* arch-utils.c (TARGET_BYTE_ORDER_DEFAULT): Delete macro.
[binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdbint.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*- texinfo -*-
2 @setfilename gdbint.info
3 @include gdb-cfg.texi
4 @dircategory Programming & development tools.
5 @direntry
6 * Gdb-Internals: (gdbint). The GNU debugger's internals.
7 @end direntry
8
9 @ifinfo
10 This file documents the internals of the GNU debugger @value{GDBN}.
11 Copyright 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002
12 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
13 Contributed by Cygnus Solutions. Written by John Gilmore.
14 Second Edition by Stan Shebs.
15
16 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
17 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
18 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
19 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
20 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
21
22 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
23 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
24 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
25 @end ifinfo
26
27 @setchapternewpage off
28 @settitle @value{GDBN} Internals
29
30 @syncodeindex fn cp
31 @syncodeindex vr cp
32
33 @titlepage
34 @title @value{GDBN} Internals
35 @subtitle{A guide to the internals of the GNU debugger}
36 @author John Gilmore
37 @author Cygnus Solutions
38 @author Second Edition:
39 @author Stan Shebs
40 @author Cygnus Solutions
41 @page
42 @tex
43 \def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
44 \xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
45 {\parskip=0pt
46 \hfill Cygnus Solutions\par
47 \hfill \manvers\par
48 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
49 }
50 @end tex
51
52 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001
54 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
55
56 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
57 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
58 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
59 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
64 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
65 @end titlepage
66
67 @contents
68
69 @node Top
70 @c Perhaps this should be the title of the document (but only for info,
71 @c not for TeX). Existing GNU manuals seem inconsistent on this point.
72 @top Scope of this Document
73
74 This document documents the internals of the GNU debugger, @value{GDBN}. It
75 includes description of @value{GDBN}'s key algorithms and operations, as well
76 as the mechanisms that adapt @value{GDBN} to specific hosts and targets.
77
78 @menu
79 * Requirements::
80 * Overall Structure::
81 * Algorithms::
82 * User Interface::
83 * libgdb::
84 * Symbol Handling::
85 * Language Support::
86 * Host Definition::
87 * Target Architecture Definition::
88 * Target Vector Definition::
89 * Native Debugging::
90 * Support Libraries::
91 * Coding::
92 * Porting GDB::
93 * Releasing GDB::
94 * Testsuite::
95 * Hints::
96 * Index::
97 @end menu
98
99 @node Requirements
100
101 @chapter Requirements
102 @cindex requirements for @value{GDBN}
103
104 Before diving into the internals, you should understand the formal
105 requirements and other expectations for @value{GDBN}. Although some
106 of these may seem obvious, there have been proposals for @value{GDBN}
107 that have run counter to these requirements.
108
109 First of all, @value{GDBN} is a debugger. It's not designed to be a
110 front panel for embedded systems. It's not a text editor. It's not a
111 shell. It's not a programming environment.
112
113 @value{GDBN} is an interactive tool. Although a batch mode is
114 available, @value{GDBN}'s primary role is to interact with a human
115 programmer.
116
117 @value{GDBN} should be responsive to the user. A programmer hot on
118 the trail of a nasty bug, and operating under a looming deadline, is
119 going to be very impatient of everything, including the response time
120 to debugger commands.
121
122 @value{GDBN} should be relatively permissive, such as for expressions.
123 While the compiler should be picky (or have the option to be made
124 picky), since source code lives for a long time usually, the
125 programmer doing debugging shouldn't be spending time figuring out to
126 mollify the debugger.
127
128 @value{GDBN} will be called upon to deal with really large programs.
129 Executable sizes of 50 to 100 megabytes occur regularly, and we've
130 heard reports of programs approaching 1 gigabyte in size.
131
132 @value{GDBN} should be able to run everywhere. No other debugger is
133 available for even half as many configurations as @value{GDBN}
134 supports.
135
136
137 @node Overall Structure
138
139 @chapter Overall Structure
140
141 @value{GDBN} consists of three major subsystems: user interface,
142 symbol handling (the @dfn{symbol side}), and target system handling (the
143 @dfn{target side}).
144
145 The user interface consists of several actual interfaces, plus
146 supporting code.
147
148 The symbol side consists of object file readers, debugging info
149 interpreters, symbol table management, source language expression
150 parsing, type and value printing.
151
152 The target side consists of execution control, stack frame analysis, and
153 physical target manipulation.
154
155 The target side/symbol side division is not formal, and there are a
156 number of exceptions. For instance, core file support involves symbolic
157 elements (the basic core file reader is in BFD) and target elements (it
158 supplies the contents of memory and the values of registers). Instead,
159 this division is useful for understanding how the minor subsystems
160 should fit together.
161
162 @section The Symbol Side
163
164 The symbolic side of @value{GDBN} can be thought of as ``everything
165 you can do in @value{GDBN} without having a live program running''.
166 For instance, you can look at the types of variables, and evaluate
167 many kinds of expressions.
168
169 @section The Target Side
170
171 The target side of @value{GDBN} is the ``bits and bytes manipulator''.
172 Although it may make reference to symbolic info here and there, most
173 of the target side will run with only a stripped executable
174 available---or even no executable at all, in remote debugging cases.
175
176 Operations such as disassembly, stack frame crawls, and register
177 display, are able to work with no symbolic info at all. In some cases,
178 such as disassembly, @value{GDBN} will use symbolic info to present addresses
179 relative to symbols rather than as raw numbers, but it will work either
180 way.
181
182 @section Configurations
183
184 @cindex host
185 @cindex target
186 @dfn{Host} refers to attributes of the system where @value{GDBN} runs.
187 @dfn{Target} refers to the system where the program being debugged
188 executes. In most cases they are the same machine, in which case a
189 third type of @dfn{Native} attributes come into play.
190
191 Defines and include files needed to build on the host are host support.
192 Examples are tty support, system defined types, host byte order, host
193 float format.
194
195 Defines and information needed to handle the target format are target
196 dependent. Examples are the stack frame format, instruction set,
197 breakpoint instruction, registers, and how to set up and tear down the stack
198 to call a function.
199
200 Information that is only needed when the host and target are the same,
201 is native dependent. One example is Unix child process support; if the
202 host and target are not the same, doing a fork to start the target
203 process is a bad idea. The various macros needed for finding the
204 registers in the @code{upage}, running @code{ptrace}, and such are all
205 in the native-dependent files.
206
207 Another example of native-dependent code is support for features that
208 are really part of the target environment, but which require
209 @code{#include} files that are only available on the host system. Core
210 file handling and @code{setjmp} handling are two common cases.
211
212 When you want to make @value{GDBN} work ``native'' on a particular machine, you
213 have to include all three kinds of information.
214
215
216 @node Algorithms
217
218 @chapter Algorithms
219 @cindex algorithms
220
221 @value{GDBN} uses a number of debugging-specific algorithms. They are
222 often not very complicated, but get lost in the thicket of special
223 cases and real-world issues. This chapter describes the basic
224 algorithms and mentions some of the specific target definitions that
225 they use.
226
227 @section Frames
228
229 @cindex frame
230 @cindex call stack frame
231 A frame is a construct that @value{GDBN} uses to keep track of calling
232 and called functions.
233
234 @findex create_new_frame
235 @vindex FRAME_FP
236 @code{FRAME_FP} in the machine description has no meaning to the
237 machine-independent part of @value{GDBN}, except that it is used when
238 setting up a new frame from scratch, as follows:
239
240 @example
241 create_new_frame (read_register (FP_REGNUM), read_pc ()));
242 @end example
243
244 @cindex frame pointer register
245 Other than that, all the meaning imparted to @code{FP_REGNUM} is
246 imparted by the machine-dependent code. So, @code{FP_REGNUM} can have
247 any value that is convenient for the code that creates new frames.
248 (@code{create_new_frame} calls @code{INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO} if it is
249 defined; that is where you should use the @code{FP_REGNUM} value, if
250 your frames are nonstandard.)
251
252 @cindex frame chain
253 Given a @value{GDBN} frame, define @code{FRAME_CHAIN} to determine the
254 address of the calling function's frame. This will be used to create
255 a new @value{GDBN} frame struct, and then @code{INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO}
256 and @code{INIT_FRAME_PC} will be called for the new frame.
257
258 @section Breakpoint Handling
259
260 @cindex breakpoints
261 In general, a breakpoint is a user-designated location in the program
262 where the user wants to regain control if program execution ever reaches
263 that location.
264
265 There are two main ways to implement breakpoints; either as ``hardware''
266 breakpoints or as ``software'' breakpoints.
