2003-01-31 Andrew Cagney <ac131313@redhat.com>
[binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
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
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
27 @syncodeindex vr cp
28 @syncodeindex fn cp
29
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
31 @set EDITION Ninth
32
33 @c !!set GDB manual's revision date
34 @set DATE June 2002
35
36 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
37 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
38
39 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
40
41 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
42 @c manuals to an info tree.
43 @dircategory Programming & development tools.
44 @direntry
45 * Gdb: (gdb). The @sc{gnu} debugger.
46 @end direntry
47
48 @ifinfo
49 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
50
51
52 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE},
53 of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger}
54 for @value{GDBN} Version @value{GDBVN}.
55
56 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,@*
57 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58
59 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
60 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
61 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
62 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
63 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
64 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
65
66 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
67 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
68 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
69 development.''
70 @end ifinfo
71
72 @titlepage
73 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
74 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
75 @sp 1
76 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
77 @subtitle @value{DATE}
78 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
79 @page
80 @tex
81 {\parskip=0pt
82 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
83 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
84 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
85 }
86 @end tex
87
88 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
89 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
90 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
91 @sp 2
92 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
93 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
94 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
95 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
96
97 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
98 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
99 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
100 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
101 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
102 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
103
104 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
105 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
106 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
107 development.''
108 @end titlepage
109 @page
110
111 @ifnottex
112 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
113
114 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
115
116 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
117
118 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
119 @value{GDBVN}.
120
121 Copyright (C) 1988-2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
122
123 @menu
124 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
125 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126
127 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
128 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
129 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
130 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
131 * Stack:: Examining the stack
132 * Source:: Examining source files
133 * Data:: Examining data
134 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
135 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
136 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
137
138 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
139
140 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
141 * Altering:: Altering execution
142 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
143 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
144 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
145 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
146 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
147 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
148 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
149 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
150 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
151 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
152
153 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
154 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
155
156 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
157 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
158 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
159 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
160 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
161 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
162 how you can copy and share GDB
163 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
164 * Index:: Index
165 @end menu
166
167 @end ifnottex
168
169 @contents
170
171 @node Summary
172 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
173
174 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
175 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
176 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
177
178 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
179 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
180
181 @itemize @bullet
182 @item
183 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
184
185 @item
186 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
187
188 @item
189 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
190
191 @item
192 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
193 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
194 @end itemize
195
196 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C++.
197 For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
198 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
199
200 @cindex Modula-2
201 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
202 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
203
204 @cindex Pascal
205 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
206 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
207 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
208 syntax.
209
210 @cindex Fortran
211 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
212 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
213 underscore.
214
215 @menu
216 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
217 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
218 @end menu
219
220 @node Free Software
221 @unnumberedsec Free software
222
223 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
224 General Public License
225 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
226 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
227 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
228 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
229 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
230 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
231
232 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
233 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
234 from anyone else.
235
236 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
237
238 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
239 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
240 include with the free software. Many of our most important
241 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
242 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
243 when an important free software package does not come with a free
244 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
245 gaps today.
246
247 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
248 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
249 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
250 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
251 them from the free software world.
252
253 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
254 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
255 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
256 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
257 contract to make it non-free.
258
259 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
260 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
261 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
262 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
263 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
264 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
265 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
266
267 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
268 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
269 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
270 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
271
272 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
273 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
274 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
275 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
276 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
277 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
278 community.
279
280 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
281 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
282 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
283 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
284 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
285 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
286 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
287 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
288 of the manual.
289
290 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
291 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
292 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
293 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
294 manual to replace it.
295
296 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
297 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
298 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
299 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
300 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
301 the free software community.
302
303 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
304 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
305 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
306 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
307 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
308 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
309 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
310 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
311 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
312
313 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
314 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
315 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
316 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
317 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
318 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
319 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
320 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
321
322 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
323 published by other publishers, at
324 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
325
326 @node Contributors
327 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
328
329 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
330 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
331 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
332 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
333 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
334 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
335 blow-by-blow account.
336
337 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
338
339 @quotation
340 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
341 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
342 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
343 @end quotation
344
345 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
346 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
347 releases:
348 Andrew Cagney (releases 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
349 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
350 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
351 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
352 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
353 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
354 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
355 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
356 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
357
358 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
359 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
360
361 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
362 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
363 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
364 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
365 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
366
367 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
368 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
369 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
370
371 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
372 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
373
374 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF2 support.
375
376 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
377 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
378 support.
379 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
380 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
381 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
382 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
383 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
384 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
385 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
386 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
387 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
388 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
389 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
390 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
391 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
392 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
393 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
394 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
395
396 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
397
398 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
399 libraries.
400
401 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
402 about several machine instruction sets.
403
404 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
405 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
406 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
407 and RDI targets, respectively.
408
409 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
410 command-line editing and command history.
411
412 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
413 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
414
415 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
416 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
417 symbols.
418
419 Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for H8/300, H8/500, and
420 Super-H processors.
421
422 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
423
424 Mitsubishi sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D processors.
425
426 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
427
428 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
429
430 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
431
432 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
433 watchpoints.
434
435 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
436
437 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
438
439 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
440 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
441
442 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
443 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
444 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
445 compiler, and the terminal user interface: Ben Krepp, Richard Title,
446 John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann, Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve
447 Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase provided HP-specific
448 information in this manual.
449
450 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
451 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
452
453 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
454 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
455 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
456 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
457 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
458 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
459 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
460 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
461 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
462 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
463 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
464 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
465 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
466 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
467 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
468
469 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
470 Hat.
471
472 @node Sample Session
473 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
474
475 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
476 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
477 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
478
479 @iftex
480 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
481 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
482 @end iftex
483
484 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
485 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
486
487 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
488 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
489 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
490 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
491 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
492 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
493 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
494 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
495 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
496
497 @smallexample
498 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
499 $ @b{./m4}
500 @b{define(foo,0000)}
501
502 @b{foo}
503 0000
504 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
505
506 @b{bar}
507 0000
508 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
509
510 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
511 @b{baz}
512 @b{C-d}
513 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
514 @end smallexample
515
516 @noindent
517 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
518
519 @smallexample
520 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
521 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
522 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
523 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
524 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
525 the conditions.
526 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
527 for details.
528
529 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
530 (@value{GDBP})
531 @end smallexample
532
533 @noindent
534 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
535 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
536 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
537 that examples fit in this manual.
538
539 @smallexample
540 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
541 @end smallexample
542
543 @noindent
544 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
545 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
546 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
547 @code{break} command.
548
549 @smallexample
550 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
551 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
552 @end smallexample
553
554 @noindent
555 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
556 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
557 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
558
559 @smallexample
560 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
561 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
562 @b{define(foo,0000)}
563
564 @b{foo}
565 0000
566 @end smallexample
567
568 @noindent
569 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
570 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
571 context where it stops.
572
573 @smallexample
574 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
575
576 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
577 at builtin.c:879
578 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
579 @end smallexample
580
581 @noindent
582 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
583 the next line of the current function.
584
585 @smallexample
586 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
587 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
588 : nil,
589 @end smallexample
590
591 @noindent
592 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
593 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
594 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
595 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
596
597 @smallexample
598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
599 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
600 at input.c:530
601 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
606 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
607 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
608 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
609 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
610 stack frame for each active subroutine.
611
612 @smallexample
613 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
614 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
615 at input.c:530
616 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
617 at builtin.c:882
618 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
619 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
620 at macro.c:71
621 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
622 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
627 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
628 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
632 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
633 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
634 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
635 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
636 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
637 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
638 : xstrdup(rq);
639 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
640 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
645 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
646 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
647 (@code{print}) to see their values.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
651 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
652 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
653 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
654 @end smallexample
655
656 @noindent
657 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
658 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
659 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
660
661 @smallexample
662 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
663 533 xfree(rquote);
664 534
665 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
666 : xstrdup (lq);
667 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
668 : xstrdup (rq);
669 537
670 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
671 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
672 540 @}
673 541
674 542 void
675 @end smallexample
676
677 @noindent
678 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
679 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
680
681 @smallexample
682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
683 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
685 540 @}
686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
687 $3 = 9
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
689 $4 = 7
690 @end smallexample
691
692 @noindent
693 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
694 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
695 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
696 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
697 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
698 assignments.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
702 $5 = 7
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
704 $6 = 9
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
709 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
710 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
711 example that caused trouble initially:
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
715 Continuing.
716
717 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
718
719 baz
720 0000
721 @end smallexample
722
723 @noindent
724 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
725 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
726 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
727
728 @smallexample
729 @b{C-d}
730 Program exited normally.
731 @end smallexample
732
733 @noindent
734 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
735 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
736 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
737
738 @smallexample
739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
740 @end smallexample
741
742 @node Invocation
743 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
744
745 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
746 The essentials are:
747 @itemize @bullet
748 @item
749 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
750 @item
751 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
752 @end itemize
753
754 @menu
755 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
756 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
757 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
758 @end menu
759
760 @node Invoking GDB
761 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
762
763 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
764 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
765
766 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
767 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
768
769 The command-line options described here are designed
770 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
771 options may effectively be unavailable.
772
773 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
774 specifying an executable program:
775
776 @smallexample
777 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
778 @end smallexample
779
780 @noindent
781 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
782 specified:
783
784 @smallexample
785 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
786 @end smallexample
787
788 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
789 to debug a running process:
790
791 @smallexample
792 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
797 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
798
799 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
800 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
801 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
802 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
803 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
804
805 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
806 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
807 option processing.
808 @smallexample
809 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
810 @end smallexample
811 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
812 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
813
814 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
815 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
816
817 @smallexample
818 @value{GDBP} -silent
819 @end smallexample
820
821 @noindent
822 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
823 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
824
825 @noindent
826 Type
827
828 @smallexample
829 @value{GDBP} -help
830 @end smallexample
831
832 @noindent
833 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
834 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
835
836 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
837 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
838 @samp{-x} option is used.
839
840
841 @menu
842 * File Options:: Choosing files
843 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
844 @end menu
845
846 @node File Options
847 @subsection Choosing files
848
849 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
850 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
851 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
852 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
853 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
854 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
855 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
856 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
857 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
858 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
859 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
860 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
861 prefixing it with @file{./}, eg. @file{./12345}.
862
863 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
864 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
865 argument and ignore it.
866
867 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
868 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
869 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
870 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
871 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
872
873 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
874 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
875 @c it.
876
877 @table @code
878 @item -symbols @var{file}
879 @itemx -s @var{file}
880 @cindex @code{--symbols}
881 @cindex @code{-s}
882 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
883
884 @item -exec @var{file}
885 @itemx -e @var{file}
886 @cindex @code{--exec}
887 @cindex @code{-e}
888 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
889 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
890
891 @item -se @var{file}
892 @cindex @code{--se}
893 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
894 file.
895
896 @item -core @var{file}
897 @itemx -c @var{file}
898 @cindex @code{--core}
899 @cindex @code{-c}
900 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
901
902 @item -c @var{number}
903 @item -pid @var{number}
904 @itemx -p @var{number}
905 @cindex @code{--pid}
906 @cindex @code{-p}
907 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
908 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
909 file named @var{number}.
910
911 @item -command @var{file}
912 @itemx -x @var{file}
913 @cindex @code{--command}
914 @cindex @code{-x}
915 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
916 Files,, Command files}.
917
918 @item -directory @var{directory}
919 @itemx -d @var{directory}
920 @cindex @code{--directory}
921 @cindex @code{-d}
922 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
923
924 @item -m
925 @itemx -mapped
926 @cindex @code{--mapped}
927 @cindex @code{-m}
928 @emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
929 supported on all systems.}@*
930 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
931 system call, you can use this option
932 to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
933 program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
934 called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{/tmp/fred.syms}.
935 Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
936 and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
937 the symbol table from the executable program.
938
939 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
940 is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
941 table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
942
943 @item -r
944 @itemx -readnow
945 @cindex @code{--readnow}
946 @cindex @code{-r}
947 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
948 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
949 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
950
951 @end table
952
953 You typically combine the @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options in
954 order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
955 information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
956 on @file{.syms} files.) A simple @value{GDBN} invocation to do nothing
957 but build a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
958
959 @smallexample
960 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
961 @end smallexample
962
963 @node Mode Options
964 @subsection Choosing modes
965
966 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
967 batch mode or quiet mode.
968
969 @table @code
970 @item -nx
971 @itemx -n
972 @cindex @code{--nx}
973 @cindex @code{-n}
974 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
975 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
976 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
977 files}.
978
979 @item -quiet
980 @itemx -silent
981 @itemx -q
982 @cindex @code{--quiet}
983 @cindex @code{--silent}
984 @cindex @code{-q}
985 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
986 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
987
988 @item -batch
989 @cindex @code{--batch}
990 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
991 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
992 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
993 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
994 in the command files.
995
996 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
997 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
998 make this more useful, the message
999
1000 @smallexample
1001 Program exited normally.
1002 @end smallexample
1003
1004 @noindent
1005 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1006 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1007 mode.
1008
1009 @item -nowindows
1010 @itemx -nw
1011 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1012 @cindex @code{-nw}
1013 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1014 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1015 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1016
1017 @item -windows
1018 @itemx -w
1019 @cindex @code{--windows}
1020 @cindex @code{-w}
1021 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1022 used if possible.
1023
1024 @item -cd @var{directory}
1025 @cindex @code{--cd}
1026 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1027 instead of the current directory.
1028
1029 @item -fullname
1030 @itemx -f
1031 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1032 @cindex @code{-f}
1033 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1034 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1035 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1036 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1037 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1038 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1039 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1040 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1041 frame.
1042
1043 @item -epoch
1044 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1045 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1046 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1047 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1048 separate window.
1049
1050 @item -annotate @var{level}
1051 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1052 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1053 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1054 (@pxref{Annotations}).
1055 Annotation level controls how much information does @value{GDBN} print
1056 together with its prompt, values of expressions, source lines, and other
1057 types of output. Level 0 is the normal, level 1 is for use when
1058 @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 2 is the
1059 maximum annotation suitable for programs that control @value{GDBN}.
1060
1061 @item -async
1062 @cindex @code{--async}
1063 Use the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1064 @value{GDBN} processes all events, such as user keyboard input, via a
1065 special event loop. This allows @value{GDBN} to accept and process user
1066 commands in parallel with the debugged process being
1067 run@footnote{@value{GDBN} built with @sc{djgpp} tools for
1068 MS-DOS/MS-Windows supports this mode of operation, but the event loop is
1069 suspended when the debuggee runs.}, so you don't need to wait for
1070 control to return to @value{GDBN} before you type the next command.
1071 (@emph{Note:} as of version 5.1, the target side of the asynchronous
1072 operation is not yet in place, so @samp{-async} does not work fully
1073 yet.)
1074 @c FIXME: when the target side of the event loop is done, the above NOTE
1075 @c should be removed.
1076
1077 When the standard input is connected to a terminal device, @value{GDBN}
1078 uses the asynchronous event loop by default, unless disabled by the
1079 @samp{-noasync} option.
1080
1081 @item -noasync
1082 @cindex @code{--noasync}
1083 Disable the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1084
1085 @item --args
1086 @cindex @code{--args}
1087 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1088 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1089 This option stops option processing.
1090
1091 @item -baud @var{bps}
1092 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1093 @cindex @code{--baud}
1094 @cindex @code{-b}
1095 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1096 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1097
1098 @item -tty @var{device}
1099 @itemx -t @var{device}
1100 @cindex @code{--tty}
1101 @cindex @code{-t}
1102 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1103 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1104
1105 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1106 @item -tui
1107 @cindex @code{--tui}
1108 Activate the Terminal User Interface when starting.
1109 The Terminal User Interface manages several text windows on the terminal,
1110 showing source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1111 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}).
1112 Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs
1113 (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1114
1115 @c @item -xdb
1116 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1117 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1118 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1119 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1120 @c systems.
1121
1122 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1123 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1124 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1125 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1126 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1127
1128 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1129 @value{GDBN} to use the current @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface}
1130 (@pxref{GDB/MI, , The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}). The previous @sc{gdb/mi}
1131 interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3, can be selected with
1132 @samp{--interpreter=mi1}. Earlier @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces
1133 are not supported.
1134
1135 @item -write
1136 @cindex @code{--write}
1137 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1138 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1139 (@pxref{Patching}).
1140
1141 @item -statistics
1142 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1143 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1144 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1145
1146 @item -version
1147 @cindex @code{--version}
1148 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1149 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1150
1151 @end table
1152
1153 @node Quitting GDB
1154 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1155 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1156 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1157
1158 @table @code
1159 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1160 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1161 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1162 @itemx q
1163 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1164 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1165 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1166 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1167 error code.
1168 @end table
1169
1170 @cindex interrupt
1171 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1172 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1173 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1174 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1175 until a time when it is safe.
1176
1177 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1178 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1179 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1180
1181 @node Shell Commands
1182 @section Shell commands
1183
1184 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1185 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1186 just use the @code{shell} command.
1187
1188 @table @code
1189 @kindex shell
1190 @cindex shell escape
1191 @item shell @var{command string}
1192 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1193 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1194 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1195 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1196 @end table
1197
1198 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1199 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1200 @value{GDBN}:
1201
1202 @table @code
1203 @kindex make
1204 @cindex calling make
1205 @item make @var{make-args}
1206 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1207 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1208 @end table
1209
1210 @node Commands
1211 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1212
1213 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1214 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1215 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1216 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1217 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1218
1219 @menu
1220 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1221 * Completion:: Command completion
1222 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1223 @end menu
1224
1225 @node Command Syntax
1226 @section Command syntax
1227
1228 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1229 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1230 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1231 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1232 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1233 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1234
1235 @cindex abbreviation
1236 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1237 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1238 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1239 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1240 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1241 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1242 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1243
1244 @cindex repeating commands
1245 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1246 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1247 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1248 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1249 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1250 repeat.
1251
1252 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1253 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1254 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1255
1256 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1257 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1258 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1259 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1260 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1261
1262 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1263 @cindex comment
1264 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1265 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1266 Files,,Command files}).
1267
1268 @cindex repeating command sequences
1269 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1270 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1271 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1272 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1273 for editing.
1274
1275 @node Completion
1276 @section Command completion
1277
1278 @cindex completion
1279 @cindex word completion
1280 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1281 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1282 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1283 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1284
1285 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1286 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1287 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1288 enter it). For example, if you type
1289
1290 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1291 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1292 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1293 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1294 @smallexample
1295 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1296 @end smallexample
1297
1298 @noindent
1299 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1300 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1301
1302 @smallexample
1303 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1304 @end smallexample
1305
1306 @noindent
1307 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1308 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1309 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1310 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1311 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1312 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1313
1314 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1315 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1316 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1317 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1318 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1319 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1320 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1321 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1322 example:
1323
1324 @smallexample
1325 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1326 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1327 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1328 make_abs_section make_function_type
1329 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1330 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1331 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1332 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1333 @end smallexample
1334
1335 @noindent
1336 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1337 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1338 command.
1339
1340 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1341 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1342 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1343 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1344 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1345
1346 @cindex quotes in commands
1347 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1348 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1349 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1350 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1351 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1352 @value{GDBN} commands.
1353
1354 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1355 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1356 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1357 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1358 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1359 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1360 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1361 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1362 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1363 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1364 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1365
1366 @smallexample
1367 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1368 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1369 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1370 @end smallexample
1371
1372 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1373 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1374 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1375 place:
1376
1377 @smallexample
1378 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1379 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1380 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1381 @end smallexample
1382
1383 @noindent
1384 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1385 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1386 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1387
1388 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1389 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1390 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1391 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1392
1393
1394 @node Help
1395 @section Getting help
1396 @cindex online documentation
1397 @kindex help
1398
1399 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1400 using the command @code{help}.
1401
1402 @table @code
1403 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1404 @item help
1405 @itemx h
1406 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1407 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1408
1409 @smallexample
1410 (@value{GDBP}) help
1411 List of classes of commands:
1412
1413 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1414 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1415 data -- Examining data
1416 files -- Specifying and examining files
1417 internals -- Maintenance commands
1418 obscure -- Obscure features
1419 running -- Running the program
1420 stack -- Examining the stack
1421 status -- Status inquiries
1422 support -- Support facilities
1423 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1424 stopping the program
1425 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1426
1427 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1428 commands in that class.
1429 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1430 documentation.
1431 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1432 (@value{GDBP})
1433 @end smallexample
1434 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1435
1436 @item help @var{class}
1437 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1438 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1439 help display for the class @code{status}:
1440
1441 @smallexample
1442 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1443 Status inquiries.
1444
1445 List of commands:
1446
1447 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1448 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1449 info -- Generic command for showing things
1450 about the program being debugged
1451 show -- Generic command for showing things
1452 about the debugger
1453
1454 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1455 documentation.
1456 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1457 (@value{GDBP})
1458 @end smallexample
1459
1460 @item help @var{command}
1461 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1462 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1463
1464 @kindex apropos
1465 @item apropos @var{args}
1466 The @code{apropos @var{args}} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1467 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1468 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1469
1470 @smallexample
1471 apropos reload
1472 @end smallexample
1473
1474 @noindent
1475 results in:
1476
1477 @smallexample
1478 @c @group
1479 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1480 multiple times in one run
1481 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1482 multiple times in one run
1483 @c @end group
1484 @end smallexample
1485
1486 @kindex complete
1487 @item complete @var{args}
1488 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1489 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1490 command you want completed. For example:
1491
1492 @smallexample
1493 complete i
1494 @end smallexample
1495
1496 @noindent results in:
1497
1498 @smallexample
1499 @group
1500 if
1501 ignore
1502 info
1503 inspect
1504 @end group
1505 @end smallexample
1506
1507 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1508 @end table
1509
1510 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1511 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1512 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1513 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1514 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1515 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1516
1517 @c @group
1518 @table @code
1519 @kindex info
1520 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1521 @item info
1522 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1523 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1524 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1525 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1526 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1527 @w{@code{help info}}.
1528
1529 @kindex set
1530 @item set
1531 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1532 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1533 @code{set prompt $}.
1534
1535 @kindex show
1536 @item show
1537 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1538 @value{GDBN} itself.
1539 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1540 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1541 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1542 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1543
1544 @kindex info set
1545 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1546 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1547 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1548 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1549 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1550 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1551 @end table
1552 @c @end group
1553
1554 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1555 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1556
1557 @table @code
1558 @kindex show version
1559 @cindex version number
1560 @item show version
1561 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1562 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1563 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1564 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1565 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1566 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1567 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1568 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1569 @value{GDBN}.
1570
1571 @kindex show copying
1572 @item show copying
1573 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1574
1575 @kindex show warranty
1576 @item show warranty
1577 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1578 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1579
1580 @end table
1581
1582 @node Running
1583 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1584
1585 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1586 debugging information when you compile it.
1587
1588 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1589 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1590 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1591 kill a child process.
1592
1593 @menu
1594 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1595 * Starting:: Starting your program
1596 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1597 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1598
1599 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1600 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1601 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1602 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1603
1604 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1605 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1606 @end menu
1607
1608 @node Compilation
1609 @section Compiling for debugging
1610
1611 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1612 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1613 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1614 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1615 and addresses in the executable code.
1616
1617 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1618 the compiler.
1619
1620 Most compilers do not include information about preprocessor macros in
1621 the debugging information if you specify the @option{-g} flag alone,
1622 because this information is rather large. Version 3.1 of @value{NGCC},
1623 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you specify the
1624 options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1625 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1626 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact ways
1627 to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1628 @option{-g} alone.
1629
1630 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1631 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1632 executables containing debugging information.
1633
1634 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1635 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1636 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1637 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1638 in pushing your luck.
1639
1640 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1641 @cindex debugging optimized code
1642 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1643 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1644 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1645 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1646 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1647 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1648
1649 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1650 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1651 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1652 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1653
1654 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1655 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1656 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1657
1658 @need 2000
1659 @node Starting
1660 @section Starting your program
1661 @cindex starting
1662 @cindex running
1663
1664 @table @code
1665 @kindex run
1666 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1667 @item run
1668 @itemx r
1669 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1670 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1671 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1672 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1673 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1674
1675 @end table
1676
1677 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1678 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1679 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1680 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1681
1682 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1683 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1684 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1685 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1686 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1687 divided into four categories:
1688
1689 @table @asis
1690 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1691 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1692 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1693 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1694 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1695 the arguments.
1696 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1697 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1698 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1699
1700 @item The @emph{environment.}
1701 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1702 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1703 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1704 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1705
1706 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1707 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1708 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1709 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1710
1711 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1712 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1713 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1714 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1715 set a different device for your program.
1716 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1717
1718 @cindex pipes
1719 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1720 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1721 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1722 wrong program.
1723 @end table
1724
1725 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1726 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1727 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1728 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1729 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1730
1731 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1732 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1733 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1734 your current breakpoints.
1735
1736 @node Arguments
1737 @section Your program's arguments
1738
1739 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1740 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1741 @code{run} command.
1742 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1743 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1744 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1745 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1746 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1747
1748 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1749 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1750 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1751 the program, not by the shell.
1752
1753 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1754 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1755
1756 @table @code
1757 @kindex set args
1758 @item set args
1759 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1760 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1761 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1762 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1763 it again without arguments.
1764
1765 @kindex show args
1766 @item show args
1767 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1768 @end table
1769
1770 @node Environment
1771 @section Your program's environment
1772
1773 @cindex environment (of your program)
1774 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1775 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1776 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1777 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1778 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1779 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1780 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1781
1782 @table @code
1783 @kindex path
1784 @item path @var{directory}
1785 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1786 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1787 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1788 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1789 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1790 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1791 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1792
1793 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1794 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1795 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1796 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1797 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1798 @var{directory} to the search path.
1799 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1800 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1801
1802 @kindex show paths
1803 @item show paths
1804 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1805 environment variable).
1806
1807 @kindex show environment
1808 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1809 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1810 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1811 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1812 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1813
1814 @kindex set environment
1815 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1816 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1817 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1818 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1819 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1820 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1821 null value.
1822 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1823 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1824
1825 For example, this command:
1826
1827 @smallexample
1828 set env USER = foo
1829 @end smallexample
1830
1831 @noindent
1832 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1833 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1834 are not actually required.)
1835
1836 @kindex unset environment
1837 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1838 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1839 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1840 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1841 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1842 @end table
1843
1844 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
1845 the shell indicated
1846 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1847 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1848 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1849 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
1850 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1851 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1852 @file{.profile}.
1853
1854 @node Working Directory
1855 @section Your program's working directory
1856
1857 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1858 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1859 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1860 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1861 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1862 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
1863
1864 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1865 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1866 specify files}.
1867
1868 @table @code
1869 @kindex cd
1870 @item cd @var{directory}
1871 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
1872
1873 @kindex pwd
1874 @item pwd
1875 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
1876 @end table
1877
1878 @node Input/Output
1879 @section Your program's input and output
1880
1881 @cindex redirection
1882 @cindex i/o
1883 @cindex terminal
1884 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
1885 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
1886 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1887 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1888 running your program.
1889
1890 @table @code
1891 @kindex info terminal
1892 @item info terminal
1893 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
1894 program is using.
1895 @end table
1896
1897 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
1898 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1899
1900 @smallexample
1901 run > outfile
1902 @end smallexample
1903
1904 @noindent
1905 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1906
1907 @kindex tty
1908 @cindex controlling terminal
1909 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
1910 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1911 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1912 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1913 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1914
1915 @smallexample
1916 tty /dev/ttyb
1917 @end smallexample
1918
1919 @noindent
1920 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1921 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1922 that as their controlling terminal.
1923
1924 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1925 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1926 terminal.
1927
1928 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1929 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1930 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
1931
1932 @node Attach
1933 @section Debugging an already-running process
1934 @kindex attach
1935 @cindex attach
1936
1937 @table @code
1938 @item attach @var{process-id}
1939 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
1940 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
1941 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1942 find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1943 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
1944
1945 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1946 executing the command.
1947 @end table
1948
1949 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1950 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1951 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1952 also have permission to send the process a signal.
1953
1954 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
1955 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
1956 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
1957 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
1958 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1959 Specify Files}.
1960
1961 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
1962 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1963 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
1964 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
1965 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
1966 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
1967 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
1968
1969 @table @code
1970 @kindex detach
1971 @item detach
1972 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
1973 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
1974 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
1975 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
1976 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
1977 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
1978 executing the command.
1979 @end table
1980
1981 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
1982 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
1983 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
1984 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
1985 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
1986 messages}).
1987
1988 @node Kill Process
1989 @section Killing the child process
1990
1991 @table @code
1992 @kindex kill
1993 @item kill
1994 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
1995 @end table
1996
1997 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
1998 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
1999 is running.
2000
2001 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2002 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2003 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2004 outside the debugger.
2005
2006 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2007 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2008 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2009 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2010 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2011 breakpoint settings).
2012
2013 @node Threads
2014 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2015
2016 @cindex threads of execution
2017 @cindex multiple threads
2018 @cindex switching threads
2019 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2020 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2021 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2022 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2023 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2024 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2025 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2026
2027 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2028 programs:
2029
2030 @itemize @bullet
2031 @item automatic notification of new threads
2032 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2033 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2034 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2035 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2036 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2037 @end itemize
2038
2039 @quotation
2040 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2041 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2042 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2043 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2044 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2045 like this:
2046
2047 @smallexample
2048 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2049 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2050 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2051 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2052 @end smallexample
2053 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2054 @c doesn't support threads"?
2055 @end quotation
2056
2057 @cindex focus of debugging
2058 @cindex current thread
2059 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2060 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2061 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2062 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2063 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2064
2065 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2066 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2067 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2068 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2069 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2070 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2071 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2072 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2073 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2074 LynxOS, you might see
2075
2076 @smallexample
2077 [New process 35 thread 27]
2078 @end smallexample
2079
2080 @noindent
2081 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2082 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2083 further qualifier.
2084
2085 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2086 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2087 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2088 @c program?
2089 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2090 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2091 @c threads ab initio?
2092
2093 @cindex thread number
2094 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2095 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2096 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2097
2098 @table @code
2099 @kindex info threads
2100 @item info threads
2101 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2102 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2103
2104 @enumerate
2105 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2106
2107 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2108
2109 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2110 @end enumerate
2111
2112 @noindent
2113 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2114 indicates the current thread.
2115
2116 For example,
2117 @end table
2118 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2119
2120 @smallexample
2121 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2122 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2123 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2124 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2125 at threadtest.c:68
2126 @end smallexample
2127
2128 On HP-UX systems:
2129
2130 @cindex thread number
2131 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2132 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2133 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2134 thread in your program.
2135
2136 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2137 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2138 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2139 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2140 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2141 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2142 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2143 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2144 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2145 HP-UX, you see
2146
2147 @smallexample
2148 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2149 @end smallexample
2150
2151 @noindent
2152 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2153
2154 @table @code
2155 @kindex info threads
2156 @item info threads
2157 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2158 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2159
2160 @enumerate
2161 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2162
2163 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2164
2165 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2166 @end enumerate
2167
2168 @noindent
2169 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2170 indicates the current thread.
2171
2172 For example,
2173 @end table
2174 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2175
2176 @smallexample
2177 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2178 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2179 at quicksort.c:137
2180 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2181 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2182 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2183 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2184 @end smallexample
2185
2186 @table @code
2187 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2188 @item thread @var{threadno}
2189 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2190 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2191 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2192 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2193 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2194
2195 @smallexample
2196 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2197 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2198 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2199 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2200 @end smallexample
2201
2202 @noindent
2203 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2204 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2205 threads.
2206
2207 @kindex thread apply
2208 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2209 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2210 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2211 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2212 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2213 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2214 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2215 @end table
2216
2217 @cindex automatic thread selection
2218 @cindex switching threads automatically
2219 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2220 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2221 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2222 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2223 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2224 thread.
2225
2226 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2227 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2228 programs with multiple threads.
2229
2230 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2231 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2232
2233 @node Processes
2234 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2235
2236 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2237 @cindex multiple processes
2238 @cindex processes, multiple
2239 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2240 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2241 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2242 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2243 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2244 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2245 will cause it to terminate.
2246
2247 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2248 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2249 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2250 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2251 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2252 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2253 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2254 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2255 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2256 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2257
2258 On HP-UX (11.x and later only?), @value{GDBN} provides support for
2259 debugging programs that create additional processes using the
2260 @code{fork} or @code{vfork} function.
2261
2262 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2263 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2264
2265 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2266 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2267
2268 @table @code
2269 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2270 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2271 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2272 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2273 process. The @var{mode} can be:
2274
2275 @table @code
2276 @item parent
2277 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2278 unimpeded. This is the default.
2279
2280 @item child
2281 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2282 unimpeded.
2283
2284 @item ask
2285 The debugger will ask for one of the above choices.
2286 @end table
2287
2288 @item show follow-fork-mode
2289 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2290 @end table
2291
2292 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2293 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2294 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2295 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2296 the child process's @code{main}.
2297
2298 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2299 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2300
2301 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2302 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2303 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2304 argument.
2305
2306 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2307 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2308 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2309
2310 @node Stopping
2311 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2312
2313 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2314 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2315 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2316
2317 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2318 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2319 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2320 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2321 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2322 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2323 explicitly request this information at any time.
2324
2325 @table @code
2326 @kindex info program
2327 @item info program
2328 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2329 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2330 @end table
2331
2332 @menu
2333 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2334 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2335 * Signals:: Signals
2336 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2337 @end menu
2338
2339 @node Breakpoints
2340 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2341
2342 @cindex breakpoints
2343 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2344 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2345 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2346 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2347 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2348 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2349 program.
