexample
25964
25965 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
25966 @findex -stack-list-variables
25967
25968 @subsubheading Synopsis
25969
25970 @smallexample
25971 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
25972 @end smallexample
25973
25974 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
25975 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25976 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25977 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25978 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25979 structures and unions.
25980
25981 @subsubheading Example
25982
25983 @smallexample
25984 (gdb)
25985 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
25986 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
25987 (gdb)
25988 @end smallexample
25989
25990
25991 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
25992 @findex -stack-select-frame
25993
25994 @subsubheading Synopsis
25995
25996 @smallexample
25997 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
25998 @end smallexample
25999
26000 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
26001 the stack.
26002
26003 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
26004 option to every command.
26005
26006 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26007
26008 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
26009 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
26010
26011 @subsubheading Example
26012
26013 @smallexample
26014 (gdb)
26015 -stack-select-frame 2
26016 ^done
26017 (gdb)
26018 @end smallexample
26019
26020 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26021 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
26022 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
26023
26024 @ignore
26025
26026 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26027
26028 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
26029 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
26030 used by @code{Insight}.
26031
26032 The two main reasons for that are:
26033
26034 @enumerate 1
26035 @item
26036 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
26037
26038 @item
26039 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
26040 now).
26041 @end enumerate
26042
26043 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
26044 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
26045 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
26046 hints about their use.
26047
26048 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
26049 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
26050 least, the following operations:
26051
26052 @itemize @bullet
26053 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
26054 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
26055 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
26056 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
26057 @end itemize
26058
26059 @end ignore
26060
26061 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
26062
26063 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26064
26065 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
26066 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
26067 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
26068 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
26069 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
26070 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
26071 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
26072 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
26073 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
26074 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
26075 object, or to change display format.
26076
26077 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
26078 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
26079 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
26080 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
26081 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
26082 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
26083 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
26084 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
26085 child will be created.
26086
26087 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
26088 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
26089 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
26090 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
26091 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
26092
26093 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
26094 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
26095 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
26096 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
26097 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
26098 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
26099 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
26100 variables that frontend has created.
26101
26102 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
26103 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
26104 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
26105 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
26106 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
26107 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
26108 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
26109 implicitly updated.
26110
26111 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
26112 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
26113 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
26114 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
26115 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
26116 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
26117 frame. Consider this example:
26118
26119 @smallexample
26120 void do_work(...)
26121 @{
26122 struct work_state state;
26123
26124 if (...)
26125 do_work(...);
26126 @}
26127 @end smallexample
26128
26129 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
26130 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
26131 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
26132 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
26133 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
26134
26135 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
26136 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
26137 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
26138 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
26139 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
26140 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
26141
26142 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
26143 access this functionality:
26144
26145 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
26146 @item @strong{Operation}
26147 @tab @strong{Description}
26148
26149 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
26150 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
26151 @item @code{-var-create}
26152 @tab create a variable object
26153 @item @code{-var-delete}
26154 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
26155 @item @code{-var-set-format}
26156 @tab set the display format of this variable
26157 @item @code{-var-show-format}
26158 @tab show the display format of this variable
26159 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
26160 @tab tells how many children this object has
26161 @item @code{-var-list-children}
26162 @tab return a list of the object's children
26163 @item @code{-var-info-type}
26164 @tab show the type of this variable object
26165 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
26166 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
26167 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
26168 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
26169 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
26170 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
26171 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
26172 @tab get the value of this variable
26173 @item @code{-var-assign}
26174 @tab set the value of this variable
26175 @item @code{-var-update}
26176 @tab update the variable and its children
26177 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
26178 @tab set frozeness attribute
26179 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
26180 @tab set range of children to display on update
26181 @end multitable
26182
26183 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
26184 how it can be used.
26185
26186 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
26187
26188 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
26189 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
26190
26191 @smallexample
26192 -enable-pretty-printing
26193 @end smallexample
26194
26195 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
26196 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
26197 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
26198 request that this functionality be enabled.
26199
26200 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
26201
26202 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
26203 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
26204
26205 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
26206 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
26207
26208 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
26209 @findex -var-create
26210
26211 @subsubheading Synopsis
26212
26213 @smallexample
26214 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
26215 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
26216 @end smallexample
26217
26218 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
26219 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
26220 register.
26221
26222 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
26223 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
26224 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
26225 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
26226 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
26227
26228 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
26229 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
26230 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
26231 object must be created.
26232
26233 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
26234 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
26235
26236 @itemize @bullet
26237 @item
26238 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
26239
26240 @item
26241 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
26242
26243 @item
26244 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
26245 @end itemize
26246
26247 @cindex dynamic varobj
26248 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
26249 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
26250 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
26251 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
26252 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
26253 compatibility for existing clients.
26254
26255 @subsubheading Result
26256
26257 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
26258 are:
26259
26260 @table @samp
26261 @item name
26262 The name of the varobj.
26263
26264 @item numchild
26265 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
26266 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
26267 @samp{has_more} attribute.
26268
26269 @item value
26270 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
26271 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
26272 will not be interesting.
26273
26274 @item type
26275 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
26276 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
26277
26278 @item thread-id
26279 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
26280 thread's identifier.
26281
26282 @item has_more
26283 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
26284 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
26285
26286 @item dynamic
26287 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
26288 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
26289 then this attribute will not be present.
26290
26291 @item displayhint
26292 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
26293 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
26294 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
26295 @end table
26296
26297 Typical output will look like this:
26298
26299 @smallexample
26300 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
26301 has_more="@var{has_more}"
26302 @end smallexample
26303
26304
26305 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
26306 @findex -var-delete
26307
26308 @subsubheading Synopsis
26309
26310 @smallexample
26311 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
26312 @end smallexample
26313
26314 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
26315 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
26316
26317 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
26318
26319
26320 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
26321 @findex -var-set-format
26322
26323 @subsubheading Synopsis
26324
26325 @smallexample
26326 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
26327 @end smallexample
26328
26329 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
26330 @var{format-spec}.
26331
26332 @anchor{-var-set-format}
26333 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
26334
26335 @smallexample
26336 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
26337 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
26338 @end smallexample
26339
26340 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
26341 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
26342 for pointers, etc.).
26343
26344 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
26345 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
26346
26347 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
26348 @findex -var-show-format
26349
26350 @subsubheading Synopsis
26351
26352 @smallexample
26353 -var-show-format @var{name}
26354 @end smallexample
26355
26356 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
26357
26358 @smallexample
26359 @var{format} @expansion{}
26360 @var{format-spec}
26361 @end smallexample
26362
26363
26364 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
26365 @findex -var-info-num-children
26366
26367 @subsubheading Synopsis
26368
26369 @smallexample
26370 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
26371 @end smallexample
26372
26373 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
26374
26375 @smallexample
26376 numchild=@var{n}
26377 @end smallexample
26378
26379 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
26380 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
26381 be available.
26382
26383
26384 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
26385 @findex -var-list-children
26386
26387 @subsubheading Synopsis
26388
26389 @smallexample
26390 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
26391 @end smallexample
26392 @anchor{-var-list-children}
26393
26394 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
26395 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
26396 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
26397 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
26398 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
26399 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
26400 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
26401 and unions.
26402
26403 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
26404 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
26405 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
26406 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
26407 reported.
26408
26409 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
26410 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
26411 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
26412 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
26413 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
26414 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
26415 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
26416 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
26417 the visible items.
26418
26419 For each child the following results are returned:
26420
26421 @table @var
26422
26423 @item name
26424 Name of the variable object created for this child.
26425
26426 @item exp
26427 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
26428 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
26429
26430 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
26431 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
26432
26433 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
26434 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
26435 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
26436 type and value are not present.
26437
26438 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
26439 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
26440 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
26441
26442 @item numchild
26443 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
26444 0.
26445
26446 @item type
26447 The type of the child.
26448
26449 @item value
26450 If values were requested, this is the value.
26451
26452 @item thread-id
26453 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
26454 Otherwise this result is not present.
26455
26456 @item frozen
26457 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
26458 @end table
26459
26460 The result may have its own attributes:
26461
26462 @table @samp
26463 @item displayhint
26464 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
26465 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
26466 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
26467
26468 @item has_more
26469 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
26470 remaining after the end of the selected range.
26471 @end table
26472
26473 @subsubheading Example
26474
26475 @smallexample
26476 (gdb)
26477 -var-list-children n
26478 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
26479 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
26480 (gdb)
26481 -var-list-children --all-values n
26482 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
26483 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
26484 @end smallexample
26485
26486
26487 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
26488 @findex -var-info-type
26489
26490 @subsubheading Synopsis
26491
26492 @smallexample
26493 -var-info-type @var{name}
26494 @end smallexample
26495
26496 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
26497 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
26498 @value{GDBN} CLI:
26499
26500 @smallexample
26501 type=@var{typename}
26502 @end smallexample
26503
26504
26505 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
26506 @findex -var-info-expression
26507
26508 @subsubheading Synopsis
26509
26510 @smallexample
26511 -var-info-expression @var{name}
26512 @end smallexample
26513
26514 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
26515 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
26516 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
26517
26518 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
26519 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
26520
26521 @smallexample
26522 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
26523 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
26524 @end smallexample
26525
26526 @noindent
26527 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
26528
26529 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
26530 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
26531 is of limited use.
26532
26533 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
26534 @findex -var-info-path-expression
26535
26536 @subsubheading Synopsis
26537
26538 @smallexample
26539 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
26540 @end smallexample
26541
26542 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
26543 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
26544 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
26545 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
26546 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
26547 watchpoint from a variable object.
26548
26549 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
26550 and will give an error when invoked on one.
26551
26552 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
26553 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
26554 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
26555 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
26556 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
26557 @smallexample
26558 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
26559 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
26560 @end smallexample
26561
26562 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
26563 @findex -var-show-attributes
26564
26565 @subsubheading Synopsis
26566
26567 @smallexample
26568 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
26569 @end smallexample
26570
26571 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
26572
26573 @smallexample
26574 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
26575 @end smallexample
26576
26577 @noindent
26578 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
26579
26580 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
26581 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
26582
26583 @subsubheading Synopsis
26584
26585 @smallexample
26586 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
26587 @end smallexample
26588
26589 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
26590 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
26591 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
26592 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
26593 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
26594 the current display format will be used. The current display format
26595 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
26596
26597 @smallexample
26598 value=@var{value}
26599 @end smallexample
26600
26601 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
26602 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
26603
26604 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
26605 @findex -var-assign
26606
26607 @subsubheading Synopsis
26608
26609 @smallexample
26610 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
26611 @end smallexample
26612
26613 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
26614 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
26615 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
26616 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
26617
26618 @subsubheading Example
26619
26620 @smallexample
26621 (gdb)
26622 -var-assign var1 3
26623 ^done,value="3"
26624 (gdb)
26625 -var-update *
26626 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
26627 (gdb)
26628 @end smallexample
26629
26630 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
26631 @findex -var-update
26632
26633 @subsubheading Synopsis
26634
26635 @smallexample
26636 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
26637 @end smallexample
26638
26639 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
26640 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
26641 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
26642 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
26643 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
26644 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
26645 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
26646 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
26647 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
26648 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
26649 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
26650 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
26651 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
26652
26653 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
26654 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
26655 diagnostic.
26656
26657 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
26658 only the selected range of children will be reported.
26659
26660 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
26661 @samp{changelist}.
26662
26663 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
26664
26665 @table @samp
26666 @item name
26667 The name of the varobj.
26668
26669 @item value
26670 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
26671 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
26672
26673 @item in_scope
26674 @anchor{-var-update}
26675 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
26676
26677 @table @code
26678 @item "true"
26679 The variable object's current value is valid.
26680
26681 @item "false"
26682 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
26683 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
26684 scope.
26685
26686 @item "invalid"
26687 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
26688 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
26689 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
26690 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
26691 objects.
26692 @end table
26693
26694 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
26695 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
26696
26697 @item type_changed
26698 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
26699 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
26700 be @samp{false}.
26701
26702 @item new_type
26703 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
26704 hold the new type.
26705
26706 @item new_num_children
26707 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
26708 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
26709
26710 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
26711 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
26712 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
26713 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
26714 children which may be available.
26715
26716 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
26717 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
26718 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
26719 only happen at the end of the update range).
26720
26721 @item displayhint
26722 The display hint, if any.
26723
26724 @item has_more
26725 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
26726 available outside the varobj's update range.
26727
26728 @item dynamic
26729 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
26730 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
26731 then this attribute will not be present.
26732
26733 @item new_children
26734 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
26735 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
26736 be listed in this attribute.
26737 @end table
26738
26739 @subsubheading Example
26740
26741 @smallexample
26742 (gdb)
26743 -var-assign var1 3
26744 ^done,value="3"
26745 (gdb)
26746 -var-update --all-values var1
26747 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
26748 type_changed="false"@}]
26749 (gdb)
26750 @end smallexample
26751
26752 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
26753 @findex -var-set-frozen
26754 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
26755
26756 @subsubheading Synopsis
26757
26758 @smallexample
26759 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
26760 @end smallexample
26761
26762 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
26763 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
26764 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
26765 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
26766 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
26767 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
26768 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
26769 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
26770 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
26771 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
26772 @code{-var-update} does.
26773
26774 @subsubheading Example
26775
26776 @smallexample
26777 (gdb)
26778 -var-set-frozen V 1
26779 ^done
26780 (gdb)
26781 @end smallexample
26782
26783 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
26784 @findex -var-set-update-range
26785 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
26786
26787 @subsubheading Synopsis
26788
26789 @smallexample
26790 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
26791 @end smallexample
26792
26793 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
26794 @code{-var-update}.
26795
26796 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
26797 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
26798 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
26799 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
26800
26801 @subsubheading Example
26802
26803 @smallexample
26804 (gdb)
26805 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
26806 ^done
26807 @end smallexample
26808
26809 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
26810 @findex -var-set-visualizer
26811 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
26812
26813 @subsubheading Synopsis
26814
26815 @smallexample
26816 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
26817 @end smallexample
26818
26819 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
26820
26821 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
26822 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
26823
26824 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
26825 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
26826 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
26827 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
26828 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
26829 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
26830 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
26831
26832 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
26833 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
26834 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
26835 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
26836
26837 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
26838 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
26839 can be used to check this.
26840
26841 @subsubheading Example
26842
26843 Resetting the visualizer:
26844
26845 @smallexample
26846 (gdb)
26847 -var-set-visualizer V None
26848 ^done
26849 @end smallexample
26850
26851 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
26852
26853 @smallexample
26854 (gdb)
26855 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
26856 ^done
26857 @end smallexample
26858
26859 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
26860 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
26861
26862 @smallexample
26863 (gdb)
26864 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
26865 ^done
26866 @end smallexample
26867
26868 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26869 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
26870 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
26871
26872 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
26873 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
26874 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
26875 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
26876
26877 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
26878 @c @subheading -data-assign
26879 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
26880 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
26881 @c set variable
26882 @c @subsubheading Example
26883 @c N.A.
26884
26885 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
26886 @findex -data-disassemble
26887
26888 @subsubheading Synopsis
26889
26890 @smallexample
26891 -data-disassemble
26892 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
26893 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
26894 -- @var{mode}
26895 @end smallexample
26896
26897 @noindent
26898 Where:
26899
26900 @table @samp
26901 @item @var{start-addr}
26902 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
26903 @item @var{end-addr}
26904 is the end address
26905 @item @var{filename}
26906 is the name of the file to disassemble
26907 @item @var{linenum}
26908 is the line number to disassemble around
26909 @item @var{lines}
26910 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
26911 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
26912 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
26913 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
26914 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
26915 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
26916 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
26917 are displayed.
26918 @item @var{mode}
26919 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
26920 disassembly).
26921 @end table
26922
26923 @subsubheading Result
26924
26925 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
26926
26927 @itemize @bullet
26928 @item Address
26929 @item Func-name
26930 @item Offset
26931 @item Instruction
26932 @end itemize
26933
26934 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
26935 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
26936
26937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26938
26939 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
26940
26941 @subsubheading Example
26942
26943 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
26944
26945 @smallexample
26946 (gdb)
26947 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
26948 ^done,
26949 asm_insns=[
26950 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26951 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26952 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26953 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26954 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
26955 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
26956 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
26957 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26958 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
26959 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
26960 (gdb)
26961 @end smallexample
26962
26963 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
26964 @code{main}.
26965
26966 @smallexample
26967 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
26968 ^done,asm_insns=[
26969 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26970 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26971 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26972 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26973 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26974 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26975 [@dots{}]
26976 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
26977 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
26978 (gdb)
26979 @end smallexample
26980
26981 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
26982
26983 @smallexample
26984 (gdb)
26985 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
26986 ^done,asm_insns=[
26987 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26988 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26989 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26990 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26991 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26992 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
26993 (gdb)
26994 @end smallexample
26995
26996 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
26997
26998 @smallexample
26999 (gdb)
27000 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
27001 ^done,asm_insns=[
27002 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
27003 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27004 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27005 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27006 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
27007 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
27008 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27009 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27010 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27011 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27012 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27013 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
27014 (gdb)
27015 @end smallexample
27016
27017
27018 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
27019 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
27020
27021 @subsubheading Synopsis
27022
27023 @smallexample
27024 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
27025 @end smallexample
27026
27027 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
27028 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
27029 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
27030
27031 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27032
27033 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
27034 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
27035 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
27036
27037 @subsubheading Example
27038
27039 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
27040 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
27041 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
27042 output.
27043
27044 @smallexample
27045 211-data-evaluate-expression A
27046 211^done,value="1"
27047 (gdb)
27048 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
27049 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
27050 (gdb)
27051 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
27052 411^done,value="4"
27053 (gdb)
27054 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
27055 511^done,value="4"
27056 (gdb)
27057 @end smallexample
27058
27059
27060 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
27061 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
27062
27063 @subsubheading Synopsis
27064
27065 @smallexample
27066 -data-list-changed-registers
27067 @end smallexample
27068
27069 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
27070
27071 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27072
27073 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
27074 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
27075
27076 @subsubheading Example
27077
27078 On a PPC MBX board:
27079
27080 @smallexample
27081 (gdb)
27082 -exec-continue
27083 ^running
27084
27085 (gdb)
27086 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
27087 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
27088 line="5"@}
27089 (gdb)
27090 -data-list-changed-registers
27091 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
27092 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
27093 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
27094 (gdb)
27095 @end smallexample
27096
27097
27098 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
27099 @findex -data-list-register-names
27100
27101 @subsubheading Synopsis
27102
27103 @smallexample
27104 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
27105 @end smallexample
27106
27107 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
27108 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
27109 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
27110 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
27111 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
27112 include empty register names.