267
268 @cindex hardware breakpoints
269 @cindex program counter
270 Hardware breakpoints are sometimes available as a builtin debugging
271 features with some chips. Typically these work by having dedicated
272 register into which the breakpoint address may be stored. If the PC
273 (shorthand for @dfn{program counter})
274 ever matches a value in a breakpoint registers, the CPU raises an
275 exception and reports it to @value{GDBN}.
276
277 Another possibility is when an emulator is in use; many emulators
278 include circuitry that watches the address lines coming out from the
279 processor, and force it to stop if the address matches a breakpoint's
280 address.
281
282 A third possibility is that the target already has the ability to do
283 breakpoints somehow; for instance, a ROM monitor may do its own
284 software breakpoints. So although these are not literally ``hardware
285 breakpoints'', from @value{GDBN}'s point of view they work the same;
286 @value{GDBN} need not do nothing more than set the breakpoint and wait
287 for something to happen.
288
289 Since they depend on hardware resources, hardware breakpoints may be
290 limited in number; when the user asks for more, @value{GDBN} will
291 start trying to set software breakpoints. (On some architectures,
292 notably the 32-bit x86 platforms, @value{GDBN} cannot alsways know
293 whether there's enough hardware resources to insert all the hardware
294 breakpoints and watchpoints. On those platforms, @value{GDBN} prints
295 an error message only when the program being debugged is continued.)
296
297 @cindex software breakpoints
298 Software breakpoints require @value{GDBN} to do somewhat more work.
299 The basic theory is that @value{GDBN} will replace a program
300 instruction with a trap, illegal divide, or some other instruction
301 that will cause an exception, and then when it's encountered,
302 @value{GDBN} will take the exception and stop the program. When the
303 user says to continue, @value{GDBN} will restore the original
304 instruction, single-step, re-insert the trap, and continue on.
305
306 Since it literally overwrites the program being tested, the program area
307 must be writable, so this technique won't work on programs in ROM. It
308 can also distort the behavior of programs that examine themselves,
309 although such a situation would be highly unusual.
310
311 Also, the software breakpoint instruction should be the smallest size of
312 instruction, so it doesn't overwrite an instruction that might be a jump
313 target, and cause disaster when the program jumps into the middle of the
314 breakpoint instruction. (Strictly speaking, the breakpoint must be no
315 larger than the smallest interval between instructions that may be jump
316 targets; perhaps there is an architecture where only even-numbered
317 instructions may jumped to.) Note that it's possible for an instruction
318 set not to have any instructions usable for a software breakpoint,
319 although in practice only the ARC has failed to define such an
320 instruction.
321
322 @findex BREAKPOINT
323 The basic definition of the software breakpoint is the macro
324 @code{BREAKPOINT}.
325
326 Basic breakpoint object handling is in @file{breakpoint.c}. However,
327 much of the interesting breakpoint action is in @file{infrun.c}.
328
329 @section Single Stepping
330
331 @section Signal Handling
332
333 @section Thread Handling
334
335 @section Inferior Function Calls
336
337 @section Longjmp Support
338
339 @cindex @code{longjmp} debugging
340 @value{GDBN} has support for figuring out that the target is doing a
341 @code{longjmp} and for stopping at the target of the jump, if we are
342 stepping. This is done with a few specialized internal breakpoints,
343 which are visible in the output of the @samp{maint info breakpoint}
344 command.
345
346 @findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
347 To make this work, you need to define a macro called
348 @code{GET_LONGJMP_TARGET}, which will examine the @code{jmp_buf}
349 structure and extract the longjmp target address. Since @code{jmp_buf}
350 is target specific, you will need to define it in the appropriate
351 @file{tm-@var{target}.h} file. Look in @file{tm-sun4os4.h} and
352 @file{sparc-tdep.c} for examples of how to do this.
353
354 @section Watchpoints
355 @cindex watchpoints
356
357 Watchpoints are a special kind of breakpoints (@pxref{Algorithms,
358 breakpoints}) which break when data is accessed rather than when some
359 instruction is executed. When you have data which changes without
360 your knowing what code does that, watchpoints are the silver bullet to
361 hunt down and kill such bugs.
362
363 @cindex hardware watchpoints
364 @cindex software watchpoints
365 Watchpoints can be either hardware-assisted or not; the latter type is
366 known as ``software watchpoints.'' @value{GDBN} always uses
367 hardware-assisted watchpoints if they are available, and falls back on
368 software watchpoints otherwise. Typical situations where @value{GDBN}
369 will use software watchpoints are:
370
371 @itemize @bullet
372 @item
373 The watched memory region is too large for the underlying hardware
374 watchpoint support. For example, each x86 debug register can watch up
375 to 4 bytes of memory, so trying to watch data structures whose size is
376 more than 16 bytes will cause @value{GDBN} to use software
377 watchpoints.
378
379 @item
380 The value of the expression to be watched depends on data held in
381 registers (as opposed to memory).
382
383 @item
384 Too many different watchpoints requested. (On some architectures,
385 this situation is impossible to detect until the debugged program is
386 resumed.) Note that x86 debug registers are used both for hardware
387 breakpoints and for watchpoints, so setting too many hardware
388 breakpoints might cause watchpoint insertion to fail.
389
390 @item
391 No hardware-assisted watchpoints provided by the target
392 implementation.
393 @end itemize
394
395 Software watchpoints are very slow, since @value{GDBN} needs to
396 single-step the program being debugged and test the value of the
397 watched expression(s) after each instruction. The rest of this
398 section is mostly irrelevant for software watchpoints.
399
400 @value{GDBN} uses several macros and primitives to support hardware
401 watchpoints:
402
403 @table @code
404 @findex TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
405 @item TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
406 If defined, the target supports hardware watchpoints.
407
408 @findex TARGET_CAN_USE_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
409 @item TARGET_CAN_USE_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT (@var{type}, @var{count}, @var{other})
410 Return the number of hardware watchpoints of type @var{type} that are
411 possible to be set. The value is positive if @var{count} watchpoints
412 of this type can be set, zero if setting watchpoints of this type is
413 not supported, and negative if @var{count} is more than the maximum
414 number of watchpoints of type @var{type} that can be set. @var{other}
415 is non-zero if other types of watchpoints are currently enabled (there
416 are architectures which cannot set watchpoints of different types at
417 the same time).
418
419 @findex TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT
420 @item TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{len})
421 Return non-zero if hardware watchpoints can be used to watch a region
422 whose address is @var{addr} and whose length in bytes is @var{len}.
423
424 @findex TARGET_REGION_SIZE_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT
425 @item TARGET_REGION_SIZE_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT (@var{size})
426 Return non-zero if hardware watchpoints can be used to watch a region
427 whose size is @var{size}. @value{GDBN} only uses this macro as a
428 fall-back, in case @code{TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT} is not
429 defined.
430
431 @findex TARGET_DISABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS
432 @item TARGET_DISABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS (@var{pid})
433 Disables watchpoints in the process identified by @var{pid}. This is
434 used, e.g., on HP-UX which provides operations to disable and enable
435 the page-level memory protection that implements hardware watchpoints
436 on that platform.
437
438 @findex TARGET_ENABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS
439 @item TARGET_ENABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS (@var{pid})
440 Enables watchpoints in the process identified by @var{pid}. This is
441 used, e.g., on HP-UX which provides operations to disable and enable
442 the page-level memory protection that implements hardware watchpoints
443 on that platform.
444
445 @findex target_insert_watchpoint
446 @findex target_remove_watchpoint
447 @item target_insert_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
448 @itemx target_remove_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
449 Insert or remove a hardware watchpoint starting at @var{addr}, for
450 @var{len} bytes. @var{type} is the watchpoint type, one of the
451 possible values of the enumerated data type @code{target_hw_bp_type},
452 defined by @file{breakpoint.h} as follows:
453
454 @example
455 enum target_hw_bp_type
456 @{
457 hw_write = 0, /* Common (write) HW watchpoint */
458 hw_read = 1, /* Read HW watchpoint */
459 hw_access = 2, /* Access (read or write) HW watchpoint */
460 hw_execute = 3 /* Execute HW breakpoint */
461 @};
462 @end example
463
464 @noindent
465 These two macros should return 0 for success, non-zero for failure.
466
467 @cindex insert or remove hardware breakpoint
468 @findex target_remove_hw_breakpoint
469 @findex target_insert_hw_breakpoint
470 @item target_remove_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
471 @itemx target_insert_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
472 Insert or remove a hardware-assisted breakpoint at address @var{addr}.
473 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure. @var{shadow} is the
474 real contents of the byte where the breakpoint has been inserted; it
475 is generally not valid when hardware breakpoints are used, but since
476 no other code touches these values, the implementations of the above
477 two macros can use them for their internal purposes.