2350
2351 In HP-UX, SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can set
2352 breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run. There is
2353 a minor limitation on HP-UX systems: you must wait until the executable
2354 is run in order to set breakpoints in shared library routines that are
2355 not called directly by the program (for example, routines that are
2356 arguments in a @code{pthread_create} call).
2357
2358 @cindex watchpoints
2359 @cindex memory tracing
2360 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2361 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2362 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2363 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2364 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2365 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2366 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2367 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2368
2369 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2370 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2371 Automatic display}.
2372
2373 @cindex catchpoints
2374 @cindex breakpoint on events
2375 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2376 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2377 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2378 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2379 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2380 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2381 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2382
2383 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2384 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2385 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2386 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2387 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2388 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2389 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2390 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2391 enable it again.
2392
2393 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2394 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2395 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2396 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2397 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2398 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2399 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2400
2401 @menu
2402 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2403 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2404 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2405 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2406 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2407 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2408 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2409 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2410 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2411 @end menu
2412
2413 @node Set Breaks
2414 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2415
2416 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2417 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2418 @c
2419 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2420
2421 @kindex break
2422 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2423 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2424 @cindex latest breakpoint
2425 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2426 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2427 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2428 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2429 convenience variables.
2430
2431 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @item break @var{function}
2435 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2436 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2437 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2438 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2439
2440 @item break +@var{offset}
2441 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2442 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2443 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2444 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2445
2446 @item break @var{linenum}
2447 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2448 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2449 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2450 code on that line.
2451
2452 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2453 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2454
2455 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2456 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2457 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2458 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2459 functions.
2460
2461 @item break *@var{address}
2462 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2463 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2464 information or source files.
2465
2466 @item break
2467 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2468 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2469 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2470 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2471 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2472 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2473 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2474 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2475 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2476 inside loops.
2477
2478 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2479 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2480 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2481 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2482 existed when your program stopped.
2483
2484 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2485 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2486 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2487 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2488 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2489 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2490 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2491
2492 @kindex tbreak
2493 @item tbreak @var{args}
2494 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2495 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2496 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2497 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2498
2499 @kindex hbreak
2500 @item hbreak @var{args}
2501 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2502 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2503 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2504 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2505 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2506 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2507 provided by SPARClite DSU and some x86-based targets. These targets
2508 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2509 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2510 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2511 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2512 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2513 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2514 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2515
2516 @kindex thbreak
2517 @item thbreak @var{args}
2518 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2519 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2520 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2521 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2522 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2523 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2524 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2525 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2526
2527 @kindex rbreak
2528 @cindex regular expression
2529 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2530 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2531 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2532 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2533 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2534 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2535 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2536
2537 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2538 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2539 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2540 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2541 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2542 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2543
2544 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2545 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2546 classes.
2547
2548 @kindex info breakpoints
2549 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2550 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2551 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2552 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2553 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2554 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2555
2556 @table @emph
2557 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2558 @item Type
2559 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2560 @item Disposition
2561 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2562 @item Enabled or Disabled
2563 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2564 that are not enabled.
2565 @item Address
2566 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address.
2567 @item What
2568 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2569 line number.
2570 @end table
2571
2572 @noindent
2573 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2574 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2575 are listed after that.
2576
2577 @noindent
2578 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2579 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2580 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2581 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2582 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2583
2584 @noindent
2585 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2586 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2587 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2588 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2589 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2590 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2591 @end table
2592
2593 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2594 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2595 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2596 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2597
2598 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2599 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2600 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
2601 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
2602 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
2603 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2604 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2605 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
2606
2607
2608 @node Set Watchpoints
2609 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2610
2611 @cindex setting watchpoints
2612 @cindex software watchpoints
2613 @cindex hardware watchpoints
2614 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2615 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
2616 this may happen.
2617
2618 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
2619 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
2620 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
2621 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
2622 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
2623 culprit.)
2624
2625 On some systems, such as HP-UX, @sc{gnu}/Linux and some other x86-based targets,
2626 @value{GDBN} includes support for
2627 hardware watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your
2628 program.
2629
2630 @table @code
2631 @kindex watch
2632 @item watch @var{expr}
2633 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2634 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2635
2636 @kindex rwatch
2637 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2638 Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{expr} is read by the program.
2639
2640 @kindex awatch
2641 @item awatch @var{expr}
2642 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read or written into
2643 by the program.
2644
2645 @kindex info watchpoints
2646 @item info watchpoints
2647 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
2648 it is the same as @code{info break}.
2649 @end table
2650
2651 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
2652 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
2653 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
2654 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
2655 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
2656 statement, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
2657
2658 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
2659
2660 @smallexample
2661 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
2662 @end smallexample
2663
2664 @noindent
2665 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
2666
2667 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
2668 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
2669 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
2670 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
2671 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
2672 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
2673 will print a message like this:
2674
2675 @smallexample
2676 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
2677 @end smallexample
2678
2679 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
2680 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
2681 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
2682 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
2683 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
2684 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
2685 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
2686 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
2687
2688 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
2689 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
2690 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
2691 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
2692 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
2693 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
2694
2695 @smallexample
2696 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
2697 @end smallexample
2698
2699 @noindent
2700 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
2701
2702 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
2703 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
2704 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
2705 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
2706 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2707 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
2708 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2709 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2710 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2711 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2712
2713 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
2714 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
2715 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
2716
2717 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
2718 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
2719 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
2720 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
2721 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
2722 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
2723 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
2724 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
2725 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
2726
2727 @quotation
2728 @cindex watchpoints and threads
2729 @cindex threads and watchpoints
2730 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2731 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2732 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2733 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
2734 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
2735 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
2736 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2737 the expression.
2738
2739 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
2740 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
2741 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
2742 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
2743 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
2744 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
2745 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
2746 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
2747 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
2748 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
2749 @end quotation
2750
2751 @node Set Catchpoints
2752 @subsection Setting catchpoints
2753 @cindex catchpoints, setting
2754 @cindex exception handlers
2755 @cindex event handling
2756
2757 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
2758 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
2759 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
2760
2761 @table @code
2762 @kindex catch
2763 @item catch @var{event}
2764 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
2765 @table @code
2766 @item throw
2767 @kindex catch throw
2768 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
2769
2770 @item catch
2771 @kindex catch catch
2772 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
2773
2774 @item exec
2775 @kindex catch exec
2776 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2777
2778 @item fork
2779 @kindex catch fork
2780 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2781
2782 @item vfork
2783 @kindex catch vfork
2784 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2785
2786 @item load
2787 @itemx load @var{libname}
2788 @kindex catch load
2789 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
2790 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2791
2792 @item unload
2793 @itemx unload @var{libname}
2794 @kindex catch unload
2795 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
2796 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2797 @end table
2798
2799 @item tcatch @var{event}
2800 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
2801 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
2802
2803 @end table
2804
2805 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
2806
2807 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
2808 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
2809
2810 @itemize @bullet
2811 @item
2812 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
2813 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2814 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
2815 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
2816 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
2817 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
2818 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
2819 disabled within interactive calls.
2820
2821 @item
2822 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
2823
2824 @item
2825 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
2826 @end itemize
2827
2828 @cindex raise exceptions
2829 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
2830 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
2831 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2832 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2833 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2834 out where the exception was raised.
2835
2836 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
2837 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
2838 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2839 which has the following ANSI C interface:
2840
2841 @smallexample
2842 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
2843 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
2844 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
2845 @end smallexample
2846
2847 @noindent
2848 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2849 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
2850 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
2851
2852 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
2853 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2854 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2855 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2856 raised.
2857
2858
2859 @node Delete Breaks
2860 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
2861
2862 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2863 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2864 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2865 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
2866 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
2867 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2868
2869 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
2870 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
2871 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
2872 their breakpoint numbers.
2873
2874 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
2875 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2876 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2877
2878 @table @code
2879 @kindex clear
2880 @item clear
2881 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
2882 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
2883 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2884 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
2885
2886 @item clear @var{function}
2887 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2888 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2889
2890 @item clear @var{linenum}
2891 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2892 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2893
2894 @cindex delete breakpoints
2895 @kindex delete
2896 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
2897 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2898 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
2899 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
2900 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
2901 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2902 @end table
2903
2904 @node Disabling
2905 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
2906
2907 @kindex disable breakpoints
2908 @kindex enable breakpoints
2909 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
2910 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
2911 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
2912 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2913
2914 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
2915 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
2916 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2917 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
2918 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
2919
2920 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
2921 states of enablement:
2922
2923 @itemize @bullet
2924 @item
2925 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
2926 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2927 @item
2928 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
2929 @item
2930 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
2931 disabled.
2932 @item
2933 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
2934 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
2935 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
2936 @end itemize
2937
2938 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
2939 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
2940
2941 @table @code
2942 @kindex disable breakpoints
2943 @kindex disable
2944 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
2945 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2946 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2947 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2948 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2949 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2950 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2951
2952 @kindex enable breakpoints
2953 @kindex enable
2954 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2955 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
2956 become effective once again in stopping your program.
2957
2958 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
2959 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
2960 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
2961
2962 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
2963 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
2964 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
2965 @end table
2966
2967 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
2968 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
2969 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
2970 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
2971 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
2972 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
2973 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
2974 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
2975 stepping}.)
2976
2977 @node Conditions
2978 @subsection Break conditions
2979 @cindex conditional breakpoints
2980 @cindex breakpoint conditions
2981
2982 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
2983 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
2984 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
2985 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
2986 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
2987 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
2988 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
2989 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
2990
2991 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
2992 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
2993 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
2994 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
2995 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
2996
2997 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
2998 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
2999 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3000 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3001 one.
3002
3003 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3004 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3005 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3006 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3007 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3008 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3009 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3010 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3011 conditions for the
3012 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3013 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3014
3015 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3016 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3017 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3018 with the @code{condition} command.
3019
3020 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3021 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3022 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3023 catchpoint.
3024
3025 @table @code
3026 @kindex condition
3027 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3028 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3029 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3030 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3031 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3032 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3033 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3034 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3035 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3036 prints an error message:
3037
3038 @smallexample
3039 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3040 @end smallexample
3041
3042 @noindent
3043 @value{GDBN} does
3044 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3045 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3046 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3047
3048 @item condition @var{bnum}
3049 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3050 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3051 @end table
3052
3053 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3054 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3055 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3056 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3057 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3058 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3059 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3060 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3061 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3062 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3063 your program reaches it.
3064
3065 @table @code
3066 @kindex ignore
3067 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3068 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3069 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3070 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3071 takes no action.
3072
3073 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3074 a count of zero.
3075
3076 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3077 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3078 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3079 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3080
3081 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3082 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3083 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3084
3085 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3086 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3087 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3088 variables}.
3089 @end table
3090
3091 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3092
3093
3094 @node Break Commands
3095 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3096
3097 @cindex breakpoint commands
3098 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3099 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3100 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3101 enable other breakpoints.
3102
3103 @table @code
3104 @kindex commands
3105 @kindex end
3106 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3107 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3108 @itemx end
3109 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3110 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3111 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3112
3113 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3114 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3115
3116 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3117 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3118 recently encountered).
3119 @end table
3120
3121 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3122 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3123
3124 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3125 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3126 that resumes execution.
3127
3128 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3129 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3130 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3131 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3132 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3133
3134 @kindex silent
3135 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3136 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3137 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3138 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3139 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3140 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3141
3142 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3143 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3144 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3145
3146 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3147 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3148
3149 @smallexample
3150 break foo if x>0
3151 commands
3152 silent
3153 printf "x is %d\n",x
3154 cont
3155 end
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3159 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3160 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3161 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3162 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3163 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3164 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3165
3166 @smallexample
3167 break 403
3168 commands
3169 silent
3170 set x = y + 4
3171 cont
3172 end
3173 @end smallexample
3174
3175 @node Breakpoint Menus
3176 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3177 @cindex overloading
3178 @cindex symbol overloading
3179
3180 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++}) permit a single function name
3181 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3182 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3183 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3184 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3185 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3186 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3187 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3188 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3189 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3190 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3191 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3192 breakpoints.
3193
3194 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3195 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3196 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3197
3198 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3199 @smallexample
3200 @group
3201 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3202 [0] cancel
3203 [1] all
3204 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3205 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3206 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3207 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3208 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3209 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3210 > 2 4 6
3211 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3212 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3213 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3214 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3215 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3216 breakpoints.
3217 (@value{GDBP})
3218 @end group
3219 @end smallexample
3220
3221 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3222 @node Error in Breakpoints
3223 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3224 @c
3225 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3226 @c
3227 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3228 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3229 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3230 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3231
3232 @smallexample
3233 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3234 The same program may be running in another process.
3235 @end smallexample
3236
3237 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3238
3239 @enumerate
3240 @item
3241 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3242
3243 @item
3244 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3245 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3246 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3247 Then start your program again.
3248
3249 @item
3250 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3251 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3252 to nonsharable executables.
3253 @end enumerate
3254 @c @end ifclear
3255
3256 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3257 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3258
3259 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3260 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3261 @smallexample
3262 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3263 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3264 @end smallexample
3265
3266 @noindent
3267 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3268 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3269 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3270
3271 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3272 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3273
3274
3275 @node Continuing and Stepping
3276 @section Continuing and stepping
3277
3278 @cindex stepping
3279 @cindex continuing
3280 @cindex resuming execution
3281 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3282 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3283 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3284 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3285 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3286 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3287 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3288 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3289
3290 @table @code
3291 @kindex continue
3292 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3293 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3294 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3295 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3296 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3297 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3298 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3299 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3300 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3301 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3302
3303 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3304 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3305 @code{continue} is ignored.
3306
3307 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3308 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3309 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3310 @code{continue}.
3311 @end table
3312
3313 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3314 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3315 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3316 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3317
3318 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3319 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3320 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3321 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3322 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3323 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3324
3325 @table @code
3326 @kindex step
3327 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3328 @item step
3329 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3330 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3331 abbreviated @code{s}.
3332
3333 @quotation
3334 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3335 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3336 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3337 @c distinction here.
3338 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3339 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3340 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3341 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3342 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3343 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3344 below.
3345 @end quotation
3346
3347 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3348 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3349 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3350 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3351 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3352 called within the line.
3353
3354 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3355 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3356 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3357 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3358 was any debugging information about the routine.
3359
3360 @item step @var{count}
3361 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3362 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3363 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3364
3365 @kindex next
3366 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3367 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3368 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3369 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3370 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3371 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3372 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3373 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3374
3375 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3376
3377
3378 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3379 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3380 @c
3381 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3382 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3383 @c function are executed without stopping.
3384
3385 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3386 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3387 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3388
3389 @kindex set step-mode
3390 @item set step-mode
3391 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3392 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3393 @itemx set step-mode on
3394 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3395 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3396 information rather than stepping over it.
3397
3398 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3399 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3400 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3401
3402 @item set step-mode off
3403 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3404 debug information. This is the default.
3405
3406 @kindex finish
3407 @item finish
3408 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3409 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3410
3411 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3412 ,Returning from a function}).
3413
3414 @kindex until
3415 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3416 @item until
3417 @itemx u
3418 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3419 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3420 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3421 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3422 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3423 than the address of the jump.
3424
3425 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3426 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3427 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3428 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3429 through the next iteration.
3430
3431 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3432 stack frame.
3433
3434 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3435 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3436 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3437 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3438 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3439
3440 @smallexample
3441 (@value{GDBP}) f
3442 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3443 206 expand_input();
3444 (@value{GDBP}) until
3445 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3446 @end smallexample
3447
3448 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3449 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3450 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3451 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3452 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3453 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3454 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3455
3456 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3457 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3458 argument.
3459
3460 @item until @var{location}
3461 @itemx u @var{location}
3462 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3463 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3464 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3465 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints, and
3466 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
3467 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
3468 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
3469 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
3470 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
3471 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e. after the inner
3472 invocations have returned.
3473
3474 @smallexample
3475 94 int factorial (int value)
3476 95 @{
3477 96 if (value > 1) @{
3478 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
3479 98 @}
3480 99 return (value);
3481 100 @}
3482 @end smallexample
3483
3484
3485 @kindex advance @var{location}
3486 @itemx advance @var{location}
3487 Continue running the program up to the given location. An argument is
3488 required, anything of the same form as arguments for the @code{break}
3489 command. Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
3490 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
3491 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
3492 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
3493
3494
3495 @kindex stepi
3496 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
3497 @item stepi
3498 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
3499 @itemx si
3500 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3501
3502 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3503 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3504 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3505 Display,, Automatic display}.
3506
3507 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3508
3509 @need 750
3510 @kindex nexti
3511 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
3512 @item nexti
3513 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
3514 @itemx ni
3515 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3516 proceed until the function returns.
3517
3518 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3519 @end table
3520
3521 @node Signals
3522 @section Signals
3523 @cindex signals
3524
3525 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3526 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3527 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3528 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
3529 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3530 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3531 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3532 requested an alarm).
3533
3534 @cindex fatal signals
3535 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3536 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3537 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
3538 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3539 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3540 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3541
3542 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3543 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3544 signal.
3545
3546 @cindex handling signals
3547 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
3548 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
3549 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
3550 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3551 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3552
3553 @table @code
3554 @kindex info signals
3555 @item info signals
3556 @itemx info handle
3557 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3558 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3559 the defined types of signals.
3560
3561 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
3562
3563 @kindex handle
3564 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3565 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
3566 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
3567 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
3568 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
3569 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3570 @end table
3571
3572 @c @group
3573 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3574 Their full names are:
3575
3576 @table @code
3577 @item nostop
3578 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3579 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3580
3581 @item stop
3582 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3583 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3584
3585 @item print
3586 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3587
3588 @item noprint
3589 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3590 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3591
3592 @item pass
3593 @itemx noignore
3594 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3595 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3596 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
3597
3598 @item nopass
3599 @itemx ignore
3600 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3601 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
3602 @end table
3603 @c @end group
3604
3605 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
3606 program until you
3607 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3608 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3609 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3610 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3611 program sees that signal when you continue.
3612
3613 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
3614 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
3615 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
3616 erroneous signals.
3617
3618 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3619 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3620 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3621 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3622 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3623 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3624 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3625 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
3626 program a signal}.
3627
3628 @node Thread Stops
3629 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3630
3631 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3632 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3633 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3634
3635 @table @code
3636 @cindex breakpoints and threads
3637 @cindex thread breakpoints
3638 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3639 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3640 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
3641 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
3642 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3643
3644 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3645 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
3646 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3647 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3648 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
3649
3650 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3651 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3652 program.
3653
3654 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3655 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3656 breakpoint condition, like this:
3657
3658 @smallexample
3659 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3660 @end smallexample
3661
3662 @end table
3663
3664 @cindex stopped threads
3665 @cindex threads, stopped
3666 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3667 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3668 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3669 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3670 underfoot.
3671
3672 @cindex continuing threads
3673 @cindex threads, continuing
3674 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3675 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3676 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3677
3678 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
3679 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3680 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3681 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3682 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3683 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3684 stops.
3685
3686 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3687 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3688 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3689 first thread completes whatever you requested.
3690
3691 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
3692 thread to run.
3693
3694 @table @code
3695 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
3696 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
3697 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
3698 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
3699 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
3700 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
3701 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
3702 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
3703 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
3704 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
3705 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
3706 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
3707
3708 @item show scheduler-locking
3709 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
3710 @end table
3711
3712
3713 @node Stack
3714 @chapter Examining the Stack
3715
3716 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3717 stopped and how it got there.
3718
3719 @cindex call stack
3720 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
3721 is generated.
3722 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
3723 the arguments of the call,
3724 and the local variables of the function being called.
3725 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
3726 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
3727 stack}.
3728
3729 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3730 stack allow you to see all of this information.
3731
3732 @cindex selected frame
3733 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3734 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3735 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3736 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3737 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
3738 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3739
3740 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
3741 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
3742 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
3743
3744 @menu
3745 * Frames:: Stack frames
3746 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
3747 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
3748 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
3749
3750 @end menu
3751
3752 @node Frames
3753 @section Stack frames
3754
3755 @cindex frame, definition
3756 @cindex stack frame
3757 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3758 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3759 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3760 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3761 which the function is executing.
3762
3763 @cindex initial frame
3764 @cindex outermost frame
3765 @cindex innermost frame
3766 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3767 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3768 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3769 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3770 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3771 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3772 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3773 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3774
3775 @cindex frame pointer
3776 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3777 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
3778 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
3779 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3780 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3781 going on in that frame.
3782
3783 @cindex frame number
3784 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
3785 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3786 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
3787 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3788 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
3789
3790 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
3791 @c underflow problems.
3792 @cindex frameless execution
3793 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
3794 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
3795 @smallexample
3796 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
3797 @end smallexample
3798 generates functions without a frame.)
3799 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
3800 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3801 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
3802 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
3803 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3804 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3805 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
3806
3807 @table @code
3808 @kindex frame@r{, command}
3809 @cindex current stack frame
3810 @item frame @var{args}
3811 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
3812 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
3813 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
3814 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
3815
3816 @kindex select-frame
3817 @cindex selecting frame silently
3818 @item select-frame
3819 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
3820 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
3821 @code{frame}.
3822 @end table
3823
3824 @node Backtrace
3825 @section Backtraces
3826
3827 @cindex backtraces
3828 @cindex tracebacks
3829 @cindex stack traces
3830 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
3831 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3832 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3833 stack.
3834
3835 @table @code
3836 @kindex backtrace
3837 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
3838 @item backtrace
3839 @itemx bt
3840 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3841 frames in the stack.
3842
3843 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3844 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3845
3846 @item backtrace @var{n}
3847 @itemx bt @var{n}
3848 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3849
3850 @item backtrace -@var{n}
3851 @itemx bt -@var{n}
3852 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3853 @end table
3854
3855 @kindex where
3856 @kindex info stack
3857 @kindex info s @r{(@code{info stack})}
3858 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3859 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3860
3861 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3862 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3863 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3864 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3865 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3866 line number.
3867
3868 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3869 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3870
3871 @smallexample
3872 @group
3873 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3874 at builtin.c:993
3875 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3876 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3877 at macro.c:71
3878 (More stack frames follow...)
3879 @end group
3880 @end smallexample
3881
3882 @noindent
3883 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3884 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
3885 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3886
3887 @kindex set backtrace-below-main
3888 @kindex show backtrace-below-main
3889
3890 Most programs have a standard entry point---a place where system libraries
3891 and startup code transition into user code. For C this is @code{main}.
3892 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace it will terminate
3893 the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly system-specific (and generally
3894 uninteresting) code. If you need to examine the startup code, then you can
3895 change this behavior.
3896
3897 @table @code
3898 @item set backtrace-below-main off
3899 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
3900 default.
3901
3902 @item set backtrace-below-main
3903 @itemx set backtrace-below-main on
3904 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point to the top of the stack.
3905
3906 @item show backtrace-below-main
3907 Display the current backtrace policy.
3908 @end table
3909
3910 @node Selection
3911 @section Selecting a frame
3912
3913 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
3914 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3915 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3916 of the stack frame just selected.
3917
3918 @table @code
3919 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
3920 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
3921 @item frame @var{n}
3922 @itemx f @var{n}
3923 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3924 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
3925 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3926 @code{main}.
3927
3928 @item frame @var{addr}
3929 @itemx f @var{addr}
3930 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3931 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
3932 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
3933 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
3934 switches between them.
3935
3936 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
3937 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
3938
3939 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
3940 pointer and a program counter.
3941
3942 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
3943 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
3944 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
3945 @c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
3946 @c as of 27 Jan 1994.
3947
3948 @kindex up
3949 @item up @var{n}
3950 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3951 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3952 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3953
3954 @kindex down
3955 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
3956 @item down @var{n}
3957 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3958 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3959 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3960 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3961 @end table
3962
3963 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3964 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3965 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
3966 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
3967
3968 @need 1000
3969 For example:
3970
3971 @smallexample
3972 @group
3973 (@value{GDBP}) up
3974 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3975 at env.c:10
3976 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
3977 @end group
3978 @end smallexample
3979
3980 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
3981 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
3982 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
3983 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
3984 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines},
3985 for details.
3986
3987 @table @code
3988 @kindex down-silently
3989 @kindex up-silently
3990 @item up-silently @var{n}
3991 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
3992 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3993 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3994 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
3995 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
3996 distracting.
3997 @end table
3998
3999 @node Frame Info
4000 @section Information about a frame
4001
4002 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
4003 stack frame.
4004
4005 @table @code
4006 @item frame
4007 @itemx f
4008 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
4009 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
4010 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
4011 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
4012 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4013
4014 @kindex info frame
4015 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4016 @item info frame
4017 @itemx info f
4018 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4019 including:
4020
4021 @itemize @bullet
4022 @item
4023 the address of the frame
4024 @item
4025 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4026 @item
4027 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4028 @item
4029 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4030 @item
4031 the address of the frame's arguments
4032 @item
4033 the address of the frame's local variables
4034 @item
4035 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4036 @item
4037 which registers were saved in the frame
4038 @end itemize
4039
4040 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4041 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4042 the usual conventions.
4043
4044 @item info frame @var{addr}
4045 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4046 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4047 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4048 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4049 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4050 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4051
4052 @kindex info args
4053 @item info args
4054 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4055
4056 @item info locals
4057 @kindex info locals
4058 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4059 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4060 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4061
4062 @kindex info catch
4063 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4064 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4065 @item info catch
4066 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4067 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4068 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4069 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4070 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4071
4072 @end table
4073
4074
4075 @node Source
4076 @chapter Examining Source Files
4077
4078 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4079 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4080 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4081 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4082 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4083 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4084 source files by explicit command.
4085
4086 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4087 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4088 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4089
4090 @menu
4091 * List:: Printing source lines
4092 * Edit:: Editing source files
4093 * Search:: Searching source files
4094 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4095 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4096 @end menu
4097
4098 @node List
4099 @section Printing source lines
4100
4101 @kindex list
4102 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4103 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4104 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4105 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4106
4107 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4108
4109 @table @code
4110 @item list @var{linenum}
4111 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4112 current source file.
4113
4114 @item list @var{function}
4115 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4116 @var{function}.
4117
4118 @item list
4119 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4120 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4121 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4122 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4123 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4124
4125 @item list -
4126 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4127 @end table
4128
4129 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4130 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4131
4132 @table @code
4133 @kindex set listsize
4134 @item set listsize @var{count}
4135 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4136 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4137
4138 @kindex show listsize
4139 @item show listsize
4140 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4141 @end table
4142
4143 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4144 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4145 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4146 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4147 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4148
4149 @cindex linespec
4150 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4151 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4152 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4153 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4154
4155 @table @code
4156 @item list @var{linespec}
4157 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4158
4159 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4160 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4161 linespecs.
4162
4163 @item list ,@var{last}
4164 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4165
4166 @item list @var{first},
4167 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4168
4169 @item list +
4170 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4171
4172 @item list -
4173 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4174
4175 @item list
4176 As described in the preceding table.
4177 @end table
4178
4179 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4180 kinds of linespec.
4181
4182 @table @code
4183 @item @var{number}
4184 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4185 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4186 the same source file as the first linespec.
4187
4188 @item +@var{offset}
4189 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4190 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4191 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4192 first linespec.
4193
4194 @item -@var{offset}
4195 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4196
4197 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4198 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4199
4200 @item @var{function}
4201 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4202 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4203
4204 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4205 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4206 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4207 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4208 identically named functions in different source files.
4209
4210 @item *@var{address}
4211 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4212 @var{address} may be any expression.
4213 @end table
4214
4215 @node Edit
4216 @section Editing source files
4217 @cindex editing source files
4218
4219 @kindex edit
4220 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
4221 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
4222 The editing program of your choice
4223 is invoked with the current line set to
4224 the active line in the program.
4225 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
4226 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program.
4227
4228 Here are the forms of the @code{edit} command most commonly used:
4229
4230 @table @code
4231 @item edit
4232 Edit the current source file at the active line number in the program.
4233
4234 @item edit @var{number}
4235 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
4236
4237 @item edit @var{function}
4238 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
4239
4240 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{number}
4241 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4242
4243 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{function}
4244 Specifies the line that begins the body of the
4245 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4246 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4247 identically named functions in different source files.
4248
4249 @item edit *@var{address}
4250 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4251 @var{address} may be any expression.
4252 @end table
4253
4254 @subsection Choosing your editor
4255 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
4256 @footnote{
4257 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
4258 following command-line syntax:
4259 @smallexample
4260 ex +@var{number} file
4261 @end smallexample
4262 The optional numeric value +@var{number} designates the active line in
4263 the file.}. By default, it is @value{EDITOR}, but you can change this
4264 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
4265 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
4266 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
4267 @smallexample
4268 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
4269 export EDITOR
4270 gdb ...
4271 @end smallexample
4272 or in the @code{csh} shell,
4273 @smallexample
4274 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
4275 gdb ...
4276 @end smallexample
4277
4278 @node Search
4279 @section Searching source files
4280 @cindex searching
4281 @kindex reverse-search
4282
4283 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4284 regular expression.
4285
4286 @table @code
4287 @kindex search
4288 @kindex forward-search
4289 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4290 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4291 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4292 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4293 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4294 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4295 @code{fo}.
4296
4297 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4298 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4299 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4300 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4301 this command as @code{rev}.
4302 @end table
4303
4304 @node Source Path
4305 @section Specifying source directories
4306
4307 @cindex source path
4308 @cindex directories for source files
4309 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4310 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4311 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4312 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4313 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4314 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4315 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
4316 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
4317 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
4318 path.
4319
4320 If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
4321 object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
4322 too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
4323 compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
4324 last resort.
4325
4326 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4327 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4328 each line is in the file.
4329
4330 @kindex directory
4331 @kindex dir
4332 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
4333 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
4334 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4335
4336 @table @code
4337 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4338 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4339 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4340 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
4341 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
4342 part of absolute file names) or
4343 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4344 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4345
4346 @kindex cdir
4347 @kindex cwd
4348 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
4349 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
4350 @cindex compilation directory
4351 @cindex current directory
4352 @cindex working directory
4353 @cindex directory, current
4354 @cindex directory, compilation
4355 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4356 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4357 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4358 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4359 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4360 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4361
4362 @item directory
4363 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4364
4365 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4366 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4367
4368 @item show directories
4369 @kindex show directories
4370 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4371 @end table
4372
4373 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4374 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4375 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4376
4377 @enumerate
4378 @item
4379 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4380
4381 @item
4382 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4383 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4384 directories in one command.
4385 @end enumerate
4386
4387 @node Machine Code
4388 @section Source and machine code
4389
4390 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4391 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4392 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4393 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
4394 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4395 well as hex.
4396
4397 @table @code
4398 @kindex info line
4399 @item info line @var{linespec}
4400 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4401 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4402 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4403 source lines}).
4404 @end table
4405
4406 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4407 the object code for the first line of function
4408 @code{m4_changequote}:
4409
4410 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
4411 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
4412 @smallexample
4413 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
4414 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4415 @end smallexample
4416
4417 @noindent
4418 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4419 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4420 @smallexample
4421 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4422 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4423 @end smallexample
4424
4425 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4426 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
4427 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4428 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4429 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4430 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4431 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4432 variables}).
4433
4434 @table @code
4435 @kindex disassemble
4436 @cindex assembly instructions
4437 @cindex instructions, assembly
4438 @cindex machine instructions
4439 @cindex listing machine instructions
4440 @item disassemble
4441 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4442 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4443 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4444 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4445 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4446 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4447 @end table
4448
4449 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4450 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4451
4452 @smallexample
4453 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4454 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4455 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4456 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4457 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4458 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4459 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4460 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4461 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4462 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4463 End of assembler dump.
4464 @end smallexample
4465
4466 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
4467 mnemonics or other syntax.
4468
4469 @table @code
4470 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
4471 @cindex assembly instructions
4472 @cindex instructions, assembly
4473 @cindex machine instructions
4474 @cindex listing machine instructions
4475 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
4476 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
4477 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
4478 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
4479 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
4480
4481 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
4482 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
4483 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
4484 assemblers for x86-based targets.
4485 @end table
4486
4487
4488 @node Data
4489 @chapter Examining Data
4490
4491 @cindex printing data
4492 @cindex examining data
4493 @kindex print
4494 @kindex inspect
4495 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4496 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4497 @c different window or something like that.
4498 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4499 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
4500 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
4501 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
4502 Different Languages}).
4503
4504 @table @code
4505 @item print @var{expr}
4506 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
4507 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
4508 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
4509 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
4510 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
4511 formats}.
4512
4513 @item print
4514 @itemx print /@var{f}
4515 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
4516 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
4517 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
4518 @end table
4519
4520 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
4521 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
4522 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4523
4524 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
4525 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
4526 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
4527 Table}.
4528
4529 @menu
4530 * Expressions:: Expressions
4531 * Variables:: Program variables
4532 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
4533 * Output Formats:: Output formats
4534 * Memory:: Examining memory
4535 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
4536 * Print Settings:: Print settings
4537 * Value History:: Value history
4538 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
4539 * Registers:: Registers
4540 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
4541 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
4542 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
4543 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
4544 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
4545 character set than GDB does
4546 @end menu
4547
4548 @node Expressions
4549 @section Expressions
4550
4551 @cindex expressions
4552 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
4553 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
4554 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
4555 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
4556 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
4557 you compiled your program to include this information; see
4558 @ref{Compilation}.
4559
4560 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
4561 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
4562 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
4563 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
4564
4565 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
4566 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4567 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
4568 languages.
4569
4570 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
4571 expressions regardless of your programming language.
4572
4573 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
4574 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
4575 at that address in memory.