27113
27114 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27115
27116 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
27117 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
27118 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
27119
27120 @subsubheading Example
27121
27122 For the PPC MBX board:
27123 @smallexample
27124 (gdb)
27125 -data-list-register-names
27126 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
27127 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
27128 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
27129 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
27130 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
27131 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
27132 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
27133 (gdb)
27134 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
27135 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
27136 (gdb)
27137 @end smallexample
27138
27139 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
27140 @findex -data-list-register-values
27141
27142 @subsubheading Synopsis
27143
27144 @smallexample
27145 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
27146 @end smallexample
27147
27148 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
27149 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
27150 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
27151 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
27152
27153 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
27154
27155 @table @code
27156 @item x
27157 Hexadecimal
27158 @item o
27159 Octal
27160 @item t
27161 Binary
27162 @item d
27163 Decimal
27164 @item r
27165 Raw
27166 @item N
27167 Natural
27168 @end table
27169
27170 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27171
27172 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
27173 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
27174
27175 @subsubheading Example
27176
27177 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
27178 don't appear in the actual output):
27179
27180 @smallexample
27181 (gdb)
27182 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
27183 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27184 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
27185 (gdb)
27186 -data-list-register-values x
27187 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
27188 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27189 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
27190 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
27191 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
27192 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
27193 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
27194 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
27195 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
27196 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27197 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
27198 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
27199 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
27200 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
27201 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
27202 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
27203 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
27204 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
27205 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
27206 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
27207 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
27208 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
27209 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
27210 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
27211 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
27212 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
27213 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
27214 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
27215 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
27216 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
27217 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
27218 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
27219 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27220 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
27221 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
27222 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
27223 (gdb)
27224 @end smallexample
27225
27226
27227 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
27228 @findex -data-read-memory
27229
27230 @subsubheading Synopsis
27231
27232 @smallexample
27233 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27234 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
27235 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
27236 @end smallexample
27237
27238 @noindent
27239 where:
27240
27241 @table @samp
27242 @item @var{address}
27243 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
27244 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
27245 quoted using the C convention.
27246
27247 @item @var{word-format}
27248 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
27249 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
27250 ,Output Formats}).
27251
27252 @item @var{word-size}
27253 The size of each memory word in bytes.
27254
27255 @item @var{nr-rows}
27256 The number of rows in the output table.
27257
27258 @item @var{nr-cols}
27259 The number of columns in the output table.
27260
27261 @item @var{aschar}
27262 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
27263 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
27264 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
27265 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
27266
27267 @item @var{byte-offset}
27268 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
27269 @end table
27270
27271 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
27272 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
27273 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
27274 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
27275 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
27276 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
27277 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
27278 @samp{addr}.
27279
27280 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
27281 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
27282 @samp{prev-page}.
27283
27284 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27285
27286 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
27287 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
27288
27289 @subsubheading Example
27290
27291 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
27292 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
27293 word. Display each word in hex.
27294
27295 @smallexample
27296 (gdb)
27297 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
27298 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
27299 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
27300 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
27301 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
27302 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
27303 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
27304 (gdb)
27305 @end smallexample
27306
27307 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
27308 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
27309
27310 @smallexample
27311 (gdb)
27312 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
27313 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
27314 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
27315 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
27316 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
27317 (gdb)
27318 @end smallexample
27319
27320 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
27321 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
27322 used as the non-printable character.
27323
27324 @smallexample
27325 (gdb)
27326 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
27327 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
27328 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
27329 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
27330 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27331 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27332 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27333 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27334 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
27335 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
27336 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
27337 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
27338 (gdb)
27339 @end smallexample
27340
27341 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27342 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
27343 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
27344
27345 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
27346 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
27347
27348 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
27349 @findex -trace-find
27350
27351 @subsubheading Synopsis
27352
27353 @smallexample
27354 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
27355 @end smallexample
27356
27357 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
27358 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
27359 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
27360
27361 @table @samp
27362
27363 @item none
27364 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
27365
27366 @item frame-number
27367 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
27368 that index.
27369
27370 @item tracepoint-number
27371 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
27372 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
27373
27374 @item pc
27375 An address is required as parameter. Finds
27376 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
27377 address.
27378
27379 @item pc-inside-range
27380 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
27381 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
27382 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
27383
27384 @item pc-outside-range
27385 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
27386 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
27387 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
27388
27389 @item line
27390 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
27391 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
27392 the specified location.
27393
27394 @end table
27395
27396 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
27397 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
27398
27399 @table @samp
27400 @item found
27401 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
27402 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
27403
27404 @item traceframe
27405 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
27406 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
27407
27408 @item tracepoint
27409 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
27410 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
27411
27412 @item frame
27413 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
27414 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
27415 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
27416
27417 @end table
27418
27419 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27420
27421 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
27422
27423 @subheading -trace-define-variable
27424 @findex -trace-define-variable
27425
27426 @subsubheading Synopsis
27427
27428 @smallexample
27429 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
27430 @end smallexample
27431
27432 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
27433 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
27434 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
27435 with the @samp{$} character.
27436
27437 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27438
27439 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
27440
27441 @subheading -trace-list-variables
27442 @findex -trace-list-variables
27443
27444 @subsubheading Synopsis
27445
27446 @smallexample
27447 -trace-list-variables
27448 @end smallexample
27449
27450 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
27451 table has the following fields:
27452
27453 @table @samp
27454 @item name
27455 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
27456
27457 @item initial
27458 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
27459 field is always present.
27460
27461 @item current
27462 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
27463 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
27464 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
27465 presently running.
27466
27467 @end table
27468
27469 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27470
27471 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
27472
27473 @subsubheading Example
27474
27475 @smallexample
27476 (gdb)
27477 -trace-list-variables
27478 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
27479 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
27480 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
27481 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
27482 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
27483 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
27484 (gdb)
27485 @end smallexample
27486
27487 @subheading -trace-save
27488 @findex -trace-save
27489
27490 @subsubheading Synopsis
27491
27492 @smallexample
27493 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
27494 @end smallexample
27495
27496 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
27497 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
27498 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
27499 to perform the save.
27500
27501 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27502
27503 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
27504
27505
27506 @subheading -trace-start
27507 @findex -trace-start
27508
27509 @subsubheading Synopsis
27510
27511 @smallexample
27512 -trace-start
27513 @end smallexample
27514
27515 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
27516 have any fields.
27517
27518 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27519
27520 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
27521
27522 @subheading -trace-status
27523 @findex -trace-status
27524
27525 @subsubheading Synopsis
27526
27527 @smallexample
27528 -trace-status
27529 @end smallexample
27530
27531 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
27532 the following fields:
27533
27534 @table @samp
27535
27536 @item supported
27537 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
27538 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
27539 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
27540 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
27541 started. This field is always present.
27542
27543 @item running
27544 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
27545 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
27546 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
27547
27548 @item stop-reason
27549 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
27550 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
27551 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
27552 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
27553 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
27554 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
27555 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
27556 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
27557 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
27558
27559 @item stopping-tracepoint
27560 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
27561 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
27562 @samp{passcount}.
27563
27564 @item frames
27565 @itemx frames-created
27566 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
27567 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
27568 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
27569 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
27570
27571 @item buffer-size
27572 @itemx buffer-free
27573 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
27574 remaining space. These fields are optional.
27575
27576 @item circular
27577 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
27578 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
27579 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
27580 and may fill up.
27581
27582 @item disconnected
27583 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
27584 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
27585 that the trace run will stop.
27586
27587 @end table
27588
27589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27590
27591 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
27592
27593 @subheading -trace-stop
27594 @findex -trace-stop
27595
27596 @subsubheading Synopsis
27597
27598 @smallexample
27599 -trace-stop
27600 @end smallexample
27601
27602 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
27603 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
27604 @samp{running} fields are not output.
27605
27606 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27607
27608 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
27609
27610
27611 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27612 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
27613 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
27614
27615
27616 @ignore
27617 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
27618 @findex -symbol-info-address
27619
27620 @subsubheading Synopsis
27621
27622 @smallexample
27623 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
27624 @end smallexample
27625
27626 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
27627
27628 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27629
27630 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
27631
27632 @subsubheading Example
27633 N.A.
27634
27635
27636 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
27637 @findex -symbol-info-file
27638
27639 @subsubheading Synopsis
27640
27641 @smallexample
27642 -symbol-info-file
27643 @end smallexample
27644
27645 Show the file for the symbol.
27646
27647 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27648
27649 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
27650 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
27651
27652 @subsubheading Example
27653 N.A.
27654
27655
27656 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
27657 @findex -symbol-info-function
27658
27659 @subsubheading Synopsis
27660
27661 @smallexample
27662 -symbol-info-function
27663 @end smallexample
27664
27665 Show which function the symbol lives in.
27666
27667 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27668
27669 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
27670
27671 @subsubheading Example
27672 N.A.
27673
27674
27675 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
27676 @findex -symbol-info-line
27677
27678 @subsubheading Synopsis
27679
27680 @smallexample
27681 -symbol-info-line
27682 @end smallexample
27683
27684 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
27685
27686 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27687
27688 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
27689 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
27690
27691 @subsubheading Example
27692 N.A.
27693
27694
27695 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
27696 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
27697
27698 @subsubheading Synopsis
27699
27700 @smallexample
27701 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
27702 @end smallexample
27703
27704 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
27705
27706 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27707
27708 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
27709
27710 @subsubheading Example
27711 N.A.
27712
27713
27714 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
27715 @findex -symbol-list-functions
27716
27717 @subsubheading Synopsis
27718
27719 @smallexample
27720 -symbol-list-functions
27721 @end smallexample
27722
27723 List the functions in the executable.
27724
27725 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27726
27727 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
27728 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27729
27730 @subsubheading Example
27731 N.A.
27732 @end ignore
27733
27734
27735 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
27736 @findex -symbol-list-lines
27737
27738 @subsubheading Synopsis
27739
27740 @smallexample
27741 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
27742 @end smallexample
27743
27744 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
27745 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
27746 ascending PC order.
27747
27748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27749
27750 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
27751
27752 @subsubheading Example
27753 @smallexample
27754 (gdb)
27755 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
27756 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
27757 (gdb)
27758 @end smallexample
27759
27760
27761 @ignore
27762 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
27763 @findex -symbol-list-types
27764
27765 @subsubheading Synopsis
27766
27767 @smallexample
27768 -symbol-list-types
27769 @end smallexample
27770
27771 List all the type names.
27772
27773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27774
27775 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
27776 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27777
27778 @subsubheading Example
27779 N.A.
27780
27781
27782 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
27783 @findex -symbol-list-variables
27784
27785 @subsubheading Synopsis
27786
27787 @smallexample
27788 -symbol-list-variables
27789 @end smallexample
27790
27791 List all the global and static variable names.
27792
27793 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27794
27795 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27796
27797 @subsubheading Example
27798 N.A.
27799
27800
27801 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
27802 @findex -symbol-locate
27803
27804 @subsubheading Synopsis
27805
27806 @smallexample
27807 -symbol-locate
27808 @end smallexample
27809
27810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27811
27812 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
27813
27814 @subsubheading Example
27815 N.A.
27816
27817
27818 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
27819 @findex -symbol-type
27820
27821 @subsubheading Synopsis
27822
27823 @smallexample
27824 -symbol-type @var{variable}
27825 @end smallexample
27826
27827 Show type of @var{variable}.
27828
27829 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27830
27831 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
27832 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
27833
27834 @subsubheading Example
27835 N.A.
27836 @end ignore
27837
27838
27839 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27840 @node GDB/MI File Commands
27841 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
27842
27843 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
27844 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
27845
27846 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
27847 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
27848
27849 @subsubheading Synopsis
27850
27851 @smallexample
27852 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
27853 @end smallexample
27854
27855 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
27856 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
27857 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
27858 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
27859 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
27860 notification.
27861
27862 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27863
27864 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
27865
27866 @subsubheading Example
27867
27868 @smallexample
27869 (gdb)
27870 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27871 ^done
27872 (gdb)
27873 @end smallexample
27874
27875
27876 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
27877 @findex -file-exec-file
27878
27879 @subsubheading Synopsis
27880
27881 @smallexample
27882 -file-exec-file @var{file}
27883 @end smallexample
27884
27885 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
27886 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
27887 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
27888 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
27889 notification.
27890
27891 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27892
27893 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
27894
27895 @subsubheading Example
27896
27897 @smallexample
27898 (gdb)
27899 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27900 ^done
27901 (gdb)
27902 @end smallexample
27903
27904
27905 @ignore
27906 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
27907 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
27908
27909 @subsubheading Synopsis
27910
27911 @smallexample
27912 -file-list-exec-sections
27913 @end smallexample
27914
27915 List the sections of the current executable file.
27916
27917 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27918
27919 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
27920 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
27921 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
27922
27923 @subsubheading Example
27924 N.A.
27925 @end ignore
27926
27927
27928 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
27929 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
27930
27931 @subsubheading Synopsis
27932
27933 @smallexample
27934 -file-list-exec-source-file
27935 @end smallexample
27936
27937 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
27938 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
27939 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
27940 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
27941
27942 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27943
27944 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
27945
27946 @subsubheading Example
27947
27948 @smallexample
27949 (gdb)
27950 123-file-list-exec-source-file
27951 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
27952 (gdb)
27953 @end smallexample
27954
27955
27956 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
27957 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
27958
27959 @subsubheading Synopsis
27960
27961 @smallexample
27962 -file-list-exec-source-files
27963 @end smallexample
27964
27965 List the source files for the current executable.
27966
27967 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
27968 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
27969
27970 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27971
27972 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
27973 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
27974
27975 @subsubheading Example
27976 @smallexample
27977 (gdb)
27978 -file-list-exec-source-files
27979 ^done,files=[
27980 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
27981 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
27982 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
27983 (gdb)
27984 @end smallexample
27985
27986 @ignore
27987 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
27988 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
27989
27990 @subsubheading Synopsis
27991
27992 @smallexample
27993 -file-list-shared-libraries
27994 @end smallexample
27995
27996 List the shared libraries in the program.
27997
27998 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27999
28000 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
28001
28002 @subsubheading Example
28003 N.A.
28004
28005
28006 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
28007 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
28008
28009 @subsubheading Synopsis
28010
28011 @smallexample
28012 -file-list-symbol-files
28013 @end smallexample
28014
28015 List symbol files.
28016
28017 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28018
28019 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
28020
28021 @subsubheading Example
28022 N.A.
28023 @end ignore
28024
28025
28026 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
28027 @findex -file-symbol-file
28028
28029 @subsubheading Synopsis
28030
28031 @smallexample
28032 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
28033 @end smallexample
28034
28035 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
28036 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
28037 produced, except for a completion notification.
28038
28039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28040
28041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
28042
28043 @subsubheading Example
28044
28045 @smallexample
28046 (gdb)
28047 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28048 ^done
28049 (gdb)
28050 @end smallexample
28051
28052 @ignore
28053 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28054 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
28055 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
28056
28057 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
28058
28059 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
28060
28061 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
28062
28063 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
28064
28065 @c @subheading -overlay-map
28066
28067 @c @subheading -overlay-off
28068
28069 @c @subheading -overlay-on
28070
28071 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
28072
28073 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28074 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
28075 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
28076
28077 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
28078
28079 @c @subheading -signal-handle
28080
28081 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
28082
28083 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
28084 @end ignore
28085
28086
28087 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28088 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
28089 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
28090
28091
28092 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
28093 @findex -target-attach
28094
28095 @subsubheading Synopsis
28096
28097 @smallexample
28098 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
28099 @end smallexample
28100
28101 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
28102 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
28103 group, the id previously returned by
28104 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
28105
28106 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28107
28108 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
28109
28110 @subsubheading Example
28111 @smallexample
28112 (gdb)
28113 -target-attach 34
28114 =thread-created,id="1"
28115 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
28116 ^done
28117 (gdb)
28118 @end smallexample
28119
28120 @ignore
28121 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
28122 @findex -target-compare-sections
28123
28124 @subsubheading Synopsis
28125
28126 @smallexample
28127 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
28128 @end smallexample
28129
28130 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
28131 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
28132
28133 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28134
28135 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
28136
28137 @subsubheading Example
28138 N.A.
28139 @end ignore
28140
28141
28142 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
28143 @findex -target-detach
28144
28145 @subsubheading Synopsis
28146
28147 @smallexample
28148 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
28149 @end smallexample
28150
28151 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
28152 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
28153 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
28154
28155 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28156
28157 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
28158
28159 @subsubheading Example
28160
28161 @smallexample
28162 (gdb)
28163 -target-detach
28164 ^done
28165 (gdb)
28166 @end smallexample
28167
28168
28169 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
28170 @findex -target-disconnect
28171
28172 @subsubheading Synopsis
28173
28174 @smallexample
28175 -target-disconnect
28176 @end smallexample
28177
28178 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
28179 generally not resumed.
28180
28181 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28182
28183 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
28184
28185 @subsubheading Example
28186
28187 @smallexample
28188 (gdb)
28189 -target-disconnect
28190 ^done
28191 (gdb)
28192 @end smallexample
28193
28194
28195 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
28196 @findex -target-download
28197
28198 @subsubheading Synopsis
28199
28200 @smallexample
28201 -target-download
28202 @end smallexample
28203
28204 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
28205 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
28206
28207 @table @samp
28208 @item section
28209 The name of the section.
28210 @item section-sent
28211 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
28212 @item section-size
28213 The size of the section.
28214 @item total-sent
28215 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
28216 @item total-size
28217 The size of the overall executable to download.
28218 @end table
28219
28220 @noindent
28221 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
28222 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
28223
28224 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
28225 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
28226
28227 @table @samp
28228 @item section
28229 The name of the section.
28230 @item section-size
28231 The size of the section.
28232 @item total-size
28233 The size of the overall executable to download.
28234 @end table
28235
28236 @noindent
28237 At the end, a summary is printed.
28238
28239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28240
28241 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
28242
28243 @subsubheading Example
28244
28245 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
28246 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
28247
28248 @smallexample
28249 (gdb)
28250 -target-download
28251 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
28252 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
28253 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
28254 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
28255 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
28256 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
28257 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
28258 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
28259 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
28260 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
28261 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
28262 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
28263 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
28264 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
28265 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
28266 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
28267 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
28268 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
28269 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
28270 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
28271 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
28272 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
28273 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
28274 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
28275 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
28276 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
28277 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
28278 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
28279 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
28280 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
28281 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
28282 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
28283 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
28284 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
28285 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
28286 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
28287 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
28288 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
28289 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
28290 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
28291 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
28292 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
28293 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
28294 write-rate="429"
28295 (gdb)
28296 @end smallexample
28297
28298
28299 @ignore
28300 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
28301 @findex -target-exec-status
28302
28303 @subsubheading Synopsis
28304
28305 @smallexample
28306 -target-exec-status
28307 @end smallexample
28308
28309 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
28310 not, for instance).
28311
28312 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28313
28314 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
28315
28316 @subsubheading Example
28317 N.A.
28318
28319
28320 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
28321 @findex -target-list-available-targets
28322
28323 @subsubheading Synopsis
28324
28325 @smallexample
28326 -target-list-available-targets
28327 @end smallexample
28328
28329 List the possible targets to connect to.
28330
28331 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28332
28333 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
28334
28335 @subsubheading Example
28336 N.A.
28337
28338
28339 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
28340 @findex -target-list-current-targets
28341
28342 @subsubheading Synopsis
28343
28344 @smallexample
28345 -target-list-current-targets
28346 @end smallexample
28347
28348 Describe the current target.
28349
28350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28351
28352 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
28353 other things).