478
479 @findex target_stopped_data_address
480 @item target_stopped_data_address ()
481 If the inferior has some watchpoint that triggered, return the address
482 associated with that watchpoint. Otherwise, return zero.
483
484 @findex DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
485 @item DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
486 If defined, @value{GDBN} decrements the program counter by the value
487 of @code{DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK} after a hardware break-point. This
488 overrides the value of @code{DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK} when a breakpoint
489 that breaks is a hardware-assisted breakpoint.
490
491 @findex HAVE_STEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
492 @item HAVE_STEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
493 If defined to a non-zero value, it is not necessary to disable a
494 watchpoint to step over it.
495
496 @findex HAVE_NONSTEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
497 @item HAVE_NONSTEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
498 If defined to a non-zero value, @value{GDBN} should disable a
499 watchpoint to step the inferior over it.
500
501 @findex HAVE_CONTINUABLE_WATCHPOINT
502 @item HAVE_CONTINUABLE_WATCHPOINT
503 If defined to a non-zero value, it is possible to continue the
504 inferior after a watchpoint has been hit.
505
506 @findex CANNOT_STEP_HW_WATCHPOINTS
507 @item CANNOT_STEP_HW_WATCHPOINTS
508 If this is defined to a non-zero value, @value{GDBN} will remove all
509 watchpoints before stepping the inferior.
510
511 @findex STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT
512 @item STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT (@var{wait_status})
513 Return non-zero if stopped by a watchpoint. @var{wait_status} is of
514 the type @code{struct target_waitstatus}, defined by @file{target.h}.
515 @end table
516
517 @subsection x86 Watchpoints
518 @cindex x86 debug registers
519 @cindex watchpoints, on x86
520
521 The 32-bit Intel x86 (a.k.a.@: ia32) processors feature special debug
522 registers designed to facilitate debugging. @value{GDBN} provides a
523 generic library of functions that x86-based ports can use to implement
524 support for watchpoints and hardware-assisted breakpoints. This
525 subsection documents the x86 watchpoint facilities in @value{GDBN}.
526
527 To use the generic x86 watchpoint support, a port should do the
528 following:
529
530 @itemize @bullet
531 @findex I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
532 @item
533 Define the macro @code{I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS} somewhere in the
534 target-dependent headers.
535
536 @item
537 Include the @file{config/i386/nm-i386.h} header file @emph{after}
538 defining @code{I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
539
540 @item
541 Add @file{i386-nat.o} to the value of the Make variable
542 @code{NATDEPFILES} (@pxref{Native Debugging, NATDEPFILES}) or
543 @code{TDEPFILES} (@pxref{Target Architecture Definition, TDEPFILES}).
544
545 @item
546 Provide implementations for the @code{I386_DR_LOW_*} macros described
547 below. Typically, each macro should call a target-specific function
548 which does the real work.
549 @end itemize
550
551 The x86 watchpoint support works by maintaining mirror images of the
552 debug registers. Values are copied between the mirror images and the
553 real debug registers via a set of macros which each target needs to
554 provide:
555
556 @table @code
557 @findex I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL
558 @item I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL (@var{val})
559 Set the Debug Control (DR7) register to the value @var{val}.
560
561 @findex I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR
562 @item I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR (@var{idx}, @var{addr})
563 Put the address @var{addr} into the debug register number @var{idx}.
564
565 @findex I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR
566 @item I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR (@var{idx})
567 Reset (i.e.@: zero out) the address stored in the debug register
568 number @var{idx}.
569
570 @findex I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS
571 @item I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS
572 Return the value of the Debug Status (DR6) register. This value is
573 used immediately after it is returned by
574 @code{I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS}, so as to support per-thread status
575 register values.
576 @end table
577
578 For each one of the 4 debug registers (whose indices are from 0 to 3)
579 that store addresses, a reference count is maintained by @value{GDBN},
580 to allow sharing of debug registers by several watchpoints. This
581 allows users to define several watchpoints that watch the same
582 expression, but with different conditions and/or commands, without
583 wasting debug registers which are in short supply. @value{GDBN}
584 maintains the reference counts internally, targets don't have to do
585 anything to use this feature.
586
587 The x86 debug registers can each watch a region that is 1, 2, or 4
588 bytes long. The ia32 architecture requires that each watched region
589 be appropriately aligned: 2-byte region on 2-byte boundary, 4-byte
590 region on 4-byte boundary. However, the x86 watchpoint support in
591 @value{GDBN} can watch unaligned regions and regions larger than 4
592 bytes (up to 16 bytes) by allocating several debug registers to watch
593 a single region. This allocation of several registers per a watched
594 region is also done automatically without target code intervention.
595
596 The generic x86 watchpoint support provides the following API for the
597 @value{GDBN}'s application code:
598
599 @table @code
600 @findex i386_region_ok_for_watchpoint
601 @item i386_region_ok_for_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len})
602 The macro @code{TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT} is set to call
603 this function. It counts the number of debug registers required to
604 watch a given region, and returns a non-zero value if that number is
605 less than 4, the number of debug registers available to x86
606 processors.
607
608 @findex i386_stopped_data_address
609 @item i386_stopped_data_address (void)
610 The macros @code{STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT} and
611 @code{target_stopped_data_address} are set to call this function. The
612 argument passed to @code{STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT} is ignored. This
613 function examines the breakpoint condition bits in the DR6 Debug
614 Status register, as returned by the @code{I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS}
615 macro, and returns the address associated with the first bit that is
616 set in DR6.
617
618 @findex i386_insert_watchpoint
619 @findex i386_remove_watchpoint
620 @item i386_insert_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
621 @itemx i386_remove_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
622 Insert or remove a watchpoint. The macros
623 @code{target_insert_watchpoint} and @code{target_remove_watchpoint}
624 are set to call these functions. @code{i386_insert_watchpoint} first
625 looks for a debug register which is already set to watch the same
626 region for the same access types; if found, it just increments the
627 reference count of that debug register, thus implementing debug
628 register sharing between watchpoints. If no such register is found,
629 the function looks for a vacant debug register, sets its mirrorred
630 value to @var{addr}, sets the mirrorred value of DR7 Debug Control
631 register as appropriate for the @var{len} and @var{type} parameters,
632 and then passes the new values of the debug register and DR7 to the
633 inferior by calling @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR} and
634 @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL}. If more than one debug register is
635 required to cover the given region, the above process is repeated for
636 each debug register.
637
638 @code{i386_remove_watchpoint} does the opposite: it resets the address
639 in the mirrorred value of the debug register and its read/write and
640 length bits in the mirrorred value of DR7, then passes these new
641 values to the inferior via @code{I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR} and
642 @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL}. If a register is shared by several
643 watchpoints, each time a @code{i386_remove_watchpoint} is called, it
644 decrements the reference count, and only calls
645 @code{I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR} and @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL} when
646 the count goes to zero.
647
648 @findex i386_insert_hw_breakpoint
649 @findex i386_remove_hw_breakpoint
650 @item i386_insert_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow}
651 @itemx i386_remove_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
652 These functions insert and remove hardware-assisted breakpoints. The
653 macros @code{target_insert_hw_breakpoint} and
654 @code{target_remove_hw_breakpoint} are set to call these functions.
655 These functions work like @code{i386_insert_watchpoint} and
656 @code{i386_remove_watchpoint}, respectively, except that they set up
657 the debug registers to watch instruction execution, and each
658 hardware-assisted breakpoint always requires exactly one debug
659 register.
660
661 @findex i386_stopped_by_hwbp
662 @item i386_stopped_by_hwbp (void)
663 This function returns non-zero if the inferior has some watchpoint or
664 hardware breakpoint that triggered. It works like
665 @code{i386_stopped_data_address}, except that it doesn't return the
666 address whose watchpoint triggered.
667
668 @findex i386_cleanup_dregs
669 @item i386_cleanup_dregs (void)
670 This function clears all the reference counts, addresses, and control
671 bits in the mirror images of the debug registers. It doesn't affect
672 the actual debug registers in the inferior process.
673 @end table
674
675 @noindent
676 @strong{Notes:}
677 @enumerate 1
678 @item
679 x86 processors support setting watchpoints on I/O reads or writes.
680 However, since no target supports this (as of March 2001), and since
681 @code{enum target_hw_bp_type} doesn't even have an enumeration for I/O
682 watchpoints, this feature is not yet available to @value{GDBN} running
683 on x86.
684
685 @item
686 x86 processors can enable watchpoints locally, for the current task
687 only, or globally, for all the tasks. For each debug register,
688 there's a bit in the DR7 Debug Control register that determines
689 whether the associated address is watched locally or globally. The
690 current implementation of x86 watchpoint support in @value{GDBN}
691 always sets watchpoints to be locally enabled, since global
692 watchpoints might interfere with the underlying OS and are probably
693 unavailable in many platforms.