4576 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
4577
4578 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4579 to programming languages:
4580
4581 @table @code
4582 @item @@
4583 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
4584 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
4585
4586 @item ::
4587 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
4588 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
4589
4590 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
4591 @cindex type casting memory
4592 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4593 @cindex casts, to view memory
4594 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
4595 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4596 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4597 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4598 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
4599 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
4600 @end table
4601
4602 @node Variables
4603 @section Program variables
4604
4605 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4606 in your program.
4607
4608 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
4609 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4610
4611 @itemize @bullet
4612 @item
4613 global (or file-static)
4614 @end itemize
4615
4616 @noindent or
4617
4618 @itemize @bullet
4619 @item
4620 visible according to the scope rules of the
4621 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4622 @end itemize
4623
4624 @noindent This means that in the function
4625
4626 @smallexample
4627 foo (a)
4628 int a;
4629 @{
4630 bar (a);
4631 @{
4632 int b = test ();
4633 bar (b);
4634 @}
4635 @}
4636 @end smallexample
4637
4638 @noindent
4639 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4640 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4641 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4642 the block where @code{b} is declared.
4643
4644 @cindex variable name conflict
4645 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4646 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4647 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
4648 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4649 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4650 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4651 using the colon-colon notation:
4652
4653 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
4654 @iftex
4655 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
4656 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
4657 @end iftex
4658 @smallexample
4659 @var{file}::@var{variable}
4660 @var{function}::@var{variable}
4661 @end smallexample
4662
4663 @noindent
4664 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
4665 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
4666 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
4667 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
4668
4669 @smallexample
4670 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
4671 @end smallexample
4672
4673 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
4674 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
4675 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
4676 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
4677 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
4678 @c conflict?? --mew
4679
4680 @cindex wrong values
4681 @cindex variable values, wrong
4682 @quotation
4683 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
4684 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
4685 scope, and just before exit.
4686 @end quotation
4687 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
4688 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
4689 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
4690 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
4691 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
4692 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
4693 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
4694 variable definitions may be gone.
4695
4696 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
4697 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
4698 when compiling.
4699
4700 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
4701 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
4702 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
4703 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
4704 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
4705 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
4706 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
4707
4708 @smallexample
4709 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4710 @end smallexample
4711
4712 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
4713 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
4714 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler usually
4715 supports the @samp{-gstabs} option. @samp{-gstabs} produces debug info
4716 in a format that is superior to formats such as COFF. You may be able
4717 to use DWARF2 (@samp{-gdwarf-2}), which is also an effective form for
4718 debug info. See @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your
4719 Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more
4720 information.
4721
4722
4723 @node Arrays
4724 @section Artificial arrays
4725
4726 @cindex artificial array
4727 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
4728 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
4729 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
4730 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
4731 program.
4732
4733 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
4734 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
4735 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
4736 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
4737 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
4738 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
4739 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
4740 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
4741 example. If a program says
4742
4743 @smallexample
4744 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4745 @end smallexample
4746
4747 @noindent
4748 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4749
4750 @smallexample
4751 p *array@@len
4752 @end smallexample
4753
4754 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4755 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4756 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4757 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
4758 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
4759
4760 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
4761 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
4762 The value need not be in memory:
4763 @smallexample
4764 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
4765 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4766 @end smallexample
4767
4768 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
4769 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
4770 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
4771 @smallexample
4772 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
4773 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4774 @end smallexample
4775
4776 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
4777 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
4778 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4779 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4780 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4781 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
4782 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4783 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4784 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4785 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4786
4787 @smallexample
4788 set $i = 0
4789 p dtab[$i++]->fv
4790 @key{RET}
4791 @key{RET}
4792 @dots{}
4793 @end smallexample
4794
4795 @node Output Formats
4796 @section Output formats
4797
4798 @cindex formatted output
4799 @cindex output formats
4800 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
4801 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4802 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4803 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4804 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4805
4806 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4807 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4808 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4809 letters supported are:
4810
4811 @table @code
4812 @item x
4813 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4814 hexadecimal.
4815
4816 @item d
4817 Print as integer in signed decimal.
4818
4819 @item u
4820 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4821
4822 @item o
4823 Print as integer in octal.
4824
4825 @item t
4826 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
4827 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4828 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4829 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
4830
4831 @item a
4832 @cindex unknown address, locating
4833 @cindex locate address
4834 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
4835 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
4836 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
4837
4838 @smallexample
4839 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4840 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
4841 @end smallexample
4842
4843 @noindent
4844 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
4845 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
4846
4847 @item c
4848 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4849
4850 @item f
4851 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4852 using typical floating point syntax.
4853 @end table
4854
4855 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4856
4857 @smallexample
4858 p/x $pc
4859 @end smallexample
4860
4861 @noindent
4862 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
4863 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
4864
4865 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4866 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4867 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4868
4869 @node Memory
4870 @section Examining memory
4871
4872 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4873 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4874
4875 @cindex examining memory
4876 @table @code
4877 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
4878 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4879 @itemx x @var{addr}
4880 @itemx x
4881 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
4882 @end table
4883
4884 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4885 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
4886 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4887 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4888 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
4889
4890 @table @r
4891 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
4892 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4893 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
4894 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4895 @c 4.1.2.
4896
4897 @item @var{f}, the display format
4898 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
4899 @samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4900 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
4901 The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
4902
4903 @item @var{u}, the unit size
4904 The unit size is any of
4905
4906 @table @code
4907 @item b
4908 Bytes.
4909 @item h
4910 Halfwords (two bytes).
4911 @item w
4912 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
4913 @item g
4914 Giant words (eight bytes).
4915 @end table
4916
4917 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4918 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4919 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4920
4921 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
4922 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
4923 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4924 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
4925 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
4926 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4927 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4928 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4929 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4930 a value from memory).
4931 @end table
4932
4933 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4934 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4935 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4936 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4937 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
4938
4939 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
4940 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
4941 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
4942 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
4943 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
4944
4945 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4946 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4947 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4948 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4949 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
4950 Code,,Source and machine code}.
4951
4952 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4953 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
4954 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
4955 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4956 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4957 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4958 for successive uses of @code{x}.
4959
4960 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
4961 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
4962 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
4963 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
4964 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4965 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4966 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4967 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4968 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4969
4970 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4971 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4972 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4973
4974 @node Auto Display
4975 @section Automatic display
4976 @cindex automatic display
4977 @cindex display of expressions
4978
4979 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4980 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
4981 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
4982 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4983 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4984 The automatic display looks like this:
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 2: foo = 38
4988 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4989 @end smallexample
4990
4991 @noindent
4992 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
4993 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4994 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4995 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4996 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4997 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4998 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4999
5000 @table @code
5001 @kindex display
5002 @item display @var{expr}
5003 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
5004 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5005
5006 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5007
5008 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
5009 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
5010 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
5011 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
5012 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
5013
5014 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
5015 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
5016 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
5017 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
5018 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5019 @end table
5020
5021 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
5022 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
5023 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5024
5025 @table @code
5026 @kindex delete display
5027 @kindex undisplay
5028 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
5029 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5030 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
5031
5032 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5033 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
5034
5035 @kindex disable display
5036 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5037 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
5038 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
5039 enabled again later.
5040
5041 @kindex enable display
5042 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5043 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
5044 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
5045
5046 @item display
5047 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
5048 done when your program stops.
5049
5050 @kindex info display
5051 @item info display
5052 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
5053 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
5054 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
5055 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
5056 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
5057 @end table
5058
5059 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
5060 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
5061 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
5062 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
5063 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
5064 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
5065 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
5066 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
5067 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
5068 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
5069
5070 @node Print Settings
5071 @section Print settings
5072
5073 @cindex format options
5074 @cindex print settings
5075 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
5076 and symbols are printed.
5077
5078 @noindent
5079 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
5080
5081 @table @code
5082 @kindex set print address
5083 @item set print address
5084 @itemx set print address on
5085 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5086 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5087 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5088 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5089 @code{set print address on}:
5090
5091 @smallexample
5092 @group
5093 (@value{GDBP}) f
5094 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5095 at input.c:530
5096 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5097 @end group
5098 @end smallexample
5099
5100 @item set print address off
5101 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5102 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5103
5104 @smallexample
5105 @group
5106 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5107 (@value{GDBP}) f
5108 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5109 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5110 @end group
5111 @end smallexample
5112
5113 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5114 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5115 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5116 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5117
5118 @kindex show print address
5119 @item show print address
5120 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5121 @end table
5122
5123 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5124 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5125 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5126 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5127 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5128 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5129 it prints a symbolic address:
5130
5131 @table @code
5132 @kindex set print symbol-filename
5133 @item set print symbol-filename on
5134 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5135 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5136
5137 @item set print symbol-filename off
5138 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5139 default.
5140
5141 @kindex show print symbol-filename
5142 @item show print symbol-filename
5143 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5144 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5145 @end table
5146
5147 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5148 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5149 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5150
5151 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5152 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5153
5154 @table @code
5155 @kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
5156 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5157 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5158 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5159 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5160 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5161
5162 @kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
5163 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5164 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5165 symbolic address.
5166 @end table
5167
5168 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5169 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5170 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5171 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5172 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5173 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5174 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5175 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5176
5177 @smallexample
5178 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5179 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5180 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5181 @end smallexample
5182
5183 @quotation
5184 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5185 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5186 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5187 @end quotation
5188
5189 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5190
5191 @table @code
5192 @kindex set print array
5193 @item set print array
5194 @itemx set print array on
5195 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5196 but uses more space. The default is off.
5197
5198 @item set print array off
5199 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5200
5201 @kindex show print array
5202 @item show print array
5203 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5204 arrays.
5205
5206 @kindex set print elements
5207 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5208 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5209 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5210 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5211 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5212 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
5213 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5214
5215 @kindex show print elements
5216 @item show print elements
5217 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5218 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5219
5220 @kindex set print null-stop
5221 @item set print null-stop
5222 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5223 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5224 contain only short strings.
5225 The default is off.
5226
5227 @kindex set print pretty
5228 @item set print pretty on
5229 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5230 per line, like this:
5231
5232 @smallexample
5233 @group
5234 $1 = @{
5235 next = 0x0,
5236 flags = @{
5237 sweet = 1,
5238 sour = 1
5239 @},
5240 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
5241 @}
5242 @end group
5243 @end smallexample
5244
5245 @item set print pretty off
5246 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
5247
5248 @smallexample
5249 @group
5250 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
5251 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
5252 @end group
5253 @end smallexample
5254
5255 @noindent
5256 This is the default format.
5257
5258 @kindex show print pretty
5259 @item show print pretty
5260 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
5261
5262 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
5263 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
5264 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
5265 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
5266 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
5267 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
5268 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
5269
5270 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
5271 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
5272 international character sets, and is the default.
5273
5274 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
5275 @item show print sevenbit-strings
5276 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
5277
5278 @kindex set print union
5279 @item set print union on
5280 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
5281 is the default setting.
5282
5283 @item set print union off
5284 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
5285
5286 @kindex show print union
5287 @item show print union
5288 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5289 structures.
5290
5291 For example, given the declarations
5292
5293 @smallexample
5294 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5295 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5296 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5297 Bug_forms;
5298
5299 struct thing @{
5300 Species it;
5301 union @{
5302 Tree_forms tree;
5303 Bug_forms bug;
5304 @} form;
5305 @};
5306
5307 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5308 @end smallexample
5309
5310 @noindent
5311 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5312
5313 @smallexample
5314 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5315 @end smallexample
5316
5317 @noindent
5318 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5319
5320 @smallexample
5321 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5322 @end smallexample
5323 @end table
5324
5325 @need 1000
5326 @noindent
5327 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
5328
5329 @table @code
5330 @cindex demangling
5331 @kindex set print demangle
5332 @item set print demangle
5333 @itemx set print demangle on
5334 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5335 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5336 linkage. The default is on.
5337
5338 @kindex show print demangle
5339 @item show print demangle
5340 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5341
5342 @kindex set print asm-demangle
5343 @item set print asm-demangle
5344 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5345 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5346 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5347 The default is off.
5348
5349 @kindex show print asm-demangle
5350 @item show print asm-demangle
5351 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5352 or demangled form.
5353
5354 @kindex set demangle-style
5355 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
5356 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
5357 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5358 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5359 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5360
5361 @table @code
5362 @item auto
5363 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5364
5365 @item gnu
5366 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5367 This is the default.
5368
5369 @item hp
5370 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5371
5372 @item lucid
5373 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5374
5375 @item arm
5376 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
5377 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5378 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5379 require further enhancement to permit that.
5380
5381 @end table
5382 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
5383
5384 @kindex show demangle-style
5385 @item show demangle-style
5386 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
5387
5388 @kindex set print object
5389 @item set print object
5390 @itemx set print object on
5391 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5392 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5393 the virtual function table.
5394
5395 @item set print object off
5396 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5397 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5398
5399 @kindex show print object
5400 @item show print object
5401 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5402
5403 @kindex set print static-members
5404 @item set print static-members
5405 @itemx set print static-members on
5406 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
5407
5408 @item set print static-members off
5409 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
5410
5411 @kindex show print static-members
5412 @item show print static-members
5413 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed, or not.
5414
5415 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5416 @kindex set print vtbl
5417 @item set print vtbl
5418 @itemx set print vtbl on
5419 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
5420 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
5421 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
5422
5423 @item set print vtbl off
5424 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
5425
5426 @kindex show print vtbl
5427 @item show print vtbl
5428 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
5429 @end table
5430
5431 @node Value History
5432 @section Value history
5433
5434 @cindex value history
5435 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
5436 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
5437 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
5438 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
5439 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
5440 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
5441 symbol table.
5442
5443 @cindex @code{$}
5444 @cindex @code{$$}
5445 @cindex history number
5446 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
5447 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
5448 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
5449 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
5450 history number.
5451
5452 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
5453 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
5454 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
5455 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
5456 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
5457 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
5458 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
5459
5460 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
5461 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
5462
5463 @smallexample
5464 p *$
5465 @end smallexample
5466
5467 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
5468 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
5469
5470 @smallexample
5471 p *$.next
5472 @end smallexample
5473
5474 @noindent
5475 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
5476 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
5477
5478 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
5479 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
5480
5481 @smallexample
5482 print x
5483 set x=5
5484 @end smallexample
5485
5486 @noindent
5487 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
5488 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
5489
5490 @table @code
5491 @kindex show values
5492 @item show values
5493 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
5494 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
5495 values} does not change the history.
5496
5497 @item show values @var{n}
5498 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
5499
5500 @item show values +
5501 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
5502 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
5503 @end table
5504
5505 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
5506 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
5507
5508 @node Convenience Vars
5509 @section Convenience variables
5510
5511 @cindex convenience variables
5512 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
5513 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
5514 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
5515 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
5516 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
5517
5518 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
5519 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
5520 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5521 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
5522 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
5523
5524 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
5525 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
5526 For example:
5527
5528 @smallexample
5529 set $foo = *object_ptr
5530 @end smallexample
5531
5532 @noindent
5533 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
5534 @code{object_ptr}.
5535
5536 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
5537 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
5538 value with another assignment at any time.
5539
5540 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
5541 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
5542 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
5543 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
5544
5545 @table @code
5546 @kindex show convenience
5547 @item show convenience
5548 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
5549 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
5550 @end table
5551
5552 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
5553 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
5554 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
5555
5556 @smallexample
5557 set $i = 0
5558 print bar[$i++]->contents
5559 @end smallexample
5560
5561 @noindent
5562 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
5563
5564 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
5565 values likely to be useful.
5566
5567 @table @code
5568 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
5569 @item $_
5570 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
5571 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
5572 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
5573 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
5574 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
5575 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
5576 to the type of @code{$__}.
5577
5578 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
5579 @item $__
5580 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
5581 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
5582 to match the format in which the data was printed.
5583
5584 @item $_exitcode
5585 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
5586 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
5587 the program being debugged terminates.
5588 @end table
5589
5590 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
5591 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
5592 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
5593
5594 @node Registers
5595 @section Registers
5596
5597 @cindex registers
5598 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
5599 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
5600 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
5601 your machine.
5602
5603 @table @code
5604 @kindex info registers
5605 @item info registers
5606 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
5607 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
5608
5609 @kindex info all-registers
5610 @cindex floating point registers
5611 @item info all-registers
5612 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
5613 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
5614
5615 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
5616 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5617 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5618 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5619 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
5620 @end table
5621
5622 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
5623 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
5624 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5625 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5626 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5627 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5628 register that contains the processor status. For example,
5629 you could print the program counter in hex with
5630
5631 @smallexample
5632 p/x $pc
5633 @end smallexample
5634
5635 @noindent
5636 or print the instruction to be executed next with
5637
5638 @smallexample
5639 x/i $pc
5640 @end smallexample
5641
5642 @noindent
5643 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
5644 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5645 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5646 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5647 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5648 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
5649 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
5650
5651 @smallexample
5652 set $sp += 4
5653 @end smallexample
5654
5655 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5656 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5657 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5658 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
5659 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5660 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
5661 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
5662
5663 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
5664 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5665 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5666 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5667 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5668 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5669 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5670
5671 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5672 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5673 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5674 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5675 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5676 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
5677 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5678 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
5679 prints the data in both formats.
5680
5681 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
5682 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
5683 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
5684 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
5685 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
5686 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
5687
5688 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
5689 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
5690 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
5691 frame makes no difference.
5692
5693 @node Floating Point Hardware
5694 @section Floating point hardware
5695 @cindex floating point
5696
5697 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
5698 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
5699
5700 @table @code
5701 @kindex info float
5702 @item info float
5703 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
5704 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
5705 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
5706 the ARM and x86 machines.
5707 @end table
5708
5709 @node Vector Unit
5710 @section Vector Unit
5711 @cindex vector unit
5712
5713 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
5714 more information about the status of the vector unit.
5715
5716 @table @code
5717 @kindex info vector
5718 @item info vector
5719 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
5720 layout vary depending on the hardware.
5721 @end table
5722
5723 @node Memory Region Attributes
5724 @section Memory region attributes
5725 @cindex memory region attributes
5726
5727 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
5728 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
5729 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
5730 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
5731
5732 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
5733 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
5734 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
5735 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
5736 all memory.
5737
5738 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
5739 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
5740
5741 @table @code
5742 @kindex mem
5743 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
5744 Define memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
5745 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a
5746 special case: it is treated as the the target's maximum memory address.
5747 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
5748
5749 @kindex delete mem
5750 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5751 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
5752
5753 @kindex disable mem
5754 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5755 Disable memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
5756 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
5757 It may be enabled again later.
5758
5759 @kindex enable mem
5760 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5761 Enable memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
5762
5763 @kindex info mem
5764 @item info mem
5765 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
5766 for each region.
5767
5768 @table @emph
5769 @item Memory Region Number
5770 @item Enabled or Disabled.
5771 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
5772 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
5773
5774 @item Lo Address
5775 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
5776
5777 @item Hi Address
5778 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
5779
5780 @item Attributes
5781 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
5782 @end table
5783 @end table
5784
5785
5786 @subsection Attributes
5787
5788 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
5789 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
5790 write accesses to a memory region.
5791
5792 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
5793 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
5794 etc. from accessing memory.
5795
5796 @table @code
5797 @item ro
5798 Memory is read only.
5799 @item wo
5800 Memory is write only.
5801 @item rw
5802 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
5803 @end table
5804
5805 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
5806 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
5807 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
5808 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
5809 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
5810
5811 @table @code
5812 @item 8
5813 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
5814 @item 16
5815 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
5816 @item 32
5817 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
5818 @item 64
5819 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
5820 @end table
5821
5822 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
5823 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5824 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
5825 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
5826 @c
5827 @c @table @code
5828 @c @item hwbreak
5829 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
5830 @c @item swbreak (default)
5831 @c @end table
5832
5833 @subsubsection Data Cache
5834 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
5835 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
5836 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
5837 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
5838 registers.
5839
5840 @table @code
5841 @item cache
5842 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
5843 @item nocache
5844 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
5845 @end table
5846
5847 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
5848 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5849 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
5850 @c
5851 @c @table @code
5852 @c @item verify
5853 @c @item noverify (default)
5854 @c @end table
5855
5856 @node Dump/Restore Files
5857 @section Copy between memory and a file
5858 @cindex dump/restore files
5859 @cindex append data to a file
5860 @cindex dump data to a file
5861 @cindex restore data from a file
5862 @kindex dump
5863 @kindex append
5864 @kindex restore
5865
5866 The commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and @code{restore} are used
5867 for copying data between target memory and a file. Data is written
5868 into a file using @code{dump} or @code{append}, and restored from a
5869 file into memory by using @code{restore}. Files may be binary, srec,
5870 intel hex, or tekhex (but only binary files can be appended).
5871
5872 @table @code
5873 @kindex dump binary
5874 @kindex append binary
5875 @item dump binary memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
5876 Dump contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr} into
5877 raw binary format file @var{filename}.
5878
5879 @item append binary memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
5880 Append contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr} to
5881 raw binary format file @var{filename}.
5882
5883 @item dump binary value @var{filename} @var{expression}
5884 Dump value of @var{expression} into raw binary format file @var{filename}.
5885
5886 @item append binary memory @var{filename} @var{expression}
5887 Append value of @var{expression} to raw binary format file @var{filename}.
5888
5889 @kindex dump ihex
5890 @item dump ihex memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
5891 Dump contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr} into
5892 intel hex format file @var{filename}.
5893
5894 @item dump ihex value @var{filename} @var{expression}
5895 Dump value of @var{expression} into intel hex format file @var{filename}.
5896
5897 @kindex dump srec
5898 @item dump srec memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
5899 Dump contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr} into
5900 srec format file @var{filename}.
5901
5902 @item dump srec value @var{filename} @var{expression}
5903 Dump value of @var{expression} into srec format file @var{filename}.
5904
5905 @kindex dump tekhex
5906 @item dump tekhex memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
5907 Dump contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr} into
5908 tekhex format file @var{filename}.
5909
5910 @item dump tekhex value @var{filename} @var{expression}
5911 Dump value of @var{expression} into tekhex format file @var{filename}.
5912
5913 @item restore @var{filename} [@var{binary}] @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
5914 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The @code{restore}
5915 command can automatically recognize any known bfd file format, except for
5916 raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you must use the optional argument
5917 @var{binary} after the filename.
5918
5919 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
5920 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
5921 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
5922 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
5923 from that location.
5924
5925 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
5926 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
5927 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
5928 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
5929
5930 @end table
5931
5932 @node Character Sets
5933 @section Character Sets
5934 @cindex character sets
5935 @cindex charset
5936 @cindex translating between character sets
5937 @cindex host character set
5938 @cindex target character set
5939
5940 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
5941 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
5942 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
5943 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
5944 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
5945 @dfn{target character set}.
5946
5947 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
5948 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
5949 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote,Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
5950 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
5951 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
5952 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
5953 target-charset ebcdic-us}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
5954 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
5955 character and string literals in expressions.
5956
5957 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
5958 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
5959 target-charset} command, described below.
5960
5961 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
5962 support:
5963
5964 @table @code
5965 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
5966 @kindex set target-charset
5967 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. We list the
5968 character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, but if you invoke the
5969 @code{set target-charset} command with no argument, @value{GDBN} lists
5970 the character sets it supports.
5971 @end table
5972
5973 @table @code
5974 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
5975 @kindex set host-charset
5976 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
5977
5978 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
5979 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
5980 @code{set host-charset} command.
5981
5982 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
5983 set. We list the character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, and
5984 indicate which can be host character sets, but if you invoke the
5985 @code{set host-charset} command with no argument, @value{GDBN} lists the
5986 character sets it supports, placing an asterisk (@samp{*}) after those
5987 it can use as a host character set.
5988
5989 @item set charset @var{charset}
5990 @kindex set charset
5991 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. If you
5992 invoke the @code{set charset} command with no argument, it lists the
5993 character sets it supports. @value{GDBN} can only use certain character
5994 sets as its host character set; it marks those in the list with an
5995 asterisk (@samp{*}).
5996
5997 @item show charset
5998 @itemx show host-charset
5999 @itemx show target-charset
6000 @kindex show charset
6001 @kindex show host-charset
6002 @kindex show target-charset
6003 Show the current host and target charsets. The @code{show host-charset}
6004 and @code{show target-charset} commands are synonyms for @code{show
6005 charset}.
6006
6007 @end table
6008
6009 @value{GDBN} currently includes support for the following character
6010 sets:
6011
6012 @table @code
6013
6014 @item ASCII
6015 @cindex ASCII character set
6016 Seven-bit U.S. @sc{ascii}. @value{GDBN} can use this as its host
6017 character set.
6018
6019 @item ISO-8859-1
6020 @cindex ISO 8859-1 character set
6021 @cindex ISO Latin 1 character set
6022 The ISO Latin 1 character set. This extends ASCII with accented
6023 characters needed for French, German, and Spanish. @value{GDBN} can use
6024 this as its host character set.
6025
6026 @item EBCDIC-US
6027 @itemx IBM1047
6028 @cindex EBCDIC character set
6029 @cindex IBM1047 character set
6030 Variants of the @sc{ebcdic} character set, used on some of IBM's
6031 mainframe operating systems. (@sc{gnu}/Linux on the S/390 uses U.S. @sc{ascii}.)
6032 @value{GDBN} cannot use these as its host character set.
6033
6034 @end table
6035
6036 Note that these are all single-byte character sets. More work inside
6037 GDB is needed to support multi-byte or variable-width character
6038 encodings, like the UTF-8 and UCS-2 encodings of Unicode.
6039
6040 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
6041 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
6042 @file{charset-test.c}:
6043
6044 @smallexample
6045 #include <stdio.h>
6046
6047 char ascii_hello[]
6048 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
6049 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
6050 char ibm1047_hello[]
6051 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
6052 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
6053
6054 main ()
6055 @{
6056 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6057 @}
6058 @end smallexample
6059
6060 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
6061 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
6062 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
6063
6064 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
6065
6066 @smallexample
6067 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
6068 $ gdb -nw charset-test
6069 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
6070 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
6071 @dots{}
6072 (gdb)
6073 @end smallexample
6074
6075 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
6076 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
6077 strings:
6078
6079 @smallexample
6080 (gdb) show charset
6081 The current host and target character set is `iso-8859-1'.
6082 (gdb)
6083 @end smallexample
6084
6085 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
6086 initial character set:
6087 @smallexample
6088 (gdb) set charset ascii
6089 (gdb) show charset
6090 The current host and target character set is `ascii'.
6091 (gdb)
6092 @end smallexample
6093
6094 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
6095 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
6096 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
6097 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
6098 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
6099
6100 @smallexample
6101 (gdb) print ascii_hello
6102 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
6103 (gdb) print ascii_hello[0]
6104 $2 = 72 'H'
6105 (gdb)
6106 @end smallexample
6107
6108 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
6109 literals you use in expressions:
6110
6111 @smallexample
6112 (gdb) print '+'
6113 $3 = 43 '+'
6114 (gdb)
6115 @end smallexample
6116
6117 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
6118 character.
6119
6120 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
6121 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
6122 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
6123
6124 @smallexample
6125 (gdb) print ibm1047_hello
6126 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
6127 (gdb) print ibm1047_hello[0]
6128 $5 = 200 '\310'
6129 (gdb)
6130 @end smallexample
6131
6132 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} command without an argument,
6133 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
6134
6135 @smallexample
6136 (gdb) set target-charset
6137 Valid character sets are:
6138 ascii *
6139 iso-8859-1 *
6140 ebcdic-us
6141 ibm1047
6142 * - can be used as a host character set
6143 @end smallexample
6144
6145 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
6146 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
6147 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
6148 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
6149 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
6150
6151 @smallexample
6152 (gdb) set target-charset ibm1047
6153 (gdb) show charset
6154 The current host character set is `ascii'.
6155 The current target character set is `ibm1047'.
6156 (gdb) print ascii_hello
6157 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
6158 (gdb) print ascii_hello[0]
6159 $7 = 72 '\110'
6160 (gdb) print ibm1047_hello
6161 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
6162 (gdb) print ibm1047_hello[0]
6163 $9 = 200 'H'
6164 (gdb)
6165 @end smallexample
6166
6167 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
6168 string literals you use in expressions:
6169
6170 @smallexample
6171 (gdb) print '+'
6172 $10 = 78 '+'
6173 (gdb)
6174 @end smallexample
6175
6176 The IBM1047 character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
6177 character.
6178
6179
6180 @node Macros
6181 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
6182
6183 Some languages, such as C and C++, provide a way to define and invoke
6184 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
6185 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
6186 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
6187 where it was defined.
6188
6189 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
6190 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
6191 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
6192 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
6193
6194 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
6195 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
6196 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
6197 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
6198 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
6199 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
6200 see @ref{List}.
6201
6202 At the moment, @value{GDBN} does not support the @code{##}
6203 token-splicing operator, the @code{#} stringification operator, or
6204 variable-arity macros.
6205
6206 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
6207 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
6208 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
6209
6210 @table @code
6211
6212 @kindex macro expand
6213 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
6214 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
6215 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
6216 @item macro expand @var{expression}
6217 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
6218 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
6219 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
6220 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
6221 it can be any string of tokens.
6222
6223 @kindex macro expand-once
6224 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
6225 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
6226 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
6227 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
6228 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
6229 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
6230 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
6231 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
6232 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
6233 can be any string of tokens.
6234
6235 @kindex info macro
6236 @cindex macro definition, showing
6237 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
6238 @item info macro @var{macro}
6239 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
6240 source location where that definition was established.
6241
6242 @kindex macro define
6243 @cindex user-defined macros
6244 @cindex defining macros interactively
6245 @cindex macros, user-defined
6246 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
6247 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
6248 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Introduce a definition for a
6249 preprocessor macro named @var{macro}, invocations of which are replaced
6250 by the tokens given in @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this
6251 command defines an ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the
6252 second form defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments
6253 given in @var{arglist}.
6254
6255 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every expression
6256 evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the @command{macro
6257 undef} command, described below. The definition overrides all
6258 definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged, as
6259 well as any previous user-supplied definition.
6260
6261 @kindex macro undef
6262 @item macro undef @var{macro}
6263 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Remove any user-supplied
6264 definition for the macro named @var{macro}. This command only affects
6265 definitions provided with the @command{macro define} command, described
6266 above; it cannot remove definitions present in the program being
6267 debugged.
6268
6269 @end table
6270
6271 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
6272 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
6273 show our source files:
6274
6275 @smallexample
6276 $ cat sample.c
6277 #include <stdio.h>
6278 #include "sample.h"
6279
6280 #define M 42
6281 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
6282
6283 main ()
6284 @{
6285 #define N 28
6286 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6287 #undef N
6288 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
6289 #define N 1729
6290 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
6291 @}
6292 $ cat sample.h
6293 #define Q <
6294 $
6295 @end smallexample
6296
6297 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
6298 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
6299 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
6300 information.
6301
6302 @smallexample
6303 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
6304 $
6305 @end smallexample
6306
6307 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
6308
6309 @smallexample
6310 $ gdb -nw sample
6311 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
6312 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
6313 GDB is free software, @dots{}
6314 (gdb)
6315 @end smallexample
6316
6317 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
6318 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
6319 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
6320
6321 @smallexample
6322 (gdb) list main
6323 3
6324 4 #define M 42
6325 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
6326 6
6327 7 main ()
6328 8 @{
6329 9 #define N 28
6330 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6331 11 #undef N
6332 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
6333 (gdb) info macro ADD
6334 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
6335 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
6336 (gdb) info macro Q
6337 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
6338 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
6339 #define Q <
6340 (gdb) macro expand ADD(1)
6341 expands to: (42 + 1)
6342 (gdb) macro expand-once ADD(1)
6343 expands to: once (M + 1)
6344 (gdb)
6345 @end smallexample
6346
6347 In the example above, note that @command{macro expand-once} expands only
6348 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
6349 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
6350 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
6351
6352 Once the program is running, GDB uses the macro definitions in force at
6353 the source line of the current stack frame:
6354
6355 @smallexample
6356 (gdb) break main
6357 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
6358 (gdb) run
6359 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
6360
6361 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
6362 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6363 (gdb)
6364 @end smallexample
6365
6366 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
6367
6368 @smallexample
6369 (gdb) info macro N
6370 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
6371 #define N 28
6372 (gdb) macro expand N Q M
6373 expands to: 28 < 42
6374 (gdb) print N Q M
6375 $1 = 1
6376 (gdb)
6377 @end smallexample
6378
6379 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
6380 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
6381 thereof) in force at each point:
6382
6383 @smallexample
6384 (gdb) next
6385 Hello, world!
6386 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
6387 (gdb) info macro N
6388 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
6389 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
6390 (gdb) next
6391 We're so creative.
6392 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
6393 (gdb) info macro N
6394 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
6395 #define N 1729
6396 (gdb) macro expand N Q M
6397 expands to: 1729 < 42
6398 (gdb) print N Q M
6399 $2 = 0
6400 (gdb)
6401 @end smallexample
6402
6403
6404 @node Tracepoints
6405 @chapter Tracepoints
6406 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
6407 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
6408
6409 @cindex tracepoints
6410 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
6411 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
6412 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
6413 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
6414 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
6415 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
6416 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
6417
6418 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
6419 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
6420 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
6421 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
6422 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
6423 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
6424 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
6425 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
6426 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
6427 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
6428 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
6429
6430 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
6431 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know how
6432 to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the remote
6433 stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN} support
6434 tracepoints as of this writing.
6435
6436 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
6437
6438 @menu
6439 * Set Tracepoints::
6440 * Analyze Collected Data::
6441 * Tracepoint Variables::
6442 @end menu
6443
6444 @node Set Tracepoints
6445 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
6446
6447 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
6448 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
6449 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
6450 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
6451 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
6452 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
6453 work on.