28354
28355 @subsubheading Example
28356 N.A.
28357
28358
28359 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
28360 @findex -target-list-parameters
28361
28362 @subsubheading Synopsis
28363
28364 @smallexample
28365 -target-list-parameters
28366 @end smallexample
28367
28368 @c ????
28369 @end ignore
28370
28371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28372
28373 No equivalent.
28374
28375 @subsubheading Example
28376 N.A.
28377
28378
28379 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
28380 @findex -target-select
28381
28382 @subsubheading Synopsis
28383
28384 @smallexample
28385 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
28386 @end smallexample
28387
28388 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
28389
28390 @table @samp
28391 @item @var{type}
28392 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
28393 @item @var{parameters}
28394 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
28395 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
28396 @end table
28397
28398 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
28399 which the target program is, in the following form:
28400
28401 @smallexample
28402 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
28403 args=[@var{arg list}]
28404 @end smallexample
28405
28406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28407
28408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
28409
28410 @subsubheading Example
28411
28412 @smallexample
28413 (gdb)
28414 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
28415 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
28416 (gdb)
28417 @end smallexample
28418
28419 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28420 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
28421 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
28422
28423
28424 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
28425 @findex -target-file-put
28426
28427 @subsubheading Synopsis
28428
28429 @smallexample
28430 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
28431 @end smallexample
28432
28433 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
28434 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
28435
28436 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28437
28438 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
28439
28440 @subsubheading Example
28441
28442 @smallexample
28443 (gdb)
28444 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
28445 ^done
28446 (gdb)
28447 @end smallexample
28448
28449
28450 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
28451 @findex -target-file-get
28452
28453 @subsubheading Synopsis
28454
28455 @smallexample
28456 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
28457 @end smallexample
28458
28459 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
28460 on the host system.
28461
28462 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28463
28464 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
28465
28466 @subsubheading Example
28467
28468 @smallexample
28469 (gdb)
28470 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
28471 ^done
28472 (gdb)
28473 @end smallexample
28474
28475
28476 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
28477 @findex -target-file-delete
28478
28479 @subsubheading Synopsis
28480
28481 @smallexample
28482 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
28483 @end smallexample
28484
28485 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
28486
28487 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28488
28489 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
28490
28491 @subsubheading Example
28492
28493 @smallexample
28494 (gdb)
28495 -target-file-delete remotefile
28496 ^done
28497 (gdb)
28498 @end smallexample
28499
28500
28501 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28502 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
28503 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
28504
28505 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
28506
28507 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
28508 @findex -gdb-exit
28509
28510 @subsubheading Synopsis
28511
28512 @smallexample
28513 -gdb-exit
28514 @end smallexample
28515
28516 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
28517
28518 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28519
28520 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
28521
28522 @subsubheading Example
28523
28524 @smallexample
28525 (gdb)
28526 -gdb-exit
28527 ^exit
28528 @end smallexample
28529
28530
28531 @ignore
28532 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
28533 @findex -exec-abort
28534
28535 @subsubheading Synopsis
28536
28537 @smallexample
28538 -exec-abort
28539 @end smallexample
28540
28541 Kill the inferior running program.
28542
28543 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28544
28545 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
28546
28547 @subsubheading Example
28548 N.A.
28549 @end ignore
28550
28551
28552 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
28553 @findex -gdb-set
28554
28555 @subsubheading Synopsis
28556
28557 @smallexample
28558 -gdb-set
28559 @end smallexample
28560
28561 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
28562 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
28563
28564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28565
28566 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
28567
28568 @subsubheading Example
28569
28570 @smallexample
28571 (gdb)
28572 -gdb-set $foo=3
28573 ^done
28574 (gdb)
28575 @end smallexample
28576
28577
28578 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
28579 @findex -gdb-show
28580
28581 @subsubheading Synopsis
28582
28583 @smallexample
28584 -gdb-show
28585 @end smallexample
28586
28587 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
28588
28589 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28590
28591 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
28592
28593 @subsubheading Example
28594
28595 @smallexample
28596 (gdb)
28597 -gdb-show annotate
28598 ^done,value="0"
28599 (gdb)
28600 @end smallexample
28601
28602 @c @subheading -gdb-source
28603
28604
28605 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
28606 @findex -gdb-version
28607
28608 @subsubheading Synopsis
28609
28610 @smallexample
28611 -gdb-version
28612 @end smallexample
28613
28614 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
28615
28616 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28617
28618 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
28619 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
28620
28621 @subsubheading Example
28622
28623 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
28624 @c box in TeX.
28625 @smallexample
28626 (gdb)
28627 -gdb-version
28628 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
28629 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
28630 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
28631 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
28632 ~ certain conditions.
28633 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
28634 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
28635 ~ details.
28636 ~This GDB was configured as
28637 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
28638 ^done
28639 (gdb)
28640 @end smallexample
28641
28642 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
28643 @findex -list-features
28644
28645 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
28646 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
28647 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
28648 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
28649 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
28650 startup.
28651
28652 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
28653 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
28654 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
28655 is given below.
28656
28657 Example output:
28658
28659 @smallexample
28660 (gdb) -list-features
28661 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
28662 @end smallexample
28663
28664 The current list of features is:
28665
28666 @table @samp
28667 @item frozen-varobjs
28668 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
28669 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
28670 of @code{-varobj-create}.
28671 @item pending-breakpoints
28672 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
28673 @item python
28674 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
28675 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
28676 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
28677 @item thread-info
28678 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
28679
28680 @end table
28681
28682 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
28683 @findex -list-target-features
28684
28685 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
28686 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
28687 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
28688 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
28689 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
28690 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
28691 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
28692 Example output:
28693
28694 @smallexample
28695 (gdb) -list-features
28696 ^done,result=["async"]
28697 @end smallexample
28698
28699 The current list of features is:
28700
28701 @table @samp
28702 @item async
28703 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
28704 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
28705 while the target is running.
28706
28707 @end table
28708
28709 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
28710 @findex -list-thread-groups
28711
28712 @subheading Synopsis
28713
28714 @smallexample
28715 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
28716 @end smallexample
28717
28718 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
28719 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
28720 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
28721 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
28722 top-level thread groups.
28723
28724 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
28725 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
28726 available on the target.
28727
28728 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
28729 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
28730 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
28731 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
28732 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
28733 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
28734 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
28735 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
28736
28737 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
28738 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
28739 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
28740 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
28741 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
28742 @samp{threads} field.
28743
28744 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
28745 the following caveats:
28746
28747 @itemize @bullet
28748 @item
28749 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
28750 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
28751 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
28752
28753 @item
28754 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
28755 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
28756 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
28757 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
28758 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
28759 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
28760
28761 @end itemize
28762
28763 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
28764 have the following fields:
28765
28766 @table @code
28767 @item id
28768 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
28769 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
28770 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
28771
28772 @item type
28773 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
28774 valid type.
28775
28776 @item pid
28777 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
28778 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
28779
28780 @item num_children
28781 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
28782 absent for an available thread group.
28783
28784 @item threads
28785 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
28786 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
28787 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
28788
28789 @item cores
28790 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
28791 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
28792 such information is not available.
28793
28794 @item executable
28795 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
28796 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
28797 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
28798
28799 @end table
28800
28801 @subheading Example
28802
28803 @smallexample
28804 @value{GDBP}
28805 -list-thread-groups
28806 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
28807 -list-thread-groups 17
28808 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28809 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
28810 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28811 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28812 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
28813 -list-thread-groups --available
28814 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
28815 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
28816 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28817 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28818 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
28819 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
28820 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28821 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28822 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
28823 @end smallexample
28824
28825
28826 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
28827 @findex -add-inferior
28828
28829 @subheading Synopsis
28830
28831 @smallexample
28832 -add-inferior
28833 @end smallexample
28834
28835 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
28836 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
28837 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
28838 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
28839 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
28840 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
28841
28842 @subheading Example
28843
28844 @smallexample
28845 @value{GDBP}
28846 -add-inferior
28847 ^done,thread-group="i3"
28848 @end smallexample
28849
28850 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
28851 @findex -interpreter-exec
28852
28853 @subheading Synopsis
28854
28855 @smallexample
28856 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
28857 @end smallexample
28858 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
28859
28860 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
28861
28862 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28863
28864 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
28865
28866 @subheading Example
28867
28868 @smallexample
28869 (gdb)
28870 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
28871 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
28872 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
28873 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
28874 ^done
28875 (gdb)
28876 @end smallexample
28877
28878 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
28879 @findex -inferior-tty-set
28880
28881 @subheading Synopsis
28882
28883 @smallexample
28884 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28885 @end smallexample
28886
28887 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
28888
28889 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28890
28891 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
28892
28893 @subheading Example
28894
28895 @smallexample
28896 (gdb)
28897 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28898 ^done
28899 (gdb)
28900 @end smallexample
28901
28902 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
28903 @findex -inferior-tty-show
28904
28905 @subheading Synopsis
28906
28907 @smallexample
28908 -inferior-tty-show
28909 @end smallexample
28910
28911 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
28912
28913 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28914
28915 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
28916
28917 @subheading Example
28918
28919 @smallexample
28920 (gdb)
28921 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28922 ^done
28923 (gdb)
28924 -inferior-tty-show
28925 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
28926 (gdb)
28927 @end smallexample
28928
28929 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
28930 @findex -enable-timings
28931
28932 @subheading Synopsis
28933
28934 @smallexample
28935 -enable-timings [yes | no]
28936 @end smallexample
28937
28938 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
28939 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
28940 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
28941 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
28942
28943 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28944
28945 No equivalent.
28946
28947 @subheading Example
28948
28949 @smallexample
28950 (gdb)
28951 -enable-timings
28952 ^done
28953 (gdb)
28954 -break-insert main
28955 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28956 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28957 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
28958 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
28959 (gdb)
28960 -enable-timings no
28961 ^done
28962 (gdb)
28963 -exec-run
28964 ^running
28965 (gdb)
28966 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28967 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
28968 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
28969 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
28970 (gdb)
28971 @end smallexample
28972
28973 @node Annotations
28974 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
28975
28976 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
28977 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
28978 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
28979 relatively high level.
28980
28981 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
28982 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
28983
28984 @ignore
28985 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
28986 @end ignore
28987
28988 @menu
28989 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
28990 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
28991 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
28992 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
28993 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
28994 * Annotations for Running::
28995 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
28996 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
28997 @end menu
28998
28999 @node Annotations Overview
29000 @section What is an Annotation?
29001 @cindex annotations
29002
29003 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
29004 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
29005 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
29006 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
29007 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
29008 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
29009 cannot contain newline characters.
29010
29011 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
29012 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
29013 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
29014 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
29015 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
29016 means those three characters as output.
29017
29018 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
29019 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
29020 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
29021 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
29022 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
29023 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
29024 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
29025 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
29026 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
29027
29028 @table @code
29029 @kindex set annotate
29030 @item set annotate @var{level}
29031 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
29032 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
29033
29034 @item show annotate
29035 @kindex show annotate
29036 Show the current annotation level.
29037 @end table
29038
29039 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
29040
29041 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
29042
29043 @smallexample
29044 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
29045 GNU gdb 6.0
29046 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29047 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
29048 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
29049 under certain conditions.
29050 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29051 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
29052 for details.
29053 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
29054
29055 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29056 (@value{GDBP})
29057 ^Z^Zprompt
29058 @kbd{quit}
29059
29060 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
29061 $
29062 @end smallexample
29063
29064 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
29065 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
29066 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
29067 output from @value{GDBN}.
29068
29069 @node Server Prefix
29070 @section The Server Prefix
29071 @cindex server prefix
29072
29073 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
29074 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
29075 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
29076 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
29077 a transparent manner.
29078
29079 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
29080 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
29081 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
29082 @code{print} command.
29083
29084 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
29085 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
29086
29087 @node Prompting
29088 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
29089
29090 @cindex annotations for prompts
29091 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
29092 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
29093 over, etc.
29094
29095 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
29096 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
29097 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
29098 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
29099 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
29100 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
29101 features the following annotations:
29102
29103 @smallexample
29104 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29105 ^Z^Zprompt
29106 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
29107 @end smallexample
29108
29109 The input types are
29110
29111 @table @code
29112 @findex pre-prompt annotation
29113 @findex prompt annotation
29114 @findex post-prompt annotation
29115 @item prompt
29116 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
29117
29118 @findex pre-commands annotation
29119 @findex commands annotation
29120 @findex post-commands annotation
29121 @item commands
29122 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
29123 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
29124
29125 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
29126 @findex overload-choice annotation
29127 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
29128 @item overload-choice
29129 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
29130
29131 @findex pre-query annotation
29132 @findex query annotation
29133 @findex post-query annotation
29134 @item query
29135 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
29136
29137 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
29138 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
29139 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
29140 @item prompt-for-continue
29141 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
29142 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
29143 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
29144 presence of annotations.
29145 @end table
29146
29147 @node Errors
29148 @section Errors
29149 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
29150
29151 @findex quit annotation
29152 @smallexample
29153 ^Z^Zquit
29154 @end smallexample
29155
29156 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
29157
29158 @findex error annotation
29159 @smallexample
29160 ^Z^Zerror
29161 @end smallexample
29162
29163 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
29164
29165 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
29166 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
29167 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
29168 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
29169 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
29170 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
29171 to the top level.
29172
29173 @findex error-begin annotation
29174 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
29175
29176 @smallexample
29177 ^Z^Zerror-begin
29178 @end smallexample
29179
29180 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
29181 message.
29182
29183 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
29184 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
29185 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
29186
29187 @node Invalidation
29188 @section Invalidation Notices
29189
29190 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
29191 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
29192 changed.
29193
29194 @table @code
29195 @findex frames-invalid annotation
29196 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
29197
29198 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
29199 have changed.
29200
29201 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
29202 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
29203
29204 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
29205 deleted a breakpoint.
29206 @end table
29207
29208 @node Annotations for Running
29209 @section Running the Program
29210 @cindex annotations for running programs
29211
29212 @findex starting annotation
29213 @findex stopping annotation
29214 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
29215 @code{step} or @code{continue},
29216
29217 @smallexample
29218 ^Z^Zstarting
29219 @end smallexample
29220
29221 is output. When the program stops,
29222
29223 @smallexample
29224 ^Z^Zstopped
29225 @end smallexample
29226
29227 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
29228 annotations describe how the program stopped.
29229
29230 @table @code
29231 @findex exited annotation
29232 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
29233 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
29234 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
29235
29236 @findex signalled annotation
29237 @findex signal-name annotation
29238 @findex signal-name-end annotation
29239 @findex signal-string annotation
29240 @findex signal-string-end annotation
29241 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
29242 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
29243 annotation continues:
29244
29245 @smallexample
29246 @var{intro-text}
29247 ^Z^Zsignal-name
29248 @var{name}
29249 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
29250 @var{middle-text}
29251 ^Z^Zsignal-string
29252 @var{string}
29253 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
29254 @var{end-text}
29255 @end smallexample
29256
29257 @noindent
29258 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
29259 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
29260 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
29261 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
29262 user's benefit and have no particular format.
29263
29264 @findex signal annotation
29265 @item ^Z^Zsignal
29266 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
29267 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
29268 terminated with it.
29269
29270 @findex breakpoint annotation
29271 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
29272 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
29273
29274 @findex watchpoint annotation
29275 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
29276 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
29277 @end table
29278
29279 @node Source Annotations
29280 @section Displaying Source
29281 @cindex annotations for source display
29282
29283 @findex source annotation
29284 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
29285
29286 @smallexample
29287 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
29288 @end smallexample
29289
29290 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
29291 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
29292 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
29293 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
29294 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
29295 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
29296 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
29297 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
29298 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
29299 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
29300 depend on the language).
29301
29302 @node JIT Interface
29303 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
29304 @cindex just-in-time compilation
29305 @cindex JIT compilation interface
29306
29307 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
29308 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
29309 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
29310 performance while maintaining platform independence.
29311
29312 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
29313 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
29314 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
29315 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
29316 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
29317 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
29318
29319 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
29320 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
29321 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
29322 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
29323 LLVM JIT.
29324
29325 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
29326 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
29327 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
29328 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
29329 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
29330 out about additional code.
29331
29332 @menu
29333 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
29334 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
29335 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
29336 @end menu
29337
29338 @node Declarations
29339 @section JIT Declarations
29340
29341 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
29342 implement the interface:
29343
29344 @smallexample
29345 typedef enum
29346 @{
29347 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
29348 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
29349 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
29350 @} jit_actions_t;
29351
29352 struct jit_code_entry
29353 @{
29354 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
29355 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
29356 const char *symfile_addr;
29357 uint64_t symfile_size;
29358 @};
29359
29360 struct jit_descriptor
29361 @{
29362 uint32_t version;
29363 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
29364 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
29365 uint32_t action_flag;
29366 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
29367 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
29368 @};
29369
29370 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
29371 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
29372
29373 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
29374 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
29375 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
29376 @end smallexample
29377
29378 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
29379 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
29380 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
29381
29382 @node Registering Code
29383 @section Registering Code
29384
29385 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
29386
29387 @itemize @bullet
29388 @item
29389 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
29390 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
29391
29392 @item
29393 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
29394 file.
29395
29396 @item
29397 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
29398
29399 @item
29400 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
29401
29402 @item
29403 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
29404 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
29405 @end itemize
29406
29407 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
29408 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
29409 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
29410 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
29411
29412 @node Unregistering Code
29413 @section Unregistering Code
29414
29415 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
29416
29417 @itemize @bullet
29418 @item
29419 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
29420
29421 @item
29422 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
29423
29424 @item
29425 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
29426 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
29427 @end itemize
29428
29429 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
29430 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
29431
29432 @node GDB Bugs
29433 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
29434 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
29435 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
29436
29437 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
29438
29439 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
29440 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
29441 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
29442 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
29443
29444 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
29445 information that enables us to fix the bug.
29446
29447 @menu
29448 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
29449 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
29450 @end menu
29451
29452 @node Bug Criteria
29453 @section Have You Found a Bug?
29454 @cindex bug criteria
29455
29456 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
29457
29458 @itemize @bullet
29459 @cindex fatal signal
29460 @cindex debugger crash
29461 @cindex crash of debugger
29462 @item
29463 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
29464 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
29465
29466 @cindex error on valid input
29467 @item
29468 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
29469 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
29470 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
29471
29472 @cindex invalid input
29473 @item
29474 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
29475 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
29476 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
29477 for traditional practice''.
29478
29479 @item
29480 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
29481 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
29482 @end itemize
29483
29484 @node Bug Reporting
29485 @section How to Report Bugs
29486 @cindex bug reports
29487 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
29488
29489 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
29490 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
29491 contact that organization first.
29492
29493 You can find contact information for many support companies and
29494 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
29495 distribution.
29496 @c should add a web page ref...