694 @end enumerate
695
696 @node User Interface
697
698 @chapter User Interface
699
700 @value{GDBN} has several user interfaces. Although the command-line interface
701 is the most common and most familiar, there are others.
702
703 @section Command Interpreter
704
705 @cindex command interpreter
706 @cindex CLI
707 The command interpreter in @value{GDBN} is fairly simple. It is designed to
708 allow for the set of commands to be augmented dynamically, and also
709 has a recursive subcommand capability, where the first argument to
710 a command may itself direct a lookup on a different command list.
711
712 For instance, the @samp{set} command just starts a lookup on the
713 @code{setlist} command list, while @samp{set thread} recurses
714 to the @code{set_thread_cmd_list}.
715
716 @findex add_cmd
717 @findex add_com
718 To add commands in general, use @code{add_cmd}. @code{add_com} adds to
719 the main command list, and should be used for those commands. The usual
720 place to add commands is in the @code{_initialize_@var{xyz}} routines at
721 the ends of most source files.
722
723 @cindex deprecating commands
724 @findex deprecate_cmd
725 Before removing commands from the command set it is a good idea to
726 deprecate them for some time. Use @code{deprecate_cmd} on commands or
727 aliases to set the deprecated flag. @code{deprecate_cmd} takes a
728 @code{struct cmd_list_element} as it's first argument. You can use the
729 return value from @code{add_com} or @code{add_cmd} to deprecate the
730 command immediately after it is created.
731
732 The first time a command is used the user will be warned and offered a
733 replacement (if one exists). Note that the replacement string passed to
734 @code{deprecate_cmd} should be the full name of the command, i.e. the
735 entire string the user should type at the command line.
736
737 @section UI-Independent Output---the @code{ui_out} Functions
738 @c This section is based on the documentation written by Fernando
739 @c Nasser <fnasser@redhat.com>.
740
741 @cindex @code{ui_out} functions
742 The @code{ui_out} functions present an abstraction level for the
743 @value{GDBN} output code. They hide the specifics of different user
744 interfaces supported by @value{GDBN}, and thus free the programmer
745 from the need to write several versions of the same code, one each for
746 every UI, to produce output.
747
748 @subsection Overview and Terminology
749
750 In general, execution of each @value{GDBN} command produces some sort
751 of output, and can even generate an input request.
752
753 Output can be generated for the following purposes:
754
755 @itemize @bullet
756 @item
757 to display a @emph{result} of an operation;
758
759 @item
760 to convey @emph{info} or produce side-effects of a requested
761 operation;
762
763 @item
764 to provide a @emph{notification} of an asynchronous event (including
765 progress indication of a prolonged asynchronous operation);
766
767 @item
768 to display @emph{error messages} (including warnings);
769
770 @item
771 to show @emph{debug data};
772
773 @item
774 to @emph{query} or prompt a user for input (a special case).
775 @end itemize
776
777 @noindent
778 This section mainly concentrates on how to build result output,
779 although some of it also applies to other kinds of output.
780
781 Generation of output that displays the results of an operation
782 involves one or more of the following:
783
784 @itemize @bullet
785 @item
786 output of the actual data
787
788 @item
789 formatting the output as appropriate for console output, to make it
790 easily readable by humans
791
792 @item
793 machine oriented formatting--a more terse formatting to allow for easy
794 parsing by programs which read @value{GDBN}'s output
795
796 @item
797 annotation, whose purpose is to help legacy GUIs to identify interesting
798 parts in the output
799 @end itemize
800
801 The @code{ui_out} routines take care of the first three aspects.
802 Annotations are provided by separate annotation routines. Note that use
803 of annotations for an interface between a GUI and @value{GDBN} is
804 deprecated.
805
806 Output can be in the form of a single item, which we call a @dfn{field};
807 a @dfn{list} consisting of identical fields; a @dfn{tuple} consisting of
808 non-identical fields; or a @dfn{table}, which is a tuple consisting of a
809 header and a body. In a BNF-like form:
810
811 @table @code
812 @item <table> @expansion{}
813 @code{<header> <body>}
814 @item <header> @expansion{}
815 @code{@{ <column> @}}
816 @item <column> @expansion{}
817 @code{<width> <alignment> <title>}
818 @item <body> @expansion{}
819 @code{@{<row>@}}
820 @end table
821
822
823 @subsection General Conventions
824
825 Most @code{ui_out} routines are of type @code{void}, the exceptions are
826 @code{ui_out_stream_new} (which returns a pointer to the newly created
827 object) and the @code{make_cleanup} routines.
828
829 The first parameter is always the @code{ui_out} vector object, a pointer
830 to a @code{struct ui_out}.
831
832 The @var{format} parameter is like in @code{printf} family of functions.
833 When it is present, there must also be a variable list of arguments
834 sufficient used to satisfy the @code{%} specifiers in the supplied
835 format.
836
837 When a character string argument is not used in a @code{ui_out} function
838 call, a @code{NULL} pointer has to be supplied instead.
839
840
841 @subsection Table, Tuple and List Functions
842
843 @cindex list output functions
844 @cindex table output functions
845 @cindex tuple output functions
846 This section introduces @code{ui_out} routines for building lists,
847 tuples and tables. The routines to output the actual data items
848 (fields) are presented in the next section.
849
850 To recap: A @dfn{tuple} is a sequence of @dfn{fields}, each field
851 containing information about an object; a @dfn{list} is a sequence of
852 fields where each field describes an identical object.
853
854 Use the @dfn{table} functions when your output consists of a list of
855 rows (tuples) and the console output should include a heading. Use this
856 even when you are listing just one object but you still want the header.
857
858 @cindex nesting level in @code{ui_out} functions
859 Tables can not be nested. Tuples and lists can be nested up to a
860 maximum of five levels.
861
862 The overall structure of the table output code is something like this:
863
864 @example
865 ui_out_table_begin
866 ui_out_table_header
867 @dots{}
868 ui_out_table_body
869 ui_out_tuple_begin
870 ui_out_field_*
871 @dots{}
872 ui_out_tuple_end
873 @dots{}
874 ui_out_table_end
875 @end example
876
877 Here is the description of table-, tuple- and list-related @code{ui_out}
878 functions:
879
880 @deftypefun void ui_out_table_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{nbrofcols}, int @var{nr_rows}, const char *@var{tblid})
881 The function @code{ui_out_table_begin} marks the beginning of the output
882 of a table. It should always be called before any other @code{ui_out}
883 function for a given table. @var{nbrofcols} is the number of columns in
884 the table. @var{nr_rows} is the number of rows in the table.
885 @var{tblid} is an optional string identifying the table. The string
886 pointed to by @var{tblid} is copied by the implementation of
887 @code{ui_out_table_begin}, so the application can free the string if it
888 was @code{malloc}ed.
889
890 The companion function @code{ui_out_table_end}, described below, marks
891 the end of the table's output.
892 @end deftypefun
893
894 @deftypefun void ui_out_table_header (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{width}, enum ui_align @var{alignment}, const char *@var{colhdr})
895 @code{ui_out_table_header} provides the header information for a single
896 table column. You call this function several times, one each for every
897 column of the table, after @code{ui_out_table_begin}, but before
898 @code{ui_out_table_body}.
899
900 The value of @var{width} gives the column width in characters. The
901 value of @var{alignment} is one of @code{left}, @code{center}, and
902 @code{right}, and it specifies how to align the header: left-justify,
903 center, or right-justify it. @var{colhdr} points to a string that
904 specifies the column header; the implementation copies that string, so
905 column header strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed after the
906 call.
907 @end deftypefun
908
909 @deftypefun void ui_out_table_body (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
910 This function delimits the table header from the table body.
911 @end deftypefun
912
913 @deftypefun void ui_out_table_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
914 This function signals the end of a table's output. It should be called
915 after the table body has been produced by the list and field output
916 functions.
917
918 There should be exactly one call to @code{ui_out_table_end} for each
919 call to @code{ui_out_table_begin}, otherwise the @code{ui_out} functions
920 will signal an internal error.
921 @end deftypefun
922
923 The output of the tuples that represent the table rows must follow the
924 call to @code{ui_out_table_body} and precede the call to
925 @code{ui_out_table_end}. You build a tuple by calling
926 @code{ui_out_tuple_begin} and @code{ui_out_tuple_end}, with suitable
927 calls to functions which actually output fields between them.
928
929 @deftypefun void ui_out_tuple_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
930 This function marks the beginning of a tuple output. @var{id} points
931 to an optional string that identifies the tuple; it is copied by the
932 implementation, and so strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed
933 after the call.