6454
6455 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
6456 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
6457 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
6458 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
6459 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
6460 tracepoint was hit.
6461
6462 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
6463 conditions and actions.
6464
6465 @menu
6466 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
6467 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
6468 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
6469 * Tracepoint Actions::
6470 * Listing Tracepoints::
6471 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
6472 @end menu
6473
6474 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
6475 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
6476
6477 @table @code
6478 @cindex set tracepoint
6479 @kindex trace
6480 @item trace
6481 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
6482 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
6483 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
6484 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
6485 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
6486 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
6487 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
6488 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
6489 running.
6490
6491 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
6492
6493 @smallexample
6494 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
6495
6496 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
6497
6498 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
6499
6500 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
6501
6502 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
6503 @end smallexample
6504
6505 @noindent
6506 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
6507
6508 @vindex $tpnum
6509 @cindex last tracepoint number
6510 @cindex recent tracepoint number
6511 @cindex tracepoint number
6512 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
6513 of the most recently set tracepoint.
6514
6515 @kindex delete tracepoint
6516 @cindex tracepoint deletion
6517 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6518 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
6519 default is to delete all tracepoints.
6520
6521 Examples:
6522
6523 @smallexample
6524 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
6525
6526 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
6527 @end smallexample
6528
6529 @noindent
6530 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
6531 @end table
6532
6533 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
6534 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
6535
6536 @table @code
6537 @kindex disable tracepoint
6538 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6539 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
6540 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
6541 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
6542 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
6543
6544 @kindex enable tracepoint
6545 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6546 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
6547 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
6548 run.
6549 @end table
6550
6551 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
6552 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
6553
6554 @table @code
6555 @kindex passcount
6556 @cindex tracepoint pass count
6557 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
6558 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
6559 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
6560 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
6561 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
6562 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
6563 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
6564 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
6565 user.
6566
6567 Examples:
6568
6569 @smallexample
6570 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
6571 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
6572
6573 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
6574 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
6575 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
6576 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
6577 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
6578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
6579 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
6580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
6581 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
6582 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
6583 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
6584 @end smallexample
6585 @end table
6586
6587 @node Tracepoint Actions
6588 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
6589
6590 @table @code
6591 @kindex actions
6592 @cindex tracepoint actions
6593 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6594 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
6595 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
6596 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
6597 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
6598 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
6599 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
6600 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
6601 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
6602 @code{while-stepping}.
6603
6604 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
6605 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
6606 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
6607
6608 @smallexample
6609 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
6610
6611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
6612
6613 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
6614 @end smallexample
6615
6616 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
6617 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
6618 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
6619 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
6620 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
6621 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
6622 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
6623 @code{end} command.
6624
6625 @smallexample
6626 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
6627 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6628 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
6629 > collect bar,baz
6630 > collect $regs
6631 > while-stepping 12
6632 > collect $fp, $sp
6633 > end
6634 end
6635 @end smallexample
6636
6637 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
6638 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
6639 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
6640 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
6641 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
6642 special arguments are supported:
6643
6644 @table @code
6645 @item $regs
6646 collect all registers
6647
6648 @item $args
6649 collect all function arguments
6650
6651 @item $locals
6652 collect all local variables.
6653 @end table
6654
6655 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
6656 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
6657 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
6658
6659 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
6660 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
6661
6662 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
6663 @item while-stepping @var{n}
6664 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
6665 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
6666 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
6667 its own @code{end} command):
6668
6669 @smallexample
6670 > while-stepping 12
6671 > collect $regs, myglobal
6672 > end
6673 >
6674 @end smallexample
6675
6676 @noindent
6677 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
6678 @code{stepping}.
6679 @end table
6680
6681 @node Listing Tracepoints
6682 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
6683
6684 @table @code
6685 @kindex info tracepoints
6686 @cindex information about tracepoints
6687 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6688 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify
6689 a tracepoint number, displays information about all the tracepoints
6690 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
6691 shown:
6692
6693 @itemize @bullet
6694 @item
6695 its number
6696 @item
6697 whether it is enabled or disabled
6698 @item
6699 its address
6700 @item
6701 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
6702 @item
6703 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
6704 @item
6705 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
6706 @item
6707 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
6708 @end itemize
6709
6710 @smallexample
6711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
6712 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
6713 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
6714 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
6715 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
6716 (@value{GDBP})
6717 @end smallexample
6718
6719 @noindent
6720 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
6721 @end table
6722
6723 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6724 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6725
6726 @table @code
6727 @kindex tstart
6728 @cindex start a new trace experiment
6729 @cindex collected data discarded
6730 @item tstart
6731 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
6732 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
6733 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
6734 experiment.
6735
6736 @kindex tstop
6737 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
6738 @item tstop
6739 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
6740 stops collecting data.
6741
6742 @strong{Note:} a trace experiment and data collection may stop
6743 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
6744 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
6745
6746 @kindex tstatus
6747 @cindex status of trace data collection
6748 @cindex trace experiment, status of
6749 @item tstatus
6750 This command displays the status of the current trace data
6751 collection.
6752 @end table
6753
6754 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
6755
6756 @smallexample
6757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
6758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6759 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
6760 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
6761 > while-stepping 11
6762 > collect $regs
6763 > end
6764 > end
6765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6766 [time passes @dots{}]
6767 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
6768 @end smallexample
6769
6770
6771 @node Analyze Collected Data
6772 @section Using the collected data
6773
6774 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
6775 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
6776 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
6777 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
6778 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
6779 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
6780 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
6781 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
6782 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
6783 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
6784 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
6785 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
6786 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
6787 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
6788 the buffer will fail.
6789
6790 @menu
6791 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
6792 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
6793 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
6794 @end menu
6795
6796 @node tfind
6797 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
6798
6799 @kindex tfind
6800 @cindex select trace snapshot
6801 @cindex find trace snapshot
6802 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
6803 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
6804 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
6805 snapshot is selected.
6806
6807 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
6808
6809 @table @code
6810 @item tfind start
6811 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
6812 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
6813
6814 @item tfind none
6815 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
6816
6817 @item tfind end
6818 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
6819
6820 @item tfind
6821 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
6822
6823 @item tfind -
6824 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
6825 retracing earlier steps.
6826
6827 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
6828 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
6829 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
6830 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
6831 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
6832
6833 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
6834 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
6835 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
6836 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
6837 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
6838
6839 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6840 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
6841 addresses.
6842
6843 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6844 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
6845 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
6846
6847 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
6848 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
6849 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
6850 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
6851 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
6852 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
6853 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
6854 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
6855 @end table
6856
6857 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
6858 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
6859 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
6860 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
6861 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
6862 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
6863 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
6864 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
6865 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
6866 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
6867 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
6868 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
6869 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
6870 tracepoint as the current one.
6871
6872 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
6873 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
6874 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
6875 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
6876 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
6877
6878 @smallexample
6879 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6880 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6881 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
6882 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
6883 > tfind
6884 > end
6885
6886 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
6887 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
6888 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
6889 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
6890 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
6891 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
6892 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
6893 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
6894 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
6895 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
6896 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
6897 @end smallexample
6898
6899 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
6900 the buffer:
6901
6902 @smallexample
6903 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6904 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6905 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
6906 > tfind line
6907 > end
6908
6909 Frame 0, X = 1
6910 Frame 7, X = 2
6911 Frame 13, X = 255
6912 @end smallexample
6913
6914 @node tdump
6915 @subsection @code{tdump}
6916 @kindex tdump
6917 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
6918 @cindex tracepoint data, display
6919
6920 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
6921 the current trace snapshot.
6922
6923 @smallexample
6924 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
6925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6926 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
6927 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
6928 > end
6929
6930 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6931
6932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
6933 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
6934 at gdb_test.c:444
6935 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
6936
6937 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
6938 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
6939 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
6940 d1 0x18 24
6941 d2 0x80 128
6942 d3 0x33 51
6943 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
6944 d5 0x22 34
6945 d6 0xe0 224
6946 d7 0x380035 3670069
6947 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
6948 a1 0x3000668 50333288
6949 a2 0x100 256
6950 a3 0x322000 3284992
6951 a4 0x3000698 50333336
6952 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
6953 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
6954 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
6955 ps 0x0 0
6956 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
6957 fpcontrol 0x0 0
6958 fpstatus 0x0 0
6959 fpiaddr 0x0 0
6960 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
6961 p1 = (void *) 0x11
6962 p2 = (void *) 0x22
6963 p3 = (void *) 0x33
6964 p4 = (void *) 0x44
6965 p5 = (void *) 0x55
6966 p6 = (void *) 0x66
6967 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
6968
6969 (@value{GDBP})
6970 @end smallexample
6971
6972 @node save-tracepoints
6973 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
6974 @kindex save-tracepoints
6975 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
6976
6977 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
6978 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
6979 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
6980 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
6981 Files}).
6982
6983 @node Tracepoint Variables
6984 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
6985 @cindex tracepoint variables
6986 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
6987
6988 @table @code
6989 @vindex $trace_frame
6990 @item (int) $trace_frame
6991 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
6992 snapshot is selected.
6993
6994 @vindex $tracepoint
6995 @item (int) $tracepoint
6996 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
6997
6998 @vindex $trace_line
6999 @item (int) $trace_line
7000 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
7001
7002 @vindex $trace_file
7003 @item (char []) $trace_file
7004 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
7005
7006 @vindex $trace_func
7007 @item (char []) $trace_func
7008 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
7009 @end table
7010
7011 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
7012 use @code{output} instead.
7013
7014 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
7015 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
7016 data.
7017
7018 @smallexample
7019 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7020
7021 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
7022 > output $trace_file
7023 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
7024 > tfind
7025 > end
7026 @end smallexample
7027
7028 @node Overlays
7029 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
7030 @cindex overlays
7031
7032 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
7033 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
7034 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
7035 use overlays.
7036
7037 @menu
7038 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
7039 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
7040 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
7041 mapped by asking the inferior.
7042 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
7043 @end menu
7044
7045 @node How Overlays Work
7046 @section How Overlays Work
7047 @cindex mapped overlays
7048 @cindex unmapped overlays
7049 @cindex load address, overlay's
7050 @cindex mapped address
7051 @cindex overlay area
7052
7053 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
7054 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
7055 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
7056 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
7057 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
7058
7059 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
7060 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
7061 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
7062 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
7063 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
7064 largest overlay as well.
7065
7066 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
7067 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
7068 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
7069 there.
7070
7071 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
7072 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
7073 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
7074
7075 @smallexample
7076 @group
7077 Data Instruction Larger
7078 Address Space Address Space Address Space
7079 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
7080 | | | | | |
7081 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
7082 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
7083 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
7084 | and heap | | | | | |
7085 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
7086 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
7087 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
7088 | | | | | |
7089 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
7090 address | | | | | |
7091 | overlay | <-' | | |
7092 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
7093 | | <---. | | load address
7094 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
7095 | | | |
7096 +-----------+ | |
7097 +-----------+
7098 | |
7099 +-----------+
7100
7101 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
7102 @end group
7103 @end smallexample
7104
7105 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
7106 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
7107 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
7108 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
7109 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
7110 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
7111 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
7112 program and the overlay area.
7113
7114 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
7115 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
7116 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
7117 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
7118 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
7119 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
7120 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
7121
7122 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
7123 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
7124 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
7125
7126 @itemize @bullet
7127
7128 @item
7129 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
7130 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
7131 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
7132 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
7133
7134 @item
7135 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
7136 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
7137 your program's performance.
7138
7139 @item
7140 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
7141 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
7142 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
7143 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
7144 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
7145 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
7146 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
7147
7148 @item
7149 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
7150 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
7151 instruction and data spaces.
7152
7153 @end itemize
7154
7155 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
7156 improved in many ways:
7157
7158 @itemize @bullet
7159
7160 @item
7161 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
7162 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
7163 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
7164 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
7165 area in the usual way.
7166
7167 @item
7168 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
7169 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
7170
7171 @item
7172 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
7173 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
7174 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
7175 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
7176 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
7177 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
7178 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
7179
7180 @end itemize
7181
7182
7183 @node Overlay Commands
7184 @section Overlay Commands
7185
7186 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
7187 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
7188 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
7189 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
7190 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
7191 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
7192
7193 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
7194 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
7195
7196 @table @code
7197 @item overlay off
7198 @kindex overlay off
7199 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
7200 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
7201 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
7202 overlay support is disabled.
7203
7204 @item overlay manual
7205 @kindex overlay manual
7206 @cindex manual overlay debugging
7207 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
7208 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
7209 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
7210 commands described below.
7211
7212 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
7213 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
7214 @kindex overlay map-overlay
7215 @cindex map an overlay
7216 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
7217 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
7218 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
7219 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
7220 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
7221 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
7222
7223 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
7224 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
7225 @kindex overlay unmap-overlay
7226 @cindex unmap an overlay
7227 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
7228 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
7229 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
7230 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
7231
7232 @item overlay auto
7233 @kindex overlay auto
7234 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
7235 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
7236 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
7237 Overlay Debugging}.
7238
7239 @item overlay load-target
7240 @itemx overlay load
7241 @kindex overlay load-target
7242 @cindex reloading the overlay table
7243 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
7244 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
7245 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
7246 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
7247 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
7248
7249 @item overlay list-overlays
7250 @itemx overlay list
7251 @cindex listing mapped overlays
7252 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
7253 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
7254
7255 @end table
7256
7257 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
7258 of the function the address falls in:
7259
7260 @smallexample
7261 (gdb) print main
7262 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
7263 @end smallexample
7264 @noindent
7265 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
7266 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
7267 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
7268 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
7269
7270 @smallexample
7271 (gdb) overlay list
7272 No sections are mapped.
7273 (gdb) print foo
7274 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
7275 @end smallexample
7276 @noindent
7277 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
7278 name normally:
7279
7280 @smallexample
7281 (gdb) overlay list
7282 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
7283 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
7284 (gdb) print foo
7285 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
7286 @end smallexample
7287
7288 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
7289 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
7290 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
7291 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
7292 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
7293
7294 @itemize @bullet
7295 @item
7296 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
7297 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
7298 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
7299 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
7300 @item
7301 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
7302 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
7303 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
7304 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
7305 breakpoints properly.
7306 @end itemize
7307
7308
7309 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
7310 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
7311 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
7312
7313 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
7314 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
7315 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
7316 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
7317 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
7318 current state of the overlays.
7319
7320 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
7321 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
7322
7323 @table @asis
7324
7325 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
7326 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
7327
7328 @smallexample
7329 struct
7330 @{
7331 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
7332 unsigned long vma;
7333
7334 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
7335 unsigned long size;
7336
7337 /* The overlay's load address. */
7338 unsigned long lma;
7339
7340 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
7341 zero otherwise. */
7342 unsigned long mapped;
7343 @}
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 @item @code{_novlys}:
7347 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
7348 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
7349
7350 @end table
7351
7352 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
7353 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
7354 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
7355 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
7356 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
7357 currently mapped.
7358
7359 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
7360 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
7361 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
7362 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
7363 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
7364 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
7365 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
7366 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
7367 are not being executed.
7368
7369 @node Overlay Sample Program
7370 @section Overlay Sample Program
7371 @cindex overlay example program
7372
7373 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
7374 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
7375 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
7376 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
7377 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
7378 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
7379 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
7380
7381 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
7382 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
7383 suite. The program consists of the following files from
7384 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
7385
7386 @table @file
7387 @item overlays.c
7388 The main program file.
7389 @item ovlymgr.c
7390 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
7391 @item foo.c
7392 @itemx bar.c
7393 @itemx baz.c
7394 @itemx grbx.c
7395 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
7396 @item d10v.ld
7397 @itemx m32r.ld
7398 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
7399 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
7400 @end table
7401
7402 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
7403 cross-compiler like this:
7404
7405 @smallexample
7406 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
7407 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
7408 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
7409 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
7410 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
7411 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
7412 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
7413 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
7414 @end smallexample
7415
7416 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
7417 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
7418 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
7419
7420
7421 @node Languages
7422 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
7423 @cindex languages
7424
7425 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
7426 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
7427 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
7428 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
7429 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
7430 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
7431
7432 @cindex working language
7433 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
7434 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
7435 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
7436 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
7437 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
7438 language}.
7439
7440 @menu
7441 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
7442 * Show:: Displaying the language
7443 * Checks:: Type and range checks
7444 * Support:: Supported languages
7445 @end menu
7446
7447 @node Setting
7448 @section Switching between source languages
7449
7450 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
7451 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
7452 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
7453 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
7454 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
7455 are printed, etc.
7456
7457 In addition to the working language, every source file that
7458 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
7459 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
7460 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
7461 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
7462 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
7463 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
7464 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
7465 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
7466 Displaying the language}.
7467
7468 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
7469 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
7470 another language. In that case, make the
7471 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
7472 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
7473 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
7474
7475 @menu
7476 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
7477 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
7478 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
7479 @end menu
7480
7481 @node Filenames
7482 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
7483
7484 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
7485 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
7486
7487 @table @file
7488
7489 @item .c
7490 C source file
7491
7492 @item .C
7493 @itemx .cc
7494 @itemx .cp
7495 @itemx .cpp
7496 @itemx .cxx
7497 @itemx .c++
7498 C@t{++} source file
7499
7500 @item .f
7501 @itemx .F
7502 Fortran source file
7503
7504 @item .mod
7505 Modula-2 source file
7506
7507 @item .s
7508 @itemx .S
7509 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
7510 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
7511 @end table
7512
7513 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
7514 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
7515
7516 @node Manually
7517 @subsection Setting the working language
7518
7519 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
7520 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
7521 your program.
7522
7523 @kindex set language
7524 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
7525 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
7526 a language, such as
7527 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
7528 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
7529
7530 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
7531 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
7532 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
7533 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
7534 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
7535 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
7536 command such as:
7537
7538 @smallexample
7539 print a = b + c
7540 @end smallexample
7541
7542 @noindent
7543 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
7544 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
7545 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
7546 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
7547
7548 @node Automatically
7549 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
7550
7551 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
7552 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
7553 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
7554 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
7555 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
7556 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
7557 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
7558 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
7559 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
7560
7561 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
7562 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
7563 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
7564 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
7565 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
7566
7567 @node Show
7568 @section Displaying the language
7569
7570 The following commands help you find out which language is the
7571 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
7572
7573 @kindex show language
7574 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
7575 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
7576 @table @code
7577 @item show language
7578 Display the current working language. This is the
7579 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
7580 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
7581
7582 @item info frame
7583 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
7584 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
7585 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
7586 information listed here.
7587
7588 @item info source
7589 Display the source language of this source file.
7590 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
7591 information listed here.
7592 @end table
7593
7594 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
7595 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
7596 with a language explicitly:
7597
7598 @kindex set extension-language
7599 @kindex info extensions
7600 @table @code
7601 @item set extension-language @var{.ext} @var{language}
7602 Set source files with extension @var{.ext} to be assumed to be in
7603 the source language @var{language}.
7604
7605 @item info extensions
7606 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
7607 @end table
7608
7609 @node Checks
7610 @section Type and range checking
7611
7612 @quotation
7613 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
7614 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
7615 section documents the intended facilities.
7616 @end quotation
7617 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
7618
7619 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
7620 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
7621 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
7622 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
7623 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
7624 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
7625 errors when your program is running.
7626
7627 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
7628 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
7629 can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
7630 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
7631 @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
7632 your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
7633 for the default settings of supported languages.
7634
7635 @menu
7636 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
7637 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
7638 @end menu
7639
7640 @cindex type checking
7641 @cindex checks, type
7642 @node Type Checking
7643 @subsection An overview of type checking
7644
7645 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
7646 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
7647 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
7648 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
7649
7650 @smallexample
7651 1 + 2 @result{} 3
7652 @exdent but
7653 @error{} 1 + 2.3
7654 @end smallexample
7655
7656 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
7657 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
7658
7659 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
7660 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
7661 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
7662 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
7663 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
7664 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
7665 also issues a warning.
7666
7667 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
7668 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
7669 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
7670 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
7671 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
7672 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
7673
7674 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
7675 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
7676 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
7677 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
7678 operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
7679 details on specific languages.
7680
7681 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
7682
7683 @kindex set check@r{, type}
7684 @kindex set check type
7685 @kindex show check type
7686 @table @code
7687 @item set check type auto
7688 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
7689 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7690 each language.
7691
7692 @item set check type on
7693 @itemx set check type off
7694 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7695 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
7696 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
7697 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
7698 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
7699
7700 @item set check type warn
7701 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
7702 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
7703 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
7704 numbers and structures.
7705
7706 @item show type
7707 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
7708 is setting it automatically.
7709 @end table
7710
7711 @cindex range checking
7712 @cindex checks, range
7713 @node Range Checking
7714 @subsection An overview of range checking
7715
7716 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
7717 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
7718 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
7719 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
7720 not exceed the bounds of the array.
7721
7722 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
7723 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
7724 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
7725 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
7726
7727 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
7728 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
7729 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
7730 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
7731 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
7732 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
7733
7734 @smallexample
7735 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
7736 @end smallexample
7737
7738 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
7739 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
7740 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
7741
7742 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
7743
7744 @kindex set check@r{, range}
7745 @kindex set check range
7746 @kindex show check range
7747 @table @code
7748 @item set check range auto
7749 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
7750 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7751 each language.
7752
7753 @item set check range on
7754 @itemx set check range off
7755 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7756 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
7757 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
7758 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
7759
7760 @item set check range warn
7761 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
7762 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
7763 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
7764 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
7765 systems).
7766
7767 @item show range
7768 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
7769 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
7770 @end table
7771
7772 @node Support
7773 @section Supported languages
7774
7775 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Fortran, Java, assembly, and Modula-2.
7776 @c This is false ...
7777 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
7778 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
7779 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
7780 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
7781 language.
7782
7783 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
7784 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
7785 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
7786 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
7787 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
7788 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
7789 language reference or tutorial.
7790
7791 @menu
7792 * C:: C and C@t{++}
7793 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
7794 @end menu
7795
7796 @node C
7797 @subsection C and C@t{++}
7798
7799 @cindex C and C@t{++}
7800 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
7801
7802 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
7803 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
7804 together.
7805
7806 @cindex C@t{++}
7807 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
7808 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
7809 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
7810 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
7811 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
7812 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
7813 compiler (@code{aCC}).
7814
7815 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the stabs debugging
7816 format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
7817 command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
7818 @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
7819 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
7820
7821 @menu
7822 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
7823 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
7824 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
7825 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
7826 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
7827 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
7828 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
7829 @end menu
7830
7831 @node C Operators
7832 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
7833
7834 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
7835
7836 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7837 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7838 often defined on groups of types.
7839
7840 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
7841
7842 @itemize @bullet
7843
7844 @item
7845 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
7846 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
7847
7848 @item
7849 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
7850 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
7851
7852 @item
7853 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
7854
7855 @item
7856 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
7857
7858 @end itemize
7859
7860 @noindent
7861 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
7862 in order of increasing precedence:
7863
7864 @table @code
7865 @item ,
7866 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
7867 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
7868 expression being the last expression evaluated.
7869
7870 @item =
7871 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
7872 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
7873
7874 @item @var{op}=
7875 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
7876 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
7877 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
7878 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
7879 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
7880
7881 @item ?:
7882 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
7883 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
7884 integral type.
7885
7886 @item ||
7887 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7888
7889 @item &&
7890 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7891
7892 @item |
7893 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7894
7895 @item ^
7896 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7897
7898 @item &
7899 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7900
7901 @item ==@r{, }!=
7902 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
7903 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
7904
7905 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
7906 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
7907 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
7908 and non-zero for true.
7909
7910 @item <<@r{, }>>
7911 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
7912
7913 @item @@
7914 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7915
7916 @item +@r{, }-
7917 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
7918 pointer types.
7919
7920 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
7921 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
7922 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
7923 integral types.
7924
7925 @item ++@r{, }--
7926 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
7927 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
7928 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
7929 operation takes place.
7930
7931 @item *
7932 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
7933 @code{++}.
7934
7935 @item &
7936 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
7937
7938 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
7939 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
7940 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
7941 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
7942 stored.
7943
7944 @item -
7945 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
7946 precedence as @code{++}.
7947
7948 @item !
7949 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7950 @code{++}.
7951
7952 @item ~
7953 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7954 @code{++}.
7955
7956
7957 @item .@r{, }->
7958 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
7959 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
7960 pointer based on the stored type information.
7961 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
7962
7963 @item .*@r{, }->*
7964 Dereferences of pointers to members.
7965
7966 @item []
7967 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
7968 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7969
7970 @item ()
7971 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7972
7973 @item ::
7974 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
7975 and @code{class} types.
7976
7977 @item ::
7978 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
7979 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
7980 above.
7981 @end table
7982
7983 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
7984 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
7985 predefined meaning.
7986
7987 @menu
7988 * C Constants::
7989 @end menu
7990
7991 @node C Constants
7992 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
7993
7994 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
7995
7996 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
7997 following ways:
7998
7999 @itemize @bullet
8000 @item
8001 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
8002 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
8003 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
8004 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
8005 @code{long} value.
8006
8007 @item
8008 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
8009 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
8010 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
8011 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
8012 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
8013 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
8014 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
8015 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
8016 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
8017 constant.
8018
8019 @item
8020 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
8021 integral equivalents.
8022
8023 @item
8024 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
8025 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
8026 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
8027 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
8028 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
8029 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
8030 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
8031 @samp{\n} for newline.
8032
8033 @item
8034 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
8035 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
8036 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
8037 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
8038 characters.
8039
8040 @item
8041 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
8042 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
8043
8044 @item
8045 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
8046 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
8047 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
8048 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
8049 @end itemize
8050
8051 @menu
8052 * C plus plus expressions::
8053 * C Defaults::
8054 * C Checks::
8055
8056 * Debugging C::
8057 @end menu
8058
8059 @node C plus plus expressions
8060 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
8061
8062 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
8063 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
8064
8065 @cindex C@t{++} support, not in @sc{coff}
8066 @cindex @sc{coff} versus C@t{++}
8067 @cindex C@t{++} and object formats
8068 @cindex object formats and C@t{++}
8069 @cindex a.out and C@t{++}
8070 @cindex @sc{ecoff} and C@t{++}
8071 @cindex @sc{xcoff} and C@t{++}
8072 @cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C@t{++}
8073 @cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C@t{++}
8074 @c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
8075 @c periodically whether this has happened...
8076 @quotation
8077 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
8078 proper compiler. Typically, C@t{++} debugging depends on the use of
8079 additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
8080 special support. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out, MIPS
8081 @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions to the
8082 symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
8083 you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
8084 extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
8085 @sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C@t{++}
8086 support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
8087 @end quotation
8088
8089 @enumerate
8090
8091 @cindex member functions
8092 @item
8093 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
8094
8095 @smallexample
8096 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
8097 @end smallexample
8098
8099 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
8100 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
8101 @item
8102 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
8103 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
8104 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
8105 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
8106
8107 @cindex call overloaded functions
8108 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
8109 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
8110 @item
8111 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
8112 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
8113 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
8114 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
8115 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
8116 default arguments.
8117
8118 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
8119 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
8120 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
8121 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
8122 number of function arguments.
8123
8124 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
8125 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
8126 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
8127
8128 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
8129 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
8130 @smallexample
8131 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
8132 @end smallexample
8133
8134 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
8135 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
8136
8137 @cindex reference declarations
8138 @item
8139 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
8140 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
8141 dereferenced.
8142
8143 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
8144 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
8145 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
8146 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
8147 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
8148
8149 @item
8150 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
8151 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
8152 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
8153 necessary, for example in an expression like
8154 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
8155 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
8156 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
8157 @end enumerate
8158
8159 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
8160 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
8161 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
8162 invoking user-defined operators.
8163
8164 @node C Defaults
8165 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
8166
8167 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
8168
8169 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
8170 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
8171 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
8172 selects the working language.
8173
8174 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
8175 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
8176 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
8177 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
8178 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
8179 for further details.
8180
8181 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
8182 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
8183 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
8184
8185 @node C Checks
8186 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
8187
8188 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
8189
8190 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
8191 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
8192 considers two variables type equivalent if:
8193
8194 @itemize @bullet
8195 @item
8196 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
8197 enumerated tag.
8198
8199 @item
8200 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
8201 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
8202
8203 @ignore
8204 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
8205 @c FIXME--beers?
8206 @item
8207 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
8208 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
8209 compilers.)
8210 @end ignore
8211 @end itemize
8212
8213 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
8214 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
8215 that is not itself an array.
8216
8217 @node Debugging C
8218 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
8219
8220 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
8221 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
8222 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
8223 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
8224
8225 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
8226 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
8227 ,Expressions}.
8228
8229 @menu
8230 * Debugging C plus plus::
8231 @end menu
8232
8233 @node Debugging C plus plus
8234 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
8235
8236 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
8237
8238 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
8239 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
8240
8241 @table @code
8242 @cindex break in overloaded functions
8243 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
8244 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
8245 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
8246 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
8247
8248 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
8249 @item rbreak @var{regex}
8250 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
8251 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
8252 classes.
8253 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
8254
8255 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
8256 @item catch throw
8257 @itemx catch catch
8258 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
8259 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
8260
8261 @cindex inheritance
8262 @item ptype @var{typename}
8263 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
8264 @var{typename}.
8265 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
8266
8267 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
8268 @item set print demangle
8269 @itemx show print demangle
8270 @itemx set print asm-demangle
8271 @itemx show print asm-demangle
8272 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
8273 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
8274 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8275
8276 @item set print object
8277 @itemx show print object
8278 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
8279 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8280
8281 @item set print vtbl
8282 @itemx show print vtbl
8283 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
8284 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
8285 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8286 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8287
8288 @kindex set overload-resolution
8289 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
8290 @item set overload-resolution on
8291 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
8292 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
8293 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
8294 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
8295 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
8296 message.
8297
8298 @item set overload-resolution off
8299 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
8300 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
8301 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
8302 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
8303 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
8304 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
8305 argument types.
8306
8307 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
8308 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
8309 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
8310 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
8311 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
8312 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
8313 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
8314 @end table
8315
8316 @node Modula-2
8317 @subsection Modula-2
8318
8319 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
8320
8321 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
8322 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
8323 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
8324 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
8325 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
8326 table.
8327
8328 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
8329 @menu
8330 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
8331 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
8332 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
8333 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
8334 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
8335 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
8336 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
8337 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
8338 @end menu
8339
8340 @node M2 Operators
8341 @subsubsection Operators
8342 @cindex Modula-2 operators
8343
8344 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
8345 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
8346 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
8347 following definitions hold:
8348
8349 @itemize @bullet
8350
8351 @item
8352 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
8353 their subranges.
8354
8355 @item
8356 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
8357
8358 @item
8359 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
8360
8361 @item
8362 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
8363 @var{type}}.
8364
8365 @item
8366 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
8367
8368 @item
8369 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
8370
8371 @item
8372 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
8373 @end itemize
8374
8375 @noindent
8376 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
8377 increasing precedence:
8378
8379 @table @code
8380 @item ,
8381 Function argument or array index separator.
8382
8383 @item :=
8384 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
8385 @var{value}.
8386
8387 @item <@r{, }>
8388 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
8389 types.
8390
8391 @item <=@r{, }>=
8392 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
8393 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
8394 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
8395
8396 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
8397 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
8398 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
8399 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
8400 comment character.
8401
8402 @item IN
8403 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
8404 Same precedence as @code{<}.
8405
8406 @item OR
8407 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
8408
8409 @item AND@r{, }&
8410 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
8411
8412 @item @@
8413 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
8414
8415 @item +@r{, }-
8416 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
8417 and difference on set types.
8418
8419 @item *
8420 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
8421 on set types.
8422
8423 @item /
8424 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
8425 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
8426
8427 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
8428 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
8429 precedence as @code{*}.
8430
8431 @item -
8432 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
8433
8434 @item ^
8435 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
8436
8437 @item NOT
8438 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
8439 @code{^}.
8440
8441 @item .
8442 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
8443 precedence as @code{^}.
8444
8445 @item []
8446 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
8447
8448 @item ()
8449 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
8450 as @code{^}.
8451
8452 @item ::@r{, }.
8453 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
8454 @end table
8455
8456 @quotation
8457 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
8458 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
8459 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
8460 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
8461 @end quotation
8462
8463
8464 @node Built-In Func/Proc
8465 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
8466 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
8467
8468 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
8469 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
8470
8471 @table @var
8472
8473 @item a
8474 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
8475
8476 @item c
8477 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
8478
8479 @item i
8480 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
8481
8482 @item m
8483 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
8484 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
8485 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
8486
8487 @item n
8488 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
8489
8490 @item r
8491 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
8492
8493 @item t
8494 represents a type.
8495
8496 @item v
8497 represents a variable.
8498
8499 @item x
8500 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
8501 explanation of the function for details.
8502 @end table
8503
8504 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
8505
8506 @table @code
8507 @item ABS(@var{n})
8508 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
8509
8510 @item CAP(@var{c})
8511 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
8512 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
8513
8514 @item CHR(@var{i})
8515 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
8516
8517 @item DEC(@var{v})
8518 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
8519
8520 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
8521 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
8522 new value.
8523
8524 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
8525 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
8526 set.
8527
8528 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
8529 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
8530
8531 @item HIGH(@var{a})
8532 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
8533
8534 @item INC(@var{v})
8535 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
8536
8537 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
8538 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
8539 new value.
8540
8541 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
8542 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
8543 there. Returns the new set.
8544
8545 @item MAX(@var{t})
8546 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
8547
8548 @item MIN(@var{t})
8549 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
8550
8551 @item ODD(@var{i})
8552 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
8553
8554 @item ORD(@var{x})
8555 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
8556 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
8557 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
8558 integral, character and enumerated types.