29497
29498 @ifset BUGURL
29499 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
29500 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
29501 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
29502 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
29503 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
29504 be used.
29505
29506 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
29507 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
29508 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
29509 @samp{bug-gdb}.
29510
29511 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
29512 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
29513 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
29514 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
29515 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
29516 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
29517 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
29518 bug reports to the mailing list.
29519 @end ifset
29520 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
29521 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
29522 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
29523 @end ifclear
29524 @end ifset
29525
29526 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
29527 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
29528 fact or leave it out, state it!
29529
29530 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
29531 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
29532 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
29533 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
29534 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
29535 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
29536 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
29537 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
29538 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
29539
29540 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
29541 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
29542 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
29543 self-contained.
29544
29545 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
29546 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
29547 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
29548 bugs properly.
29549
29550 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
29551
29552 @itemize @bullet
29553 @item
29554 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
29555 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
29556 version}.
29557
29558 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
29559 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
29560
29561 @item
29562 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
29563 version number.
29564
29565 @item
29566 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
29567 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
29568
29569 @item
29570 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
29571 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
29572 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
29573 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
29574 those compilers.
29575
29576 @item
29577 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
29578 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
29579 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
29580 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
29581
29582 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
29583 and then we might not encounter the bug.
29584
29585 @item
29586 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
29587 reproduce the bug.
29588
29589 @item
29590 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
29591 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
29592
29593 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
29594 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
29595 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
29596 a chance to make a mistake.
29597
29598 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
29599 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
29600 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
29601 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
29602 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
29603 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
29604 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
29605 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
29606
29607 @pindex script
29608 @cindex recording a session script
29609 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
29610 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
29611 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
29612 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
29613
29614 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
29615 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
29616
29617 @item
29618 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
29619 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
29620 it by context, not by line number.
29621
29622 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
29623 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
29624
29625 @end itemize
29626
29627 Here are some things that are not necessary:
29628
29629 @itemize @bullet
29630 @item
29631 A description of the envelope of the bug.
29632
29633 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
29634 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
29635 changes will not affect it.
29636
29637 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
29638 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
29639 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
29640 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
29641
29642 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
29643 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
29644 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
29645 less time, and so on.
29646
29647 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
29648 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
29649
29650 @item
29651 A patch for the bug.
29652
29653 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
29654 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
29655 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
29656 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
29657
29658 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
29659 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
29660 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
29661 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
29662
29663 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
29664 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
29665 help us to understand.
29666
29667 @item
29668 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
29669
29670 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
29671 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
29672 @end itemize
29673
29674 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
29675 @c and consists of the two following files:
29676 @c rluser.texinfo
29677 @c inc-hist.texinfo
29678 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
29679 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
29680 @include rluser.texi
29681 @include inc-hist.texinfo
29682
29683
29684 @node Formatting Documentation
29685 @appendix Formatting Documentation
29686
29687 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
29688 @cindex reference card
29689 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
29690 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
29691 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
29692 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
29693 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
29694 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
29695
29696 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
29697 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
29698
29699 @smallexample
29700 make refcard.dvi
29701 @end smallexample
29702
29703 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
29704 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
29705 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
29706 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
29707 your @sc{dvi} output program.
29708
29709 @cindex documentation
29710
29711 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
29712 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
29713 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
29714 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
29715 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
29716 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
29717
29718 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
29719 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
29720 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
29721 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
29722 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
29723 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
29724 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
29725 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
29726
29727 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
29728 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
29729 @code{makeinfo}.
29730
29731 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
29732 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
29733 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
29734
29735 @smallexample
29736 cd gdb
29737 make gdb.info
29738 @end smallexample
29739
29740 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
29741 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
29742 Texinfo definitions file.
29743
29744 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
29745 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
29746 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
29747 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
29748 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
29749 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
29750 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
29751
29752 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
29753 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
29754 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
29755 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
29756 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
29757 directory.
29758
29759 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
29760 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
29761 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
29762 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
29763
29764 @smallexample
29765 make gdb.dvi
29766 @end smallexample
29767
29768 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
29769
29770 @node Installing GDB
29771 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
29772 @cindex installation
29773
29774 @menu
29775 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
29776 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
29777 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
29778 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
29779 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
29780 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
29781 @end menu
29782
29783 @node Requirements
29784 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
29785 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
29786
29787 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
29788 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
29789
29790 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
29791 @table @asis
29792 @item ISO C90 compiler
29793 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
29794 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
29795
29796 @end table
29797
29798 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
29799 @table @asis
29800 @item Expat
29801 @anchor{Expat}
29802 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
29803 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
29804 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
29805 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
29806 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
29807 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
29808
29809 Expat is used for:
29810
29811 @itemize @bullet
29812 @item
29813 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
29814 @item
29815 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
29816 @item
29817 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
29818 @item
29819 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
29820 @end itemize
29821
29822 @item zlib
29823 @cindex compressed debug sections
29824 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
29825 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
29826 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
29827 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
29828 information in such binaries.
29829
29830 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
29831 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
29832 @url{http://zlib.net}.
29833
29834 @item iconv
29835 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
29836 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
29837 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
29838 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
29839
29840 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
29841 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
29842 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
29843
29844 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
29845 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
29846 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
29847 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
29848 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
29849 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
29850 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
29851 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
29852 @end table
29853
29854 @node Running Configure
29855 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
29856 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
29857 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
29858 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
29859 build the @code{gdb} program.
29860 @iftex
29861 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
29862 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
29863 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
29864 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
29865 @end iftex
29866
29867 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
29868 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
29869 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
29870
29871 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
29872 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
29873
29874 @table @code
29875 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
29876 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
29877
29878 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
29879 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
29880
29881 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
29882 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
29883
29884 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
29885 @sc{gnu} include files
29886
29887 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
29888 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
29889
29890 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
29891 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
29892
29893 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
29894 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
29895
29896 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
29897 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
29898
29899 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
29900 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
29901 @end table
29902
29903 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
29904 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
29905 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
29906
29907 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
29908 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
29909 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
29910 argument.
29911
29912 For example:
29913
29914 @smallexample
29915 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29916 ./configure @var{host}
29917 make
29918 @end smallexample
29919
29920 @noindent
29921 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
29922 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
29923 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
29924 correct value by examining your system.)
29925
29926 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
29927 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
29928 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
29929 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
29930
29931 @need 750
29932 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
29933 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
29934 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
29935
29936 @smallexample
29937 sh configure @var{host}
29938 @end smallexample
29939
29940 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
29941 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
29942 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
29943 @file{configure}
29944 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
29945 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
29946
29947 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
29948 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
29949 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
29950 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
29951 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
29952 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
29953 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
29954 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
29955 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
29956
29957 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
29958 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
29959 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
29960 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
29961 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
29962
29963 @node Separate Objdir
29964 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
29965
29966 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
29967 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
29968 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
29969 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
29970 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
29971 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
29972 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
29973 program specified there.
29974
29975 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
29976 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
29977 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
29978 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
29979 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
29980 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
29981
29982 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
29983 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
29984
29985 @smallexample
29986 @group
29987 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29988 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
29989 cd ../gdb-sun4
29990 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
29991 make
29992 @end group
29993 @end smallexample
29994
29995 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
29996 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
29997 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
29998 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
29999 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
30000 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
30001
30002 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
30003 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
30004 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
30005 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
30006 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30007
30008 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
30009 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
30010 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
30011 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
30012 You specify a cross-debugging target by
30013 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
30014
30015 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
30016 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
30017 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
30018
30019 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
30020 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
30021 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
30022 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
30023 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
30024
30025 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
30026 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
30027 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
30028 with each other.
30029
30030 @node Config Names
30031 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
30032
30033 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
30034 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
30035 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
30036 of information in the following pattern:
30037
30038 @smallexample
30039 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
30040 @end smallexample
30041
30042 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
30043 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
30044 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
30045
30046 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
30047 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
30048 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
30049 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
30050 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
30051 abbreviations---for example:
30052
30053 @smallexample
30054 % sh config.sub i386-linux
30055 i386-pc-linux-gnu
30056 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
30057 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
30058 % sh config.sub hp9k700
30059 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
30060 % sh config.sub sun4
30061 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
30062 % sh config.sub sun3
30063 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
30064 % sh config.sub i986v
30065 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
30066 @end smallexample
30067
30068 @noindent
30069 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
30070 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
30071
30072 @node Configure Options
30073 @section @file{configure} Options
30074
30075 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
30076 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
30077 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
30078 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
30079
30080 @smallexample
30081 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
30082 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30083 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30084 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
30085 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
30086 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
30087 @var{host}
30088 @end smallexample
30089
30090 @noindent
30091 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
30092 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
30093 @samp{--}.
30094
30095 @table @code
30096 @item --help
30097 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
30098
30099 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
30100 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
30101 @file{@var{dir}}.
30102
30103 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
30104 Configure the source to install programs under directory
30105 @file{@var{dir}}.
30106
30107 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
30108 @need 2000
30109 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
30110 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
30111 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
30112 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
30113 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
30114 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
30115 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
30116 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
30117 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
30118 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
30119 @var{dirname}.
30120
30121 @item --norecursion
30122 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
30123 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
30124
30125 @item --target=@var{target}
30126 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
30127 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
30128 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
30129
30130 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
30131
30132 @item @var{host} @dots{}
30133 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
30134
30135 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
30136 @end table
30137
30138 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
30139 needed for special purposes only.
30140
30141 @node System-wide configuration
30142 @section System-wide configuration and settings
30143 @cindex system-wide init file
30144
30145 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
30146 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
30147 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
30148
30149 Here is the corresponding configure option:
30150
30151 @table @code
30152 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
30153 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
30154 @var{file}.
30155 @end table
30156
30157 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
30158 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
30159
30160 @itemize @bullet
30161 @item
30162 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
30163 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
30164 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
30165 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
30166 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
30167 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
30168
30169 @item
30170 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
30171 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
30172 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30173 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30174 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
30175 @end itemize
30176
30177 @node Maintenance Commands
30178 @appendix Maintenance Commands
30179 @cindex maintenance commands
30180 @cindex internal commands
30181
30182 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
30183 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
30184 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
30185 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
30186 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
30187
30188 @table @code
30189 @kindex maint agent
30190 @kindex maint agent-eval
30191 @item maint agent @var{expression}
30192 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
30193 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
30194 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
30195 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
30196 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
30197 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
30198 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
30199 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
30200 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
30201 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
30202 addition and return the sum.
30203
30204 @kindex maint info breakpoints
30205 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
30206 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
30207 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
30208 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
30209 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
30210 is shown:
30211
30212 @table @code
30213 @item breakpoint
30214 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
30215
30216 @item watchpoint
30217 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
30218
30219 @item longjmp
30220 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
30221 @code{longjmp} calls.
30222
30223 @item longjmp resume
30224 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
30225
30226 @item until
30227 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
30228
30229 @item finish
30230 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
30231
30232 @item shlib events
30233 Shared library events.
30234
30235 @end table
30236
30237 @kindex set displaced-stepping
30238 @kindex show displaced-stepping
30239 @cindex displaced stepping support
30240 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
30241 @item set displaced-stepping
30242 @itemx show displaced-stepping
30243 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
30244 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
30245 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
30246 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
30247 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
30248
30249 @table @code
30250 @item set displaced-stepping on
30251 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
30252 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
30253
30254 @item set displaced-stepping off
30255 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
30256 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
30257
30258 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
30259 @item set displaced-stepping auto
30260 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
30261 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
30262 architecture supports displaced stepping.
30263 @end table
30264
30265 @kindex maint check-symtabs
30266 @item maint check-symtabs
30267 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
30268
30269 @kindex maint cplus first_component
30270 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
30271 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
30272
30273 @kindex maint cplus namespace
30274 @item maint cplus namespace
30275 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
30276
30277 @kindex maint demangle
30278 @item maint demangle @var{name}
30279 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
30280
30281 @kindex maint deprecate
30282 @kindex maint undeprecate
30283 @cindex deprecated commands
30284 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
30285 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
30286 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
30287 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
30288 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
30289 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
30290 the replacement as part of the warning.
30291
30292 @kindex maint dump-me
30293 @item maint dump-me
30294 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
30295 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
30296 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
30297 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
30298
30299 @kindex maint internal-error
30300 @kindex maint internal-warning
30301 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
30302 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
30303 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
30304 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
30305 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
30306 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
30307 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
30308 @value{GDBN} session.
30309
30310 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
30311 used as the text of the error or warning message.
30312
30313 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
30314
30315 @smallexample
30316 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
30317 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
30318 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
30319 debugging may prove unreliable.
30320 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
30321 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
30322 (@value{GDBP})
30323 @end smallexample
30324
30325 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
30326 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
30327
30328 @kindex maint set internal-error
30329 @kindex maint show internal-error
30330 @kindex maint set internal-warning
30331 @kindex maint show internal-warning
30332 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
30333 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
30334 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
30335 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
30336 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
30337 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
30338 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
30339 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
30340 described in the table below.
30341
30342 @table @samp
30343 @item quit
30344 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
30345 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
30346
30347 @item corefile
30348 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
30349 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
30350 @end table
30351
30352 @kindex maint packet
30353 @item maint packet @var{text}
30354 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
30355 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
30356 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
30357 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
30358 checksum.
30359
30360 @kindex maint print architecture
30361 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30362 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
30363 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
30364
30365 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
30366 @item maint print c-tdesc
30367 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
30368 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
30369 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
30370
30371 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
30372 @item maint print dummy-frames
30373 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
30374
30375 @smallexample
30376 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
30377 @dots{}
30378 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
30379 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
30380 58 return (a + b);
30381 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
30382 @dots{}
30383 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
30384 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
30385 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
30386 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
30387 (@value{GDBP})
30388 @end smallexample
30389
30390 Takes an optional file parameter.
30391
30392 @kindex maint print registers
30393 @kindex maint print raw-registers
30394 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
30395 @kindex maint print register-groups
30396 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30397 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30398 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30399 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30400 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
30401
30402 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
30403 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
30404 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
30405 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
30406 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
30407 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
30408 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
30409
30410 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
30411 write the information.
30412
30413 @kindex maint print reggroups
30414 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
30415 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
30416 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
30417 information.
30418
30419 The register groups info looks like this:
30420
30421 @smallexample
30422 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
30423 Group Type
30424 general user
30425 float user
30426 all user
30427 vector user
30428 system user
30429 save internal
30430 restore internal
30431 @end smallexample
30432
30433 @kindex flushregs
30434 @item flushregs
30435 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
30436
30437 @kindex maint print objfiles
30438 @cindex info for known object files
30439 @item maint print objfiles
30440 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
30441 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
30442 and symtabs.
30443
30444 @kindex maint print section-scripts
30445 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
30446 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
30447 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
30448 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
30449 matching @var{regexp}.
30450 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
30451 and the full path if known.
30452 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
30453
30454 @kindex maint print statistics
30455 @cindex bcache statistics
30456 @item maint print statistics
30457 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
30458 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
30459 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
30460 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
30461 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
30462 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
30463 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
30464 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
30465 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
30466 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
30467 lengths.
30468
30469 @kindex maint print target-stack
30470 @cindex target stack description
30471 @item maint print target-stack
30472 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
30473 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
30474 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
30475 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
30476 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
30477 address.
30478
30479 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
30480 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
30481
30482 @kindex maint print type
30483 @cindex type chain of a data type
30484 @item maint print type @var{expr}
30485 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
30486 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
30487 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
30488 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
30489 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
30490
30491 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
30492 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
30493 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
30494 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
30495 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
30496 information.
30497
30498 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
30499 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
30500 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
30501 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
30502 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
30503 always see the disassembly form.
30504
30505 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
30506
30507 @smallexample
30508 (gdb) info addr argc
30509 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
30510 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
30511 @end smallexample
30512
30513 For more information on these expressions, see
30514 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
30515
30516 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
30517 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
30518 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
30519 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
30520 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
30521
30522 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
30523 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
30524 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
30525 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
30526 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
30527 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
30528 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
30529 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
30530 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
30531
30532 @kindex maint set profile
30533 @kindex maint show profile
30534 @cindex profiling GDB
30535 @item maint set profile
30536 @itemx maint show profile
30537 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
30538
30539 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
30540 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
30541 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
30542 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
30543 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
30544 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
30545 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
30546
30547 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
30548 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
30549
30550 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
30551 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
30552 @cindex hardware debug registers
30553 @item maint set show-debug-regs
30554 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
30555 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
30556 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
30557 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
30558 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
30559 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
30560
30561 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
30562 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
30563 @item maint set show-all-tib
30564 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
30565 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
30566 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
30567 command.
30568
30569 @kindex maint space
30570 @cindex memory used by commands
30571 @item maint space
30572 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
30573 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
30574 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
30575 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
30576 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
30577
30578 @kindex maint time
30579 @cindex time of command execution
30580 @item maint time
30581 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
30582 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
30583 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
30584 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
30585 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
30586 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
30587 it's not possibly currently
30588 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
30589 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
30590
30591 @kindex maint translate-address
30592 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
30593 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
30594 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
30595 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
30596 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
30597 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
30598 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
30599
30600 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
30601 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
30602 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
30603
30604 @end table
30605
30606 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
30607 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
30608
30609 @table @code
30610 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
30611 @kindex set watchdog
30612 @cindex watchdog timer
30613 @cindex timeout for commands
30614 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
30615 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
30616 reports and error and the command is aborted.
30617
30618 @item show watchdog
30619 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
30620 @end table
30621
30622 @node Remote Protocol
30623 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
30624
30625 @menu
30626 * Overview::
30627 * Packets::
30628 * Stop Reply Packets::
30629 * General Query Packets::
30630 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
30631 * Tracepoint Packets::
30632 * Host I/O Packets::
30633 * Interrupts::
30634 * Notification Packets::
30635 * Remote Non-Stop::
30636 * Packet Acknowledgment::
30637 * Examples::
30638 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
30639 * Library List Format::
30640 * Memory Map Format::
30641 * Thread List Format::
30642 @end menu
30643
30644 @node Overview
30645 @section Overview
30646
30647 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
30648 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
30649 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
30650 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
30651
30652 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
30653 transmitted and received data, respectively.
30654
30655 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
30656 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
30657 @cindex remote serial protocol
30658 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
30659 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
30660 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
30661 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
30662 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
30663
30664 @smallexample
30665 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30666 @end smallexample
30667 @noindent
30668
30669 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
30670 @noindent
30671 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
30672 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
30673 eight bit unsigned checksum).
30674
30675 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
30676 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
30677
30678 @smallexample
30679 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30680 @end smallexample
30681
30682 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
30683 @noindent
30684 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
30685 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
30686 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
30687
30688 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
30689 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
30690 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
30691 retransmission):
30692
30693 @smallexample
30694 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
30695 <- @code{+}
30696 @end smallexample
30697 @noindent
30698
30699 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
30700 once a connection is established.
30701 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
30702
30703 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
30704 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
30705 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
30706 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
30707 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
30708 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
30709 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
30710
30711 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
30712 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
30713 exceptions).