934 @end deftypefun
935
936 @deftypefun void ui_out_tuple_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
937 This function signals an end of a tuple output. There should be exactly
938 one call to @code{ui_out_tuple_end} for each call to
939 @code{ui_out_tuple_begin}, otherwise an internal @value{GDBN} error will
940 be signaled.
941 @end deftypefun
942
943 @deftypefun struct cleanup *make_cleanup_ui_out_tuple_begin_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
944 This function first opens the tuple and then establishes a cleanup
945 (@pxref{Coding, Cleanups}) to close the tuple. It provides a convenient
946 and correct implementation of the non-portable@footnote{The function
947 cast is not portable ISO-C.} code sequence:
948 @smallexample
949 struct cleanup *old_cleanup;
950 ui_out_tuple_begin (uiout, "...");
951 old_cleanup = make_cleanup ((void(*)(void *)) ui_out_tuple_end,
952 uiout);
953 @end smallexample
954 @end deftypefun
955
956 @deftypefun void ui_out_list_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
957 This function marks the beginning of a list output. @var{id} points to
958 an optional string that identifies the list; it is copied by the
959 implementation, and so strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed
960 after the call.
961 @end deftypefun
962
963 @deftypefun void ui_out_list_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
964 This function signals an end of a list output. There should be exactly
965 one call to @code{ui_out_list_end} for each call to
966 @code{ui_out_list_begin}, otherwise an internal @value{GDBN} error will
967 be signaled.
968 @end deftypefun
969
970 @deftypefun struct cleanup *make_cleanup_ui_out_list_begin_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
971 Similar to @code{make_cleanup_ui_out_tuple_begin_end}, this function
972 opens a list and then establishes cleanup (@pxref{Coding, Cleanups})
973 that will close the list.list.
974 @end deftypefun
975
976 @subsection Item Output Functions
977
978 @cindex item output functions
979 @cindex field output functions
980 @cindex data output
981 The functions described below produce output for the actual data
982 items, or fields, which contain information about the object.
983
984 Choose the appropriate function accordingly to your particular needs.
985
986 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_fmt (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, char *@var{fldname}, char *@var{format}, ...)
987 This is the most general output function. It produces the
988 representation of the data in the variable-length argument list
989 according to formatting specifications in @var{format}, a
990 @code{printf}-like format string. The optional argument @var{fldname}
991 supplies the name of the field. The data items themselves are
992 supplied as additional arguments after @var{format}.
993
994 This generic function should be used only when it is not possible to
995 use one of the specialized versions (see below).
996 @end deftypefun
997
998 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_int (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, int @var{value})
999 This function outputs a value of an @code{int} variable. It uses the
1000 @code{"%d"} output conversion specification. @var{fldname} specifies
1001 the name of the field.
1002 @end deftypefun
1003
1004 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_core_addr (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, CORE_ADDR @var{address})
1005 This function outputs an address.
1006 @end deftypefun
1007
1008 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_string (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, const char *@var{string})
1009 This function outputs a string using the @code{"%s"} conversion
1010 specification.
1011 @end deftypefun
1012
1013 Sometimes, there's a need to compose your output piece by piece using
1014 functions that operate on a stream, such as @code{value_print} or
1015 @code{fprintf_symbol_filtered}. These functions accept an argument of
1016 the type @code{struct ui_file *}, a pointer to a @code{ui_file} object
1017 used to store the data stream used for the output. When you use one
1018 of these functions, you need a way to pass their results stored in a
1019 @code{ui_file} object to the @code{ui_out} functions. To this end,
1020 you first create a @code{ui_stream} object by calling
1021 @code{ui_out_stream_new}, pass the @code{stream} member of that
1022 @code{ui_stream} object to @code{value_print} and similar functions,
1023 and finally call @code{ui_out_field_stream} to output the field you
1024 constructed. When the @code{ui_stream} object is no longer needed,
1025 you should destroy it and free its memory by calling
1026 @code{ui_out_stream_delete}.
1027
1028 @deftypefun struct ui_stream *ui_out_stream_new (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
1029 This function creates a new @code{ui_stream} object which uses the
1030 same output methods as the @code{ui_out} object whose pointer is
1031 passed in @var{uiout}. It returns a pointer to the newly created
1032 @code{ui_stream} object.
1033 @end deftypefun
1034
1035 @deftypefun void ui_out_stream_delete (struct ui_stream *@var{streambuf})
1036 This functions destroys a @code{ui_stream} object specified by
1037 @var{streambuf}.
1038 @end deftypefun
1039
1040 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_stream (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fieldname}, struct ui_stream *@var{streambuf})
1041 This function consumes all the data accumulated in
1042 @code{streambuf->stream} and outputs it like
1043 @code{ui_out_field_string} does. After a call to
1044 @code{ui_out_field_stream}, the accumulated data no longer exists, but
1045 the stream is still valid and may be used for producing more fields.
1046 @end deftypefun
1047
1048 @strong{Important:} If there is any chance that your code could bail
1049 out before completing output generation and reaching the point where
1050 @code{ui_out_stream_delete} is called, it is necessary to set up a
1051 cleanup, to avoid leaking memory and other resources. Here's a
1052 skeleton code to do that:
1053
1054 @smallexample
1055 struct ui_stream *mybuf = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1056 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (ui_out_stream_delete, mybuf);
1057 ...
1058 do_cleanups (old);
1059 @end smallexample
1060
1061 If the function already has the old cleanup chain set (for other kinds
1062 of cleanups), you just have to add your cleanup to it:
1063
1064 @smallexample
1065 mybuf = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1066 make_cleanup (ui_out_stream_delete, mybuf);
1067 @end smallexample
1068
1069 Note that with cleanups in place, you should not call
1070 @code{ui_out_stream_delete} directly, or you would attempt to free the
1071 same buffer twice.
1072
1073 @subsection Utility Output Functions
1074
1075 @deftypefun void ui_out_field_skip (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname})
1076 This function skips a field in a table. Use it if you have to leave
1077 an empty field without disrupting the table alignment. The argument
1078 @var{fldname} specifies a name for the (missing) filed.
1079 @end deftypefun
1080
1081 @deftypefun void ui_out_text (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{string})
1082 This function outputs the text in @var{string} in a way that makes it
1083 easy to be read by humans. For example, the console implementation of
1084 this method filters the text through a built-in pager, to prevent it
1085 from scrolling off the visible portion of the screen.
1086
1087 Use this function for printing relatively long chunks of text around
1088 the actual field data: the text it produces is not aligned according
1089 to the table's format. Use @code{ui_out_field_string} to output a
1090 string field, and use @code{ui_out_message}, described below, to
1091 output short messages.
1092 @end deftypefun
1093
1094 @deftypefun void ui_out_spaces (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{nspaces})
1095 This function outputs @var{nspaces} spaces. It is handy to align the
1096 text produced by @code{ui_out_text} with the rest of the table or
1097 list.
1098 @end deftypefun
1099
1100 @deftypefun void ui_out_message (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{verbosity}, const char *@var{format}, ...)
1101 This function produces a formatted message, provided that the current
1102 verbosity level is at least as large as given by @var{verbosity}. The
1103 current verbosity level is specified by the user with the @samp{set
1104 verbositylevel} command.@footnote{As of this writing (April 2001),
1105 setting verbosity level is not yet implemented, and is always returned
1106 as zero. So calling @code{ui_out_message} with a @var{verbosity}
1107 argument more than zero will cause the message to never be printed.}
1108 @end deftypefun
1109
1110 @deftypefun void ui_out_wrap_hint (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, char *@var{indent})
1111 This function gives the console output filter (a paging filter) a hint
1112 of where to break lines which are too long. Ignored for all other
1113 output consumers. @var{indent}, if non-@code{NULL}, is the string to
1114 be printed to indent the wrapped text on the next line; it must remain
1115 accessible until the next call to @code{ui_out_wrap_hint}, or until an
1116 explicit newline is produced by one of the other functions. If
1117 @var{indent} is @code{NULL}, the wrapped text will not be indented.
1118 @end deftypefun
1119
1120 @deftypefun void ui_out_flush (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
1121 This function flushes whatever output has been accumulated so far, if
1122 the UI buffers output.
1123 @end deftypefun
1124
1125
1126 @subsection Examples of Use of @code{ui_out} functions
1127
1128 @cindex using @code{ui_out} functions
1129 @cindex @code{ui_out} functions, usage examples
1130 This section gives some practical examples of using the @code{ui_out}
1131 functions to generalize the old console-oriented code in
1132 @value{GDBN}. The examples all come from functions defined on the
1133 @file{breakpoints.c} file.
1134
1135 This example, from the @code{breakpoint_1} function, shows how to
1136 produce a table.