8559
8560 @item SIZE(@var{x})
8561 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
8562
8563 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
8564 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
8565
8566 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
8567 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
8568 @end table
8569
8570 @quotation
8571 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
8572 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
8573 an error.
8574 @end quotation
8575
8576 @cindex Modula-2 constants
8577 @node M2 Constants
8578 @subsubsection Constants
8579
8580 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
8581 ways:
8582
8583 @itemize @bullet
8584
8585 @item
8586 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
8587 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
8588 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
8589 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
8590
8591 @item
8592 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
8593 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
8594 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
8595 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
8596 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
8597 digits.
8598
8599 @item
8600 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
8601 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
8602 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
8603 followed by a @samp{C}.
8604
8605 @item
8606 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
8607 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
8608 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
8609 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
8610 sequences.
8611
8612 @item
8613 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
8614
8615 @item
8616 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
8617 @code{FALSE}.
8618
8619 @item
8620 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
8621
8622 @item
8623 Set constants are not yet supported.
8624 @end itemize
8625
8626 @node M2 Defaults
8627 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
8628 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
8629
8630 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
8631 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
8632 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
8633 selected the working language.
8634
8635 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
8636 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
8637 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
8638 the language automatically}, for further details.
8639
8640 @node Deviations
8641 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
8642 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
8643
8644 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
8645 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
8646
8647 @itemize @bullet
8648 @item
8649 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
8650 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
8651 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
8652 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
8653 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
8654 returned a pointer.)
8655
8656 @item
8657 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
8658 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
8659 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
8660 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
8661
8662 @item
8663 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
8664 argument.
8665
8666 @item
8667 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
8668 @end itemize
8669
8670 @node M2 Checks
8671 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
8672 @cindex Modula-2 checks
8673
8674 @quotation
8675 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
8676 range checking.
8677 @end quotation
8678 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
8679
8680 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
8681
8682 @itemize @bullet
8683 @item
8684 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
8685 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
8686
8687 @item
8688 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
8689 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
8690 @end itemize
8691
8692 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
8693 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
8694
8695 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
8696 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
8697
8698 @node M2 Scope
8699 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
8700 @cindex scope
8701 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
8702 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
8703 @ifinfo
8704 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
8705 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
8706 @end ifinfo
8707 @iftex
8708 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
8709 @end iftex
8710
8711 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
8712 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
8713 similar syntax:
8714
8715 @smallexample
8716
8717 @var{module} . @var{id}
8718 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
8719 @end smallexample
8720
8721 @noindent
8722 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
8723 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
8724 identifier within your program, except another module.
8725
8726 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
8727 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
8728 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
8729 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
8730
8731 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
8732 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
8733 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
8734 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
8735 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
8736 @var{module}.
8737
8738 @node GDB/M2
8739 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
8740
8741 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
8742 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
8743 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
8744 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
8745 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
8746 analogue in Modula-2.
8747
8748 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
8749 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
8750 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
8751 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
8752 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
8753 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
8754
8755 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
8756 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
8757 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
8758
8759 @node Symbols
8760 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
8761
8762 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
8763 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
8764 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
8765 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
8766 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
8767 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
8768 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
8769
8770 @cindex symbol names
8771 @cindex names of symbols
8772 @cindex quoting names
8773 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
8774 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
8775 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
8776 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
8777 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
8778 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
8779 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
8780 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
8781
8782 @smallexample
8783 p 'foo.c'::x
8784 @end smallexample
8785
8786 @noindent
8787 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
8788
8789 @table @code
8790 @kindex info address
8791 @cindex address of a symbol
8792 @item info address @var{symbol}
8793 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
8794 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
8795 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
8796 is always stored.
8797
8798 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
8799 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
8800 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
8801
8802 @kindex info symbol
8803 @cindex symbol from address
8804 @item info symbol @var{addr}
8805 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
8806 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
8807 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
8808
8809 @smallexample
8810 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
8811 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
8812 @end smallexample
8813
8814 @noindent
8815 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
8816 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
8817
8818 @kindex whatis
8819 @item whatis @var{expr}
8820 Print the data type of expression @var{expr}. @var{expr} is not
8821 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
8822 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
8823 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8824
8825 @item whatis
8826 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8827
8828 @kindex ptype
8829 @item ptype @var{typename}
8830 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
8831 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form @samp{class
8832 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
8833 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
8834
8835 @item ptype @var{expr}
8836 @itemx ptype
8837 Print a description of the type of expression @var{expr}. @code{ptype}
8838 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
8839 of just the name of the type.
8840
8841 For example, for this variable declaration:
8842
8843 @smallexample
8844 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
8845 @end smallexample
8846
8847 @noindent
8848 the two commands give this output:
8849
8850 @smallexample
8851 @group
8852 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
8853 type = struct complex
8854 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
8855 type = struct complex @{
8856 double real;
8857 double imag;
8858 @}
8859 @end group
8860 @end smallexample
8861
8862 @noindent
8863 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
8864 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8865
8866 @kindex info types
8867 @item info types @var{regexp}
8868 @itemx info types
8869 Print a brief description of all types whose names match @var{regexp}
8870 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
8871 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
8872 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
8873 names include the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
8874 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
8875
8876 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
8877 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
8878 lists all source files where a type is defined.
8879
8880 @kindex info scope
8881 @cindex local variables
8882 @item info scope @var{addr}
8883 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
8884 accepts a location---a function name, a source line, or an address
8885 preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local to the
8886 scope defined by that location. For example:
8887
8888 @smallexample
8889 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
8890 Scope for command_line_handler:
8891 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
8892 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
8893 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
8894 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
8895 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
8896 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
8897 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
8898 @end smallexample
8899
8900 @noindent
8901 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
8902 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
8903 collect}.
8904
8905 @kindex info source
8906 @item info source
8907 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
8908 the function containing the current point of execution:
8909 @itemize @bullet
8910 @item
8911 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
8912 @item
8913 the directory it was compiled in,
8914 @item
8915 its length, in lines,
8916 @item
8917 which programming language it is written in,
8918 @item
8919 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
8920 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
8921 @item
8922 whether the debugging information includes information about
8923 preprocessor macros.
8924 @end itemize
8925
8926
8927 @kindex info sources
8928 @item info sources
8929 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
8930 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
8931 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
8932
8933 @kindex info functions
8934 @item info functions
8935 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
8936
8937 @item info functions @var{regexp}
8938 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
8939 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
8940 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
8941 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
8942 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
8943 that conflict with the regular expression language (eg.
8944 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
8945
8946 @kindex info variables
8947 @item info variables
8948 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
8949 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
8950
8951 @item info variables @var{regexp}
8952 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
8953 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
8954 @var{regexp}.
8955
8956 @ignore
8957 This was never implemented.
8958 @kindex info methods
8959 @item info methods
8960 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
8961 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
8962 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
8963 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
8964 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
8965 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
8966 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
8967 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
8968 @end ignore
8969
8970 @cindex reloading symbols
8971 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
8972 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
8973 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
8974 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
8975 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
8976
8977 @table @code
8978 @kindex set symbol-reloading
8979 @item set symbol-reloading on
8980 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
8981 object file with a particular name is seen again.
8982
8983 @item set symbol-reloading off
8984 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
8985 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
8986 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
8987 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
8988 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
8989 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
8990 name.
8991
8992 @kindex show symbol-reloading
8993 @item show symbol-reloading
8994 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
8995 @end table
8996
8997 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
8998 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
8999 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
9000 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
9001 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
9002 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
9003 another source file. The default is on.
9004
9005 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
9006 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
9007
9008 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
9009 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
9010 is printed as follows:
9011 @smallexample
9012 @{<no data fields>@}
9013 @end smallexample
9014
9015 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
9016 @item show opaque-type-resolution
9017 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
9018
9019 @kindex maint print symbols
9020 @cindex symbol dump
9021 @kindex maint print psymbols
9022 @cindex partial symbol dump
9023 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
9024 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
9025 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
9026 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
9027 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
9028 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
9029 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
9030 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
9031 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
9032 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
9033 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
9034 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
9035 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
9036 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
9037 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
9038 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
9039 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
9040 @end table
9041
9042 @node Altering
9043 @chapter Altering Execution
9044
9045 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
9046 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
9047 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
9048 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
9049 program.
9050
9051 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
9052 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
9053 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
9054
9055 @menu
9056 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
9057 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
9058 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
9059 * Returning:: Returning from a function
9060 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
9061 * Patching:: Patching your program
9062 @end menu
9063
9064 @node Assignment
9065 @section Assignment to variables
9066
9067 @cindex assignment
9068 @cindex setting variables
9069 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
9070 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
9071
9072 @smallexample
9073 print x=4
9074 @end smallexample
9075
9076 @noindent
9077 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
9078 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
9079 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
9080 information on operators in supported languages.
9081
9082 @kindex set variable
9083 @cindex variables, setting
9084 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
9085 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
9086 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
9087 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
9088 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
9089
9090 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
9091 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
9092 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
9093 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
9094 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
9095 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
9096 command @code{set width}:
9097
9098 @smallexample
9099 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
9100 type = double
9101 (@value{GDBP}) p width
9102 $4 = 13
9103 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
9104 Invalid syntax in expression.
9105 @end smallexample
9106
9107 @noindent
9108 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
9109 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
9110
9111 @smallexample
9112 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
9113 @end smallexample
9114
9115 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
9116 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
9117 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
9118 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
9119 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
9120 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
9121
9122 @smallexample
9123 @group
9124 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
9125 type = double
9126 (@value{GDBP}) p g
9127 $1 = 1
9128 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
9129 (@value{GDBP}) p g
9130 $2 = 1
9131 (@value{GDBP}) r
9132 The program being debugged has been started already.
9133 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
9134 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
9135 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
9136 Invalid bfd target.
9137 (@value{GDBP}) show g
9138 The current BFD target is "=4".
9139 @end group
9140 @end smallexample
9141
9142 @noindent
9143 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
9144 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
9145 @code{g}, use
9146
9147 @smallexample
9148 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
9149 @end smallexample
9150
9151 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
9152 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
9153 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
9154 same length or shorter.
9155 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
9156 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
9157
9158 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
9159 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
9160 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
9161 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
9162 and representation in memory), and
9163
9164 @smallexample
9165 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
9166 @end smallexample
9167
9168 @noindent
9169 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
9170
9171 @node Jumping
9172 @section Continuing at a different address
9173
9174 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
9175 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
9176 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
9177
9178 @table @code
9179 @kindex jump
9180 @item jump @var{linespec}
9181 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
9182 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
9183 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
9184 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
9185 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
9186 breakpoints}.
9187
9188 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
9189 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
9190 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
9191 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
9192 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
9193 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
9194 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
9195 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
9196 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
9197
9198 @item jump *@var{address}
9199 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
9200 @end table
9201
9202 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
9203 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
9204 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
9205 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
9206 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
9207 example,
9208
9209 @smallexample
9210 set $pc = 0x485
9211 @end smallexample
9212
9213 @noindent
9214 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
9215 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
9216 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
9217
9218 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
9219 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
9220 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
9221 detail.
9222
9223 @c @group
9224 @node Signaling
9225 @section Giving your program a signal
9226
9227 @table @code
9228 @kindex signal
9229 @item signal @var{signal}
9230 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
9231 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
9232 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
9233 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
9234
9235 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
9236 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
9237 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
9238 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
9239 signal.
9240
9241 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
9242 after executing the command.
9243 @end table
9244 @c @end group
9245
9246 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
9247 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
9248 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
9249 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
9250 passes the signal directly to your program.
9251
9252
9253 @node Returning
9254 @section Returning from a function
9255
9256 @table @code
9257 @cindex returning from a function
9258 @kindex return
9259 @item return
9260 @itemx return @var{expression}
9261 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
9262 command. If you give an
9263 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
9264 value.
9265 @end table
9266
9267 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
9268 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
9269 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
9270 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
9271
9272 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
9273 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
9274 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
9275 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
9276 of functions.
9277
9278 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
9279 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
9280 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
9281 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
9282 selected stack frame returns naturally.
9283
9284 @node Calling
9285 @section Calling program functions
9286
9287 @cindex calling functions
9288 @kindex call
9289 @table @code
9290 @item call @var{expr}
9291 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
9292 returned values.
9293 @end table
9294
9295 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
9296 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
9297 with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
9298 is printed and saved in the value history.
9299
9300 @node Patching
9301 @section Patching programs
9302
9303 @cindex patching binaries
9304 @cindex writing into executables
9305 @cindex writing into corefiles
9306
9307 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
9308 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
9309 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
9310 patching your program's binary.
9311
9312 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
9313 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
9314 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
9315 repairs.
9316
9317 @table @code
9318 @kindex set write
9319 @item set write on
9320 @itemx set write off
9321 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
9322 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
9323 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
9324
9325 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
9326 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
9327 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
9328
9329 @item show write
9330 @kindex show write
9331 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
9332 as well as reading.
9333 @end table
9334
9335 @node GDB Files
9336 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
9337
9338 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
9339 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
9340 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
9341 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
9342
9343 @menu
9344 * Files:: Commands to specify files
9345 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
9346 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
9347 @end menu
9348
9349 @node Files
9350 @section Commands to specify files
9351
9352 @cindex symbol table
9353 @cindex core dump file
9354
9355 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
9356 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
9357 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
9358 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
9359
9360 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
9361 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
9362 a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
9363 to specify new files are useful.
9364
9365 @table @code
9366 @cindex executable file
9367 @kindex file
9368 @item file @var{filename}
9369 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
9370 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
9371 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
9372 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
9373 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
9374 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
9375 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
9376 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
9377
9378 On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file named
9379 @file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
9380 @var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
9381 @file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
9382 descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
9383 (available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
9384 @code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
9385 for more information.
9386
9387 @item file
9388 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
9389 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
9390
9391 @kindex exec-file
9392 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9393 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
9394 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
9395 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
9396 discard information on the executable file.
9397
9398 @kindex symbol-file
9399 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9400 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
9401 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
9402 table and program to run from the same file.
9403
9404 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
9405 program's symbol table.
9406
9407 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
9408 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
9409 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
9410 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
9411 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
9412
9413 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
9414 executing it once.
9415
9416 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
9417 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
9418 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
9419 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
9420 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
9421 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
9422 optimized code.
9423
9424 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
9425 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
9426 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
9427 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
9428 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
9429
9430 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
9431 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
9432 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
9433 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
9434 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
9435 warnings and messages}.)
9436
9437 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
9438 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
9439 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
9440 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
9441 in stabs format.
9442
9443 @kindex readnow
9444 @cindex reading symbols immediately
9445 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
9446 @kindex mapped
9447 @cindex memory-mapped symbol file
9448 @cindex saving symbol table
9449 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9450 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9451 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
9452 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
9453 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
9454 entire symbol table available.
9455
9456 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
9457 @code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
9458 cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
9459 file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
9460 from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
9461 than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
9462 program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
9463 starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
9464
9465 You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
9466 file has all the symbol information for your program.
9467
9468 The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
9469 @samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
9470 than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
9471 it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
9472 needed.
9473
9474 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
9475 @value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
9476 symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
9477
9478 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
9479 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
9480 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
9481 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
9482 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
9483 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
9484 @c files.
9485
9486 @kindex core
9487 @kindex core-file
9488 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9489 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
9490 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
9491 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
9492 executable file itself for other parts.
9493
9494 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
9495 to be used.
9496
9497 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
9498 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
9499 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
9500 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
9501 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
9502
9503 @kindex add-symbol-file
9504 @cindex dynamic linking
9505 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
9506 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9507 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
9508 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
9509 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
9510 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
9511 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
9512 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
9513 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
9514 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
9515 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
9516 @var{address} as an expression.
9517
9518 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
9519 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
9520 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
9521 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
9522 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
9523
9524 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
9525 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
9526 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
9527 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
9528 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
9529 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
9530 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
9531 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
9532 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
9533
9534 @itemize @bullet
9535 @item
9536 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
9537 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
9538 @item
9539 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
9540 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
9541 @item
9542 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
9543 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
9544 @end itemize
9545
9546 @noindent
9547 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
9548 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
9549 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
9550 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
9551 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C++ constructor table
9552 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
9553 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
9554 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
9555 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
9556 way.
9557
9558 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9559
9560 You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
9561 the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
9562 table information for @var{filename}.
9563
9564 @kindex add-shared-symbol-file
9565 @item add-shared-symbol-file
9566 The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
9567 operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
9568 shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
9569 @code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
9570
9571 @kindex section
9572 @item section
9573 The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
9574 the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
9575 section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
9576 specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
9577 separately. The @code{info files} command, described below, lists all
9578 the sections and their addresses.
9579
9580 @kindex info files
9581 @kindex info target
9582 @item info files
9583 @itemx info target
9584 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
9585 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
9586 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
9587 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
9588 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
9589 current ones.
9590
9591 @kindex maint info sections
9592 @item maint info sections
9593 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
9594 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
9595 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
9596 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
9597 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
9598 may be arbitrarily combined):
9599
9600 @table @code
9601 @item ALLOBJ
9602 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
9603 @item @var{sections}
9604 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
9605 @item @var{section-flags}
9606 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
9607 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
9608 @table @code
9609 @item ALLOC
9610 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
9611 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
9612 @item LOAD
9613 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
9614 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
9615 @item RELOC
9616 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
9617 @item READONLY
9618 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
9619 @item CODE
9620 Section contains executable code only.
9621 @item DATA
9622 Section contains data only (no executable code).
9623 @item ROM
9624 Section will reside in ROM.
9625 @item CONSTRUCTOR
9626 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
9627 @item HAS_CONTENTS
9628 Section is not empty.
9629 @item NEVER_LOAD
9630 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
9631 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
9632 A notification to the linker that the section contains
9633 COFF shared library information.
9634 @item IS_COMMON
9635 Section contains common symbols.
9636 @end table
9637 @end table
9638 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
9639 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
9640 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
9641 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
9642 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
9643 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
9644 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
9645 enhancement to debugging performance.
9646
9647 The default is off.
9648
9649 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
9650 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
9651 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
9652 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
9653 @end table
9654
9655 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
9656 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
9657 name and remembers it that way.
9658
9659 @cindex shared libraries
9660 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared
9661 libraries.
9662
9663 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
9664 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
9665 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
9666 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
9667 debugging a core file).
9668
9669 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
9670 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
9671
9672 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
9673 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
9674 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
9675
9676 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
9677 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
9678 particularly large or there are many of them.
9679
9680 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
9681 commands:
9682
9683 @table @code
9684 @kindex set auto-solib-add
9685 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
9686 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
9687 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
9688 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
9689 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
9690 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9691 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
9692
9693 @kindex show auto-solib-add
9694 @item show auto-solib-add
9695 Display the current autoloading mode.
9696 @end table
9697
9698 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
9699 command:
9700
9701 @table @code
9702 @kindex info sharedlibrary
9703 @kindex info share
9704 @item info share
9705 @itemx info sharedlibrary
9706 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
9707
9708 @kindex sharedlibrary
9709 @kindex share
9710 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
9711 @itemx share @var{regex}
9712 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
9713 Unix regular expression.
9714 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
9715 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
9716 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
9717 loaded.
9718 @end table
9719
9720 On some systems, such as HP-UX systems, @value{GDBN} supports
9721 autoloading shared library symbols until a limiting threshold size is
9722 reached. This provides the benefit of allowing autoloading to remain on
9723 by default, but avoids autoloading excessively large shared libraries,
9724 up to a threshold that is initially set, but which you can modify if you
9725 wish.
9726
9727 Beyond that threshold, symbols from shared libraries must be explicitly
9728 loaded. To load these symbols, use the command @code{sharedlibrary
9729 @var{filename}}. The base address of the shared library is determined
9730 automatically by @value{GDBN} and need not be specified.
9731
9732 To display or set the threshold, use the commands:
9733
9734 @table @code
9735 @kindex set auto-solib-limit
9736 @item set auto-solib-limit @var{threshold}
9737 Set the autoloading size threshold, in an integral number of megabytes.
9738 If @var{threshold} is nonzero and shared library autoloading is enabled,
9739 symbols from all shared object libraries will be loaded until the total
9740 size of the loaded shared library symbols exceeds this threshold.
9741 Otherwise, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9742 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default threshold is 100 (i.e.@: 100
9743 Mb).
9744
9745 @kindex show auto-solib-limit
9746 @item show auto-solib-limit
9747 Display the current autoloading size threshold, in megabytes.
9748 @end table
9749
9750 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
9751 configurations. A copy of the target's libraries need to be present on the
9752 host system; they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
9753 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
9754 not.
9755
9756 You need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target libraries are, so that it can
9757 load the correct copies---otherwise, it may try to load the host's libraries.
9758 @value{GDBN} has two variables to specify the search directories for target
9759 libraries.
9760
9761 @table @code
9762 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
9763 @item set solib-absolute-prefix @var{path}
9764 If this variable is set, @var{path} will be used as a prefix for any
9765 absolute shared library paths; many runtime loaders store the absolute
9766 paths to the shared library in the target program's memory. If you use
9767 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to find shared libraries, they need to be laid
9768 out in the same way that they are on the target, with e.g.@: a
9769 @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under @var{path}.
9770
9771 You can set the default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} by using the
9772 configure-time @samp{--with-sysroot} option.
9773
9774 @kindex show solib-absolute-prefix
9775 @item show solib-absolute-prefix
9776 Display the current shared library prefix.
9777
9778 @kindex set solib-search-path
9779 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
9780 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of directories
9781 to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path} is used after
9782 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} fails to locate the library, or if the path to
9783 the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to use
9784 @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}, be sure to
9785 set @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to a nonexistant directory to prevent
9786 @value{GDBN} from finding your host's libraries.
9787
9788 @kindex show solib-search-path
9789 @item show solib-search-path
9790 Display the current shared library search path.
9791 @end table
9792
9793
9794 @node Separate Debug Files
9795 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
9796 @cindex separate debugging information files
9797 @cindex debugging information in separate files
9798 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
9799 @cindex debugging information directory, global
9800 @cindex global debugging information directory
9801
9802 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
9803 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
9804 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
9805 Since debugging information can be very large --- sometimes larger
9806 than the executable code itself --- some systems distribute debugging
9807 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
9808 install only when they need to debug a problem.
9809
9810 If an executable's debugging information has been extracted to a
9811 separate file, the executable should contain a @dfn{debug link} giving
9812 the name of the debugging information file (with no directory
9813 components), and a checksum of its contents. (The exact form of a
9814 debug link is described below.) If the full name of the directory
9815 containing the executable is @var{execdir}, and the executable has a
9816 debug link that specifies the name @var{debugfile}, then @value{GDBN}
9817 will automatically search for the debugging information file in three
9818 places:
9819
9820 @itemize @bullet
9821 @item
9822 the directory containing the executable file (that is, it will look
9823 for a file named @file{@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}},
9824 @item
9825 a subdirectory of that directory named @file{.debug} (that is, the
9826 file @file{@var{execdir}/.debug/@var{debugfile}}, and
9827 @item
9828 a subdirectory of the global debug file directory that includes the
9829 executable's full path, and the name from the link (that is, the file
9830 @file{@var{globaldebugdir}/@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}}, where
9831 @var{globaldebugdir} is the global debug file directory, and
9832 @var{execdir} has been turned into a relative path).
9833 @end itemize
9834 @noindent
9835 @value{GDBN} checks under each of these names for a debugging
9836 information file whose checksum matches that given in the link, and
9837 reads the debugging information from the first one it finds.
9838
9839 So, for example, if you ask @value{GDBN} to debug @file{/usr/bin/ls},
9840 which has a link containing the name @file{ls.debug}, and the global
9841 debug directory is @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look
9842 for debug information in @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug},
9843 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}, and
9844 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
9845
9846 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
9847 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
9848
9849 @table @code
9850
9851 @kindex set debug-file-directory
9852 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
9853 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
9854 information files to @var{directory}.
9855
9856 @kindex show debug-file-directory
9857 @item show debug-file-directory
9858 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
9859 information files.
9860
9861 @end table
9862
9863 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
9864 @cindex debug links
9865 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
9866 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
9867
9868 @itemize
9869 @item
9870 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
9871 a zero byte,
9872 @item
9873 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
9874 boundary within the section, and
9875 @item
9876 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
9877 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
9878 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
9879 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
9880 @end itemize
9881
9882 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
9883 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
9884 described above.
9885
9886 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
9887 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
9888 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
9889 should have the same names, addresses and sizes as the original file,
9890 but they need not contain any data --- much like a @code{.bss} section
9891 in an ordinary executable.
9892
9893 As of December 2002, there is no standard GNU utility to produce
9894 separated executable / debugging information file pairs. Ulrich
9895 Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53,
9896 contains a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command
9897 @kbd{strip foo -f foo.debug} removes the debugging information from
9898 the executable file @file{foo}, places it in the file
9899 @file{foo.debug}, and leaves behind a debug link in @file{foo}.
9900
9901 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's (different
9902 polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the simplest way to
9903 describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections is to give the
9904 complete code for a function that computes it:
9905
9906 @kindex @code{gnu_debuglink_crc32}
9907 @smallexample
9908 unsigned long
9909 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
9910 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
9911 @{
9912 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
9913 @{
9914 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
9915 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
9916 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
9917 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
9918 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
9919 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
9920 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
9921 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
9922 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
9923 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
9924 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
9925 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
9926 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
9927 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
9928 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
9929 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
9930 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
9931 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
9932 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
9933 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
9934 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
9935 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
9936 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
9937 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
9938 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
9939 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
9940 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
9941 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
9942 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
9943 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
9944 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
9945 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
9946 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
9947 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
9948 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
9949 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
9950 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
9951 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
9952 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
9953 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
9954 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
9955 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
9956 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
9957 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
9958 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
9959 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
9960 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
9961 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
9962 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
9963 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
9964 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
9965 0x2d02ef8d
9966 @};
9967 unsigned char *end;
9968
9969 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
9970 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
9971 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
9972 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;;
9973 @}
9974 @end smallexample
9975
9976
9977 @node Symbol Errors
9978 @section Errors reading symbol files
9979
9980 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
9981 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
9982 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
9983 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
9984 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
9985 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
9986 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
9987 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
9988 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
9989 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
9990 messages}).
9991
9992 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
9993
9994 @table @code
9995 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
9996
9997 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
9998 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
9999 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
10000 in its outer scope blocks.
10001
10002 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
10003 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
10004 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
10005 function.
10006
10007 @item block at @var{address} out of order
10008
10009 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
10010 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
10011 do so.
10012
10013 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
10014 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
10015 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
10016 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
10017 messages}.)
10018
10019 @item bad block start address patched
10020
10021 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
10022 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
10023 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
10024
10025 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
10026 starting on the previous source line.
10027
10028 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
10029
10030 @cindex foo
10031 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
10032 larger than the size of the string table.
10033
10034 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
10035 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
10036 with this name.
10037
10038 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
10039
10040 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
10041 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
10042 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
10043
10044 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
10045 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
10046 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
10047 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
10048 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
10049 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
10050
10051 @item stub type has NULL name
10052
10053 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
10054
10055 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
10056 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
10057 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
10058 it.
10059
10060 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
10061
10062 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
10063
10064 @end table
10065
10066 @node Targets
10067 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
10068
10069 @cindex debugging target
10070 @kindex target
10071
10072 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
10073
10074 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
10075 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
10076 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
10077 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
10078 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
10079 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
10080 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
10081 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
10082
10083 @menu
10084 * Active Targets:: Active targets
10085 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
10086 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
10087 * Remote:: Remote debugging
10088 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
10089
10090 @end menu
10091
10092 @node Active Targets
10093 @section Active targets
10094
10095 @cindex stacking targets
10096 @cindex active targets
10097 @cindex multiple targets
10098
10099 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
10100 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
10101 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
10102 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
10103 a core file.
10104
10105 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
10106 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
10107 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
10108 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
10109 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
10110 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
10111 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
10112 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
10113 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
10114
10115 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
10116 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
10117 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
10118 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
10119 process target is active.
10120
10121 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
10122 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
10123 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
10124 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
10125 process}).
10126
10127 @node Target Commands
10128 @section Commands for managing targets
10129
10130 @table @code
10131 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
10132 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
10133 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
10134 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
10135 protocol of the target machine.
10136
10137 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
10138 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
10139 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
10140
10141 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
10142 after executing the command.
10143
10144 @kindex help target
10145 @item help target
10146 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
10147 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
10148 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
10149
10150 @item help target @var{name}
10151 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
10152 select it.
10153
10154 @kindex set gnutarget
10155 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
10156 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
10157 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
10158 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
10159 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
10160 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
10161
10162 @quotation
10163 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
10164 you must know the actual BFD name.
10165 @end quotation
10166
10167 @noindent
10168 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
10169
10170 @kindex show gnutarget
10171 @item show gnutarget
10172 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
10173 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
10174 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
10175 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
10176 @end table
10177
10178 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
10179 configuration):
10180
10181 @table @code
10182 @kindex target exec
10183 @item target exec @var{program}
10184 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
10185 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
10186
10187 @kindex target core
10188 @item target core @var{filename}
10189 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
10190 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
10191
10192 @kindex target remote
10193 @item target remote @var{dev}
10194 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
10195 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
10196 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
10197 supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
10198 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
10199 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
10200
10201 @kindex target sim
10202 @item target sim
10203 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
10204 In general,
10205 @smallexample
10206 target sim
10207 load
10208 run
10209 @end smallexample
10210 @noindent
10211 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
10212 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
10213 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
10214 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
10215 Processors}.
10216
10217 @end table
10218
10219 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
10220
10221 @table @code
10222
10223 @kindex target nrom
10224 @item target nrom @var{dev}
10225 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
10226
10227 @end table
10228
10229 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
10230 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
10231
10232 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code
10233 once you've successfully established a connection.
10234
10235 @table @code
10236
10237 @kindex load @var{filename}
10238 @item load @var{filename}
10239 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
10240 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
10241 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
10242 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
10243 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
10244 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
10245
10246 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
10247 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
10248 target is @dots{}}''
10249
10250 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
10251 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
10252 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
10253 specifies a fixed address.
10254 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
10255
10256 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
10257 @end table
10258
10259 @node Byte Order
10260 @section Choosing target byte order
10261
10262 @cindex choosing target byte order
10263 @cindex target byte order
10264
10265 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Hitachi SH,
10266 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
10267 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
10268 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
10269 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
10270 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
10271
10272 @table @code
10273 @kindex set endian big
10274 @item set endian big
10275 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
10276
10277 @kindex set endian little
10278 @item set endian little
10279 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
10280
10281 @kindex set endian auto
10282 @item set endian auto
10283 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
10284 executable.
10285
10286 @item show endian
10287 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
10288
10289 @end table
10290
10291 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
10292 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
10293 target system.
10294
10295 @node Remote
10296 @section Remote debugging
10297 @cindex remote debugging
10298
10299 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
10300 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
10301 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
10302 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
10303 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
10304
10305 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
10306 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
10307 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
10308 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
10309 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
10310 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
10311
10312 Other remote targets may be available in your
10313 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
10314
10315 @node KOD
10316 @section Kernel Object Display
10317
10318 @cindex kernel object display
10319 @cindex kernel object
10320 @cindex KOD
10321
10322 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
10323 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
10324 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
10325 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
10326 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
10327
10328 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
10329 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
10330
10331 @smallexample
10332 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
10333 @end smallexample
10334
10335 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
10336 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
10337 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
10338 after the operating system:
10339
10340 @smallexample
10341 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
10342 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
10343 Object Description
10344 any Any and all objects
10345 @end smallexample
10346
10347 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
10348 by the kernel.
10349
10350 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating system
10351 is supported other than to try it.
10352
10353
10354 @node Remote Debugging
10355 @chapter Debugging remote programs
10356
10357 @menu
10358 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
10359 * NetWare:: Using the gdbserve.nlm program
10360 * remote stub:: Implementing a remote stub
10361 @end menu
10362
10363 @node Server
10364 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} program
10365
10366 @kindex gdbserver
10367 @cindex remote connection without stubs
10368 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
10369 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
10370 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
10371
10372 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
10373 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
10374 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
10375 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
10376 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
10377 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
10378 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
10379 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
10380 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
10381 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
10382 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
10383 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
10384 choice for debugging.
10385
10386 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
10387 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
10388 protocol.
10389
10390 @table @emph
10391 @item On the target machine,
10392 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
10393 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
10394 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
10395 system does all the symbol handling.
10396
10397 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
10398 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
10399 syntax is:
10400
10401 @smallexample
10402 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
10403 @end smallexample
10404
10405 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
10406 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
10407 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
10408 @file{/dev/com1}:
10409
10410 @smallexample
10411 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
10412 @end smallexample
10413
10414 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
10415 with it.
10416
10417 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
10418
10419 @smallexample
10420 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
10421 @end smallexample
10422
10423 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
10424 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
10425 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
10426 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
10427 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
10428 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
10429 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
10430 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
10431 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
10432 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
10433 @code{target remote} command.
10434
10435 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
10436 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
10437
10438 @smallexample
10439 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach @var{pid}
10440 @end smallexample
10441
10442 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
10443 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
10444
10445 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
10446 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
10447 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
10448 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
10449 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
10450 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}.) After that, use @code{target
10451 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserver}. Its argument
10452 is either a device name (usually a serial device, like
10453 @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a TCP port descriptor in the form
10454 @code{@var{host}:@var{PORT}}. For example:
10455
10456 @smallexample
10457 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
10458 @end smallexample
10459
10460 @noindent
10461 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and
10462
10463 @smallexample
10464 (@value{GDBP}) target remote the-target:2345
10465 @end smallexample
10466
10467 @noindent
10468 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host @w{@file{the-target}}.