30714
30715 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
30716 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
30717 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
30718 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
30719
30720 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
30721 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
30722 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
30723
30724 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
30725 @anchor{Binary Data}
30726 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
30727 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
30728 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
30729 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
30730 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
30731 binary data.
30732
30733 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
30734 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
30735 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
30736 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
30737 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
30738 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
30739 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
30740 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
30741 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
30742 (described next).
30743
30744 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
30745 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
30746 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
30747 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
30748 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
30749 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
30750 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
30751 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
30752 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
30753 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
30754 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
30755 3}} more times.
30756
30757 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
30758 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
30759 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
30760 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
30761 @samp{0*"00}.
30762
30763 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
30764 error number. That number is not well defined.
30765
30766 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
30767 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
30768 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
30769 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
30770 on that response.
30771
30772 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
30773 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
30774 optional.
30775
30776 @node Packets
30777 @section Packets
30778
30779 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
30780 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
30781 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
30782 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
30783
30784 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
30785 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
30786 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
30787 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
30788 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
30789 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
30790 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
30791 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
30792 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
30793 @var{baz}.
30794
30795 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
30796 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
30797 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
30798 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
30799 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
30800 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
30801 pick any thread.
30802
30803 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
30804 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
30805 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
30806 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
30807 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
30808 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
30809 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
30810 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
30811 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
30812 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
30813 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
30814 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
30815 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
30816
30817 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
30818 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
30819 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
30820 more information.
30821
30822 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
30823 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
30824
30825 Here are the packet descriptions.
30826
30827 @table @samp
30828
30829 @item !
30830 @cindex @samp{!} packet
30831 @anchor{extended mode}
30832 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
30833 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
30834 debugged.
30835
30836 Reply:
30837 @table @samp
30838 @item OK
30839 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
30840 @end table
30841
30842 @item ?
30843 @cindex @samp{?} packet
30844 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
30845 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
30846 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
30847
30848 Reply:
30849 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30850
30851 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
30852 @cindex @samp{A} packet
30853 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
30854 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
30855 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
30856
30857 Reply:
30858 @table @samp
30859 @item OK
30860 The arguments were set.
30861 @item E @var{NN}
30862 An error occurred.
30863 @end table
30864
30865 @item b @var{baud}
30866 @cindex @samp{b} packet
30867 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
30868 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
30869
30870 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
30871 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
30872 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
30873
30874 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
30875 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
30876 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
30877 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
30878 of view, nothing actually happened.}
30879
30880 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
30881 @cindex @samp{B} packet
30882 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
30883 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
30884
30885 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
30886 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
30887
30888 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
30889 @anchor{bc}
30890 @item bc
30891 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
30892 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30893
30894 Reply:
30895 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30896
30897 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
30898 @anchor{bs}
30899 @item bs
30900 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
30901 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30902
30903 Reply:
30904 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30905
30906 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30907 @cindex @samp{c} packet
30908 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
30909 resume at current address.
30910
30911 Reply:
30912 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30913
30914 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30915 @cindex @samp{C} packet
30916 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
30917 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
30918
30919 Reply:
30920 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30921
30922 @item d
30923 @cindex @samp{d} packet
30924 Toggle debug flag.
30925
30926 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
30927 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
30928
30929 @item D
30930 @itemx D;@var{pid}
30931 @cindex @samp{D} packet
30932 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
30933 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
30934 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
30935
30936 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
30937 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
30938 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
30939 big-endian hex string.
30940
30941 Reply:
30942 @table @samp
30943 @item OK
30944 for success
30945 @item E @var{NN}
30946 for an error
30947 @end table
30948
30949 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
30950 @cindex @samp{F} packet
30951 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
30952 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
30953 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
30954
30955 @item g
30956 @anchor{read registers packet}
30957 @cindex @samp{g} packet
30958 Read general registers.
30959
30960 Reply:
30961 @table @samp
30962 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
30963 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
30964 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
30965 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
30966 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
30967 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
30968 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
30969 @item E @var{NN}
30970 for an error.
30971 @end table
30972
30973 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
30974 @cindex @samp{G} packet
30975 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
30976 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
30977
30978 Reply:
30979 @table @samp
30980 @item OK
30981 for success
30982 @item E @var{NN}
30983 for an error
30984 @end table
30985
30986 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
30987 @cindex @samp{H} packet
30988 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
30989 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
30990 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
30991 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
30992 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30993
30994 Reply:
30995 @table @samp
30996 @item OK
30997 for success
30998 @item E @var{NN}
30999 for an error
31000 @end table
31001
31002 @c FIXME: JTC:
31003 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
31004 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
31005 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
31006 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
31007 @c described. For example:
31008 @c
31009 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31010 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
31011 @c otherwise returns current registers.
31012 @c
31013 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31014 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
31015 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
31016
31017 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
31018 @anchor{cycle step packet}
31019 @cindex @samp{i} packet
31020 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
31021 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
31022 step starting at that address.
31023
31024 @item I
31025 @cindex @samp{I} packet
31026 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
31027 step packet}.
31028
31029 @item k
31030 @cindex @samp{k} packet
31031 Kill request.
31032
31033 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
31034 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
31035 thread?)}.
31036
31037 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
31038 @cindex @samp{m} packet
31039 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31040 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
31041
31042 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
31043 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
31044 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
31045 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
31046 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
31047 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
31048 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
31049 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
31050
31051 Reply:
31052 @table @samp
31053 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31054 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
31055 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
31056 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
31057 @item E @var{NN}
31058 @var{NN} is errno
31059 @end table
31060
31061 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31062 @cindex @samp{M} packet
31063 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31064 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
31065 hexadecimal number.
31066
31067 Reply:
31068 @table @samp
31069 @item OK
31070 for success
31071 @item E @var{NN}
31072 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
31073 written).
31074 @end table
31075
31076 @item p @var{n}
31077 @cindex @samp{p} packet
31078 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
31079 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
31080 register value is encoded.
31081
31082 Reply:
31083 @table @samp
31084 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31085 the register's value
31086 @item E @var{NN}
31087 for an error
31088 @item
31089 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
31090 @end table
31091
31092 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
31093 @anchor{write register packet}
31094 @cindex @samp{P} packet
31095 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
31096 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
31097 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
31098
31099 Reply:
31100 @table @samp
31101 @item OK
31102 for success
31103 @item E @var{NN}
31104 for an error
31105 @end table
31106
31107 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31108 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31109 @cindex @samp{q} packet
31110 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
31111 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
31112 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
31113
31114 @item r
31115 @cindex @samp{r} packet
31116 Reset the entire system.
31117
31118 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
31119
31120 @item R @var{XX}
31121 @cindex @samp{R} packet
31122 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
31123 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31124
31125 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
31126
31127 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31128 @cindex @samp{s} packet
31129 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
31130 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
31131
31132 Reply:
31133 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31134
31135 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31136 @anchor{step with signal packet}
31137 @cindex @samp{S} packet
31138 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
31139 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
31140
31141 Reply:
31142 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31143
31144 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
31145 @cindex @samp{t} packet
31146 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
31147 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
31148 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
31149
31150 @item T @var{thread-id}
31151 @cindex @samp{T} packet
31152 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
31153
31154 Reply:
31155 @table @samp
31156 @item OK
31157 thread is still alive
31158 @item E @var{NN}
31159 thread is dead
31160 @end table
31161
31162 @item v
31163 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
31164 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
31165
31166 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
31167 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
31168 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
31169 The process ID is a
31170 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
31171 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
31172 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
31173
31174 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
31175 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
31176 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
31177 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
31178 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
31179 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
31180 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
31181 @c stopping or restarting threads.
31182
31183 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31184
31185 Reply:
31186 @table @samp
31187 @item E @var{nn}
31188 for an error
31189 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31190 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31191 @item OK
31192 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
31193 @end table
31194
31195 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
31196 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
31197 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
31198 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
31199 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
31200 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
31201 in their current state in non-stop mode.
31202 Specifying multiple
31203 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
31204 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31205
31206 Currently supported actions are:
31207
31208 @table @samp
31209 @item c
31210 Continue.
31211 @item C @var{sig}
31212 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31213 @item s
31214 Step.
31215 @item S @var{sig}
31216 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31217 @item t
31218 Stop.
31219 @end table
31220
31221 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
31222 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
31223 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
31224
31225 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
31226 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
31227 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
31228 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
31229 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
31230 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
31231 as an implementation detail.
31232
31233 Reply:
31234 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31235
31236 @item vCont?
31237 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
31238 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
31239
31240 Reply:
31241 @table @samp
31242 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
31243 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
31244 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
31245 @item
31246 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
31247 @end table
31248
31249 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
31250 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
31251 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
31252 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
31253
31254 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
31255 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
31256 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
31257 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
31258 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
31259 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
31260 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
31261 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
31262 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
31263 packet is received.
31264
31265 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
31266 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
31267 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
31268 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
31269 @var{thread-id}.
31270
31271 Reply:
31272 @table @samp
31273 @item OK
31274 for success
31275 @item E @var{NN}
31276 for an error
31277 @end table
31278
31279 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31280 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
31281 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
31282 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
31283 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
31284 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
31285 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
31286 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
31287 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
31288 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
31289 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
31290 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
31291
31292
31293 Reply:
31294 @table @samp
31295 @item OK
31296 for success
31297 @item E.memtype
31298 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
31299 @item E @var{NN}
31300 for an error
31301 @end table
31302
31303 @item vFlashDone
31304 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
31305 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
31306 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
31307 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
31308 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
31309 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
31310 request is completed.
31311
31312 @item vKill;@var{pid}
31313 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
31314 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
31315 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
31316 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
31317 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
31318
31319 Reply:
31320 @table @samp
31321 @item E @var{nn}
31322 for an error
31323 @item OK
31324 for success
31325 @end table
31326
31327 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
31328 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
31329 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
31330 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
31331 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
31332 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
31333 state.
31334
31335 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
31336
31337 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31338
31339 Reply:
31340 @table @samp
31341 @item E @var{nn}
31342 for an error
31343 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31344 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31345 @end table
31346
31347 @item vStopped
31348 @anchor{vStopped packet}
31349 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
31350
31351 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
31352 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
31353
31354 Reply:
31355 @table @samp
31356 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31357 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31358 @item OK
31359 if there are no unreported stop events
31360 @end table
31361
31362 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31363 @anchor{X packet}
31364 @cindex @samp{X} packet
31365 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
31366 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
31367 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
31368
31369 Reply:
31370 @table @samp
31371 @item OK
31372 for success
31373 @item E @var{NN}
31374 for an error
31375 @end table
31376
31377 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
31378 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
31379 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
31380 @cindex @samp{z} packet
31381 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
31382 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
31383 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
31384
31385 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
31386 separately.
31387
31388 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
31389 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
31390 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
31391 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
31392 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
31393 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
31394
31395 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31396 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31397 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
31398 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
31399 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
31400 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
31401
31402 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
31403 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
31404 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
31405 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
31406 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
31407 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
31408 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
31409
31410 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
31411 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
31412 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
31413 target, is not defined.}
31414
31415 Reply:
31416 @table @samp
31417 @item OK
31418 success
31419 @item
31420 not supported
31421 @item E @var{NN}
31422 for an error
31423 @end table
31424
31425 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31426 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31427 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
31428 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
31429 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
31430 address @var{addr}.
31431
31432 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
31433 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
31434 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
31435
31436 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
31437 movement.}
31438
31439 Reply:
31440 @table @samp
31441 @item OK
31442 success
31443 @item
31444 not supported
31445 @item E @var{NN}
31446 for an error
31447 @end table
31448
31449 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31450 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31451 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
31452 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
31453 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31454 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31455
31456 Reply:
31457 @table @samp
31458 @item OK
31459 success
31460 @item
31461 not supported
31462 @item E @var{NN}
31463 for an error
31464 @end table
31465
31466 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31467 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31468 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
31469 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
31470 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31471 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31472
31473 Reply:
31474 @table @samp
31475 @item OK
31476 success
31477 @item
31478 not supported
31479 @item E @var{NN}
31480 for an error
31481 @end table
31482
31483 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31484 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
31485 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
31486 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
31487 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
31488 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
31489
31490 Reply:
31491 @table @samp
31492 @item OK
31493 success
31494 @item
31495 not supported
31496 @item E @var{NN}
31497 for an error
31498 @end table
31499
31500 @end table
31501
31502 @node Stop Reply Packets
31503 @section Stop Reply Packets
31504 @cindex stop reply packets
31505
31506 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
31507 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
31508 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
31509 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
31510 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
31511 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
31512 @value{GDBN} source code.
31513
31514 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
31515 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
31516 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
31517 components.
31518
31519 @table @samp
31520
31521 @item S @var{AA}
31522 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
31523 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
31524 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
31525
31526 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
31527 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
31528 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
31529 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
31530 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
31531 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
31532 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
31533 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
31534
31535 @itemize @bullet
31536 @item
31537 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
31538 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
31539 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
31540 two-digit hex number.
31541
31542 @item
31543 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
31544 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31545
31546 @item
31547 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
31548 the core on which the stop event was detected.
31549
31550 @item
31551 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
31552 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
31553 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
31554 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
31555
31556 @item
31557 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
31558 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
31559 future.
31560 @end itemize
31561
31562 The currently defined stop reasons are:
31563
31564 @table @samp
31565 @item watch
31566 @itemx rwatch
31567 @itemx awatch
31568 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
31569 hex.
31570
31571 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
31572 @item library
31573 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
31574 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
31575 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
31576
31577 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
31578 @item replaylog
31579 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
31580 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
31581 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
31582 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
31583 for more information.
31584 @end table
31585
31586 @item W @var{AA}
31587 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
31588 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
31589 applicable to certain targets.
31590
31591 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
31592 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
31593 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
31594 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
31595
31596 @item X @var{AA}
31597 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
31598 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
31599
31600 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
31601 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
31602 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
31603 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
31604
31605 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
31606 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
31607 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
31608 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
31609 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
31610
31611 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
31612 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
31613 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
31614 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
31615 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
31616 system calls.
31617
31618 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
31619 this very system call.
31620
31621 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
31622 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
31623 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
31624 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
31625 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
31626 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
31627
31628 @end table
31629
31630 @node General Query Packets
31631 @section General Query Packets
31632 @cindex remote query requests
31633
31634 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
31635 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
31636 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
31637 sending information to and from the stub.
31638
31639 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
31640 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
31641 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
31642 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
31643 conventions:
31644
31645 @itemize @bullet
31646 @item
31647 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
31648 @item
31649 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
31650 letter.
31651 @item
31652 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
31653 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
31654 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
31655 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
31656 @end itemize
31657
31658 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
31659 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
31660 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
31661 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
31662 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
31663 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
31664 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
31665 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
31666 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
31667 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
31668 packet.}.
31669
31670 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
31671 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
31672 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
31673 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
31674 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
31675
31676 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
31677
31678 @table @samp
31679
31680 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
31681 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
31682 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
31683 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
31684 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
31685 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
31686 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
31687 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
31688 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
31689 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
31690 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
31691
31692 @item qC
31693 @cindex current thread, remote request
31694 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
31695 Return the current thread ID.
31696
31697 Reply:
31698 @table @samp
31699 @item QC @var{thread-id}
31700 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
31701 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31702 @item @r{(anything else)}
31703 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
31704 @end table
31705
31706 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
31707 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
31708 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
31709 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
31710 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
31711 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
31712 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
31713
31714 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
31715 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
31716 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
31717 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
31718 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
31719 detect trailing zeros.
31720
31721 Reply:
31722 @table @samp
31723 @item E @var{NN}
31724 An error (such as memory fault)
31725 @item C @var{crc32}
31726 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
31727 @end table
31728
31729 @item qfThreadInfo
31730 @itemx qsThreadInfo
31731 @cindex list active threads, remote request
31732 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
31733 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
31734 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
31735 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
31736 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
31737 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
31738 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
31739 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
31740
31741 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
31742
31743 Reply:
31744 @table @samp
31745 @item m @var{thread-id}
31746 A single thread ID
31747 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
31748 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
31749 @item l
31750 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
31751 @end table
31752
31753 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
31754 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
31755 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
31756 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
31757 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
31758 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
31759 fields.
31760
31761 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
31762 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
31763 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
31764 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
31765 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
31766
31767 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
31768 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
31769
31770 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
31771 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
31772 information associated with the variable.)
31773
31774 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
31775 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
31776 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
31777 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
31778 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
31779 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
31780
31781 Reply:
31782 @table @samp
31783 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
31784 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
31785 local storage requested.
31786
31787 @item E @var{nn}
31788 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31789
31790 @item
31791 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
31792 @end table
31793
31794 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
31795 @cindex get thread information block address
31796 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
31797 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
31798
31799 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
31800
31801 Reply:
31802 @table @samp
31803 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
31804 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
31805 thread information block.
31806
31807 @item E @var{nn}
31808 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
31809 address could not be retrieved.
31810
31811 @item
31812 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
31813 @end table
31814
31815 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
31816 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
31817 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
31818 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
31819 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
31820 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
31821 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
31822
31823 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
31824
31825 Reply:
31826 @table @samp
31827 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
31828 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
31829 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
31830 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
31831 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
31832 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
31833 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
31834 @end table
31835
31836 @item qOffsets
31837 @cindex section offsets, remote request
31838 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
31839 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
31840 image.
31841
31842 Reply:
31843 @table @samp
31844 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
31845 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
31846 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
31847 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
31848 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
31849 segments by the supplied offsets.
31850
31851 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
31852 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
31853 to the @code{Bss} section.}
31854
31855 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
31856 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
31857 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
31858 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
31859 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
31860 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
31861 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
31862 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
31863 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
31864 @end table
31865
31866 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
31867 @cindex thread information, remote request
31868 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
31869 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
31870 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
31871 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
31872
31873 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
31874 (see below).
31875
31876 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
31877
31878 @item QNonStop:1
31879 @item QNonStop:0
31880 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
31881 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
31882 @anchor{QNonStop}
31883 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
31884 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
31885
31886 Reply:
31887 @table @samp
31888 @item OK
31889 The request succeeded.
31890
31891 @item E @var{nn}
31892 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31893
31894 @item
31895 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
31896 the stub.
31897 @end table
31898
31899 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31900 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31901 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
31902 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
31903
31904 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
31905 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
31906 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31907 @anchor{QPassSignals}
31908 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
31909 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
31910 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
31911 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
31912 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
31913 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
31914 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
31915 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
31916 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
31917
31918 Reply:
31919 @table @samp
31920 @item OK
31921 The request succeeded.
31922
31923 @item E @var{nn}
31924 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31925
31926 @item
31927 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
31928 the stub.
31929 @end table
31930
31931 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
31932 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
31933 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31934 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31935
31936 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
31937 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
31938 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
31939 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
31940 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
31941 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
31942 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
31943 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
31944 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
31945
31946 Reply:
31947 @table @samp
31948 @item OK
31949 A command response with no output.
31950 @item @var{OUTPUT}
31951 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
31952 @item E @var{NN}
31953 Indicate a badly formed request.
31954 @item
31955 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
31956 @end table
31957
31958 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
31959 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
31960 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
31961 packets.)