1137
1138 The original code was:
1139
1140 @example
1141 if (!found_a_breakpoint++)
1142 @{
1143 annotate_breakpoints_headers ();
1144
1145 annotate_field (0);
1146 printf_filtered ("Num ");
1147 annotate_field (1);
1148 printf_filtered ("Type ");
1149 annotate_field (2);
1150 printf_filtered ("Disp ");
1151 annotate_field (3);
1152 printf_filtered ("Enb ");
1153 if (addressprint)
1154 @{
1155 annotate_field (4);
1156 printf_filtered ("Address ");
1157 @}
1158 annotate_field (5);
1159 printf_filtered ("What\n");
1160
1161 annotate_breakpoints_table ();
1162 @}
1163 @end example
1164
1165 Here's the new version:
1166
1167 @example
1168 nr_printable_breakpoints = @dots{};
1169
1170 if (addressprint)
1171 ui_out_table_begin (ui, 6, nr_printable_breakpoints, "BreakpointTable");
1172 else
1173 ui_out_table_begin (ui, 5, nr_printable_breakpoints, "BreakpointTable");
1174
1175 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1176 annotate_breakpoints_headers ();
1177 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1178 annotate_field (0);
1179 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 3, ui_left, "number", "Num"); /* 1 */
1180 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1181 annotate_field (1);
1182 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 14, ui_left, "type", "Type"); /* 2 */
1183 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1184 annotate_field (2);
1185 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 4, ui_left, "disp", "Disp"); /* 3 */
1186 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1187 annotate_field (3);
1188 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 3, ui_left, "enabled", "Enb"); /* 4 */
1189 if (addressprint)
1190 @{
1191 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1192 annotate_field (4);
1193 if (TARGET_ADDR_BIT <= 32)
1194 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 10, ui_left, "addr", "Address");/* 5 */
1195 else
1196 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 18, ui_left, "addr", "Address");/* 5 */
1197 @}
1198 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1199 annotate_field (5);
1200 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 40, ui_noalign, "what", "What"); /* 6 */
1201 ui_out_table_body (uiout);
1202 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1203 annotate_breakpoints_table ();
1204 @end example
1205
1206 This example, from the @code{print_one_breakpoint} function, shows how
1207 to produce the actual data for the table whose structure was defined
1208 in the above example. The original code was:
1209
1210 @example
1211 annotate_record ();
1212 annotate_field (0);
1213 printf_filtered ("%-3d ", b->number);
1214 annotate_field (1);
1215 if ((int)b->type > (sizeof(bptypes)/sizeof(bptypes[0]))
1216 || ((int) b->type != bptypes[(int) b->type].type))
1217 internal_error ("bptypes table does not describe type #%d.",
1218 (int)b->type);
1219 printf_filtered ("%-14s ", bptypes[(int)b->type].description);
1220 annotate_field (2);
1221 printf_filtered ("%-4s ", bpdisps[(int)b->disposition]);
1222 annotate_field (3);
1223 printf_filtered ("%-3c ", bpenables[(int)b->enable]);
1224 @dots{}
1225 @end example
1226
1227 This is the new version:
1228
1229 @example
1230 annotate_record ();
1231 ui_out_tuple_begin (uiout, "bkpt");
1232 annotate_field (0);
1233 ui_out_field_int (uiout, "number", b->number);
1234 annotate_field (1);
1235 if (((int) b->type > (sizeof (bptypes) / sizeof (bptypes[0])))
1236 || ((int) b->type != bptypes[(int) b->type].type))
1237 internal_error ("bptypes table does not describe type #%d.",
1238 (int) b->type);
1239 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "type", bptypes[(int)b->type].description);
1240 annotate_field (2);
1241 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "disp", bpdisps[(int)b->disposition]);
1242 annotate_field (3);
1243 ui_out_field_fmt (uiout, "enabled", "%c", bpenables[(int)b->enable]);
1244 @dots{}
1245 @end example
1246
1247 This example, also from @code{print_one_breakpoint}, shows how to
1248 produce a complicated output field using the @code{print_expression}
1249 functions which requires a stream to be passed. It also shows how to
1250 automate stream destruction with cleanups. The original code was:
1251
1252 @example
1253 annotate_field (5);
1254 print_expression (b->exp, gdb_stdout);
1255 @end example
1256
1257 The new version is:
1258
1259 @example
1260 struct ui_stream *stb = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1261 struct cleanup *old_chain = make_cleanup_ui_out_stream_delete (stb);
1262 ...
1263 annotate_field (5);
1264 print_expression (b->exp, stb->stream);
1265 ui_out_field_stream (uiout, "what", local_stream);
1266 @end example
1267
1268 This example, also from @code{print_one_breakpoint}, shows how to use
1269 @code{ui_out_text} and @code{ui_out_field_string}. The original code
1270 was:
1271
1272 @example
1273 annotate_field (5);
1274 if (b->dll_pathname == NULL)
1275 printf_filtered ("<any library> ");
1276 else
1277 printf_filtered ("library \"%s\" ", b->dll_pathname);
1278 @end example
1279
1280 It became:
1281
1282 @example
1283 annotate_field (5);
1284 if (b->dll_pathname == NULL)
1285 @{
1286 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", "<any library>");
1287 ui_out_spaces (uiout, 1);
1288 @}
1289 else
1290 @{
1291 ui_out_text (uiout, "library \"");
1292 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", b->dll_pathname);
1293 ui_out_text (uiout, "\" ");
1294 @}
1295 @end example
1296
1297 The following example from @code{print_one_breakpoint} shows how to
1298 use @code{ui_out_field_int} and @code{ui_out_spaces}. The original
1299 code was:
1300
1301 @example
1302 annotate_field (5);
1303 if (b->forked_inferior_pid != 0)
1304 printf_filtered ("process %d ", b->forked_inferior_pid);
1305 @end example
1306
1307 It became:
1308
1309 @example
1310 annotate_field (5);
1311 if (b->forked_inferior_pid != 0)
1312 @{
1313 ui_out_text (uiout, "process ");
1314 ui_out_field_int (uiout, "what", b->forked_inferior_pid);
1315 ui_out_spaces (uiout, 1);
1316 @}
1317 @end example
1318
1319 Here's an example of using @code{ui_out_field_string}. The original
1320 code was:
1321
1322 @example
1323 annotate_field (5);
1324 if (b->exec_pathname != NULL)
1325 printf_filtered ("program \"%s\" ", b->exec_pathname);
1326 @end example
1327
1328 It became:
1329
1330 @example
1331 annotate_field (5);
1332 if (b->exec_pathname != NULL)
1333 @{
1334 ui_out_text (uiout, "program \"");
1335 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", b->exec_pathname);
1336 ui_out_text (uiout, "\" ");
1337 @}
1338 @end example
1339
1340 Finally, here's an example of printing an address. The original code:
1341
1342 @example
1343 annotate_field (4);
1344 printf_filtered ("%s ",
1345 local_hex_string_custom ((unsigned long) b->address, "08l"));
1346 @end example
1347
1348 It became:
1349
1350 @example
1351 annotate_field (4);
1352 ui_out_field_core_addr (uiout, "Address", b->address);
1353 @end example
1354
1355
1356 @section Console Printing
1357
1358 @section TUI
1359
1360 @node libgdb
1361
1362 @chapter libgdb
1363
1364 @section libgdb 1.0
1365 @cindex @code{libgdb}
1366 @code{libgdb} 1.0 was an abortive project of years ago. The theory was
1367 to provide an API to @value{GDBN}'s functionality.
1368
1369 @section libgdb 2.0
1370 @cindex @code{libgdb}
1371 @code{libgdb} 2.0 is an ongoing effort to update @value{GDBN} so that is
1372 better able to support graphical and other environments.
1373
1374 Since @code{libgdb} development is on-going, its architecture is still
1375 evolving. The following components have so far been identified:
1376
1377 @itemize @bullet
1378 @item
1379 Observer - @file{gdb-events.h}.
1380 @item
1381 Builder - @file{ui-out.h}
1382 @item
1383 Event Loop - @file{event-loop.h}
1384 @item
1385 Library - @file{gdb.h}
1386 @end itemize
1387
1388 The model that ties these components together is described below.
1389
1390 @section The @code{libgdb} Model
1391
1392 A client of @code{libgdb} interacts with the library in two ways.
1393
1394 @itemize @bullet
1395 @item
1396 As an observer (using @file{gdb-events}) receiving notifications from
1397 @code{libgdb} of any internal state changes (break point changes, run
1398 state, etc).
1399 @item
1400 As a client querying @code{libgdb} (using the @file{ui-out} builder) to
1401 obtain various status values from @value{GDBN}.