10469 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
10470 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
10471 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
10472 @samp{Connection refused}.
10473 @end table
10474
10475 @node NetWare
10476 @section Using the @code{gdbserve.nlm} program
10477
10478 @kindex gdbserve.nlm
10479 @code{gdbserve.nlm} is a control program for NetWare systems, which
10480 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
10481 @code{target remote}.
10482
10483 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserve.nlm} communicate via a serial line,
10484 using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol.
10485
10486 @table @emph
10487 @item On the target machine,
10488 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
10489 @code{gdbserve.nlm} does not need your program's symbol table, so you
10490 can strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the
10491 host system does all the symbol handling.
10492
10493 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with
10494 @value{GDBN}; the name of your program; and the arguments for your
10495 program. The syntax is:
10496
10497 @smallexample
10498 load gdbserve [ BOARD=@var{board} ] [ PORT=@var{port} ]
10499 [ BAUD=@var{baud} ] @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
10500 @end smallexample
10501
10502 @var{board} and @var{port} specify the serial line; @var{baud} specifies
10503 the baud rate used by the connection. @var{port} and @var{node} default
10504 to 0, @var{baud} defaults to 9600@dmn{bps}.
10505
10506 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument @samp{foo.txt}and
10507 communicate with @value{GDBN} over serial port number 2 or board 1
10508 using a 19200@dmn{bps} connection:
10509
10510 @smallexample
10511 load gdbserve BOARD=1 PORT=2 BAUD=19200 emacs foo.txt
10512 @end smallexample
10513
10514 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
10515 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
10516 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
10517 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
10518 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
10519 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}. After that, use @code{target
10520 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserve.nlm}. Its
10521 argument is a device name (usually a serial device, like
10522 @file{/dev/ttyb}). For example:
10523
10524 @smallexample
10525 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
10526 @end smallexample
10527
10528 @noindent
10529 communications with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}.
10530 @end table
10531
10532 @node remote stub
10533 @section Implementing a remote stub
10534
10535 @cindex debugging stub, example
10536 @cindex remote stub, example
10537 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
10538 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
10539 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
10540 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
10541 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
10542 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
10543 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
10544 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
10545
10546 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
10547 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
10548 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
10549 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
10550 program, you need:
10551
10552 @enumerate
10553 @item
10554 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
10555 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
10556 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
10557
10558 @item
10559 A C subroutine library to support your program's
10560 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
10561
10562 @item
10563 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
10564 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
10565 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
10566 documentation.
10567 @end enumerate
10568
10569 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
10570 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
10571 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
10572
10573 @table @emph
10574 @item On the host,
10575 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
10576 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
10577 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
10578
10579 @item On the target,
10580 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
10581 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
10582 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
10583
10584 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
10585 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
10586 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
10587 @end table
10588
10589 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
10590 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
10591 @sc{sparc} boards.
10592
10593 @cindex remote serial stub list
10594 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
10595
10596 @table @code
10597
10598 @item i386-stub.c
10599 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
10600 @cindex Intel
10601 @cindex i386
10602 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
10603
10604 @item m68k-stub.c
10605 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
10606 @cindex Motorola 680x0
10607 @cindex m680x0
10608 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
10609
10610 @item sh-stub.c
10611 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
10612 @cindex Hitachi
10613 @cindex SH
10614 For Hitachi SH architectures.
10615
10616 @item sparc-stub.c
10617 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
10618 @cindex Sparc
10619 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
10620
10621 @item sparcl-stub.c
10622 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
10623 @cindex Fujitsu
10624 @cindex SparcLite
10625 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
10626
10627 @end table
10628
10629 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
10630 recently added stubs.
10631
10632 @menu
10633 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
10634 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
10635 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
10636 @end menu
10637
10638 @node Stub Contents
10639 @subsection What the stub can do for you
10640
10641 @cindex remote serial stub
10642 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
10643 subroutines:
10644
10645 @table @code
10646 @item set_debug_traps
10647 @kindex set_debug_traps
10648 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
10649 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
10650 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
10651 beginning of your program.
10652
10653 @item handle_exception
10654 @kindex handle_exception
10655 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
10656 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
10657 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
10658 run when a trap is triggered.
10659
10660 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
10661 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
10662 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
10663 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
10664 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
10665 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
10666 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
10667 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
10668 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
10669 machine.
10670
10671 @item breakpoint
10672 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
10673 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
10674 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
10675 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
10676 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
10677 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
10678 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
10679 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
10680 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
10681 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
10682 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
10683
10684 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
10685 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
10686 start of your debugging session.
10687 @end table
10688
10689 @node Bootstrapping
10690 @subsection What you must do for the stub
10691
10692 @cindex remote stub, support routines
10693 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
10694 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
10695 debugging target machine.
10696
10697 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
10698 serial port.
10699
10700 @table @code
10701 @item int getDebugChar()
10702 @kindex getDebugChar
10703 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
10704 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
10705 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10706
10707 @item void putDebugChar(int)
10708 @kindex putDebugChar
10709 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
10710 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
10711 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10712 @end table
10713
10714 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
10715 @cindex interrupting remote targets
10716 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
10717 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
10718 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
10719 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
10720 remote system to stop.
10721
10722 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
10723 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
10724 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
10725 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
10726
10727 Other routines you need to supply are:
10728
10729 @table @code
10730 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
10731 @kindex exceptionHandler
10732 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
10733 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
10734 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
10735 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
10736 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
10737 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
10738 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
10739 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
10740 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
10741 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
10742 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
10743 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
10744 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
10745
10746 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
10747 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
10748 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
10749 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
10750 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
10751
10752 @item void flush_i_cache()
10753 @kindex flush_i_cache
10754 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
10755 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
10756 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
10757
10758 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
10759 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
10760 @end table
10761
10762 @noindent
10763 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
10764
10765 @table @code
10766 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
10767 @kindex memset
10768 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
10769 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
10770 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
10771 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
10772 @end table
10773
10774 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
10775 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
10776 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
10777 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
10778
10779
10780 @node Debug Session
10781 @subsection Putting it all together
10782
10783 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
10784 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
10785 steps.
10786
10787 @enumerate
10788 @item
10789 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
10790 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
10791 @display
10792 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
10793 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
10794 @end display
10795
10796 @item
10797 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
10798
10799 @smallexample
10800 set_debug_traps();
10801 breakpoint();
10802 @end smallexample
10803
10804 @item
10805 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
10806 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
10807
10808 @smallexample
10809 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
10810 @end smallexample
10811
10812 @noindent
10813 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
10814 function in your program, that function is called when
10815 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
10816 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
10817 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
10818
10819 @item
10820 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
10821 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
10822
10823 @item
10824 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
10825 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
10826
10827 @item
10828 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
10829 @c document that. FIXME.
10830 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
10831 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
10832
10833 @item
10834 To start remote debugging, run @value{GDBN} on the host machine, and specify
10835 as an executable file the program that is running in the remote machine.
10836 This tells @value{GDBN} how to find your program's symbols and the contents
10837 of its pure text.
10838
10839 @item
10840 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
10841 Establish communication using the @code{target remote} command.
10842 Its argument specifies how to communicate with the target
10843 machine---either via a devicename attached to a direct serial line, or a
10844 TCP or UDP port (usually to a terminal server which in turn has a serial line
10845 to the target). For example, to use a serial line connected to the
10846 device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
10847
10848 @smallexample
10849 target remote /dev/ttyb
10850 @end smallexample
10851
10852 @cindex TCP port, @code{target remote}
10853 To use a TCP connection, use an argument of the form
10854 @code{@var{host}:@var{port}} or @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}.
10855 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a
10856 terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
10857
10858 @smallexample
10859 target remote manyfarms:2828
10860 @end smallexample
10861
10862 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as
10863 your debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator of your target running on
10864 the same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect
10865 to port 1234 on your local machine:
10866
10867 @smallexample
10868 target remote :1234
10869 @end smallexample
10870 @noindent
10871
10872 Note that the colon is still required here.
10873
10874 @cindex UDP port, @code{target remote}
10875 To use a UDP connection, use an argument of the form
10876 @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}. For example, to connect to UDP port 2828
10877 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
10878
10879 @smallexample
10880 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
10881 @end smallexample
10882
10883 When using a UDP connection for remote debugging, you should keep in mind
10884 that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. UDP can silently drop packets on
10885 busy or unreliable networks, which will cause havoc with your debugging
10886 session.
10887
10888 @end enumerate
10889
10890 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
10891 step and continue the remote program.
10892
10893 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
10894 command.
10895
10896 @cindex interrupting remote programs
10897 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
10898 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
10899 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
10900 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
10901 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
10902 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
10903
10904 @smallexample
10905 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
10906 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
10907 @end smallexample
10908
10909 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
10910 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
10911 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
10912 goes back to waiting.
10913
10914
10915 @node Configurations
10916 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
10917
10918 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
10919 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
10920 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
10921
10922 There are three major categories of configurations: native
10923 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
10924 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
10925 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
10926 are quite different from each other.
10927
10928 @menu
10929 * Native::
10930 * Embedded OS::
10931 * Embedded Processors::
10932 * Architectures::
10933 @end menu
10934
10935 @node Native
10936 @section Native
10937
10938 This section describes details specific to particular native
10939 configurations.
10940
10941 @menu
10942 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
10943 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
10944 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
10945 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
10946 @end menu
10947
10948 @node HP-UX
10949 @subsection HP-UX
10950
10951 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
10952 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
10953 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
10954
10955 @node SVR4 Process Information
10956 @subsection SVR4 process information
10957
10958 @kindex /proc
10959 @cindex process image
10960
10961 Many versions of SVR4 provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
10962 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
10963 subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with
10964 this facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on
10965 several kinds of information about the process running your program.
10966 @code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the
10967 @code{procfs} code. This includes OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, Irix,
10968 and Unixware, but not HP-UX or @sc{gnu}/Linux, for example.
10969
10970 @table @code
10971 @kindex info proc
10972 @item info proc
10973 Summarize available information about the process.
10974
10975 @kindex info proc mappings
10976 @item info proc mappings
10977 Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
10978 on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
10979 @ignore
10980 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
10981 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
10982 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
10983 @kindex info proc times
10984 @item info proc times
10985 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
10986 its children.
10987
10988 @kindex info proc id
10989 @item info proc id
10990 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
10991 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
10992
10993 @kindex info proc status
10994 @item info proc status
10995 General information on the state of the process. If the process is
10996 stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
10997 received.
10998
10999 @item info proc all
11000 Show all the above information about the process.
11001 @end ignore
11002 @end table
11003
11004 @node DJGPP Native
11005 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
11006 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
11007 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
11008 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
11009
11010 @sc{djgpp} is the port of @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
11011 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
11012 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
11013 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
11014
11015 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
11016 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
11017 subsection describes those commands.
11018
11019 @table @code
11020 @kindex info dos
11021 @item info dos
11022 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
11023 information about the target system and important OS structures.
11024
11025 @kindex sysinfo
11026 @cindex MS-DOS system info
11027 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
11028 @item info dos sysinfo
11029 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
11030 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
11031 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
11032
11033 @cindex GDT
11034 @cindex LDT
11035 @cindex IDT
11036 @cindex segment descriptor tables
11037 @cindex descriptor tables display
11038 @item info dos gdt
11039 @itemx info dos ldt
11040 @itemx info dos idt
11041 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
11042 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
11043 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
11044 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
11045 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
11046 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
11047 rights.
11048
11049 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
11050 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
11051 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
11052 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
11053 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
11054
11055 @cindex garbled pointers
11056 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
11057 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
11058 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
11059 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
11060 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
11061 debugged program's data segment:
11062
11063 @smallexample
11064 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
11065 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
11066 @end smallexample
11067
11068 @noindent
11069 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
11070 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
11071
11072 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
11073 @item info dos pde
11074 @itemx info dos pte
11075 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
11076 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
11077 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
11078 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
11079 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
11080 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
11081 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
11082 that is currently in use.
11083
11084 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
11085 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
11086 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
11087 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
11088 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
11089 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
11090 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
11091
11092 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
11093 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
11094 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
11095 controller.
11096
11097 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
11098
11099 @cindex physical address from linear address
11100 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
11101 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
11102 address. The argument linear address @var{addr} should already have the
11103 appropriate segment's base address added to it, because this command
11104 accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any} segment. For
11105 example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for the page where
11106 the variable @code{i} is stored:
11107
11108 @smallexample
11109 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
11110 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
11111 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
11112 @end smallexample
11113
11114 @noindent
11115 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
11116 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and prints all the
11117 attributes of that page.
11118
11119 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
11120 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
11121 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
11122 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
11123 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
11124 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
11125
11126 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
11127 transfer buffer:
11128
11129 @smallexample
11130 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
11131 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
11132 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
11133 @end smallexample
11134
11135 @noindent
11136 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
11137 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output of
11138 this command clearly shows that addresses in conventional memory are
11139 mapped 1:1, i.e.@: the physical and linear addresses are identical.
11140
11141 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
11142 @end table
11143
11144 @node Cygwin Native
11145 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE executables
11146 @cindex MS Windows debugging
11147 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
11148 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
11149
11150 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, and
11151 defines a few commands specific to the Cygwin port. This
11152 subsection describes those commands.
11153
11154 @table @code
11155 @kindex info w32
11156 @item info w32
11157 This is a prefix of MS Windows specific commands which print
11158 information about the target system and important OS structures.
11159
11160 @item info w32 selector
11161 This command displays information returned by
11162 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
11163 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
11164 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
11165 Without argument, this command displays information
11166 about the the six segment registers.
11167
11168 @kindex info dll
11169 @item info dll
11170 This is a Cygwin specific alias of info shared.
11171
11172 @kindex dll-symbols
11173 @item dll-symbols
11174 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
11175 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
11176
11177 @kindex set new-console
11178 @item set new-console @var{mode}
11179 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
11180 be started in a new console on next start.
11181 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
11182 be started in the same console as the debugger.
11183
11184 @kindex show new-console
11185 @item show new-console
11186 Displays whether a new console is used
11187 when the debuggee is started.
11188
11189 @kindex set new-group
11190 @item set new-group @var{mode}
11191 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
11192 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
11193 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
11194 Ctrl-C.
11195
11196 @kindex show new-group
11197 @item show new-group
11198 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
11199
11200 @kindex set debugevents
11201 @item set debugevents
11202 This boolean value adds debug output concerning events seen by the debugger.
11203
11204 @kindex set debugexec
11205 @item set debugexec
11206 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
11207 seen by the debugger.
11208
11209 @kindex set debugexceptions
11210 @item set debugexceptions
11211 This boolean value adds debug ouptut concerning exception events
11212 seen by the debugger.
11213
11214 @kindex set debugmemory
11215 @item set debugmemory
11216 This boolean value adds debug ouptut concerning memory events
11217 seen by the debugger.
11218
11219 @kindex set shell
11220 @item set shell
11221 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
11222 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
11223
11224 @kindex show shell
11225 @item show shell
11226 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
11227
11228 @end table
11229
11230 @node Embedded OS
11231 @section Embedded Operating Systems
11232
11233 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
11234 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
11235 architectures.
11236
11237 @menu
11238 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11239 @end menu
11240
11241 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
11242 various real-time operating systems.
11243
11244 @node VxWorks
11245 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11246
11247 @cindex VxWorks
11248
11249 @table @code
11250
11251 @kindex target vxworks
11252 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
11253 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
11254 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
11255
11256 @end table
11257
11258 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
11259 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
11260
11261 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
11262 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
11263 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
11264 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
11265 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
11266 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
11267 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
11268
11269 @table @code
11270 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
11271 @kindex vxworks-timeout
11272 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
11273 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
11274 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
11275 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
11276 of a thin network line.
11277 @end table
11278
11279 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
11280 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
11281 procedures.
11282
11283 @kindex INCLUDE_RDB
11284 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
11285 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
11286 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
11287 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
11288 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
11289 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
11290 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
11291 manual.
11292 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
11293
11294 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
11295 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
11296 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
11297 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
11298
11299 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
11300
11301 @smallexample
11302 (vxgdb)
11303 @end smallexample
11304
11305 @menu
11306 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
11307 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
11308 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
11309 @end menu
11310
11311 @node VxWorks Connection
11312 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
11313
11314 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
11315 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
11316
11317 @smallexample
11318 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
11319 @end smallexample
11320
11321 @need 750
11322 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
11323
11324 @smallexample
11325 Attaching remote machine across net...
11326 Connected to tt.
11327 @end smallexample
11328
11329 @need 1000
11330 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
11331 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
11332 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
11333 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
11334 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
11335
11336 @smallexample
11337 prog.o: No such file or directory.
11338 @end smallexample
11339
11340 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
11341 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
11342 command again.
11343
11344 @node VxWorks Download
11345 @subsubsection VxWorks download
11346
11347 @cindex download to VxWorks
11348 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
11349 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
11350 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
11351 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
11352 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
11353 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
11354 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
11355 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
11356 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
11357 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
11358 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
11359 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
11360 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
11361 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
11362 program, type this on VxWorks:
11363
11364 @smallexample
11365 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
11366 @end smallexample
11367
11368 @noindent
11369 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
11370
11371 @smallexample
11372 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
11373 (vxgdb) load prog.o
11374 @end smallexample
11375
11376 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
11377
11378 @smallexample
11379 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
11380 @end smallexample
11381
11382 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
11383 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
11384 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
11385 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
11386 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
11387 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
11388 table.)
11389
11390 @node VxWorks Attach
11391 @subsubsection Running tasks
11392
11393 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
11394 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
11395 follows:
11396
11397 @smallexample
11398 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
11399 @end smallexample
11400
11401 @noindent
11402 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
11403 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
11404 the time of attachment.
11405
11406 @node Embedded Processors
11407 @section Embedded Processors
11408
11409 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
11410 configurations.
11411
11412
11413 @menu
11414 * ARM:: ARM
11415 * H8/300:: Hitachi H8/300
11416 * H8/500:: Hitachi H8/500
11417 * i960:: Intel i960
11418 * M32R/D:: Mitsubishi M32R/D
11419 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
11420 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
11421 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
11422 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
11423 * PowerPC: PowerPC
11424 * SH:: Hitachi SH
11425 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
11426 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
11427 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
11428 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
11429 @end menu
11430
11431 @node ARM
11432 @subsection ARM
11433
11434 @table @code
11435
11436 @kindex target rdi
11437 @item target rdi @var{dev}
11438 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
11439 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
11440 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
11441
11442 @kindex target rdp
11443 @item target rdp @var{dev}
11444 ARM Demon monitor.
11445
11446 @end table
11447
11448 @node H8/300
11449 @subsection Hitachi H8/300
11450
11451 @table @code
11452
11453 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
11454 @item target hms @var{dev}
11455 A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
11456 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
11457 line and the communications speed used.
11458
11459 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
11460 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
11461 E7000 emulator for Hitachi H8 and SH.
11462
11463 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
11464 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
11465 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
11466 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
11467 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
11468
11469 @end table
11470
11471 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
11472 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
11473 @cindex download to Hitachi SH
11474 @cindex Hitachi SH download
11475 When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500
11476 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi
11477 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
11478 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
11479
11480 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
11481 Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
11482
11483 @enumerate
11484 @item
11485 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
11486 for Hitachi microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
11487 emulator for the Hitachi SH and the Hitachi 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
11488 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Hitachi SH,
11489 H8/300, or H8/500.)
11490
11491 @item
11492 what serial device connects your host to your Hitachi board (the first
11493 serial device available on your host is the default).
11494
11495 @item
11496 what speed to use over the serial device.
11497 @end enumerate
11498
11499 @menu
11500 * Hitachi Boards:: Connecting to Hitachi boards.
11501 * Hitachi ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
11502 * Hitachi Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros.
11503 @end menu
11504
11505 @node Hitachi Boards
11506 @subsubsection Connecting to Hitachi boards
11507
11508 @c only for Unix hosts
11509 @kindex device
11510 @cindex serial device, Hitachi micros
11511 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
11512 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
11513 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
11514 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
11515
11516 @kindex speed
11517 @cindex serial line speed, Hitachi micros
11518 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
11519 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
11520 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
11521 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
11522 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
11523
11524 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
11525 use a Unix host to debug your Hitachi microprocessor programs. If you
11526 use a DOS host,
11527 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
11528 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
11529 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
11530 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
11531
11532 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
11533 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
11534 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
11535 the Hitachi SH and the H8/500.
11536
11537 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
11538 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
11539 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
11540 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
11541 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
11542 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
11543 @code{COM2}.
11544
11545 @smallexample
11546 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
11547 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
11548
11549 Resident portion of MODE loaded
11550
11551 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
11552
11553 @end smallexample
11554
11555 @quotation
11556 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
11557 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
11558 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
11559 your development board.
11560 @end quotation
11561
11562 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
11563 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
11564 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBP}} with
11565 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
11566 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
11567 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
11568 cross-debugging to the Hitachi board, and the @code{load} command to
11569 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
11570 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
11571 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
11572 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
11573 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
11574 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
11575
11576 @smallexample
11577 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
11578 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
11579 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
11580 the conditions.
11581 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
11582 for details.
11583 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
11584 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
11585 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
11586 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
11587 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
11588 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
11589 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
11590 @end smallexample
11591
11592 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
11593 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
11594 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
11595 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
11596 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
11597 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
11598
11599 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
11600 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
11601 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
11602
11603 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
11604 @itemize @bullet
11605 @item
11606 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
11607 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
11608
11609 @item
11610 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
11611 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
11612 to detect program completion.
11613 @end itemize
11614
11615 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
11616 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
11617
11618 @node Hitachi ICE
11619 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
11620
11621 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi ICE}
11622 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
11623 Hitachi SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
11624 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
11625
11626 @table @code
11627 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
11628 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
11629 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
11630 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
11631 (for example, @samp{9600}).
11632
11633 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
11634 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
11635 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
11636 @end table
11637
11638 @node Hitachi Special
11639 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros
11640
11641 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
11642
11643 @table @code
11644
11645 @kindex set machine
11646 @kindex show machine
11647 @item set machine h8300
11648 @itemx set machine h8300h
11649 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
11650 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
11651 to check which variant is currently in effect.
11652
11653 @end table
11654
11655 @node H8/500
11656 @subsection H8/500
11657
11658 @table @code
11659
11660 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
11661 @cindex memory models, H8/500
11662 @item set memory @var{mod}
11663 @itemx show memory
11664 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
11665 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
11666 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
11667 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
11668
11669 @end table
11670
11671 @node i960
11672 @subsection Intel i960
11673
11674 @table @code
11675
11676 @kindex target mon960
11677 @item target mon960 @var{dev}
11678 MON960 monitor for Intel i960.
11679
11680 @kindex target nindy
11681 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
11682 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
11683 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
11684 @file{/dev/ttya}.
11685
11686 @end table
11687
11688 @cindex Nindy
11689 @cindex i960
11690 @dfn{Nindy} is a ROM Monitor program for Intel 960 target systems. When
11691 @value{GDBN} is configured to control a remote Intel 960 using Nindy, you can
11692 tell @value{GDBN} how to connect to the 960 in several ways:
11693
11694 @itemize @bullet
11695 @item
11696 Through command line options specifying serial port, version of the
11697 Nindy protocol, and communications speed;
11698
11699 @item
11700 By responding to a prompt on startup;
11701
11702 @item
11703 By using the @code{target} command at any point during your @value{GDBN}
11704 session. @xref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}.
11705
11706 @end itemize
11707
11708 @cindex download to Nindy-960
11709 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
11710 downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
11711 @value{GDBN}.
11712
11713 @menu
11714 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
11715 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
11716 * Nindy Reset:: Nindy reset command
11717 @end menu
11718
11719 @node Nindy Startup
11720 @subsubsection Startup with Nindy
11721
11722 If you simply start @code{@value{GDBP}} without using any command-line
11723 options, you are prompted for what serial port to use, @emph{before} you
11724 reach the ordinary @value{GDBN} prompt:
11725
11726 @smallexample
11727 Attach /dev/ttyNN -- specify NN, or "quit" to quit:
11728 @end smallexample
11729
11730 @noindent
11731 Respond to the prompt with whatever suffix (after @samp{/dev/tty})
11732 identifies the serial port you want to use. You can, if you choose,
11733 simply start up with no Nindy connection by responding to the prompt
11734 with an empty line. If you do this and later wish to attach to Nindy,
11735 use @code{target} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
11736
11737 @node Nindy Options
11738 @subsubsection Options for Nindy
11739
11740 These are the startup options for beginning your @value{GDBN} session with a
11741 Nindy-960 board attached:
11742
11743 @table @code
11744 @item -r @var{port}
11745 Specify the serial port name of a serial interface to be used to connect
11746 to the target system. This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is
11747 configured for the Intel 960 target architecture. You may specify
11748 @var{port} as any of: a full pathname (e.g. @samp{-r /dev/ttya}), a
11749 device name in @file{/dev} (e.g. @samp{-r ttya}), or simply the unique
11750 suffix for a specific @code{tty} (e.g. @samp{-r a}).
11751
11752 @item -O
11753 (An uppercase letter ``O'', not a zero.) Specify that @value{GDBN} should use
11754 the ``old'' Nindy monitor protocol to connect to the target system.
11755 This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is configured for the Intel 960
11756 target architecture.
11757
11758 @quotation
11759 @emph{Warning:} if you specify @samp{-O}, but are actually trying to
11760 connect to a target system that expects the newer protocol, the connection
11761 fails, appearing to be a speed mismatch. @value{GDBN} repeatedly
11762 attempts to reconnect at several different line speeds. You can abort
11763 this process with an interrupt.
11764 @end quotation
11765
11766 @item -brk
11767 Specify that @value{GDBN} should first send a @code{BREAK} signal to the target
11768 system, in an attempt to reset it, before connecting to a Nindy target.
11769
11770 @quotation
11771 @emph{Warning:} Many target systems do not have the hardware that this
11772 requires; it only works with a few boards.
11773 @end quotation
11774 @end table
11775
11776 The standard @samp{-b} option controls the line speed used on the serial
11777 port.
11778
11779 @c @group
11780 @node Nindy Reset
11781 @subsubsection Nindy reset command
11782
11783 @table @code
11784 @item reset
11785 @kindex reset
11786 For a Nindy target, this command sends a ``break'' to the remote target
11787 system; this is only useful if the target has been equipped with a
11788 circuit to perform a hard reset (or some other interesting action) when
11789 a break is detected.
11790 @end table
11791 @c @end group
11792
11793 @node M32R/D
11794 @subsection Mitsubishi M32R/D
11795
11796 @table @code
11797
11798 @kindex target m32r
11799 @item target m32r @var{dev}
11800 Mitsubishi M32R/D ROM monitor.
11801
11802 @end table
11803
11804 @node M68K
11805 @subsection M68k
11806
11807 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
11808 target command for the following ROM monitors.
11809
11810 @table @code
11811
11812 @kindex target abug
11813 @item target abug @var{dev}
11814 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
11815
11816 @kindex target cpu32bug
11817 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
11818 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
11819
11820 @kindex target dbug
11821 @item target dbug @var{dev}
11822 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
11823
11824 @kindex target est
11825 @item target est @var{dev}
11826 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
11827
11828 @kindex target rom68k
11829 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
11830 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
11831
11832 @end table
11833
11834 @table @code
11835
11836 @kindex target rombug
11837 @item target rombug @var{dev}
11838 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
11839
11840 @end table
11841
11842 @node MIPS Embedded
11843 @subsection MIPS Embedded
11844
11845 @cindex MIPS boards
11846 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
11847 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
11848 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
11849
11850 @need 1000
11851 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
11852
11853 @table @code
11854 @item target mips @var{port}
11855 @kindex target mips @var{port}
11856 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
11857 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
11858 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
11859 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
11860 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
11861 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
11862
11863 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
11864 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
11865 debugger:
11866
11867 @smallexample
11868 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
11869 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
11870 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
11871 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
11872 (@value{GDBP}) run
11873 @end smallexample
11874
11875 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
11876 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
11877 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
11878 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
11879 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
11880
11881 @item target pmon @var{port}
11882 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
11883 PMON ROM monitor.
11884
11885 @item target ddb @var{port}
11886 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
11887 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
11888
11889 @item target lsi @var{port}
11890 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
11891 LSI variant of PMON.
11892
11893 @kindex target r3900
11894 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
11895 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
11896
11897 @kindex target array
11898 @item target array @var{dev}
11899 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
11900
11901 @end table
11902
11903
11904 @noindent
11905 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
11906
11907 @table @code
11908 @item set processor @var{args}
11909 @itemx show processor
11910 @kindex set processor @var{args}
11911 @kindex show processor
11912 Use the @code{set processor} command to set the type of MIPS
11913 processor when you want to access processor-type-specific registers.
11914 For example, @code{set processor @var{r3041}} tells @value{GDBN}
11915 to use the CPU registers appropriate for the 3041 chip.
11916 Use the @code{show processor} command to see what MIPS processor @value{GDBN}
11917 is using. Use the @code{info reg} command to see what registers
11918 @value{GDBN} is using.
11919
11920 @item set mipsfpu double
11921 @itemx set mipsfpu single
11922 @itemx set mipsfpu none
11923 @itemx show mipsfpu
11924 @kindex set mipsfpu
11925 @kindex show mipsfpu
11926 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
11927 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
11928 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
11929 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
11930 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
11931 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
11932 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
11933 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
11934 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
11935 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
11936 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
11937 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
11938 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
11939
11940 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
11941 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
11942 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
11943
11944 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
11945 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
11946
11947 @item set remotedebug @var{n}
11948 @itemx show remotedebug
11949 @kindex set remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
11950 @kindex show remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
11951 @cindex @code{remotedebug}, MIPS protocol
11952 @cindex MIPS @code{remotedebug} protocol
11953 @c FIXME! For this to be useful, you must know something about the MIPS
11954 @c FIXME...protocol. Where is it described?
11955 You can see some debugging information about communications with the board
11956 by setting the @code{remotedebug} variable. If you set it to @code{1} using
11957 @samp{set remotedebug 1}, every packet is displayed. If you set it
11958 to @code{2}, every character is displayed. You can check the current value
11959 at any time with the command @samp{show remotedebug}.
11960
11961 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
11962 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
11963 @itemx show timeout
11964 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
11965 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
11966 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
11967 @kindex set timeout
11968 @kindex show timeout
11969 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
11970 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
11971 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
11972 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
11973 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
11974 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
11975 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
11976 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
11977 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
11978 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
11979
11980 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
11981 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
11982 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
11983 to run before stopping.
11984 @end table
11985
11986 @node OpenRISC 1000
11987 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
11988 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
11989
11990 @cindex or1k boards
11991 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
11992 about platform and commands.
11993
11994 @table @code
11995
11996 @kindex target jtag
11997 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
11998
11999 Connects to remote JTAG server.
12000 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
12001 connected via parallel port to the board.
12002
12003 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
12004
12005 @kindex or1ksim
12006 @item or1ksim @var{command}
12007 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
12008 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
12009
12010 @kindex info or1k spr
12011 @item info or1k spr
12012 Displays spr groups.
12013
12014 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
12015 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
12016 Displays register names in selected group.
12017
12018 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
12019 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
12020 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
12021 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
12022 Shows information about specified spr register.
12023
12024 @kindex spr
12025 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
12026 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
12027 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
12028 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
12029 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
12030 @end table
12031
12032 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
12033 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
12034 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
12035 triggers can be set using:
12036 @table @code
12037 @item $LEA/$LDATA
12038 Load effective address/data
12039 @item $SEA/$SDATA
12040 Store effective address/data
12041 @item $AEA/$ADATA
12042 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
12043 @item $FETCH
12044 Fetch data
12045 @end table
12046
12047 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
12048 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
12049
12050 @code{htrace} commands:
12051 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
12052 @table @code
12053 @kindex hwatch
12054 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
12055 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effecive Address(es)
12056 or Data. For example:
12057
12058 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
12059
12060 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
12061
12062 @kindex htrace info
12063 @item htrace info
12064 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
12065
12066 @kindex htrace trigger
12067 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
12068 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
12069
12070 @kindex htrace qualifier
12071 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
12072 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
12073
12074 @kindex htrace stop
12075 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
12076 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
12077
12078 @kindex htrace record
12079 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
12080 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
12081 triggered.
12082
12083 @kindex htrace enable
12084 @item htrace enable
12085 @kindex htrace disable
12086 @itemx htrace disable
12087 Enables/disables the HW trace.
12088
12089 @kindex htrace rewind
12090 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
12091 Clears currently recorded trace data.
12092
12093 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
12094 will be written there.
12095
12096 @kindex htrace print
12097 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
12098 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
12099
12100 @kindex htrace mode continuous
12101 @item htrace mode continuous
12102 Set continuous trace mode.
12103
12104 @kindex htrace mode suspend
12105 @item htrace mode suspend
12106 Set suspend trace mode.
12107
12108 @end table
12109
12110 @node PowerPC
12111 @subsection PowerPC
12112
12113 @table @code
12114
12115 @kindex target dink32
12116 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
12117 DINK32 ROM monitor.
12118
12119 @kindex target ppcbug
12120 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
12121 @kindex target ppcbug1
12122 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
12123 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
12124
12125 @kindex target sds
12126 @item target sds @var{dev}
12127 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
12128
12129 @end table
12130
12131 @node PA
12132 @subsection HP PA Embedded
12133
12134 @table @code
12135
12136 @kindex target op50n
12137 @item target op50n @var{dev}
12138 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
12139
12140 @kindex target w89k
12141 @item target w89k @var{dev}
12142 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
12143
12144 @end table
12145
12146 @node SH
12147 @subsection Hitachi SH
12148
12149 @table @code
12150
12151 @kindex target hms@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12152 @item target hms @var{dev}
12153 A Hitachi SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
12154 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
12155 the communications speed used.