31962
31963 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
31964 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
31965 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
31966 @anchor{qSearch memory}
31967 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
31968 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
31969 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
31970
31971 Reply:
31972 @table @samp
31973 @item 0
31974 The pattern was not found.
31975 @item 1,address
31976 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
31977 @item E @var{NN}
31978 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
31979 @item
31980 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
31981 @end table
31982
31983 @item QStartNoAckMode
31984 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
31985 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
31986 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
31987 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
31988
31989 Reply:
31990 @table @samp
31991 @item OK
31992 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
31993 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
31994 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
31995 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
31996 @item
31997 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
31998 @end table
31999
32000 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
32001 @cindex supported packets, remote query
32002 @cindex features of the remote protocol
32003 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
32004 @anchor{qSupported}
32005 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
32006 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
32007 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
32008 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
32009 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
32010 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
32011 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
32012 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
32013 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
32014 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
32015 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
32016 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
32017 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
32018 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
32019
32020 Reply:
32021 @table @samp
32022 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
32023 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
32024 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
32025 possible forms).
32026 @item
32027 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
32028 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
32029 @end table
32030
32031 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
32032 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
32033 are:
32034
32035 @table @samp
32036 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
32037 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
32038 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
32039 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
32040 @item @var{name}+
32041 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
32042 need an associated value.
32043 @item @var{name}-
32044 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
32045 @item @var{name}?
32046 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
32047 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
32048 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
32049 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
32050 @end table
32051
32052 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
32053 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
32054 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
32055 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
32056 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
32057
32058 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
32059 are defined:
32060
32061 @table @samp
32062 @item multiprocess
32063 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
32064 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
32065 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
32066 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
32067 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
32068
32069 @item xmlRegisters
32070 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
32071 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
32072 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
32073 description.
32074
32075 @item qRelocInsn
32076 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
32077 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32078 instruction reply packet}).
32079 @end table
32080
32081 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
32082 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
32083 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
32084 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
32085 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
32086 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
32087 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
32088 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
32089 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
32090 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
32091 all the features it supports.
32092
32093 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
32094 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
32095
32096 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
32097 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
32098 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
32099 form response.
32100
32101 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
32102 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
32103 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
32104 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
32105
32106 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
32107 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
32108 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
32109 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
32110 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
32111
32112 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
32113
32114 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
32115 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
32116 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
32117 @item Feature Name
32118 @tab Value Required
32119 @tab Default
32120 @tab Probe Allowed
32121
32122 @item @samp{PacketSize}
32123 @tab Yes
32124 @tab @samp{-}
32125 @tab No
32126
32127 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
32128 @tab No
32129 @tab @samp{-}
32130 @tab Yes
32131
32132 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
32133 @tab No
32134 @tab @samp{-}
32135 @tab Yes
32136
32137 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
32138 @tab No
32139 @tab @samp{-}
32140 @tab Yes
32141
32142 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
32143 @tab No
32144 @tab @samp{-}
32145 @tab Yes
32146
32147 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
32148 @tab No
32149 @tab @samp{-}
32150 @tab Yes
32151
32152 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
32153 @tab No
32154 @tab @samp{-}
32155 @tab Yes
32156
32157 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
32158 @tab No
32159 @tab @samp{-}
32160 @tab Yes
32161
32162 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
32163 @tab No
32164 @tab @samp{-}
32165 @tab Yes
32166
32167 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
32168 @tab No
32169 @tab @samp{-}
32170 @tab Yes
32171
32172 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
32173 @tab No
32174 @tab @samp{-}
32175 @tab Yes
32176
32177
32178 @item @samp{QNonStop}
32179 @tab No
32180 @tab @samp{-}
32181 @tab Yes
32182
32183 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
32184 @tab No
32185 @tab @samp{-}
32186 @tab Yes
32187
32188 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
32189 @tab No
32190 @tab @samp{-}
32191 @tab Yes
32192
32193 @item @samp{multiprocess}
32194 @tab No
32195 @tab @samp{-}
32196 @tab No
32197
32198 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
32199 @tab No
32200 @tab @samp{-}
32201 @tab No
32202
32203 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
32204 @tab No
32205 @tab @samp{-}
32206 @tab No
32207
32208 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
32209 @tab No
32210 @tab @samp{-}
32211 @tab No
32212
32213 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
32214 @tab No
32215 @tab @samp{-}
32216 @tab No
32217
32218 @item @samp{QAllow}
32219 @tab No
32220 @tab @samp{-}
32221 @tab No
32222
32223 @end multitable
32224
32225 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
32226
32227 @table @samp
32228 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
32229 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
32230 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
32231 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
32232 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
32233 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
32234 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
32235 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
32236 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
32237 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
32238
32239 @item qXfer:auxv:read
32240 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
32241 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
32242
32243 @item qXfer:features:read
32244 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
32245 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
32246
32247 @item qXfer:libraries:read
32248 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
32249 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
32250
32251 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
32252 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
32253 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
32254
32255 @item qXfer:sdata:read
32256 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
32257 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
32258
32259 @item qXfer:spu:read
32260 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
32261 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
32262
32263 @item qXfer:spu:write
32264 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
32265 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
32266
32267 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
32268 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
32269 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
32270
32271 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
32272 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
32273 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
32274
32275 @item qXfer:threads:read
32276 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
32277 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
32278
32279 @item QNonStop
32280 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
32281 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
32282
32283 @item QPassSignals
32284 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
32285 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
32286
32287 @item QStartNoAckMode
32288 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
32289 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
32290
32291 @item multiprocess
32292 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
32293 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
32294 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
32295 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
32296 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
32297 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
32298 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
32299 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
32300 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
32301 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
32302 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
32303
32304 @item qXfer:osdata:read
32305 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
32306 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
32307
32308 @item ConditionalTracepoints
32309 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
32310 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
32311
32312 @item ReverseContinue
32313 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
32314 (@pxref{bc}).
32315
32316 @item ReverseStep
32317 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
32318 (@pxref{bs}).
32319
32320 @item TracepointSource
32321 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
32322 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
32323
32324 @item QAllow
32325 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
32326
32327 @item StaticTracepoint
32328 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
32329 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
32330
32331 @end table
32332
32333 @item qSymbol::
32334 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
32335 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
32336 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
32337 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
32338
32339 Reply:
32340 @table @samp
32341 @item OK
32342 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
32343 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
32344 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
32345 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
32346 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
32347 below.
32348 @end table
32349
32350 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
32351 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
32352
32353 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
32354 target has previously requested.
32355
32356 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
32357 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
32358 will be empty.
32359
32360 Reply:
32361 @table @samp
32362 @item OK
32363 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
32364 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
32365 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
32366 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
32367 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
32368 @end table
32369
32370 @item qTBuffer
32371 @item QTBuffer
32372 @item QTDisconnected
32373 @itemx QTDP
32374 @itemx QTDPsrc
32375 @itemx QTDV
32376 @itemx qTfP
32377 @itemx qTfV
32378 @itemx QTFrame
32379 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
32380
32381 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
32382 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
32383 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
32384 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
32385 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
32386 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
32387 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
32388 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
32389 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
32390 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
32391 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
32392
32393 Reply:
32394 @table @samp
32395 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32396 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
32397 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
32398 the thread's attributes.
32399 @end table
32400
32401 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
32402 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
32403 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
32404 packets.)
32405
32406 @item QTSave
32407 @item qTsP
32408 @item qTsV
32409 @itemx QTStart
32410 @itemx QTStop
32411 @itemx QTinit
32412 @itemx QTro
32413 @itemx qTStatus
32414 @itemx qTV
32415 @itemx qTfSTM
32416 @itemx qTsSTM
32417 @itemx qTSTMat
32418 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
32419
32420 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32421 @cindex read special object, remote request
32422 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
32423 @anchor{qXfer read}
32424 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
32425 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
32426 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
32427 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
32428 additional details about what data to access.
32429
32430 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
32431 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
32432 formats, listed below.
32433
32434 @table @samp
32435 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32436 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
32437 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
32438 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
32439
32440 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32441 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32442
32443 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32444 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
32445 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
32446 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
32447 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
32448
32449 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32450 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32451
32452 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32453 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
32454 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
32455 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32456 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32457
32458 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
32459 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
32460 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
32461
32462 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32463 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32464
32465 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32466 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
32467 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
32468 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32469 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32470
32471 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32472 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32473
32474 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32475 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
32476
32477 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
32478 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
32479 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
32480 Action Lists}.
32481
32482 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32483 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32484 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32485
32486 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32487 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
32488 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
32489 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
32490 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32491
32492 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32493 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32494 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32495
32496 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
32497 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
32498 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
32499 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
32500 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
32501 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
32502 in that context to be accessed.
32503
32504 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32505 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32506 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32507
32508 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32509 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
32510 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
32511 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
32512 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
32513
32514 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32515 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32516
32517 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
32518 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
32519 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
32520 @xref{Operating System Information}.
32521
32522 @end table
32523
32524 Reply:
32525 @table @samp
32526 @item m @var{data}
32527 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
32528 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
32529 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
32530 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
32531 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
32532 request.
32533
32534 @item l @var{data}
32535 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
32536 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
32537 than the @var{length} in the request.
32538
32539 @item l
32540 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
32541 There is no more data to be read.
32542
32543 @item E00
32544 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
32545
32546 @item E @var{nn}
32547 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
32548 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
32549
32550 @item
32551 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
32552 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
32553 @end table
32554
32555 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32556 @cindex write data into object, remote request
32557 @anchor{qXfer write}
32558 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
32559 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
32560 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
32561 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
32562 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
32563 to access.
32564
32565 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
32566 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
32567 formats, listed below.
32568
32569 @table @samp
32570 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32571 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
32572 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
32573 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
32574 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
32575
32576 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32577 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
32578 (@pxref{qSupported}).
32579
32580 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
32581 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
32582 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
32583 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
32584 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
32585 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
32586 in that context to be accessed.
32587
32588 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32589 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32590 @end table
32591
32592 Reply:
32593 @table @samp
32594 @item @var{nn}
32595 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
32596 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
32597
32598 @item E00
32599 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
32600
32601 @item E @var{nn}
32602 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
32603 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
32604
32605 @item
32606 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
32607 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
32608 @end table
32609
32610 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
32611 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
32612 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
32613 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
32614 must respond with an empty packet.
32615
32616 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
32617 @cindex query attached, remote request
32618 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
32619 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
32620 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
32621 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
32622 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
32623 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
32624 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
32625
32626 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
32627 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
32628 the @code{quit} command.
32629
32630 Reply:
32631 @table @samp
32632 @item 1
32633 The remote server attached to an existing process.
32634 @item 0
32635 The remote server created a new process.
32636 @item E @var{NN}
32637 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
32638 @end table
32639
32640 @end table
32641
32642 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
32643 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
32644
32645 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
32646 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
32647 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
32648
32649 @subsection ARM
32650
32651 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
32652
32653 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
32654
32655 @table @r
32656
32657 @item 2
32658 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
32659
32660 @item 3
32661 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
32662
32663 @item 4
32664 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
32665
32666 @end table
32667
32668 @subsection MIPS
32669
32670 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
32671
32672 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
32673 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
32674 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
32675 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
32676 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
32677 most-significant - least-significant.
32678
32679 @table @r
32680
32681 @item MIPS32
32682
32683 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
32684 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
32685 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
32686
32687 @item MIPS64
32688
32689 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
32690 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
32691 as @code{MIPS32}.
32692
32693 @end table
32694
32695 @node Tracepoint Packets
32696 @section Tracepoint Packets
32697 @cindex tracepoint packets
32698 @cindex packets, tracepoint
32699
32700 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
32701 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32702
32703 @table @samp
32704
32705 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
32706 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
32707 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
32708 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
32709 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
32710 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
32711 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
32712 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
32713 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
32714 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
32715 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
32716 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
32717 actions.
32718
32719 Replies:
32720 @table @samp
32721 @item OK
32722 The packet was understood and carried out.
32723 @item qRelocInsn
32724 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
32725 @item
32726 The packet was not recognized.
32727 @end table
32728
32729 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
32730 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
32731 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
32732 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
32733 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
32734 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
32735 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
32736
32737 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
32738 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
32739 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
32740 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
32741 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
32742 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
32743 tracepoint actions.
32744
32745 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
32746 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
32747 following forms:
32748
32749 @table @samp
32750
32751 @item R @var{mask}
32752 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
32753 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
32754 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
32755 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
32756 not fit in a 32-bit word.
32757
32758 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
32759 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
32760 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
32761 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
32762 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
32763 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
32764 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
32765
32766 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
32767 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
32768 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
32769 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
32770 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
32771 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
32772 packet).
32773
32774 @end table
32775
32776 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
32777 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
32778 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
32779 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
32780 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
32781 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
32782 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
32783 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
32784
32785 Replies:
32786 @table @samp
32787 @item OK
32788 The packet was understood and carried out.
32789 @item qRelocInsn
32790 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
32791 @item
32792 The packet was not recognized.
32793 @end table
32794
32795 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
32796 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
32797 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
32798 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
32799 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
32800 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
32801 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
32802 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
32803
32804 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
32805 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
32806 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
32807 fit in a single packet.
32808 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
32809 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
32810
32811 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
32812 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
32813 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
32814 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
32815
32816 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
32817 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
32818 query packets.
32819
32820 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
32821 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
32822 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
32823 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
32824 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
32825 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
32826 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
32827 be found.
32828
32829 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
32830 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
32831 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
32832 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
32833 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
32834 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
32835 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
32836 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
32837 mentioned in expressions.
32838
32839 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
32840 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
32841 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
32842 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
32843
32844 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
32845 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
32846 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
32847 one of the following forms:
32848
32849 @table @samp
32850 @item F @var{f}
32851 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
32852 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
32853 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
32854
32855 @item T @var{t}
32856 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
32857 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
32858
32859 @end table
32860
32861 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
32862 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32863 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
32864 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
32865
32866 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
32867 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32868 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
32869 is a hexadecimal number.
32870
32871 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
32872 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32873 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
32874 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
32875 numbers.
32876
32877 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
32878 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
32879 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
32880
32881 @item QTStart
32882 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
32883 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
32884 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32885 instruction reply packet}).
32886
32887 @item QTStop
32888 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
32889
32890 @item QTinit
32891 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
32892
32893 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
32894 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
32895 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
32896 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
32897
32898 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
32899 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
32900 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
32901 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
32902
32903 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
32904 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
32905 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
32906 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
32907 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
32908
32909 @item qTStatus
32910 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
32911
32912 The reply has the form:
32913
32914 @table @samp
32915
32916 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
32917 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
32918 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
32919 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
32920
32921 @end table
32922
32923 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
32924 explanations as one of the optional fields:
32925
32926 @table @samp
32927
32928 @item tnotrun:0
32929 No trace has been run yet.
32930
32931 @item tstop:0
32932 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
32933
32934 @item tfull:0
32935 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
32936
32937 @item tdisconnected:0
32938 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
32939
32940 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
32941 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
32942
32943 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
32944 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
32945 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
32946 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
32947 @var{text} is hex encoded.
32948
32949 @item tunknown:0
32950 The trace stopped for some other reason.
32951
32952 @end table
32953
32954 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
32955 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
32956 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
32957 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
32958 trace.
32959
32960 @table @samp
32961
32962 @item tframes:@var{n}
32963 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
32964
32965 @item tcreated:@var{n}
32966 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
32967 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
32968
32969 @item tsize:@var{n}
32970 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
32971
32972 @item tfree:@var{n}
32973 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
32974
32975 @item circular:@var{n}
32976 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32977 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32978 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32979 and may fill up.
32980
32981 @item disconn:@var{n}
32982 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32983 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32984 that the trace run will stop.
32985
32986 @end table
32987
32988 @item qTV:@var{var}
32989 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
32990 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
32991 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
32992
32993 Replies:
32994 @table @samp
32995 @item V@var{value}
32996 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
32997 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
32998 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
32999 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
33000 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
33001 program is running.
33002
33003 @item U
33004 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
33005 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
33006 was not collected.
33007 @end table
33008
33009 @item qTfP
33010 @itemx qTsP
33011 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
33012 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
33013 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
33014 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
33015 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
33016
33017 @item qTfV
33018 @itemx qTsV
33019 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
33020 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
33021 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
33022 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
33023 trace state variables.
33024
33025 @item qTfSTM
33026 @itemx qTsSTM
33027 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
33028 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
33029 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
33030 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
33031
33032 Reply:
33033 @table @samp
33034 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
33035 A single marker
33036 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
33037 a comma-separated list of markers
33038 @item l
33039 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33040 @item E @var{nn}
33041 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33042 @item
33043 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
33044 stub.
33045 @end table
33046
33047 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
33048 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
33049
33050 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33051 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
33052 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
33053 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
33054 @dfn{last}).
33055
33056 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
33057 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
33058 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
33059 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
33060 tracepoint markers.
33061
33062 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
33063 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
33064 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
33065 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
33066 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
33067
33068 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
33069 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
33070 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
33071 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
33072 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
33073 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
33074 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
33075 available.
33076
33077 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
33078 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
33079 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
33080
33081 @end table
33082
33083 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
33084 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
33085 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
33086 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
33087 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
33088 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
33089 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
33090 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
33091 it had executed in the original location.
33092
33093 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
33094 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
33095 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
33096 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
33097 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
33098 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
33099 format of the request is:
33100
33101 @table @samp
33102 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
33103
33104 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
33105 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
33106 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
33107 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
33108 memory starting at @var{to}.
33109 @end table
33110
33111 Replies:
33112 @table @samp
33113 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
33114 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
33115 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
33116 @item E @var{NN}
33117 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
33118 relocating the instruction.
33119 @end table
33120
33121 @node Host I/O Packets
33122 @section Host I/O Packets
33123 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
33124 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
33125
33126 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
33127 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
33128 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
33129 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
33130 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
33131 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
33132 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
33133 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
33134 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
33135 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
33136
33137 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
33138 its arguments. They have this format:
33139
33140 @table @samp
33141
33142 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
33143 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
33144 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
33145 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
33146 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
33147 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
33148 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
33149 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
33150 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
33151
33152 @end table
33153
33154 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
33155
33156 @table @samp
33157
33158 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
33159 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
33160 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
33161 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
33162 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
33163 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
33164 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
33165 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
33166 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
33167 @var{attachment}.
33168
33169 @item
33170 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
33171
33172 @end table
33173
33174 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
33175
33176 @table @samp
33177 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
33178 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
33179 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
33180 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
33181 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
33182 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
33183 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
33184
33185 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
33186 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
33187 -1 if an error occurs.
33188
33189 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
33190 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
33191 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
33192 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
33193 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
33194 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
33195 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
33196 @var{count} was zero.
33197
33198 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
33199 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
33200 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
33201 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
33202 some characters were escaped.
33203
33204 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
33205 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
33206 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
33207 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
33208 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
33209 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
33210 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
33211 error occurred.