1402 @end itemize
1403
1404 Since @code{libgdb} could have multiple clients (e.g. a GUI supporting
1405 the existing @value{GDBN} CLI), those clients must co-operate when
1406 controlling @code{libgdb}. In particular, a client must ensure that
1407 @code{libgdb} is idle (i.e. no other client is using @code{libgdb})
1408 before responding to a @file{gdb-event} by making a query.
1409
1410 @section CLI support
1411
1412 At present @value{GDBN}'s CLI is very much entangled in with the core of
1413 @code{libgdb}. Consequently, a client wishing to include the CLI in
1414 their interface needs to carefully co-ordinate its own and the CLI's
1415 requirements.
1416
1417 It is suggested that the client set @code{libgdb} up to be bi-modal
1418 (alternate between CLI and client query modes). The notes below sketch
1419 out the theory:
1420
1421 @itemize @bullet
1422 @item
1423 The client registers itself as an observer of @code{libgdb}.
1424 @item
1425 The client create and install @code{cli-out} builder using its own
1426 versions of the @code{ui-file} @code{gdb_stderr}, @code{gdb_stdtarg} and
1427 @code{gdb_stdout} streams.
1428 @item
1429 The client creates a separate custom @code{ui-out} builder that is only
1430 used while making direct queries to @code{libgdb}.
1431 @end itemize
1432
1433 When the client receives input intended for the CLI, it simply passes it
1434 along. Since the @code{cli-out} builder is installed by default, all
1435 the CLI output in response to that command is routed (pronounced rooted)
1436 through to the client controlled @code{gdb_stdout} et.@: al.@: streams.
1437 At the same time, the client is kept abreast of internal changes by
1438 virtue of being a @code{libgdb} observer.
1439
1440 The only restriction on the client is that it must wait until
1441 @code{libgdb} becomes idle before initiating any queries (using the
1442 client's custom builder).
1443
1444 @section @code{libgdb} components
1445
1446 @subheading Observer - @file{gdb-events.h}
1447 @file{gdb-events} provides the client with a very raw mechanism that can
1448 be used to implement an observer. At present it only allows for one
1449 observer and that observer must, internally, handle the need to delay
1450 the processing of any event notifications until after @code{libgdb} has
1451 finished the current command.
1452
1453 @subheading Builder - @file{ui-out.h}
1454 @file{ui-out} provides the infrastructure necessary for a client to
1455 create a builder. That builder is then passed down to @code{libgdb}
1456 when doing any queries.
1457
1458 @subheading Event Loop - @file{event-loop.h}
1459 @c There could be an entire section on the event-loop
1460 @file{event-loop}, currently non-re-entrant, provides a simple event
1461 loop. A client would need to either plug its self into this loop or,
1462 implement a new event-loop that GDB would use.
1463
1464 The event-loop will eventually be made re-entrant. This is so that
1465 @value{GDB} can better handle the problem of some commands blocking
1466 instead of returning.
1467
1468 @subheading Library - @file{gdb.h}
1469 @file{libgdb} is the most obvious component of this system. It provides
1470 the query interface. Each function is parameterized by a @code{ui-out}
1471 builder. The result of the query is constructed using that builder
1472 before the query function returns.
1473
1474 @node Symbol Handling
1475
1476 @chapter Symbol Handling
1477
1478 Symbols are a key part of @value{GDBN}'s operation. Symbols include variables,
1479 functions, and types.
1480
1481 @section Symbol Reading
1482
1483 @cindex symbol reading
1484 @cindex reading of symbols
1485 @cindex symbol files
1486 @value{GDBN} reads symbols from @dfn{symbol files}. The usual symbol
1487 file is the file containing the program which @value{GDBN} is
1488 debugging. @value{GDBN} can be directed to use a different file for
1489 symbols (with the @samp{symbol-file} command), and it can also read
1490 more symbols via the @samp{add-file} and @samp{load} commands, or while
1491 reading symbols from shared libraries.
1492
1493 @findex find_sym_fns
1494 Symbol files are initially opened by code in @file{symfile.c} using
1495 the BFD library (@pxref{Support Libraries}). BFD identifies the type
1496 of the file by examining its header. @code{find_sym_fns} then uses
1497 this identification to locate a set of symbol-reading functions.
1498
1499 @findex add_symtab_fns
1500 @cindex @code{sym_fns} structure
1501 @cindex adding a symbol-reading module
1502 Symbol-reading modules identify themselves to @value{GDBN} by calling
1503 @code{add_symtab_fns} during their module initialization. The argument
1504 to @code{add_symtab_fns} is a @code{struct sym_fns} which contains the
1505 name (or name prefix) of the symbol format, the length of the prefix,
1506 and pointers to four functions. These functions are called at various
1507 times to process symbol files whose identification matches the specified
1508 prefix.
1509
1510 The functions supplied by each module are:
1511
1512 @table @code
1513 @item @var{xyz}_symfile_init(struct sym_fns *sf)
1514
1515 @cindex secondary symbol file
1516 Called from @code{symbol_file_add} when we are about to read a new
1517 symbol file. This function should clean up any internal state (possibly
1518 resulting from half-read previous files, for example) and prepare to
1519 read a new symbol file. Note that the symbol file which we are reading
1520 might be a new ``main'' symbol file, or might be a secondary symbol file
1521 whose symbols are being added to the existing symbol table.
1522
1523 The argument to @code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init} is a newly allocated
1524 @code{struct sym_fns} whose @code{bfd} field contains the BFD for the
1525 new symbol file being read. Its @code{private} field has been zeroed,
1526 and can be modified as desired. Typically, a struct of private
1527 information will be @code{malloc}'d, and a pointer to it will be placed
1528 in the @code{private} field.
1529
1530 There is no result from @code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init}, but it can call
1531 @code{error} if it detects an unavoidable problem.
1532
1533 @item @var{xyz}_new_init()
1534
1535 Called from @code{symbol_file_add} when discarding existing symbols.
1536 This function needs only handle the symbol-reading module's internal
1537 state; the symbol table data structures visible to the rest of
1538 @value{GDBN} will be discarded by @code{symbol_file_add}. It has no
1539 arguments and no result. It may be called after
1540 @code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init}, if a new symbol table is being read, or
1541 may be called alone if all symbols are simply being discarded.
1542
1543 @item @var{xyz}_symfile_read(struct sym_fns *sf, CORE_ADDR addr, int mainline)
1544
1545 Called from @code{symbol_file_add} to actually read the symbols from a
1546 symbol-file into a set of psymtabs or symtabs.
1547
1548 @code{sf} points to the @code{struct sym_fns} originally passed to
1549 @code{@var{xyz}_sym_init} for possible initialization. @code{addr} is
1550 the offset between the file's specified start address and its true
1551 address in memory. @code{mainline} is 1 if this is the main symbol
1552 table being read, and 0 if a secondary symbol file (e.g. shared library
1553 or dynamically loaded file) is being read.@refill
1554 @end table
1555
1556 In addition, if a symbol-reading module creates psymtabs when
1557 @var{xyz}_symfile_read is called, these psymtabs will contain a pointer
1558 to a function @code{@var{xyz}_psymtab_to_symtab}, which can be called
1559 from any point in the @value{GDBN} symbol-handling code.
1560
1561 @table @code
1562 @item @var{xyz}_psymtab_to_symtab (struct partial_symtab *pst)
1563
1564 Called from @code{psymtab_to_symtab} (or the @code{PSYMTAB_TO_SYMTAB} macro) if
1565 the psymtab has not already been read in and had its @code{pst->symtab}
1566 pointer set. The argument is the psymtab to be fleshed-out into a
1567 symtab. Upon return, @code{pst->readin} should have been set to 1, and
1568 @code{pst->symtab} should contain a pointer to the new corresponding symtab, or
1569 zero if there were no symbols in that part of the symbol file.
1570 @end table
1571
1572 @section Partial Symbol Tables
1573
1574 @value{GDBN} has three types of symbol tables:
1575
1576 @itemize @bullet
1577 @cindex full symbol table
1578 @cindex symtabs
1579 @item
1580 Full symbol tables (@dfn{symtabs}). These contain the main
1581 information about symbols and addresses.
1582
1583 @cindex psymtabs
1584 @item
1585 Partial symbol tables (@dfn{psymtabs}). These contain enough
1586 information to know when to read the corresponding part of the full
1587 symbol table.
1588
1589 @cindex minimal symbol table
1590 @cindex minsymtabs
1591 @item
1592 Minimal symbol tables (@dfn{msymtabs}). These contain information
1593 gleaned from non-debugging symbols.