12156
12157 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12158 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
12159 E7000 emulator for Hitachi SH.
12160
12161 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
12162 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
12163 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
12164 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
12165 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
12166
12167 @end table
12168
12169 @node Sparclet
12170 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
12171
12172 @cindex Sparclet
12173
12174 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
12175 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
12176 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
12177 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
12178 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
12179
12180 @table @code
12181 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
12182 @kindex remotetimeout
12183 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
12184 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
12185 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
12186 @end table
12187
12188 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
12189 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
12190 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
12191 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
12192 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
12193
12194 @smallexample
12195 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
12196 @end smallexample
12197
12198 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
12199
12200 @smallexample
12201 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
12202 @end smallexample
12203
12204 @cindex running, on Sparclet
12205 Once you have set
12206 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
12207 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
12208 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
12209
12210 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
12211
12212 @smallexample
12213 (gdbslet)
12214 @end smallexample
12215
12216 @menu
12217 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
12218 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
12219 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
12220 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
12221 @end menu
12222
12223 @node Sparclet File
12224 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
12225
12226 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
12227
12228 @smallexample
12229 (gdbslet) file prog
12230 @end smallexample
12231
12232 @need 1000
12233 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
12234 @value{GDBN} locates
12235 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
12236 path.
12237 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
12238 files will be searched as well.
12239 @value{GDBN} locates
12240 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
12241 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
12242 If it fails
12243 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
12244
12245 @smallexample
12246 prog: No such file or directory.
12247 @end smallexample
12248
12249 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
12250 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
12251 @code{target} command again.
12252
12253 @node Sparclet Connection
12254 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
12255
12256 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
12257 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
12258
12259 @smallexample
12260 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
12261 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
12262 main () at ../prog.c:3
12263 @end smallexample
12264
12265 @need 750
12266 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
12267
12268 @smallexample
12269 Connected to ttya.
12270 @end smallexample
12271
12272 @node Sparclet Download
12273 @subsubsection Sparclet download
12274
12275 @cindex download to Sparclet
12276 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
12277 you can use the @value{GDBN}
12278 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
12279 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
12280 command.
12281 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
12282 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
12283 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
12284 of each of the file's sections.
12285 For instance, if the program
12286 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
12287 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
12288
12289 @smallexample
12290 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
12291 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
12292 @end smallexample
12293
12294 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
12295 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
12296 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
12297
12298 @node Sparclet Execution
12299 @subsubsection Running and debugging
12300
12301 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
12302 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
12303 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
12304 manual for the list of commands.
12305
12306 @smallexample
12307 (gdbslet) b main
12308 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
12309 (gdbslet) run
12310 Starting program: prog
12311 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
12312 3 char *symarg = 0;
12313 (gdbslet) step
12314 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
12315 (gdbslet)
12316 @end smallexample
12317
12318 @node Sparclite
12319 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
12320
12321 @table @code
12322
12323 @kindex target sparclite
12324 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
12325 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
12326 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
12327 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
12328 remote protocol.
12329
12330 @end table
12331
12332 @node ST2000
12333 @subsection Tandem ST2000
12334
12335 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
12336 STDBUG protocol.
12337
12338 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
12339 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
12340
12341 @smallexample
12342 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
12343 @end smallexample
12344
12345 @noindent
12346 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
12347 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
12348 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
12349 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
12350 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
12351
12352 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
12353 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
12354 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
12355 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
12356 available on your host computer.
12357 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
12358 @c basically hearsay.
12359
12360 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
12361 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
12362 environment:
12363
12364 @table @code
12365 @item st2000 @var{command}
12366 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
12367 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
12368 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
12369 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
12370 manual for available commands.
12371
12372 @item connect
12373 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
12374 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
12375 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
12376 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
12377 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
12378 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
12379 @end table
12380
12381 @node Z8000
12382 @subsection Zilog Z8000
12383
12384 @cindex Z8000
12385 @cindex simulator, Z8000
12386 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
12387
12388 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
12389 a Z8000 simulator.
12390
12391 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
12392 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
12393 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
12394 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
12395
12396 @table @code
12397 @item target sim @var{args}
12398 @kindex sim
12399 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
12400 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
12401 options, specify them via @var{args}.
12402 @end table
12403
12404 @noindent
12405 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
12406 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
12407 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
12408 to run your program, and so on.
12409
12410 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
12411 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
12412 additional items of information as specially named registers:
12413
12414 @table @code
12415
12416 @item cycles
12417 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
12418
12419 @item insts
12420 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
12421
12422 @item time
12423 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
12424
12425 @end table
12426
12427 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
12428 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
12429 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
12430 simulated clock ticks.
12431
12432 @node Architectures
12433 @section Architectures
12434
12435 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
12436 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
12437
12438 @menu
12439 * A29K::
12440 * Alpha::
12441 * MIPS::
12442 @end menu
12443
12444 @node A29K
12445 @subsection A29K
12446
12447 @table @code
12448
12449 @kindex set rstack_high_address
12450 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
12451 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
12452 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
12453 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
12454 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
12455 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
12456 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
12457 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
12458 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
12459 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
12460 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
12461 hexadecimal.
12462
12463 @kindex show rstack_high_address
12464 @item show rstack_high_address
12465 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
12466 processors.
12467
12468 @end table
12469
12470 @node Alpha
12471 @subsection Alpha
12472
12473 See the following section.
12474
12475 @node MIPS
12476 @subsection MIPS
12477
12478 @cindex stack on Alpha
12479 @cindex stack on MIPS
12480 @cindex Alpha stack
12481 @cindex MIPS stack
12482 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
12483 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
12484 find the beginning of a function.
12485
12486 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
12487 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
12488 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
12489 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
12490 commands:
12491
12492 @table @code
12493 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
12494 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
12495 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
12496 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
12497 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
12498 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
12499 and therefore the longer it takes to run.
12500
12501 @item show heuristic-fence-post
12502 Display the current limit.
12503 @end table
12504
12505 @noindent
12506 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
12507 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
12508
12509
12510 @node Controlling GDB
12511 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
12512
12513 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
12514 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
12515 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
12516 described here.
12517
12518 @menu
12519 * Prompt:: Prompt
12520 * Editing:: Command editing
12521 * History:: Command history
12522 * Screen Size:: Screen size
12523 * Numbers:: Numbers
12524 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
12525 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
12526 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
12527 @end menu
12528
12529 @node Prompt
12530 @section Prompt
12531
12532 @cindex prompt
12533
12534 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
12535 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
12536 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
12537 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
12538 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
12539 which one you are talking to.
12540
12541 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
12542 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
12543 or a prompt that does not.
12544
12545 @table @code
12546 @kindex set prompt
12547 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
12548 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
12549
12550 @kindex show prompt
12551 @item show prompt
12552 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
12553 @end table
12554
12555 @node Editing
12556 @section Command editing
12557 @cindex readline
12558 @cindex command line editing
12559
12560 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
12561 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
12562 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
12563 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
12564 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
12565 debugging sessions.
12566
12567 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
12568 command @code{set}.
12569
12570 @table @code
12571 @kindex set editing
12572 @cindex editing
12573 @item set editing
12574 @itemx set editing on
12575 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
12576
12577 @item set editing off
12578 Disable command line editing.
12579
12580 @kindex show editing
12581 @item show editing
12582 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
12583 @end table
12584
12585 @node History
12586 @section Command history
12587
12588 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
12589 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
12590 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
12591 history facility.
12592
12593 @table @code
12594 @cindex history substitution
12595 @cindex history file
12596 @kindex set history filename
12597 @kindex GDBHISTFILE
12598 @item set history filename @var{fname}
12599 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
12600 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
12601 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
12602 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
12603 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
12604 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
12605 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
12606 is not set.
12607
12608 @cindex history save
12609 @kindex set history save
12610 @item set history save
12611 @itemx set history save on
12612 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
12613 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
12614
12615 @item set history save off
12616 Stop recording command history in a file.
12617
12618 @cindex history size
12619 @kindex set history size
12620 @item set history size @var{size}
12621 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
12622 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
12623 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
12624 @end table
12625
12626 @cindex history expansion
12627 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
12628 @ifset have-readline-appendices
12629 @xref{Event Designators}.
12630 @end ifset
12631
12632 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
12633 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
12634 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
12635 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
12636 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
12637 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
12638 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
12639
12640 The commands to control history expansion are:
12641
12642 @table @code
12643 @kindex set history expansion
12644 @item set history expansion on
12645 @itemx set history expansion
12646 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
12647
12648 @item set history expansion off
12649 Disable history expansion.
12650
12651 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
12652 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
12653 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
12654 @ifset have-readline-appendices
12655 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
12656 @end ifset
12657
12658 @c @group
12659 @kindex show history
12660 @item show history
12661 @itemx show history filename
12662 @itemx show history save
12663 @itemx show history size
12664 @itemx show history expansion
12665 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
12666 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
12667 @c @end group
12668 @end table
12669
12670 @table @code
12671 @kindex shows
12672 @item show commands
12673 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
12674
12675 @item show commands @var{n}
12676 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
12677
12678 @item show commands +
12679 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
12680 @end table
12681
12682 @node Screen Size
12683 @section Screen size
12684 @cindex size of screen
12685 @cindex pauses in output
12686
12687 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
12688 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
12689 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
12690 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
12691 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
12692 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
12693 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
12694 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
12695
12696 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
12697 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
12698 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
12699 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
12700 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
12701 width} commands:
12702
12703 @table @code
12704 @kindex set height
12705 @kindex set width
12706 @kindex show width
12707 @kindex show height
12708 @item set height @var{lpp}
12709 @itemx show height
12710 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
12711 @itemx show width
12712 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
12713 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
12714 commands display the current settings.
12715
12716 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
12717 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
12718 file or to an editor buffer.
12719
12720 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
12721 from wrapping its output.
12722 @end table
12723
12724 @node Numbers
12725 @section Numbers
12726 @cindex number representation
12727 @cindex entering numbers
12728
12729 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
12730 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
12731 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
12732 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that begin with none of these are, by
12733 default, entered in base 10; likewise, the default display for
12734 numbers---when no particular format is specified---is base 10. You can
12735 change the default base for both input and output with the @code{set
12736 radix} command.
12737
12738 @table @code
12739 @kindex set input-radix
12740 @item set input-radix @var{base}
12741 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
12742 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
12743 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
12744 example, any of
12745
12746 @smallexample
12747 set radix 012
12748 set radix 10.
12749 set radix 0xa
12750 @end smallexample
12751
12752 @noindent
12753 sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
12754 leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
12755
12756 @kindex set output-radix
12757 @item set output-radix @var{base}
12758 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
12759 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
12760 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
12761
12762 @kindex show input-radix
12763 @item show input-radix
12764 Display the current default base for numeric input.
12765
12766 @kindex show output-radix
12767 @item show output-radix
12768 Display the current default base for numeric display.
12769 @end table
12770
12771 @node ABI
12772 @section Configuring the current ABI
12773
12774 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
12775 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
12776 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
12777 current ABI.
12778
12779 @cindex OS ABI
12780 @kindex set osabi
12781 @kindex show osabi
12782
12783 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
12784 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
12785 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
12786 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
12787 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
12788 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
12789 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
12790 platform provides.
12791
12792 @table @code
12793 @item show osabi
12794 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
12795
12796 @item set osabi
12797 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
12798
12799 @item set osabi @var{abi}
12800 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
12801 @end table
12802
12803 @cindex float promotion
12804 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
12805
12806 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
12807 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
12808 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
12809 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
12810 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
12811 @code{double} and then passed.
12812
12813 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
12814 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
12815 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
12816
12817 @table @code
12818 @item set coerce-float-to-double
12819 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
12820 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
12821 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
12822
12823 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
12824 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
12825 functions.
12826 @end table
12827
12828 @node Messages/Warnings
12829 @section Optional warnings and messages
12830
12831 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
12832 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
12833 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
12834 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
12835
12836 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
12837 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
12838 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
12839
12840 @table @code
12841 @kindex set verbose
12842 @item set verbose on
12843 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
12844
12845 @item set verbose off
12846 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
12847
12848 @kindex show verbose
12849 @item show verbose
12850 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
12851 @end table
12852
12853 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
12854 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
12855 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
12856 symbol files}).
12857
12858 @table @code
12859
12860 @kindex set complaints
12861 @item set complaints @var{limit}
12862 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
12863 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
12864 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
12865 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
12866
12867 @kindex show complaints
12868 @item show complaints
12869 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
12870
12871 @end table
12872
12873 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
12874 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
12875 you try to run a program which is already running:
12876
12877 @smallexample
12878 (@value{GDBP}) run
12879 The program being debugged has been started already.
12880 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
12881 @end smallexample
12882
12883 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
12884 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
12885
12886 @table @code
12887
12888 @kindex set confirm
12889 @cindex flinching
12890 @cindex confirmation
12891 @cindex stupid questions
12892 @item set confirm off
12893 Disables confirmation requests.
12894
12895 @item set confirm on
12896 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
12897
12898 @kindex show confirm
12899 @item show confirm
12900 Displays state of confirmation requests.
12901
12902 @end table
12903
12904 @node Debugging Output
12905 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
12906 @table @code
12907 @kindex set debug arch
12908 @item set debug arch
12909 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
12910 @kindex show debug arch
12911 @item show debug arch
12912 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
12913 @kindex set debug event
12914 @item set debug event
12915 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
12916 default is off.
12917 @kindex show debug event
12918 @item show debug event
12919 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
12920 info.
12921 @kindex set debug expression
12922 @item set debug expression
12923 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} expression debugging info. The
12924 default is off.
12925 @kindex show debug expression
12926 @item show debug expression
12927 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} expression
12928 debugging info.
12929 @kindex set debug overload
12930 @item set debug overload
12931 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
12932 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
12933 is off.
12934 @kindex show debug overload
12935 @item show debug overload
12936 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
12937 debugging info.
12938 @kindex set debug remote
12939 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
12940 @cindex serial connections, debugging
12941 @item set debug remote
12942 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
12943 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
12944 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
12945 @kindex show debug remote
12946 @item show debug remote
12947 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
12948 @kindex set debug serial
12949 @item set debug serial
12950 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
12951 default is off.
12952 @kindex show debug serial
12953 @item show debug serial
12954 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
12955 info.
12956 @kindex set debug target
12957 @item set debug target
12958 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
12959 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
12960 default is off.
12961 @kindex show debug target
12962 @item show debug target
12963 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
12964 info.
12965 @kindex set debug varobj
12966 @item set debug varobj
12967 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
12968 info. The default is off.
12969 @kindex show debug varobj
12970 @item show debug varobj
12971 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
12972 debugging info.
12973 @end table
12974
12975 @node Sequences
12976 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
12977
12978 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
12979 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
12980 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
12981 files.
12982
12983 @menu
12984 * Define:: User-defined commands
12985 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
12986 * Command Files:: Command files
12987 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
12988 @end menu
12989
12990 @node Define
12991 @section User-defined commands
12992
12993 @cindex user-defined command
12994 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
12995 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
12996 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
12997 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
12998 via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
12999
13000 @smallexample
13001 define adder
13002 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
13003 @end smallexample
13004
13005 @noindent
13006 To execute the command use:
13007
13008 @smallexample
13009 adder 1 2 3
13010 @end smallexample
13011
13012 @noindent
13013 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
13014 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
13015 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
13016 functions calls.
13017
13018 @table @code
13019
13020 @kindex define
13021 @item define @var{commandname}
13022 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
13023 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
13024
13025 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
13026 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
13027 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13028
13029 @kindex if
13030 @kindex else
13031 @item if
13032 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
13033 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
13034 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
13035 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
13036 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
13037 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13038
13039 @kindex while
13040 @item while
13041 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
13042 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
13043 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
13044 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
13045 evaluates to true.
13046
13047 @kindex document
13048 @item document @var{commandname}
13049 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
13050 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
13051 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
13052 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
13053 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
13054 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
13055
13056 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
13057 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
13058 does not change the documentation.
13059
13060 @kindex help user-defined
13061 @item help user-defined
13062 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
13063 (if any) for each.
13064
13065 @kindex show user
13066 @item show user
13067 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
13068 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
13069 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
13070 definitions for all user-defined commands.
13071
13072 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
13073 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
13074 @item show max-user-call-depth
13075 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
13076 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
13077 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before GDB suspects an
13078 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
13079
13080 @end table
13081
13082 When user-defined commands are executed, the
13083 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
13084 stops execution of the user-defined command.
13085
13086 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
13087 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
13088 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
13089 messages when used in a user-defined command.
13090
13091 @node Hooks
13092 @section User-defined command hooks
13093 @cindex command hooks
13094 @cindex hooks, for commands
13095 @cindex hooks, pre-command
13096
13097 @kindex hook
13098 @kindex hook-
13099 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
13100 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
13101 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
13102 before that command.
13103
13104 @cindex hooks, post-command
13105 @kindex hookpost
13106 @kindex hookpost-
13107 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
13108 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
13109 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
13110 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
13111 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
13112
13113 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
13114 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinte recursion.
13115
13116 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
13117 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
13118
13119 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
13120 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
13121 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
13122 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
13123 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
13124
13125 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
13126 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
13127 you could define:
13128
13129 @smallexample
13130 define hook-stop
13131 handle SIGALRM nopass
13132 end
13133
13134 define hook-run
13135 handle SIGALRM pass
13136 end
13137
13138 define hook-continue
13139 handle SIGLARM pass
13140 end
13141 @end smallexample
13142
13143 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
13144 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
13145 you could define:
13146
13147 @smallexample
13148 define hook-echo
13149 echo <<<---
13150 end
13151
13152 define hookpost-echo
13153 echo --->>>\n
13154 end
13155
13156 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
13157 <<<---Hello World--->>>
13158 (@value{GDBP})
13159
13160 @end smallexample
13161
13162 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
13163 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
13164 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
13165 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
13166 @c or not?
13167 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
13168 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
13169 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
13170
13171 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
13172 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
13173
13174 @node Command Files
13175 @section Command files
13176
13177 @cindex command files
13178 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
13179 commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
13180 An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
13181 the last command, as it would from the terminal.
13182
13183 @cindex init file
13184 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
13185 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
13186 When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
13187 @dfn{init files}, normally called @file{.gdbinit}@footnote{The DJGPP
13188 port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini} instead, due to the
13189 limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems.}.
13190 During startup, @value{GDBN} does the following:
13191
13192 @enumerate
13193 @item
13194 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
13195 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
13196 @code{HOME} environment variable.}.
13197
13198 @item
13199 Processes command line options and operands.
13200
13201 @item
13202 Reads the init file (if any) in the current working directory.
13203
13204 @item
13205 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option.
13206 @end enumerate
13207
13208 The init file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
13209 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
13210 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
13211 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
13212
13213 @cindex init file name
13214 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
13215 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
13216 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
13217 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
13218 environments with special init file names:
13219
13220 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
13221 @itemize @bullet
13222 @item
13223 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
13224
13225 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
13226 @item
13227 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
13228
13229 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
13230 @item
13231 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
13232 @end itemize
13233
13234 You can also request the execution of a command file with the
13235 @code{source} command:
13236
13237 @table @code
13238 @kindex source
13239 @item source @var{filename}
13240 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
13241 @end table
13242
13243 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
13244 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
13245 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
13246
13247 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
13248 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
13249 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
13250 when called from command files.
13251
13252 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
13253 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
13254 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
13255 not terminate execution of the command file --- execution continues with
13256 the next command.
13257
13258 @smallexample
13259 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
13260 @end smallexample
13261
13262 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
13263 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
13264 would be directed to @file{log}.
13265
13266 @node Output
13267 @section Commands for controlled output
13268
13269 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
13270 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
13271 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
13272 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
13273 want.
13274
13275 @table @code
13276 @kindex echo
13277 @item echo @var{text}
13278 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
13279 @c because it is not in ANSI.
13280 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
13281 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
13282 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
13283 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
13284 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
13285 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
13286 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
13287 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
13288 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
13289
13290 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
13291 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
13292
13293 @smallexample
13294 echo This is some text\n\
13295 which is continued\n\
13296 onto several lines.\n
13297 @end smallexample
13298
13299 produces the same output as
13300
13301 @smallexample
13302 echo This is some text\n
13303 echo which is continued\n
13304 echo onto several lines.\n
13305 @end smallexample
13306
13307 @kindex output
13308 @item output @var{expression}
13309 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
13310 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
13311 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
13312 on expressions.
13313
13314 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
13315 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
13316 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
13317 formats}, for more information.
13318
13319 @kindex printf
13320 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
13321 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
13322 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
13323 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
13324 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
13325 subroutine
13326 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
13327 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
13328 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
13329 @c supported.
13330
13331 @smallexample
13332 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
13333 @end smallexample
13334
13335 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
13336
13337 @smallexample
13338 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
13339 @end smallexample
13340
13341 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
13342 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
13343 letter.
13344 @end table
13345
13346 @node TUI
13347 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
13348 @cindex TUI
13349
13350 @menu
13351 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
13352 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
13353 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
13354 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
13355 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
13356 @end menu
13357
13358 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short,
13359 is a terminal interface which uses the @code{curses} library
13360 to show the source file, the assembly output, the program registers
13361 and @value{GDBN} commands in separate text windows.
13362 The TUI is available only when @value{GDBN} is configured
13363 with the @code{--enable-tui} configure option (@pxref{Configure Options}).
13364
13365 @node TUI Overview
13366 @section TUI overview
13367
13368 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
13369 @value{GDBN} runs:
13370
13371 @itemize @bullet
13372 @item
13373 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
13374 windows on the terminal.
13375
13376 @item
13377 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
13378 the TUI.
13379 @end itemize
13380
13381 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
13382 on the terminal:
13383
13384 @table @emph
13385 @item command
13386 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
13387 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
13388 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
13389 window is always visible.
13390
13391 @item source
13392 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
13393 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
13394
13395 @item assembly
13396 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
13397
13398 @item register
13399 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
13400 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
13401 changed are highlighted.
13402
13403 @end table
13404
13405 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
13406 by highlighting the current line and marking them with the @samp{>} marker.
13407 Breakpoints are also indicated with two markers. A first one
13408 indicates the breakpoint type:
13409
13410 @table @code
13411 @item B
13412 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
13413
13414 @item b
13415 Breakpoint which was never hit.
13416
13417 @item H
13418 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
13419
13420 @item h
13421 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
13422
13423 @end table
13424
13425 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
13426
13427 @table @code
13428 @item +
13429 Breakpoint is enabled.
13430
13431 @item -
13432 Breakpoint is disabled.
13433
13434 @end table
13435
13436 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
13437 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
13438 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
13439 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
13440 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
13441 The following layouts are available:
13442
13443 @itemize @bullet
13444 @item
13445 source
13446
13447 @item
13448 assembly
13449
13450 @item
13451 source and assembly
13452
13453 @item
13454 source and registers
13455
13456 @item
13457 assembly and registers
13458
13459 @end itemize
13460
13461 On top of the command window a status line gives various information
13462 concerning the current process begin debugged. The status line is
13463 updated when the information it shows changes. The following fields
13464 are displayed:
13465
13466 @table @emph
13467 @item target
13468 Indicates the current gdb target
13469 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
13470
13471 @item process
13472 Gives information about the current process or thread number.
13473 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
13474
13475 @item function
13476 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
13477 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
13478 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter
13479 the string @code{??} is displayed.
13480
13481 @item line
13482 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
13483 When the current line number is not known the string @code{??} is displayed.
13484
13485 @item pc
13486 Indicates the current program counter address.
13487
13488 @end table
13489
13490 @node TUI Keys
13491 @section TUI Key Bindings
13492 @cindex TUI key bindings
13493
13494 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
13495 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
13496 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
13497 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The TUI also provides
13498 a @emph{SingleKey} keymap which binds several keys directly to
13499 @value{GDBN} commands. The following key bindings
13500 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
13501
13502 @table @kbd
13503 @kindex C-x C-a
13504 @item C-x C-a
13505 @kindex C-x a
13506 @itemx C-x a
13507 @kindex C-x A
13508 @itemx C-x A
13509 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
13510 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
13511 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
13512 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
13513 The screen is then refreshed.
13514
13515 @kindex C-x 1
13516 @item C-x 1
13517 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
13518 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
13519 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
13520
13521 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
13522
13523 @kindex C-x 2
13524 @item C-x 2
13525 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
13526 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
13527 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
13528 previous layout and the new one.
13529
13530 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
13531
13532 @kindex C-x s
13533 @item C-x s
13534 Use the TUI @emph{SingleKey} keymap that binds single key to gdb commands
13535 (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
13536
13537 @end table
13538
13539 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
13540
13541 @table @key
13542 @kindex PgUp
13543 @item PgUp
13544 Scroll the active window one page up.
13545
13546 @kindex PgDn
13547 @item PgDn
13548 Scroll the active window one page down.
13549
13550 @kindex Up
13551 @item Up
13552 Scroll the active window one line up.
13553
13554 @kindex Down
13555 @item Down
13556 Scroll the active window one line down.
13557
13558 @kindex Left
13559 @item Left
13560 Scroll the active window one column left.
13561
13562 @kindex Right
13563 @item Right
13564 Scroll the active window one column right.
13565
13566 @kindex C-L
13567 @item C-L
13568 Refresh the screen.
13569
13570 @end table
13571
13572 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
13573 for scrolling. This means they are not available for readline. It is
13574 necessary to use other readline key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n},
13575 @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
13576
13577 @node TUI Single Key Mode
13578 @section TUI Single Key Mode
13579 @cindex TUI single key mode
13580
13581 The TUI provides a @emph{SingleKey} mode in which it installs a particular
13582 key binding in the readline keymaps to connect single keys to
13583 some gdb commands.
13584
13585 @table @kbd
13586 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13587 @item c
13588 continue
13589
13590 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13591 @item d
13592 down
13593
13594 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13595 @item f
13596 finish
13597
13598 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13599 @item n
13600 next
13601
13602 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13603 @item q
13604 exit the @emph{SingleKey} mode.
13605
13606 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13607 @item r
13608 run
13609
13610 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13611 @item s
13612 step
13613
13614 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13615 @item u
13616 up
13617
13618 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13619 @item v
13620 info locals
13621
13622 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
13623 @item w
13624 where
13625
13626 @end table
13627
13628 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
13629 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
13630 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
13631 with the TUI @emph{SingleKey} mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
13632 @emph{SingleKey} mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
13633 this mode is by hitting @key{q} or @samp{@key{C-x} @key{s}}.
13634
13635
13636 @node TUI Commands
13637 @section TUI specific commands
13638 @cindex TUI commands
13639
13640 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
13641 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
13642 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
13643 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
13644 in the TUI mode.
13645
13646 @table @code
13647 @item info win
13648 @kindex info win
13649 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
13650
13651 @item layout next
13652 @kindex layout next
13653 Display the next layout.
13654
13655 @item layout prev
13656 @kindex layout prev
13657 Display the previous layout.
13658
13659 @item layout src
13660 @kindex layout src
13661 Display the source window only.
13662
13663 @item layout asm
13664 @kindex layout asm
13665 Display the assembly window only.
13666
13667 @item layout split
13668 @kindex layout split
13669 Display the source and assembly window.
13670
13671 @item layout regs
13672 @kindex layout regs
13673 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
13674
13675 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
13676 @kindex focus
13677 Set the focus to the named window.
13678 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
13679 can be affected to another window.
13680
13681 @item refresh
13682 @kindex refresh
13683 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
13684
13685 @item update
13686 @kindex update
13687 Update the source window and the current execution point.
13688
13689 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
13690 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
13691 @kindex winheight
13692 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
13693 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
13694 decrease it.
13695
13696 @end table
13697
13698 @node TUI Configuration
13699 @section TUI configuration variables
13700 @cindex TUI configuration variables
13701
13702 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
13703 appearance of windows on the terminal.
13704
13705 @table @code
13706 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
13707 @kindex set tui border-kind
13708 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
13709 The possible values are the following:
13710 @table @code
13711 @item space
13712 Use a space character to draw the border.
13713
13714 @item ascii
13715 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
13716
13717 @item acs
13718 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
13719 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
13720
13721 @end table
13722
13723 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
13724 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
13725 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
13726 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
13727 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
13728
13729 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
13730 @kindex set tui border-mode
13731 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
13732 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
13733 @table @code
13734 @item normal
13735 Use normal attributes to display the border.
13736
13737 @item standout
13738 Use standout mode.
13739
13740 @item reverse
13741 Use reverse video mode.
13742
13743 @item half
13744 Use half bright mode.
13745
13746 @item half-standout
13747 Use half bright and standout mode.
13748
13749 @item bold
13750 Use extra bright or bold mode.
13751
13752 @item bold-standout
13753 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
13754
13755 @end table
13756
13757 @end table
13758
13759 @node Emacs
13760 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
13761
13762 @cindex Emacs
13763 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
13764 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
13765 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
13766 @value{GDBN}.
13767
13768 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
13769 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
13770 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
13771 created Emacs buffer.
13772 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
13773
13774 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
13775 things:
13776
13777 @itemize @bullet
13778 @item
13779 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
13780 @end itemize
13781
13782 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
13783 and output done by the program you are debugging.
13784
13785 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
13786 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
13787 in this way.
13788
13789 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
13790 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
13791 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
13792 stop.
13793
13794 @itemize @bullet
13795 @item
13796 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
13797 @end itemize
13798
13799 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
13800 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
13801 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
13802 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
13803 and the source.
13804
13805 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
13806 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
13807
13808 @quotation
13809 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
13810 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
13811 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
13812 appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
13813 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
13814 session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
13815 back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
13816 avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
13817 your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
13818 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
13819
13820 A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
13821 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
13822 @value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
13823 @end quotation
13824
13825 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
13826 you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
13827 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
13828 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
13829
13830 @smallexample
13831 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
13832 @end smallexample
13833
13834 @noindent
13835 (preceded by @kbd{M-:} or @kbd{ESC :}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
13836 in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
13837 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
13838
13839 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
13840 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
13841
13842 @table @kbd
13843 @item C-h m
13844 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
13845
13846 @item M-s
13847 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
13848 update the display window to show the current file and location.
13849
13850 @item M-n
13851 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
13852 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
13853 to show the current file and location.
13854
13855 @item M-i
13856 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
13857 display window accordingly.
13858
13859 @item M-x gdb-nexti
13860 Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
13861 display window accordingly.
13862
13863 @item C-c C-f
13864 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
13865 @code{finish} command.
13866
13867 @item M-c
13868 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
13869 command.
13870
13871 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
13872
13873 @item M-u
13874 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
13875 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
13876 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
13877
13878 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
13879
13880 @item M-d
13881 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
13882 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
13883
13884 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
13885
13886 @item C-x &
13887 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
13888 of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
13889 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
13890 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
13891 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
13892
13893 You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
13894 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
13895 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
13896 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
13897 wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
13898 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
13899 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
13900 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
13901 @end table
13902
13903 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
13904 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
13905
13906 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
13907 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
13908 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
13909 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
13910 frame.
13911
13912 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
13913 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
13914 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
13915 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
13916 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
13917 to correspond properly with the code.
13918
13919 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
13920 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
13921 @ignore
13922 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
13923 @kindex Epoch
13924 @kindex inspect
13925
13926 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
13927 called the @code{epoch}
13928 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
13929 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
13930 each value is printed in its own window.
13931 @end ignore
13932
13933 @include annotate.texi
13934 @include gdbmi.texinfo
13935
13936 @node GDB Bugs
13937 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
13938 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
13939 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
13940
13941 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
13942
13943 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
13944 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
13945 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
13946 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
13947
13948 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
13949 information that enables us to fix the bug.
13950
13951 @menu
13952 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
13953 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
13954 @end menu
13955
13956 @node Bug Criteria
13957 @section Have you found a bug?
13958 @cindex bug criteria
13959
13960 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
13961
13962 @itemize @bullet
13963 @cindex fatal signal
13964 @cindex debugger crash
13965 @cindex crash of debugger
13966 @item
13967 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
13968 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
13969
13970 @cindex error on valid input
13971 @item
13972 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
13973 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
13974 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
13975
13976 @cindex invalid input
13977 @item
13978 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
13979 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
13980 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
13981 for traditional practice''.
13982
13983 @item
13984 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
13985 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
13986 @end itemize
13987
13988 @node Bug Reporting
13989 @section How to report bugs
13990 @cindex bug reports
13991 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
13992
13993 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
13994 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
13995 contact that organization first.
13996
13997 You can find contact information for many support companies and
13998 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
13999 distribution.
14000 @c should add a web page ref...
14001
14002 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
14003 @value{GDBN}. The prefered method is to submit them directly using
14004 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
14005 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
14006 be used.
14007
14008 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
14009 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
14010 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
14011 @samp{bug-gdb}.
14012
14013 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
14014 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
14015 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
14016 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
14017 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
14018 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
14019 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
14020 bug reports to the mailing list.
14021
14022 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
14023 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
14024 fact or leave it out, state it!
14025
14026 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
14027 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
14028 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
14029 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
14030 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
14031 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
14032 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
14033 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
14034 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
14035
14036 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
14037 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
14038 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
14039 self-contained.
14040
14041 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
14042 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
14043 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
14044 bugs properly.
14045
14046 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
14047
14048 @itemize @bullet
14049 @item
14050 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
14051 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
14052 version}.
14053
14054 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
14055 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
14056
14057 @item
14058 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
14059 version number.