33212
33213 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
33214 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
33215 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
33216
33217 @end table
33218
33219 @node Interrupts
33220 @section Interrupts
33221 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
33222
33223 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
33224 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
33225 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
33226 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
33227
33228 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
33229 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
33230 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
33231 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
33232 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
33233
33234 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
33235 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
33236 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
33237 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
33238 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
33239 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
33240 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
33241 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
33242
33243 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
33244 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
33245 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
33246
33247 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
33248 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
33249 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
33250 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
33251 currently-executing threads and processes.
33252 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
33253 running program, it should send one of the stop
33254 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
33255 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
33256 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
33257 Interrupts received while the
33258 program is stopped are discarded.
33259
33260 @node Notification Packets
33261 @section Notification Packets
33262 @cindex notification packets
33263 @cindex packets, notification
33264
33265 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
33266 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
33267 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
33268 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
33269 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
33270 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
33271 is not a problem.
33272
33273 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
33274 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
33275 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
33276 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
33277 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
33278 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
33279 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
33280
33281 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
33282 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
33283
33284 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
33285 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
33286 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
33287 not they understand it.
33288
33289 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
33290 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
33291 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
33292 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
33293 recipients.
33294
33295 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
33296 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
33297 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
33298 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
33299 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
33300
33301 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
33302 defined:
33303
33304 @table @samp
33305 @item Stop: @var{reply}
33306 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
33307 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
33308 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
33309 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
33310 @value{GDBN}.
33311 @end table
33312
33313 @node Remote Non-Stop
33314 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
33315
33316 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
33317 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
33318 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
33319 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33320
33321 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
33322 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
33323 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
33324 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
33325 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
33326 probe the target state after a mode change.
33327
33328 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
33329 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
33330 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
33331 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
33332 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
33333 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
33334 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
33335 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
33336 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
33337 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
33338 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
33339
33340 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
33341 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
33342 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
33343 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
33344 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
33345 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
33346 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
33347 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
33348 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
33349 sending any queued stop events.
33350
33351 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
33352 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
33353 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
33354 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
33355 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
33356 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
33357 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
33358
33359 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
33360 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
33361 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
33362 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
33363 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
33364 process normally.
33365
33366 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
33367 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
33368 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
33369 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
33370 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
33371 should process normally.
33372
33373 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
33374 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
33375 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
33376 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
33377 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
33378
33379 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
33380 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
33381 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
33382 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
33383 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
33384 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
33385 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
33386 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
33387 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
33388 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
33389 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
33390 @samp{OK}.
33391
33392 @node Packet Acknowledgment
33393 @section Packet Acknowledgment
33394
33395 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
33396 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
33397 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
33398 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
33399 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
33400 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
33401 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
33402
33403 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
33404 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
33405 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
33406 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
33407 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
33408
33409 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
33410 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
33411 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
33412 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
33413
33414 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
33415 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
33416 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
33417 @pxref{qSupported}.
33418 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
33419 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
33420 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
33421 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
33422 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
33423 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
33424 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
33425
33426 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
33427 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
33428 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
33429 connection.
33430 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
33431 new connection is established,
33432 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
33433 for the current connection, once disabled.
33434
33435 @node Examples
33436 @section Examples
33437
33438 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
33439 does not get any direct output:
33440
33441 @smallexample
33442 -> @code{R00}
33443 <- @code{+}
33444 @emph{target restarts}
33445 -> @code{?}
33446 <- @code{+}
33447 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
33448 -> @code{+}
33449 @end smallexample
33450
33451 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
33452
33453 @smallexample
33454 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
33455 <- @code{+}
33456 -> @code{s}
33457 <- @code{+}
33458 @emph{time passes}
33459 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
33460 -> @code{+}
33461 -> @code{g}
33462 <- @code{+}
33463 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
33464 -> @code{+}
33465 @end smallexample
33466
33467 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
33468 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
33469 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
33470
33471 @menu
33472 * File-I/O Overview::
33473 * Protocol Basics::
33474 * The F Request Packet::
33475 * The F Reply Packet::
33476 * The Ctrl-C Message::
33477 * Console I/O::
33478 * List of Supported Calls::
33479 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
33480 * Constants::
33481 * File-I/O Examples::
33482 @end menu
33483
33484 @node File-I/O Overview
33485 @subsection File-I/O Overview
33486 @cindex file-i/o overview
33487
33488 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
33489 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
33490 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
33491 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
33492 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
33493 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
33494
33495 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
33496 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
33497 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
33498 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
33499 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
33500
33501 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
33502 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33503 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
33504 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
33505 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
33506 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
33507 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
33508
33509 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
33510 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
33511 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
33512 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
33513 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
33514
33515 @smallexample
33516 (@value{GDBP}) continue
33517 <- target requests 'system call X'
33518 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
33519 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
33520 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
33521 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
33522 @end smallexample
33523
33524 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
33525 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
33526 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
33527 system are not supported by this protocol.
33528
33529 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
33530
33531 @node Protocol Basics
33532 @subsection Protocol Basics
33533 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
33534
33535 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
33536 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
33537 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
33538 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
33539 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
33540 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
33541 to call the appropriate host system call:
33542
33543 @itemize @bullet
33544 @item
33545 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
33546
33547 @item
33548 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
33549 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
33550 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
33551 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
33552
33553 @end itemize
33554
33555 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
33556
33557 @itemize @bullet
33558 @item
33559 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
33560 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
33561 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
33562 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
33563 packet.
33564
33565 @item
33566 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
33567 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
33568
33569 @item
33570 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
33571
33572 @item
33573 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
33574
33575 @item
33576 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
33577 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
33578 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
33579 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
33580 packet.
33581
33582 @end itemize
33583
33584 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
33585 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
33586
33587 @itemize @bullet
33588 @item
33589 Return value.
33590
33591 @item
33592 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
33593
33594 @item
33595 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
33596
33597 @end itemize
33598
33599 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
33600 the latest continue or step action.
33601
33602 @node The F Request Packet
33603 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
33604 @cindex file-i/o request packet
33605 @cindex @code{F} request packet
33606
33607 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
33608
33609 @table @samp
33610 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
33611
33612 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
33613 This is just the name of the function.
33614
33615 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
33616 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
33617 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
33618 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
33619 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
33620 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
33621 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
33622
33623 @end table
33624
33625
33626
33627 @node The F Reply Packet
33628 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
33629 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
33630 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
33631
33632 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
33633
33634 @table @samp
33635
33636 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
33637
33638 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
33639
33640 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
33641 representation.
33642 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
33643
33644 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
33645 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
33646 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
33647
33648 @smallexample
33649 F0,0,C
33650 @end smallexample
33651
33652 @noindent
33653 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
33654
33655 @smallexample
33656 F-1,4,C
33657 @end smallexample
33658
33659 @noindent
33660 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
33661
33662 @end table
33663
33664
33665 @node The Ctrl-C Message
33666 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
33667 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
33668
33669 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
33670 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
33671 the target should behave as if it had
33672 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
33673 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
33674 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
33675 packet.
33676
33677 It's important for the target to know in which
33678 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
33679
33680 @itemize @bullet
33681 @item
33682 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
33683
33684 @item
33685 The system call on the host has been finished.
33686
33687 @end itemize
33688
33689 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
33690 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
33691 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
33692 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
33693 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
33694 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
33695
33696 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
33697 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
33698 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
33699 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
33700 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
33701 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
33702 or the full action has been completed.
33703
33704 @node Console I/O
33705 @subsection Console I/O
33706 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
33707
33708 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
33709 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
33710 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
33711 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
33712 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
33713 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
33714 conditions is met:
33715
33716 @itemize @bullet
33717 @item
33718 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
33719 @code{read}
33720 system call is treated as finished.
33721
33722 @item
33723 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
33724 newline.
33725
33726 @item
33727 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
33728 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
33729
33730 @end itemize
33731
33732 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
33733 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
33734 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
33735 is stopped at the user's request.
33736
33737
33738 @node List of Supported Calls
33739 @subsection List of Supported Calls
33740 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
33741
33742 @menu
33743 * open::
33744 * close::
33745 * read::
33746 * write::
33747 * lseek::
33748 * rename::
33749 * unlink::
33750 * stat/fstat::
33751 * gettimeofday::
33752 * isatty::
33753 * system::
33754 @end menu
33755
33756 @node open
33757 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
33758 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
33759
33760 @table @asis
33761 @item Synopsis:
33762 @smallexample
33763 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
33764 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
33765 @end smallexample
33766
33767 @item Request:
33768 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
33769
33770 @noindent
33771 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
33772
33773 @table @code
33774 @item O_CREAT
33775 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
33776 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
33777 are concerned.
33778
33779 @item O_EXCL
33780 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
33781 an error and open() fails.
33782
33783 @item O_TRUNC
33784 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
33785 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
33786 truncated to zero length.
33787
33788 @item O_APPEND
33789 The file is opened in append mode.
33790
33791 @item O_RDONLY
33792 The file is opened for reading only.
33793
33794 @item O_WRONLY
33795 The file is opened for writing only.
33796
33797 @item O_RDWR
33798 The file is opened for reading and writing.
33799 @end table
33800
33801 @noindent
33802 Other bits are silently ignored.
33803
33804
33805 @noindent
33806 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
33807
33808 @table @code
33809 @item S_IRUSR
33810 User has read permission.
33811
33812 @item S_IWUSR
33813 User has write permission.
33814
33815 @item S_IRGRP
33816 Group has read permission.
33817
33818 @item S_IWGRP
33819 Group has write permission.
33820
33821 @item S_IROTH
33822 Others have read permission.
33823
33824 @item S_IWOTH
33825 Others have write permission.
33826 @end table
33827
33828 @noindent
33829 Other bits are silently ignored.
33830
33831
33832 @item Return value:
33833 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
33834 occurred.
33835
33836 @item Errors:
33837
33838 @table @code
33839 @item EEXIST
33840 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
33841
33842 @item EISDIR
33843 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
33844
33845 @item EACCES
33846 The requested access is not allowed.
33847
33848 @item ENAMETOOLONG
33849 @var{pathname} was too long.
33850
33851 @item ENOENT
33852 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
33853
33854 @item ENODEV
33855 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
33856
33857 @item EROFS
33858 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
33859 write access was requested.
33860
33861 @item EFAULT
33862 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
33863
33864 @item ENOSPC
33865 No space on device to create the file.
33866
33867 @item EMFILE
33868 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
33869
33870 @item ENFILE
33871 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
33872 has been reached.
33873
33874 @item EINTR
33875 The call was interrupted by the user.
33876 @end table
33877
33878 @end table
33879
33880 @node close
33881 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
33882 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
33883
33884 @table @asis
33885 @item Synopsis:
33886 @smallexample
33887 int close(int fd);
33888 @end smallexample
33889
33890 @item Request:
33891 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
33892
33893 @item Return value:
33894 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
33895
33896 @item Errors:
33897
33898 @table @code
33899 @item EBADF
33900 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
33901
33902 @item EINTR
33903 The call was interrupted by the user.
33904 @end table
33905
33906 @end table
33907
33908 @node read
33909 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
33910 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
33911
33912 @table @asis
33913 @item Synopsis:
33914 @smallexample
33915 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
33916 @end smallexample
33917
33918 @item Request:
33919 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
33920
33921 @item Return value:
33922 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
33923 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
33924 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
33925
33926 @item Errors:
33927
33928 @table @code
33929 @item EBADF
33930 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
33931 reading.
33932
33933 @item EFAULT
33934 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33935
33936 @item EINTR
33937 The call was interrupted by the user.
33938 @end table
33939
33940 @end table
33941
33942 @node write
33943 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
33944 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
33945
33946 @table @asis
33947 @item Synopsis:
33948 @smallexample
33949 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
33950 @end smallexample
33951
33952 @item Request:
33953 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
33954
33955 @item Return value:
33956 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
33957 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
33958 is returned.
33959
33960 @item Errors:
33961
33962 @table @code
33963 @item EBADF
33964 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
33965 writing.
33966
33967 @item EFAULT
33968 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33969
33970 @item EFBIG
33971 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
33972 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
33973
33974 @item ENOSPC
33975 No space on device to write the data.
33976
33977 @item EINTR
33978 The call was interrupted by the user.
33979 @end table
33980
33981 @end table
33982
33983 @node lseek
33984 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
33985 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
33986
33987 @table @asis
33988 @item Synopsis:
33989 @smallexample
33990 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
33991 @end smallexample
33992
33993 @item Request:
33994 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
33995
33996 @var{flag} is one of:
33997
33998 @table @code
33999 @item SEEK_SET
34000 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
34001
34002 @item SEEK_CUR
34003 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
34004 bytes.
34005
34006 @item SEEK_END
34007 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
34008 bytes.
34009 @end table
34010
34011 @item Return value:
34012 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
34013 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
34014 value of -1 is returned.
34015
34016 @item Errors:
34017
34018 @table @code
34019 @item EBADF
34020 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
34021
34022 @item ESPIPE
34023 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
34024
34025 @item EINVAL
34026 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
34027
34028 @item EINTR
34029 The call was interrupted by the user.
34030 @end table
34031
34032 @end table
34033
34034 @node rename
34035 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
34036 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
34037
34038 @table @asis
34039 @item Synopsis:
34040 @smallexample
34041 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
34042 @end smallexample
34043
34044 @item Request:
34045 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
34046
34047 @item Return value:
34048 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34049
34050 @item Errors:
34051
34052 @table @code
34053 @item EISDIR
34054 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
34055 directory.
34056
34057 @item EEXIST
34058 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
34059
34060 @item EBUSY
34061 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
34062 process.
34063
34064 @item EINVAL
34065 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
34066 of itself.
34067
34068 @item ENOTDIR
34069 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
34070 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
34071 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
34072
34073 @item EFAULT
34074 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
34075
34076 @item EACCES
34077 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34078
34079 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34080
34081 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
34082
34083 @item ENOENT
34084 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
34085
34086 @item EROFS
34087 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34088
34089 @item ENOSPC
34090 The device containing the file has no room for the new
34091 directory entry.
34092
34093 @item EINTR
34094 The call was interrupted by the user.
34095 @end table
34096
34097 @end table
34098
34099 @node unlink
34100 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
34101 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
34102
34103 @table @asis
34104 @item Synopsis:
34105 @smallexample
34106 int unlink(const char *pathname);
34107 @end smallexample
34108
34109 @item Request:
34110 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
34111
34112 @item Return value:
34113 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34114
34115 @item Errors:
34116
34117 @table @code
34118 @item EACCES
34119 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34120
34121 @item EPERM
34122 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
34123
34124 @item EBUSY
34125 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
34126 being used by another process.
34127
34128 @item EFAULT
34129 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34130
34131 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34132 @var{pathname} was too long.
34133
34134 @item ENOENT
34135 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34136
34137 @item ENOTDIR
34138 A component of the path is not a directory.
34139
34140 @item EROFS
34141 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34142
34143 @item EINTR
34144 The call was interrupted by the user.
34145 @end table
34146
34147 @end table
34148
34149 @node stat/fstat
34150 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
34151 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
34152 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
34153
34154 @table @asis
34155 @item Synopsis:
34156 @smallexample
34157 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
34158 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
34159 @end smallexample
34160
34161 @item Request:
34162 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
34163 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
34164
34165 @item Return value:
34166 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34167
34168 @item Errors:
34169
34170 @table @code
34171 @item EBADF
34172 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
34173
34174 @item ENOENT
34175 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
34176 path is an empty string.
34177
34178 @item ENOTDIR
34179 A component of the path is not a directory.
34180
34181 @item EFAULT
34182 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34183
34184 @item EACCES
34185 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34186
34187 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34188 @var{pathname} was too long.
34189
34190 @item EINTR
34191 The call was interrupted by the user.
34192 @end table
34193
34194 @end table
34195
34196 @node gettimeofday
34197 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
34198 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
34199
34200 @table @asis
34201 @item Synopsis:
34202 @smallexample
34203 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
34204 @end smallexample
34205
34206 @item Request:
34207 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
34208
34209 @item Return value:
34210 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
34211
34212 @item Errors:
34213
34214 @table @code
34215 @item EINVAL
34216 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
34217
34218 @item EFAULT
34219 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34220 @end table
34221
34222 @end table
34223
34224 @node isatty
34225 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
34226 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
34227
34228 @table @asis
34229 @item Synopsis:
34230 @smallexample
34231 int isatty(int fd);
34232 @end smallexample
34233
34234 @item Request:
34235 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
34236
34237 @item Return value:
34238 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
34239
34240 @item Errors:
34241
34242 @table @code
34243 @item EINTR
34244 The call was interrupted by the user.
34245 @end table
34246
34247 @end table
34248
34249 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
34250 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
34251 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
34252 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
34253 needed.
34254
34255
34256 @node system
34257 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
34258 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
34259
34260 @table @asis
34261 @item Synopsis:
34262 @smallexample
34263 int system(const char *command);
34264 @end smallexample
34265
34266 @item Request:
34267 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
34268
34269 @item Return value:
34270 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
34271 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
34272 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
34273 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
34274 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
34275 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
34276 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
34277
34278 @item Errors:
34279
34280 @table @code
34281 @item EINTR
34282 The call was interrupted by the user.
34283 @end table
34284
34285 @end table
34286
34287 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
34288 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
34289 the host is simplified before it's returned
34290 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
34291 is discarded, and the return value consists
34292 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
34293
34294 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
34295 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
34296 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
34297
34298 @table @code
34299 @item set remote system-call-allowed
34300 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
34301 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
34302 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
34303
34304 @item show remote system-call-allowed
34305 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
34306 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
34307 protocol.
34308 @end table
34309
34310 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
34311 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
34312 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
34313
34314 @menu
34315 * Integral Datatypes::
34316 * Pointer Values::
34317 * Memory Transfer::
34318 * struct stat::
34319 * struct timeval::
34320 @end menu
34321
34322 @node Integral Datatypes
34323 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
34324 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
34325
34326 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
34327 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
34328 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
34329
34330 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
34331 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
34332
34333 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
34334
34335 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
34336 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
34337
34338 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
34339
34340 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
34341 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
34342 byte order.
34343
34344 @node Pointer Values
34345 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
34346 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
34347
34348 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
34349 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
34350 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
34351 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
34352
34353 @smallexample
34354 @code{1aaf/12}
34355 @end smallexample
34356
34357 @noindent
34358 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
34359 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
34360 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
34361 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
34362
34363 @smallexample
34364 @code{123456/d}
34365 @end smallexample
34366
34367 @node Memory Transfer
34368 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
34369 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
34370
34371 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
34372 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
34373 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
34374 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
34375 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
34376 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
34377 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
34378
34379
34380 @node struct stat
34381 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
34382 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
34383
34384 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
34385 is defined as follows:
34386
34387 @smallexample
34388 struct stat @{
34389 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
34390 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
34391 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
34392 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
34393 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
34394 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
34395 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
34396 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
34397 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
34398 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
34399 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
34400 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
34401 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
34402 @};
34403 @end smallexample
34404
34405 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
34406 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
34407 structure is of size 64 bytes.
34408
34409 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
34410 range of values.
34411
34412 @table @code
34413
34414 @item st_dev
34415 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
34416
34417 @item st_ino
34418 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
34419
34420 @item st_mode
34421 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
34422 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
34423
34424 @item st_uid
34425 @itemx st_gid
34426 @itemx st_rdev
34427 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
34428
34429 @item st_atime
34430 @itemx st_mtime
34431 @itemx st_ctime
34432 These values have a host and file system dependent
34433 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
34434 support exact timing values.
34435 @end table
34436
34437 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
34438 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
34439 continuing.
34440
34441 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
34442 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
34443 get truncated on the target.
34444
34445 @node struct timeval
34446 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
34447 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
34448
34449 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
34450 is defined as follows:
34451
34452 @smallexample
34453 struct timeval @{
34454 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
34455 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
34456 @};
34457 @end smallexample
34458
34459 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
34460 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
34461 structure is of size 8 bytes.
34462
34463 @node Constants
34464 @subsection Constants
34465 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
34466
34467 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
34468 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
34469 values before and after the call as needed.
34470
34471 @menu
34472 * Open Flags::
34473 * mode_t Values::
34474 * Errno Values::
34475 * Lseek Flags::
34476 * Limits::
34477 @end menu
34478
34479 @node Open Flags
34480 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
34481 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
34482
34483 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
34484
34485 @smallexample
34486 O_RDONLY 0x0
34487 O_WRONLY 0x1
34488 O_RDWR 0x2
34489 O_APPEND 0x8
34490 O_CREAT 0x200
34491 O_TRUNC 0x400
34492 O_EXCL 0x800
34493 @end smallexample
34494
34495 @node mode_t Values
34496 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
34497 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
34498
34499 All values are given in octal representation.
34500
34501 @smallexample
34502 S_IFREG 0100000
34503 S_IFDIR 040000
34504 S_IRUSR 0400
34505 S_IWUSR 0200
34506 S_IXUSR 0100
34507 S_IRGRP 040
34508 S_IWGRP 020
34509 S_IXGRP 010
34510 S_IROTH 04
34511 S_IWOTH 02
34512 S_IXOTH 01
34513 @end smallexample
34514
34515 @node Errno Values
34516 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
34517 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
34518
34519 All values are given in decimal representation.
34520
34521 @smallexample
34522 EPERM 1
34523 ENOENT 2
34524 EINTR 4
34525 EBADF 9
34526 EACCES 13
34527 EFAULT 14
34528 EBUSY 16
34529 EEXIST 17
34530 ENODEV 19
34531 ENOTDIR 20
34532 EISDIR 21
34533 EINVAL 22
34534 ENFILE 23
34535 EMFILE 24
34536 EFBIG 27
34537 ENOSPC 28
34538 ESPIPE 29
34539 EROFS 30
34540 ENAMETOOLONG 91
34541 EUNKNOWN 9999
34542 @end smallexample
34543
34544 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
34545 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
34546
34547 @node Lseek Flags
34548 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
34549 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
34550
34551 @smallexample
34552 SEEK_SET 0
34553 SEEK_CUR 1
34554 SEEK_END 2
34555 @end smallexample
34556
34557 @node Limits
34558 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
34559 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
34560
34561 All values are given in decimal representation.
34562
34563 @smallexample
34564 INT_MIN -2147483648
34565 INT_MAX 2147483647
34566 UINT_MAX 4294967295
34567 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
34568 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
34569 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
34570 @end smallexample
34571
34572 @node File-I/O Examples
34573 @subsection File-I/O Examples
34574 @cindex file-i/o examples
34575
34576 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
34577 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
34578
34579 @smallexample
34580 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
34581 @emph{request memory read from target}
34582 -> @code{m1234,6}
34583 <- XXXXXX
34584 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
34585 -> @code{F6}
34586 @end smallexample
34587
34588 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
34589 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
34590
34591 @smallexample
34592 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34593 @emph{request memory write to target}
34594 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
34595 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
34596 -> @code{F6}
34597 @end smallexample
34598
34599 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
34600 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
34601
34602 @smallexample
34603 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34604 -> @code{F-1,9}
34605 @end smallexample
34606
34607 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
34608 host is called:
34609
34610 @smallexample
34611 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34612 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
34613 <- @code{T02}
34614 @end smallexample
34615
34616 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
34617 host is called:
34618
34619 @smallexample
34620 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
34621 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
34622 <- @code{T02}
34623 @end smallexample
34624
34625 @node Library List Format
34626 @section Library List Format
34627 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
34628
34629 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
34630 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
34631 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
34632 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
34633 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
34634 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
34635 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
34636 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
34637 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
34638 are loaded.
34639
34640 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
34641 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
34642 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
34643 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
34644
34645 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
34646 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
34647 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
34648 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
34649 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
34650 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
34651
34652 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34653 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
34654
34655 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
34656 offset, looks like this:
34657
34658 @smallexample
34659 <library-list>
34660 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
34661 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
34662 </library>
34663 </library-list>
34664 @end smallexample
34665
34666 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
34667 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
34668
34669 @smallexample
34670 <library-list>
34671 <library name="sharedlib.o">
34672 <section address="0x10000000"/>
34673 <section address="0x20000000"/>
34674 <section address="0x30000000"/>
34675 </library>
34676 </library-list>
34677 @end smallexample
34678
34679 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
34680
34681 @smallexample
34682 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
34683 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
34684 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
34685 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
34686 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
34687 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
34688 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
34689 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
34690 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
34691 @end smallexample
34692
34693 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
34694 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
34695 section for each library.
34696
34697 @node Memory Map Format
34698 @section Memory Map Format
34699 @cindex memory map format
34700
34701 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
34702 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
34703 memory map.
34704
34705 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
34706 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
34707 lists memory regions.
34708
34709 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34710 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
34711
34712 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
34713
34714 @smallexample
34715 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34716 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
34717 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
34718 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
34719 <memory-map>
34720 region...
34721 </memory-map>
34722 @end smallexample
34723
34724 Each region can be either:
34725
34726 @itemize
34727
34728 @item
34729 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
34730 bytes from there:
34731
34732 @smallexample
34733 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
34734 @end smallexample
34735
34736
34737 @item
34738 A region of read-only memory:
34739
34740 @smallexample
34741 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
34742 @end smallexample
34743
34744
34745 @item
34746 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
34747 bytes in length:
34748
34749 @smallexample
34750 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
34751 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
34752 </memory>
34753 @end smallexample
34754
34755 @end itemize
34756
34757 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
34758 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
34759 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
34760
34761 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
34762
34763 @smallexample
34764 <!-- ................................................... -->
34765 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
34766 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
34767 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
34768 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
34769 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
34770 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
34771 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
34772 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
34773 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
34774 and its type, or device. -->
34775 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
34776 start CDATA #REQUIRED
34777 length CDATA #REQUIRED
34778 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
34779 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
34780 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
34781 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
34782 @end smallexample
34783
34784 @node Thread List Format
34785 @section Thread List Format
34786 @cindex thread list format
34787
34788 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
34789 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
34790 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
34791 the following structure:
34792
34793 @smallexample
34794 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34795 <threads>
34796 <thread id="id" core="0">
34797 ... description ...
34798 </thread>
34799 </threads>
34800 @end smallexample
34801
34802 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
34803 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
34804 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
34805 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
34806 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
34807
34808 @include agentexpr.texi
34809
34810 @node Trace File Format
34811 @appendix Trace File Format
34812 @cindex trace file format
34813
34814 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
34815 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
34816
34817 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
34818 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
34819 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
34820 in the future.
34821
34822 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
34823 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
34824 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
34825 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
34826 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
34827 of this section.
34828
34829 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
34830
34831 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
34832 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
34833 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
34834 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
34835 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
34836 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
34837 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
34838 endianness.
34839
34840 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
34841
34842 @table @code
34843 @item R @var{bytes}
34844 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
34845 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
34846 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
34847 hexadecimal encoding.
34848
34849 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
34850 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
34851 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
34852 @var{length} bytes.
34853
34854 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
34855 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
34856 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
34857
34858 @end table
34859
34860 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
34861 of blocks.
34862
34863 @node Target Descriptions
34864 @appendix Target Descriptions
34865 @cindex target descriptions
34866
34867 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
34868 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
34869 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
34870
34871 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
34872 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
34873 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
34874 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
34875 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
34876 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
34877 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
34878
34879 @itemize @bullet
34880 @item
34881 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
34882 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
34883 @item
34884 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
34885 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
34886 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
34887 @item
34888 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
34889 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
34890 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
34891 @end itemize
34892
34893 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
34894 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
34895 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
34896 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
34897 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
34898
34899 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
34900 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
34901
34902 @menu
34903 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
34904 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
34905 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
34906 descriptions.
34907 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
34908 @end menu
34909
34910 @node Retrieving Descriptions
34911 @section Retrieving Descriptions
34912
34913 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
34914 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
34915 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
34916 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
34917 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
34918 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
34919 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
34920 Format}.
34921
34922 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
34923 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
34924 specify a file are:
34925
34926 @table @code
34927 @cindex set tdesc filename
34928 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
34929 Read the target description from @var{path}.
34930
34931 @cindex unset tdesc filename
34932 @item unset tdesc filename
34933 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
34934 will use the description supplied by the current target.
34935
34936 @cindex show tdesc filename
34937 @item show tdesc filename
34938 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
34939 @end table
34940
34941
34942 @node Target Description Format
34943 @section Target Description Format
34944 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
34945
34946 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
34947 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
34948 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
34949 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
34950 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
34951 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
34952 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
34953
34954 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
34955 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
34956 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
34957 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
34958 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
34959
34960 Here is a simple target description:
34961
34962 @smallexample
34963 <target version="1.0">
34964 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
34965 </target>
34966 @end smallexample
34967
34968 @noindent
34969 This minimal description only says that the target uses
34970 the x86-64 architecture.
34971
34972 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
34973 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
34974 are explained further below.
34975
34976 @smallexample
34977 <?xml version="1.0"?>
34978 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
34979 <target version="1.0">
34980 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
34981 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
34982 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
34983 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
34984 </target>
34985 @end smallexample
34986
34987 @noindent
34988 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
34989 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
34990 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
34991 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
34992 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
34993 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
34994 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
34995 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
34996 the version mismatch.
34997
34998 @subsection Inclusion
34999 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
35000 @cindex XInclude
35001 @ifnotinfo
35002 @cindex <xi:include>
35003 @end ifnotinfo
35004
35005 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
35006 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
35007 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
35008 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
35009 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
35010
35011 @smallexample
35012 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
35013 @end smallexample
35014
35015 @noindent
35016 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
35017 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
35018 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
35019 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
35020 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
35021 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
35022 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
35023 original description.
35024
35025 @subsection Architecture
35026 @cindex <architecture>
35027
35028 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
35029
35030 @smallexample
35031 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
35032 @end smallexample
35033
35034 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35035 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35036
35037 @subsection OS ABI
35038 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
35039
35040 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35041 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35042
35043 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
35044
35045 @smallexample
35046 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
35047 @end smallexample
35048
35049 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
35050 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
35051
35052 @subsection Compatible Architecture
35053 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
35054
35055 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35056 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35057
35058 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
35059
35060 @smallexample
35061 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
35062 @end smallexample
35063
35064 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35065 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35066
35067 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
35068 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
35069 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
35070 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
35071 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
35072 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
35073 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
35074
35075 @smallexample
35076 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
35077 <compatible>spu</compatible>
35078 @end smallexample
35079
35080 @subsection Features
35081 @cindex <feature>
35082
35083 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
35084 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
35085 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
35086 has this form:
35087
35088 @smallexample
35089 <feature name="@var{name}">
35090 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
35091 @var{reg}@dots{}
35092 </feature>
35093 @end smallexample
35094
35095 @noindent
35096 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
35097 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
35098 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
35099 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
35100
35101 @subsection Types
35102
35103 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
35104 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
35105 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
35106 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
35107 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
35108
35109 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
35110 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
35111 Types must be defined before they are used.
35112
35113 @cindex <vector>
35114 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
35115 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
35116 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
35117 @var{count}:
35118
35119 @smallexample
35120 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
35121 @end smallexample
35122
35123 @cindex <union>
35124 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
35125 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
35126 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
35127 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
35128
35129 @smallexample
35130 <union id="@var{id}">
35131 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35132 @dots{}
35133 </union>
35134 @end smallexample
35135
35136 @cindex <struct>
35137 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
35138 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
35139 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
35140 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
35141 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
35142 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
35143 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
35144 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
35145
35146 @smallexample
35147 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35148 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35149 @dots{}
35150 </struct>
35151 @end smallexample
35152
35153 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
35154 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
35155
35156 @smallexample
35157 <struct id="@var{id}">
35158 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35159 @dots{}
35160 </struct>
35161 @end smallexample
35162
35163 @cindex <flags>
35164 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
35165 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
35166 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
35167 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
35168 are supported.
35169
35170 @smallexample
35171 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35172 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35173 @dots{}
35174 </flags>
35175 @end smallexample
35176
35177 @subsection Registers
35178 @cindex <reg>
35179
35180 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
35181
35182 @smallexample
35183 <reg name="@var{name}"
35184 bitsize="@var{size}"
35185 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
35186 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
35187 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
35188 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
35189 @end smallexample
35190
35191 @noindent
35192 The components are as follows:
35193
35194 @table @var
35195
35196 @item name
35197 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
35198
35199 @item bitsize
35200 The register's size, in bits.
35201
35202 @item regnum
35203 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
35204 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
35205 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
35206 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
35207 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
35208 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
35209 in order of increasing register number.
35210
35211 @item save-restore
35212 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
35213 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
35214 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
35215 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
35216 ABI.
35217
35218 @item type
35219 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
35220 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
35221 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
35222 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
35223 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
35224 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
35225
35226 @item group
35227 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
35228 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
35229 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
35230 in @code{info registers}.
35231
35232 @end table
35233
35234 @node Predefined Target Types
35235 @section Predefined Target Types
35236 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
35237
35238 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
35239 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
35240 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
35241 types. The currently supported types are:
35242
35243 @table @code
35244
35245 @item int8
35246 @itemx int16
35247 @itemx int32
35248 @itemx int64
35249 @itemx int128
35250 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
35251
35252 @item uint8
35253 @itemx uint16
35254 @itemx uint32
35255 @itemx uint64
35256 @itemx uint128
35257 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
35258
35259 @item code_ptr
35260 @itemx data_ptr
35261 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
35262 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
35263 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
35264 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
35265 may be marked as data pointers.
35266
35267 @item ieee_single
35268 Single precision IEEE floating point.
35269
35270 @item ieee_double
35271 Double precision IEEE floating point.
35272
35273 @item arm_fpa_ext
35274 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
35275
35276 @item i387_ext
35277 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
35278
35279 @item i386_eflags
35280 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
35281
35282 @item i386_mxcsr
35283 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
35284
35285 @end table
35286
35287 @node Standard Target Features
35288 @section Standard Target Features
35289 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
35290
35291 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
35292 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
35293 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
35294 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
35295 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
35296 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
35297 can recognize them.
35298
35299 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
35300 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
35301 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
35302 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
35303 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
35304 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
35305 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
35306 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
35307
35308 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
35309 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
35310 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
35311
35312 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
35313 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
35314 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
35315 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
35316
35317 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
35318 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
35319 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
35320
35321 @menu
35322 * ARM Features::
35323 * i386 Features::
35324 * MIPS Features::
35325 * M68K Features::
35326 * PowerPC Features::
35327 @end menu
35328
35329
35330 @node ARM Features
35331 @subsection ARM Features
35332 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
35333
35334 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
35335 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
35336 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
35337
35338 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
35339 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
35340
35341 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
35342 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
35343 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
35344 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
35345
35346 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
35347 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
35348 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
35349 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
35350 halves of the double-precision registers.
35351
35352 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
35353 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
35354 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
35355 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
35356 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
35357 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
35358
35359 @node i386 Features
35360 @subsection i386 Features
35361 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
35362
35363 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
35364 targets. It should describe the following registers:
35365
35366 @itemize @minus
35367 @item
35368 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
35369 @item
35370 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
35371 @item
35372 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
35373 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
35374 @item
35375 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
35376 @item
35377 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
35378 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
35379 @end itemize
35380
35381 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
35382
35383 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
35384 describe registers:
35385
35386 @itemize @minus
35387 @item
35388 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
35389 @item
35390 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
35391 @item
35392 @samp{mxcsr}
35393 @end itemize
35394
35395 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
35396 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
35397 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
35398
35399 @itemize @minus
35400 @item
35401 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
35402 @item
35403 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
35404 @item
35405 @end itemize
35406
35407 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
35408 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
35409
35410 @node MIPS Features
35411 @subsection MIPS Features
35412 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
35413
35414 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
35415 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
35416 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
35417 on the target.
35418
35419 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
35420 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
35421 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35422
35423 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
35424 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
35425 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
35426 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35427
35428 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
35429 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
35430 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
35431
35432 @node M68K Features
35433 @subsection M68K Features
35434 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
35435
35436 @table @code
35437 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
35438 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
35439 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
35440 One of those features must be always present.
35441 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
35442 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
35443 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
35444 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
35445
35446 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
35447 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
35448 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
35449 @samp{fpiaddr}.
35450 @end table
35451
35452 @node PowerPC Features
35453 @subsection PowerPC Features
35454 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
35455
35456 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
35457 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
35458 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
35459 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
35460
35461 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
35462 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
35463
35464 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
35465 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
35466 and @samp{vrsave}.
35467
35468 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
35469 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
35470 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
35471 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
35472 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
35473 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
35474
35475 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
35476 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
35477 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
35478 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
35479 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
35480 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
35481 user.
35482
35483 @node Operating System Information
35484 @appendix Operating System Information
35485 @cindex operating system information
35486
35487 @menu
35488 * Process list::
35489 @end menu
35490
35491 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
35492 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
35493 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
35494 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
35495 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
35496 on a different aspect of target.
35497
35498 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
35499 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
35500 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
35501 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
35502
35503 @node Process list
35504 @appendixsection Process list
35505 @cindex operating system information, process list
35506
35507 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
35508 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
35509 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
35510 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
35511
35512 An example document is:
35513
35514 @smallexample
35515 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35516 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
35517 <osdata type="processes">
35518 <item>
35519 <column name="pid">1</column>
35520 <column name="user">root</column>
35521 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
35522 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
35523 </item>
35524 </osdata>
35525 @end smallexample
35526
35527 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
35528 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
35529 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
35530 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
35531 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
35532 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
35533 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
35534
35535 @include gpl.texi
35536
35537 @node GNU Free Documentation License
35538 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
35539 @include fdl.texi
35540
35541 @node Index
35542 @unnumbered Index
35543
35544 @printindex cp
35545
35546 @tex
35547 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
35548 % meantime:
35549 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
35550 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
35551 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
35552 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
35553 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
35554 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
35555 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
35556 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
35557 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
35558 \page\colophon
35559 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
35560 @end tex
35561
35562 @bye