14060
14061 @item
14062 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
14063 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
14064
14065 @item
14066 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
14067 debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
14068 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
14069 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
14070 compilers.
14071
14072 @item
14073 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
14074 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
14075 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
14076 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
14077
14078 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
14079 and then we might not encounter the bug.
14080
14081 @item
14082 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
14083 reproduce the bug.
14084
14085 @item
14086 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
14087 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
14088
14089 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
14090 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
14091 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
14092 a chance to make a mistake.
14093
14094 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
14095 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
14096 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
14097 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
14098 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
14099 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
14100 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
14101 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
14102
14103 @item
14104 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
14105 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
14106 it by context, not by line number.
14107
14108 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
14109 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
14110
14111 @end itemize
14112
14113 Here are some things that are not necessary:
14114
14115 @itemize @bullet
14116 @item
14117 A description of the envelope of the bug.
14118
14119 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
14120 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
14121 changes will not affect it.
14122
14123 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
14124 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
14125 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
14126 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
14127
14128 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
14129 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
14130 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
14131 less time, and so on.
14132
14133 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
14134 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
14135
14136 @item
14137 A patch for the bug.
14138
14139 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
14140 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
14141 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
14142 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
14143
14144 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
14145 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
14146 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
14147 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
14148
14149 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
14150 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
14151 help us to understand.
14152
14153 @item
14154 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
14155
14156 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
14157 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
14158 @end itemize
14159
14160 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
14161 @c and consists of the two following files:
14162 @c rluser.texinfo
14163 @c inc-hist.texinfo
14164 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
14165 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
14166 @include rluser.texinfo
14167 @include inc-hist.texinfo
14168
14169
14170 @node Formatting Documentation
14171 @appendix Formatting Documentation
14172
14173 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
14174 @cindex reference card
14175 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
14176 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
14177 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
14178 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
14179 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
14180 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
14181
14182 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
14183 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
14184
14185 @smallexample
14186 make refcard.dvi
14187 @end smallexample
14188
14189 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
14190 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
14191 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
14192 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
14193 your @sc{dvi} output program.
14194
14195 @cindex documentation
14196
14197 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
14198 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
14199 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
14200 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
14201 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
14202 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
14203
14204 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
14205 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
14206 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
14207 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
14208 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
14209 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
14210 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
14211 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
14212
14213 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
14214 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
14215 @code{makeinfo}.
14216
14217 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
14218 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
14219 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
14220
14221 @smallexample
14222 cd gdb
14223 make gdb.info
14224 @end smallexample
14225
14226 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
14227 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
14228 Texinfo definitions file.
14229
14230 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
14231 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
14232 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
14233 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
14234 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
14235 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
14236 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
14237
14238 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
14239 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
14240 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
14241 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
14242 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
14243 directory.
14244
14245 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
14246 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
14247 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
14248 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
14249
14250 @smallexample
14251 make gdb.dvi
14252 @end smallexample
14253
14254 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
14255
14256 @node Installing GDB
14257 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
14258 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
14259 @cindex installation
14260 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}, and source tree subdirectories
14261
14262 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
14263 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
14264 build the @code{gdb} program.
14265 @iftex
14266 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
14267 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
14268 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
14269 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
14270 @end iftex
14271
14272 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
14273 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
14274 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
14275
14276 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
14277 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
14278
14279 @table @code
14280 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
14281 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
14282
14283 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
14284 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
14285
14286 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
14287 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
14288
14289 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
14290 @sc{gnu} include files
14291
14292 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
14293 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
14294
14295 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
14296 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
14297
14298 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
14299 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
14300
14301 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
14302 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
14303
14304 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
14305 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
14306 @end table
14307
14308 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
14309 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
14310 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
14311
14312 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
14313 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
14314 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
14315 argument.
14316
14317 For example:
14318
14319 @smallexample
14320 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14321 ./configure @var{host}
14322 make
14323 @end smallexample
14324
14325 @noindent
14326 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
14327 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
14328 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
14329 correct value by examining your system.)
14330
14331 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
14332 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
14333 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
14334 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
14335
14336 @need 750
14337 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
14338 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
14339 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
14340
14341 @smallexample
14342 sh configure @var{host}
14343 @end smallexample
14344
14345 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
14346 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
14347 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
14348 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
14349 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
14350
14351 You should run the @code{configure} script from the top directory in the
14352 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
14353 @code{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
14354 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
14355 if you run the first @code{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
14356 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
14357 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
14358 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
14359 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
14360
14361 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
14362 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
14363 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
14364 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
14365 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
14366
14367 @menu
14368 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14369 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
14370 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
14371 @end menu
14372
14373 @node Separate Objdir
14374 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14375
14376 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
14377 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
14378 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
14379 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
14380 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
14381 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
14382 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
14383 program specified there.
14384
14385 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
14386 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
14387 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
14388 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
14389 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
14390 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
14391
14392 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
14393 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
14394
14395 @smallexample
14396 @group
14397 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14398 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
14399 cd ../gdb-sun4
14400 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
14401 make
14402 @end group
14403 @end smallexample
14404
14405 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
14406 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
14407 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
14408 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
14409 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
14410 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
14411
14412 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
14413 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
14414 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
14415 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
14416 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
14417
14418 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
14419 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
14420 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
14421 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
14422 You specify a cross-debugging target by
14423 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
14424
14425 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
14426 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
14427 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
14428
14429 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
14430 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
14431 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
14432 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
14433 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
14434
14435 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
14436 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
14437 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
14438 with each other.
14439
14440 @node Config Names
14441 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
14442
14443 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
14444 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
14445 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
14446 of information in the following pattern:
14447
14448 @smallexample
14449 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
14450 @end smallexample
14451
14452 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
14453 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
14454 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
14455
14456 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
14457 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
14458 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
14459 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
14460 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
14461 abbreviations---for example:
14462
14463 @smallexample
14464 % sh config.sub i386-linux
14465 i386-pc-linux-gnu
14466 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
14467 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
14468 % sh config.sub hp9k700
14469 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
14470 % sh config.sub sun4
14471 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
14472 % sh config.sub sun3
14473 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
14474 % sh config.sub i986v
14475 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
14476 @end smallexample
14477
14478 @noindent
14479 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
14480 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
14481
14482 @node Configure Options
14483 @section @code{configure} options
14484
14485 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
14486 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
14487 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
14488 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
14489
14490 @smallexample
14491 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
14492 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14493 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14494 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
14495 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
14496 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
14497 @var{host}
14498 @end smallexample
14499
14500 @noindent
14501 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
14502 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
14503 @samp{--}.
14504
14505 @table @code
14506 @item --help
14507 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
14508
14509 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
14510 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
14511 @file{@var{dir}}.
14512
14513 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
14514 Configure the source to install programs under directory
14515 @file{@var{dir}}.
14516
14517 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
14518 @need 2000
14519 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
14520 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
14521 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
14522 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
14523 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
14524 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
14525 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
14526 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
14527 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
14528 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
14529 @var{dirname}.
14530
14531 @item --norecursion
14532 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
14533 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
14534
14535 @item --target=@var{target}
14536 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
14537 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
14538 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
14539
14540 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
14541
14542 @item @var{host} @dots{}
14543 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
14544
14545 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
14546 @end table
14547
14548 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
14549 needed for special purposes only.
14550
14551 @node Maintenance Commands
14552 @appendix Maintenance Commands
14553 @cindex maintenance commands
14554 @cindex internal commands
14555
14556 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
14557 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers.
14558 These commands are provided here for reference.
14559
14560 @table @code
14561 @kindex maint info breakpoints
14562 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
14563 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
14564 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
14565 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
14566 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
14567 is shown:
14568
14569 @table @code
14570 @item breakpoint
14571 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
14572
14573 @item watchpoint
14574 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
14575
14576 @item longjmp
14577 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
14578 @code{longjmp} calls.
14579
14580 @item longjmp resume
14581 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
14582
14583 @item until
14584 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
14585
14586 @item finish
14587 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
14588
14589 @item shlib events
14590 Shared library events.
14591
14592 @end table
14593
14594 @kindex maint internal-error
14595 @kindex maint internal-warning
14596 @item maint internal-error
14597 @itemx maint internal-warning
14598 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
14599 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
14600 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
14601 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
14602 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
14603 @value{GDBN} session.
14604
14605 @smallexample
14606 (gdb) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
14607 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
14608 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
14609 debugging may prove unreliable.
14610 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
14611 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
14612 (gdb)
14613 @end smallexample
14614
14615 Takes an optional parameter that is used as the text of the error or
14616 warning message.
14617
14618 @kindex maint print registers
14619 @kindex maint print raw-registers
14620 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
14621 @kindex maint print register-groups
14622 @item maint print registers
14623 @itemx maint print raw-registers
14624 @itemx maint print cooked-registers
14625 @itemx maint print register-groups
14626 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
14627
14628 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
14629 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
14630 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
14631 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
14632 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
14633 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
14634
14635 Takes an optional file parameter.
14636
14637 @kindex maint print reggroups
14638 @item maint print reggroups
14639 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures.
14640
14641 Takes an optional file parameter.
14642
14643 @smallexample
14644 (gdb) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
14645 Group Type
14646 general user
14647 float user
14648 all user
14649 vector user
14650 system user
14651 save internal
14652 restore internal
14653 @end smallexample
14654
14655 @kindex maint set profile
14656 @kindex maint show profile
14657 @cindex profiling GDB
14658 @item maint set profile
14659 @itemx maint show profile
14660 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
14661
14662 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
14663 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
14664 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
14665 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
14666 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
14667 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
14668 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
14669
14670 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
14671 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
14672
14673 @end table
14674
14675
14676 @node Remote Protocol
14677 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
14678
14679 @menu
14680 * Overview::
14681 * Packets::
14682 * Stop Reply Packets::
14683 * General Query Packets::
14684 * Register Packet Format::
14685 * Examples::
14686 @end menu
14687
14688 @node Overview
14689 @section Overview
14690
14691 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
14692 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
14693 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
14694 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
14695
14696 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
14697 transmitted and received data respectfully.
14698
14699 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
14700 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
14701 @cindex remote serial protocol
14702 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
14703 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
14704 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
14705 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
14706
14707 @smallexample
14708 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
14709 @end smallexample
14710 @noindent
14711
14712 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
14713 @noindent
14714 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
14715 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
14716 eight bit unsigned checksum).
14717
14718 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
14719 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
14720
14721 @smallexample
14722 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
14723 @end smallexample
14724
14725 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
14726 @noindent
14727 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
14728 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
14729 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
14730
14731 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
14732 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
14733 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
14734 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
14735 retransmission):
14736
14737 @smallexample
14738 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
14739 <- @code{+}
14740 @end smallexample
14741 @noindent
14742
14743 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
14744 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
14745 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
14746 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
14747
14748 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
14749 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
14750 exceptions).
14751
14752 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
14753 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
14754 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
14755 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
14756
14757 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
14758 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
14759 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
14760
14761 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
14762 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
14763 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
14764 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
14765 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
14766 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
14767 value greater than 126 should not be used.
14768
14769 Some remote systems have used a different run-length encoding mechanism
14770 loosely refered to as the cisco encoding. Following the @samp{*}
14771 character are two hex digits that indicate the size of the packet.
14772
14773 So:
14774 @smallexample
14775 "@code{0* }"
14776 @end smallexample
14777 @noindent
14778 means the same as "0000".
14779
14780 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
14781 error number. That number is not well defined.
14782
14783 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
14784 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
14785 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
14786 on that response.
14787
14788 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
14789 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
14790 optional.
14791
14792 @node Packets
14793 @section Packets
14794
14795 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
14796 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
14797
14798 @table @r
14799
14800 @item @code{!} --- extended mode
14801 @cindex @code{!} packet
14802
14803 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
14804 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
14805 debugged.
14806
14807 Reply:
14808 @table @samp
14809 @item OK
14810 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
14811 @end table
14812
14813 @item @code{?} --- last signal
14814 @cindex @code{?} packet
14815
14816 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
14817 step and continue.
14818
14819 Reply:
14820 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
14821
14822 @item @code{a} --- reserved
14823
14824 Reserved for future use.
14825
14826 @item @code{A}@var{arglen}@code{,}@var{argnum}@code{,}@var{arg}@code{,@dots{}} --- set program arguments @strong{(reserved)}
14827 @cindex @code{A} packet
14828
14829 Initialized @samp{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
14830 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream @var{arg}.
14831 See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
14832
14833 Reply:
14834 @table @samp
14835 @item OK
14836 @item E@var{NN}
14837 @end table
14838
14839 @item @code{b}@var{baud} --- set baud @strong{(deprecated)}
14840 @cindex @code{b} packet
14841
14842 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
14843
14844 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
14845 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
14846 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
14847
14848 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
14849 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
14850 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
14851 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
14852 of view, nothing actually happened.}
14853
14854 @item @code{B}@var{addr},@var{mode} --- set breakpoint @strong{(deprecated)}
14855 @cindex @code{B} packet
14856
14857 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
14858 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
14859
14860 This packet has been replaced by the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets
14861 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
14862
14863 @item @code{c}@var{addr} --- continue
14864 @cindex @code{c} packet
14865
14866 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
14867 current address.
14868
14869 Reply:
14870 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
14871
14872 @item @code{C}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr} --- continue with signal
14873 @cindex @code{C} packet
14874
14875 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
14876 @code{;}@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
14877
14878 Reply:
14879 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
14880
14881 @item @code{d} --- toggle debug @strong{(deprecated)}
14882 @cindex @code{d} packet
14883
14884 Toggle debug flag.
14885
14886 @item @code{D} --- detach
14887 @cindex @code{D} packet
14888
14889 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target
14890 before @value{GDBN} disconnects.
14891
14892 Reply:
14893 @table @samp
14894 @item @emph{no response}
14895 @value{GDBN} does not check for any response after sending this packet.
14896 @end table
14897
14898 @item @code{e} --- reserved
14899
14900 Reserved for future use.
14901
14902 @item @code{E} --- reserved
14903
14904 Reserved for future use.
14905
14906 @item @code{f} --- reserved
14907
14908 Reserved for future use.
14909
14910 @item @code{F} --- reserved
14911
14912 Reserved for future use.
14913
14914 @item @code{g} --- read registers
14915 @anchor{read registers packet}
14916 @cindex @code{g} packet
14917
14918 Read general registers.
14919
14920 Reply:
14921 @table @samp
14922 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
14923 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
14924 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
14925 each register and their position within the @samp{g} @var{packet} are
14926 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros @var{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE}
14927 and @var{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The specification of several standard
14928 @code{g} packets is specified below.
14929 @item E@var{NN}
14930 for an error.
14931 @end table
14932
14933 @item @code{G}@var{XX@dots{}} --- write regs
14934 @cindex @code{G} packet
14935
14936 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of the @var{XX@dots{}}
14937 data.
14938
14939 Reply:
14940 @table @samp
14941 @item OK
14942 for success
14943 @item E@var{NN}
14944 for an error
14945 @end table
14946
14947 @item @code{h} --- reserved
14948
14949 Reserved for future use.
14950
14951 @item @code{H}@var{c}@var{t@dots{}} --- set thread
14952 @cindex @code{H} packet
14953
14954 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
14955 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
14956 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
14957 operations. The thread designator @var{t@dots{}} may be -1, meaning all
14958 the threads, a thread number, or zero which means pick any thread.
14959
14960 Reply:
14961 @table @samp
14962 @item OK
14963 for success
14964 @item E@var{NN}
14965 for an error
14966 @end table
14967
14968 @c FIXME: JTC:
14969 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
14970 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
14971 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
14972 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
14973 @c described. For example:
14974 @c
14975 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
14976 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
14977 @c otherwise returns current registers.
14978 @c
14979 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
14980 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
14981 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
14982
14983 @item @code{i}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{nnn} --- cycle step @strong{(draft)}
14984 @anchor{cycle step packet}
14985 @cindex @code{i} packet
14986
14987 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @code{,}@var{nnn} is
14988 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
14989 step starting at that address.
14990
14991 @item @code{I} --- signal then cycle step @strong{(reserved)}
14992 @cindex @code{I} packet
14993
14994 @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle step packet}.
14995
14996 @item @code{j} --- reserved
14997
14998 Reserved for future use.
14999
15000 @item @code{J} --- reserved
15001
15002 Reserved for future use.
15003
15004 @item @code{k} --- kill request
15005 @cindex @code{k} packet
15006
15007 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
15008 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
15009 thread?)}.
15010
15011 @item @code{K} --- reserved
15012
15013 Reserved for future use.
15014
15015 @item @code{l} --- reserved
15016
15017 Reserved for future use.
15018
15019 @item @code{L} --- reserved
15020
15021 Reserved for future use.
15022
15023 @item @code{m}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- read memory
15024 @cindex @code{m} packet
15025
15026 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
15027 Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that sized memory transfers are
15028 assumed using word aligned accesses. FIXME: @emph{A word aligned memory
15029 transfer mechanism is needed.}
15030
15031 Reply:
15032 @table @samp
15033 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
15034 @var{XX@dots{}} is mem contents. Can be fewer bytes than requested if able
15035 to read only part of the data. Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume
15036 that sized memory transfers are assumed using word aligned
15037 accesses. FIXME: @emph{A word aligned memory transfer mechanism is
15038 needed.}
15039 @item E@var{NN}
15040 @var{NN} is errno
15041 @end table
15042
15043 @item @code{M}@var{addr},@var{length}@code{:}@var{XX@dots{}} --- write mem
15044 @cindex @code{M} packet
15045
15046 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
15047 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data.
15048
15049 Reply:
15050 @table @samp
15051 @item OK
15052 for success
15053 @item E@var{NN}
15054 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
15055 written).
15056 @end table
15057
15058 @item @code{n} --- reserved
15059
15060 Reserved for future use.
15061
15062 @item @code{N} --- reserved
15063
15064 Reserved for future use.
15065
15066 @item @code{o} --- reserved
15067
15068 Reserved for future use.
15069
15070 @item @code{O} --- reserved
15071
15072 Reserved for future use.
15073
15074 @item @code{p}@var{n@dots{}} --- read reg @strong{(reserved)}
15075 @cindex @code{p} packet
15076
15077 @xref{write register packet}.
15078
15079 Reply:
15080 @table @samp
15081 @item @var{r@dots{}.}
15082 The hex encoded value of the register in target byte order.
15083 @end table
15084
15085 @item @code{P}@var{n@dots{}}@code{=}@var{r@dots{}} --- write register
15086 @anchor{write register packet}
15087 @cindex @code{P} packet
15088
15089 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}, which contains two hex
15090 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
15091
15092 Reply:
15093 @table @samp
15094 @item OK
15095 for success
15096 @item E@var{NN}
15097 for an error
15098 @end table
15099
15100 @item @code{q}@var{query} --- general query
15101 @anchor{general query packet}
15102 @cindex @code{q} packet
15103
15104 Request info about @var{query}. In general @value{GDBN} queries have a
15105 leading upper case letter. Custom vendor queries should use a company
15106 prefix (in lower case) ex: @samp{qfsf.var}. @var{query} may optionally
15107 be followed by a @samp{,} or @samp{;} separated list. Stubs must ensure
15108 that they match the full @var{query} name.
15109
15110 Reply:
15111 @table @samp
15112 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
15113 Hex encoded data from query. The reply can not be empty.
15114 @item E@var{NN}
15115 error reply
15116 @item
15117 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
15118 @end table
15119
15120 @item @code{Q}@var{var}@code{=}@var{val} --- general set
15121 @cindex @code{Q} packet
15122
15123 Set value of @var{var} to @var{val}.
15124
15125 @xref{general query packet}, for a discussion of naming conventions.
15126
15127 @item @code{r} --- reset @strong{(deprecated)}
15128 @cindex @code{r} packet
15129
15130 Reset the entire system.
15131
15132 @item @code{R}@var{XX} --- remote restart
15133 @cindex @code{R} packet
15134
15135 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
15136 This packet is only available in extended mode.
15137
15138 Reply:
15139 @table @samp
15140 @item @emph{no reply}
15141 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
15142 @end table
15143
15144 @item @code{s}@var{addr} --- step
15145 @cindex @code{s} packet
15146
15147 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
15148 same address.
15149
15150 Reply:
15151 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
15152
15153 @item @code{S}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr} --- step with signal
15154 @anchor{step with signal packet}
15155 @cindex @code{S} packet
15156
15157 Like @samp{C} but step not continue.
15158
15159 Reply:
15160 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
15161
15162 @item @code{t}@var{addr}@code{:}@var{PP}@code{,}@var{MM} --- search
15163 @cindex @code{t} packet
15164
15165 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
15166 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
15167 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
15168
15169 @item @code{T}@var{XX} --- thread alive
15170 @cindex @code{T} packet
15171
15172 Find out if the thread XX is alive.
15173
15174 Reply:
15175 @table @samp
15176 @item OK
15177 thread is still alive
15178 @item E@var{NN}
15179 thread is dead
15180 @end table
15181
15182 @item @code{u} --- reserved
15183
15184 Reserved for future use.
15185
15186 @item @code{U} --- reserved
15187
15188 Reserved for future use.
15189
15190 @item @code{v} --- reserved
15191
15192 Reserved for future use.
15193
15194 @item @code{V} --- reserved
15195
15196 Reserved for future use.
15197
15198 @item @code{w} --- reserved
15199
15200 Reserved for future use.
15201
15202 @item @code{W} --- reserved
15203
15204 Reserved for future use.
15205
15206 @item @code{x} --- reserved
15207
15208 Reserved for future use.
15209
15210 @item @code{X}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}@var{:}@var{XX@dots{}} --- write mem (binary)
15211 @cindex @code{X} packet
15212
15213 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes, @var{XX@dots{}}
15214 is binary data. The characters @code{$}, @code{#}, and @code{0x7d} are
15215 escaped using @code{0x7d}.
15216
15217 Reply:
15218 @table @samp
15219 @item OK
15220 for success
15221 @item E@var{NN}
15222 for an error
15223 @end table
15224
15225 @item @code{y} --- reserved
15226
15227 Reserved for future use.
15228
15229 @item @code{Y} reserved
15230
15231 Reserved for future use.
15232
15233 @item @code{z}@var{type}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove breakpoint or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15234 @itemx @code{Z}@var{type}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert breakpoint or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15235 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
15236 @cindex @code{z} packet
15237 @cindex @code{Z} packets
15238
15239 Insert (@code{Z}) or remove (@code{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
15240 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
15241 @var{length} bytes.
15242
15243 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
15244 separately.
15245
15246 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
15247 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
15248 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
15249 @code{Z}@var{type}@dots{} and @code{z}@var{type}@dots{} packet pair. To
15250 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
15251 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
15252
15253 @item @code{z}@code{0}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove memory breakpoint @strong{(draft)}
15254 @item @code{Z}@code{0}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert memory breakpoint @strong{(draft)}
15255 @cindex @code{z0} packet
15256 @cindex @code{Z0} packet
15257
15258 Insert (@code{Z0}) or remove (@code{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
15259 @code{addr} of size @code{length}.
15260
15261 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
15262 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
15263 @code{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
15264 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
15265 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
15266
15267 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
15268 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
15269 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
15270 target, is not defined.}
15271
15272 Reply:
15273 @table @samp
15274 @item OK
15275 success
15276 @item
15277 not supported
15278 @item E@var{NN}
15279 for an error
15280 @end table
15281
15282 @item @code{z}@code{1}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove hardware breakpoint @strong{(draft)}
15283 @item @code{Z}@code{1}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert hardware breakpoint @strong{(draft)}
15284 @cindex @code{z1} packet
15285 @cindex @code{Z1} packet
15286
15287 Insert (@code{Z1}) or remove (@code{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
15288 address @code{addr} of size @code{length}.
15289
15290 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
15291 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
15292
15293 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
15294 movement.}
15295
15296 Reply:
15297 @table @samp
15298 @item OK
15299 success
15300 @item
15301 not supported
15302 @item E@var{NN}
15303 for an error
15304 @end table
15305
15306 @item @code{z}@code{2}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove write watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15307 @item @code{Z}@code{2}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert write watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15308 @cindex @code{z2} packet
15309 @cindex @code{Z2} packet
15310
15311 Insert (@code{Z2}) or remove (@code{z2}) a write watchpoint.
15312
15313 Reply:
15314 @table @samp
15315 @item OK
15316 success
15317 @item
15318 not supported
15319 @item E@var{NN}
15320 for an error
15321 @end table
15322
15323 @item @code{z}@code{3}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove read watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15324 @item @code{Z}@code{3}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert read watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15325 @cindex @code{z3} packet
15326 @cindex @code{Z3} packet
15327
15328 Insert (@code{Z3}) or remove (@code{z3}) a read watchpoint.
15329
15330 Reply:
15331 @table @samp
15332 @item OK
15333 success
15334 @item
15335 not supported
15336 @item E@var{NN}
15337 for an error
15338 @end table
15339
15340 @item @code{z}@code{4}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- remove access watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15341 @item @code{Z}@code{4}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- insert access watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
15342 @cindex @code{z4} packet
15343 @cindex @code{Z4} packet
15344
15345 Insert (@code{Z4}) or remove (@code{z4}) an access watchpoint.
15346
15347 Reply:
15348 @table @samp
15349 @item OK
15350 success
15351 @item
15352 not supported
15353 @item E@var{NN}
15354 for an error
15355 @end table
15356
15357 @end table
15358
15359 @node Stop Reply Packets
15360 @section Stop Reply Packets
15361 @cindex stop reply packets
15362
15363 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
15364 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
15365 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
15366 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @samp{signal
15367 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal numbering
15368 conventions is used.
15369
15370 @table @samp
15371
15372 @item S@var{AA}
15373 @var{AA} is the signal number
15374
15375 @item @code{T}@var{AA}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}
15376 @cindex @code{T} packet reply
15377
15378 @var{AA} = two hex digit signal number; @var{n...} = register number
15379 (hex), @var{r...} = target byte ordered register contents, size defined
15380 by @code{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE}; @var{n...} = @samp{thread}, @var{r...} =
15381 thread process ID, this is a hex integer; @var{n...} = (@samp{watch} |
15382 @samp{rwatch} | @samp{awatch}, @var{r...} = data address, this is a hex
15383 integer; @var{n...} = other string not starting with valid hex digit.
15384 @value{GDBN} should ignore this @var{n...}, @var{r...} pair and go on
15385 to the next. This way we can extend the protocol.
15386
15387 @item W@var{AA}
15388
15389 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
15390 applicable to certain targets.
15391
15392 @item X@var{AA}
15393
15394 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
15395
15396 @item N@var{AA};@var{t@dots{}};@var{d@dots{}};@var{b@dots{}} @strong{(obsolete)}
15397
15398 @var{AA} = signal number; @var{t@dots{}} = address of symbol
15399 @code{_start}; @var{d@dots{}} = base of data section; @var{b@dots{}} =
15400 base of bss section. @emph{Note: only used by Cisco Systems targets.
15401 The difference between this reply and the @samp{qOffsets} query is that
15402 the @samp{N} packet may arrive spontaneously whereas the @samp{qOffsets}
15403 is a query initiated by the host debugger.}
15404
15405 @item O@var{XX@dots{}}
15406
15407 @var{XX@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data. This can happen at
15408 any time while the program is running and the debugger should continue
15409 to wait for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc.
15410
15411 @end table
15412
15413 @node General Query Packets
15414 @section General Query Packets
15415
15416 The following set and query packets have already been defined.
15417
15418 @table @r
15419
15420 @item @code{q}@code{C} --- current thread
15421
15422 Return the current thread id.
15423
15424 Reply:
15425 @table @samp
15426 @item @code{QC}@var{pid}
15427 Where @var{pid} is a HEX encoded 16 bit process id.
15428 @item *
15429 Any other reply implies the old pid.
15430 @end table
15431
15432 @item @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo} -- all thread ids
15433
15434 @code{q}@code{sThreadInfo}
15435
15436 Obtain a list of active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
15437 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
15438 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
15439 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
15440 be the @code{qf}@code{ThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
15441 sequence will be the @code{qs}@code{ThreadInfo} query.
15442
15443 NOTE: replaces the @code{qL} query (see below).
15444
15445 Reply:
15446 @table @samp
15447 @item @code{m}@var{id}
15448 A single thread id
15449 @item @code{m}@var{id},@var{id}@dots{}
15450 a comma-separated list of thread ids
15451 @item @code{l}
15452 (lower case 'el') denotes end of list.
15453 @end table
15454
15455 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
15456 more thread ids, in big-endian hex, separated by commas. @value{GDBN}
15457 will respond to each reply with a request for more thread ids (using the
15458 @code{qs} form of the query), until the target responds with @code{l}
15459 (lower-case el, for @code{'last'}).
15460
15461 @item @code{q}@code{ThreadExtraInfo}@code{,}@var{id} --- extra thread info
15462
15463 Where @var{id} is a thread-id in big-endian hex. Obtain a printable
15464 string description of a thread's attributes from the target OS. This
15465 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting for
15466 @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is displayed
15467 in @value{GDBN}'s @samp{info threads} display. Some examples of
15468 possible thread extra info strings are ``Runnable'', or ``Blocked on
15469 Mutex''.
15470
15471 Reply:
15472 @table @samp
15473 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
15474 Where @var{XX@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, comprising
15475 the printable string containing the extra information about the thread's
15476 attributes.
15477 @end table
15478
15479 @item @code{q}@code{L}@var{startflag}@var{threadcount}@var{nextthread} --- query @var{LIST} or @var{threadLIST} @strong{(deprecated)}
15480
15481 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
15482 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
15483 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
15484 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
15485 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
15486 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
15487
15488 NOTE: this query is replaced by the @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo} query
15489 (see above).
15490
15491 Reply:
15492 @table @samp
15493 @item @code{q}@code{M}@var{count}@var{done}@var{argthread}@var{thread@dots{}}
15494 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
15495 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
15496 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
15497 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread@dots{}}
15498 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
15499 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
15500 @end table
15501
15502 @item @code{q}@code{CRC:}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length} --- compute CRC of memory block
15503
15504 Reply:
15505 @table @samp
15506 @item @code{E}@var{NN}
15507 An error (such as memory fault)
15508 @item @code{C}@var{CRC32}
15509 A 32 bit cyclic redundancy check of the specified memory region.
15510 @end table
15511
15512 @item @code{q}@code{Offsets} --- query sect offs
15513
15514 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
15515 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
15516 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
15517 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
15518
15519 Reply:
15520 @table @samp
15521 @item @code{Text=}@var{xxx}@code{;Data=}@var{yyy}@code{;Bss=}@var{zzz}
15522 @end table
15523
15524 @item @code{q}@code{P}@var{mode}@var{threadid} --- thread info request
15525
15526 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
15527 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
15528
15529 Reply:
15530 @table @samp
15531 @item *
15532 @end table
15533
15534 See @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
15535
15536 @item @code{q}@code{Rcmd,}@var{command} --- remote command
15537
15538 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
15539 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output string.
15540 Before the final result packet, the target may also respond with a
15541 number of intermediate @code{O}@var{output} console output packets.
15542 @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a stubs's
15543 interpreter may have security implications}.
15544
15545 Reply:
15546 @table @samp
15547 @item OK
15548 A command response with no output.
15549 @item @var{OUTPUT}
15550 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
15551 @item @code{E}@var{NN}
15552 Indicate a badly formed request.
15553 @item @samp{}
15554 When @samp{q}@samp{Rcmd} is not recognized.
15555 @end table
15556
15557 @item @code{qSymbol::} --- symbol lookup
15558
15559 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
15560 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
15561
15562 Reply:
15563 @table @samp
15564 @item @code{OK}
15565 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
15566 @item @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
15567 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
15568 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
15569 @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name} message, described below.
15570 @end table
15571
15572 @item @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name} --- symbol value
15573
15574 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
15575
15576 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
15577 target has previously requested.
15578
15579 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
15580 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
15581 will be empty.
15582
15583 Reply:
15584 @table @samp
15585 @item @code{OK}
15586 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
15587 @item @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
15588 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
15589 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
15590 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
15591 @end table
15592
15593 @end table
15594
15595 @node Register Packet Format
15596 @section Register Packet Format
15597
15598 The following @samp{g}/@samp{G} packets have previously been defined.
15599 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
15600 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
15601 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target
15602 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered
15603 most-significant - least-significant.
15604
15605 @table @r
15606
15607 @item MIPS32
15608
15609 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
15610 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
15611 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
15612
15613 @item MIPS64
15614
15615 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
15616 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
15617 as @code{MIPS32}.
15618
15619 @end table
15620
15621 @node Examples
15622 @section Examples
15623
15624 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
15625 does not get any direct output:
15626
15627 @smallexample
15628 -> @code{R00}
15629 <- @code{+}
15630 @emph{target restarts}
15631 -> @code{?}
15632 <- @code{+}
15633 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
15634 -> @code{+}
15635 @end smallexample
15636
15637 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
15638
15639 @smallexample
15640 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
15641 <- @code{+}
15642 -> @code{s}
15643 <- @code{+}
15644 @emph{time passes}
15645 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
15646 -> @code{+}
15647 -> @code{g}
15648 <- @code{+}
15649 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
15650 -> @code{+}
15651 @end smallexample
15652
15653 @include gpl.texi
15654
15655 @include fdl.texi
15656
15657 @node Index
15658 @unnumbered Index
15659
15660 @printindex cp
15661
15662 @tex
15663 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
15664 % meantime:
15665 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
15666 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
15667 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
15668 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
15669 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
15670 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
15671 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
15672 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
15673 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
15674 \page\colophon
15675 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
15676 @end tex
15677
15678 @bye