1594 @end itemize
1595
1596 @cindex partial symbol table
1597 This section describes partial symbol tables.
1598
1599 A psymtab is constructed by doing a very quick pass over an executable
1600 file's debugging information. Small amounts of information are
1601 extracted---enough to identify which parts of the symbol table will
1602 need to be re-read and fully digested later, when the user needs the
1603 information. The speed of this pass causes @value{GDBN} to start up very
1604 quickly. Later, as the detailed rereading occurs, it occurs in small
1605 pieces, at various times, and the delay therefrom is mostly invisible to
1606 the user.
1607 @c (@xref{Symbol Reading}.)
1608
1609 The symbols that show up in a file's psymtab should be, roughly, those
1610 visible to the debugger's user when the program is not running code from
1611 that file. These include external symbols and types, static symbols and
1612 types, and @code{enum} values declared at file scope.
1613
1614 The psymtab also contains the range of instruction addresses that the
1615 full symbol table would represent.
1616
1617 @cindex finding a symbol
1618 @cindex symbol lookup
1619 The idea is that there are only two ways for the user (or much of the
1620 code in the debugger) to reference a symbol:
1621
1622 @itemize @bullet
1623 @findex find_pc_function
1624 @findex find_pc_line
1625 @item
1626 By its address (e.g. execution stops at some address which is inside a
1627 function in this file). The address will be noticed to be in the
1628 range of this psymtab, and the full symtab will be read in.
1629 @code{find_pc_function}, @code{find_pc_line}, and other
1630 @code{find_pc_@dots{}} functions handle this.
1631
1632 @cindex lookup_symbol
1633 @item
1634 By its name
1635 (e.g. the user asks to print a variable, or set a breakpoint on a
1636 function). Global names and file-scope names will be found in the
1637 psymtab, which will cause the symtab to be pulled in. Local names will
1638 have to be qualified by a global name, or a file-scope name, in which
1639 case we will have already read in the symtab as we evaluated the
1640 qualifier. Or, a local symbol can be referenced when we are ``in'' a
1641 local scope, in which case the first case applies. @code{lookup_symbol}
1642 does most of the work here.
1643 @end itemize
1644
1645 The only reason that psymtabs exist is to cause a symtab to be read in
1646 at the right moment. Any symbol that can be elided from a psymtab,
1647 while still causing that to happen, should not appear in it. Since
1648 psymtabs don't have the idea of scope, you can't put local symbols in
1649 them anyway. Psymtabs don't have the idea of the type of a symbol,
1650 either, so types need not appear, unless they will be referenced by
1651 name.
1652
1653 It is a bug for @value{GDBN} to behave one way when only a psymtab has
1654 been read, and another way if the corresponding symtab has been read
1655 in. Such bugs are typically caused by a psymtab that does not contain
1656 all the visible symbols, or which has the wrong instruction address
1657 ranges.
1658
1659 The psymtab for a particular section of a symbol file (objfile) could be
1660 thrown away after the symtab has been read in. The symtab should always
1661 be searched before the psymtab, so the psymtab will never be used (in a
1662 bug-free environment). Currently, psymtabs are allocated on an obstack,
1663 and all the psymbols themselves are allocated in a pair of large arrays
1664 on an obstack, so there is little to be gained by trying to free them
1665 unless you want to do a lot more work.
1666
1667 @section Types
1668
1669 @unnumberedsubsec Fundamental Types (e.g., @code{FT_VOID}, @code{FT_BOOLEAN}).
1670
1671 @cindex fundamental types
1672 These are the fundamental types that @value{GDBN} uses internally. Fundamental
1673 types from the various debugging formats (stabs, ELF, etc) are mapped
1674 into one of these. They are basically a union of all fundamental types
1675 that @value{GDBN} knows about for all the languages that @value{GDBN}
1676 knows about.
1677
1678 @unnumberedsubsec Type Codes (e.g., @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}, @code{TYPE_CODE_ARRAY}).
1679
1680 @cindex type codes
1681 Each time @value{GDBN} builds an internal type, it marks it with one
1682 of these types. The type may be a fundamental type, such as
1683 @code{TYPE_CODE_INT}, or a derived type, such as @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}
1684 which is a pointer to another type. Typically, several @code{FT_*}
1685 types map to one @code{TYPE_CODE_*} type, and are distinguished by
1686 other members of the type struct, such as whether the type is signed
1687 or unsigned, and how many bits it uses.
1688
1689 @unnumberedsubsec Builtin Types (e.g., @code{builtin_type_void}, @code{builtin_type_char}).
1690
1691 These are instances of type structs that roughly correspond to
1692 fundamental types and are created as global types for @value{GDBN} to
1693 use for various ugly historical reasons. We eventually want to
1694 eliminate these. Note for example that @code{builtin_type_int}
1695 initialized in @file{gdbtypes.c} is basically the same as a
1696 @code{TYPE_CODE_INT} type that is initialized in @file{c-lang.c} for
1697 an @code{FT_INTEGER} fundamental type. The difference is that the
1698 @code{builtin_type} is not associated with any particular objfile, and
1699 only one instance exists, while @file{c-lang.c} builds as many
1700 @code{TYPE_CODE_INT} types as needed, with each one associated with
1701 some particular objfile.
1702
1703 @section Object File Formats
1704 @cindex object file formats
1705
1706 @subsection a.out
1707
1708 @cindex @code{a.out} format
1709 The @code{a.out} format is the original file format for Unix. It
1710 consists of three sections: @code{text}, @code{data}, and @code{bss},
1711 which are for program code, initialized data, and uninitialized data,
1712 respectively.
1713
1714 The @code{a.out} format is so simple that it doesn't have any reserved
1715 place for debugging information. (Hey, the original Unix hackers used
1716 @samp{adb}, which is a machine-language debugger!) The only debugging
1717 format for @code{a.out} is stabs, which is encoded as a set of normal
1718 symbols with distinctive attributes.
1719
1720 The basic @code{a.out} reader is in @file{dbxread.c}.
1721
1722 @subsection COFF
1723
1724 @cindex COFF format
1725 The COFF format was introduced with System V Release 3 (SVR3) Unix.
1726 COFF files may have multiple sections, each prefixed by a header. The
1727 number of sections is limited.
1728
1729 The COFF specification includes support for debugging. Although this
1730 was a step forward, the debugging information was woefully limited. For
1731 instance, it was not possible to represent code that came from an
1732 included file.
1733
1734 The COFF reader is in @file{coffread.c}.
1735
1736 @subsection ECOFF
1737
1738 @cindex ECOFF format
1739 ECOFF is an extended COFF originally introduced for Mips and Alpha
1740 workstations.
1741
1742 The basic ECOFF reader is in @file{mipsread.c}.
1743
1744 @subsection XCOFF
1745
1746 @cindex XCOFF format
1747 The IBM RS/6000 running AIX uses an object file format called XCOFF.
1748 The COFF sections, symbols, and line numbers are used, but debugging
1749 symbols are @code{dbx}-style stabs whose strings are located in the
1750 @code{.debug} section (rather than the string table). For more
1751 information, see @ref{Top,,,stabs,The Stabs Debugging Format}.
1752
1753 The shared library scheme has a clean interface for figuring out what
1754 shared libraries are in use, but the catch is that everything which
1755 refers to addresses (symbol tables and breakpoints at least) needs to be
1756 relocated for both shared libraries and the main executable. At least
1757 using the standard mechanism this can only be done once the program has
1758 been run (or the core file has been read).
1759
1760 @subsection PE
1761
1762 @cindex PE-COFF format
1763 Windows 95 and NT use the PE (@dfn{Portable Executable}) format for their
1764 executables. PE is basically COFF with additional headers.
1765
1766 While BFD includes special PE support, @value{GDBN} needs only the basic
1767 COFF reader.
1768
1769 @subsection ELF
1770
1771 @cindex ELF format
1772 The ELF format came with System V Release 4 (SVR4) Unix. ELF is similar
1773 to COFF in being organized into a number of sections, but it removes
1774 many of COFF's limitations.
1775
1776 The basic ELF reader is in @file{elfread.c}.
1777
1778 @subsection SOM
1779
1780 @cindex SOM format
1781 SOM is HP's object file and debug format (not to be confused with IBM's
1782 SOM, which is a cross-language ABI).
1783
1784 The SOM reader is in @file{hpread.c}.
1785
1786 @subsection Other File Formats
1787
1788 @cindex Netware Loadable Module format
1789 Other file formats that have been supported by @value{GDBN} include Netware
1790 Loadable Modules (@file{nlmread.c}).
1791
1792 @section Debugging File Formats
1793
1794 This section describes characteristics of debugging information that
1795 are independent of the object file format.
1796
1797 @subsection stabs
1798
1799 @cindex stabs debugging info
1800 @code{stabs} started out as special symbols within the @code{a.out}
1801 format. Since then, it has been encapsulated into other file
1802 formats, such as COFF and ELF.
1803
1804 While @file{dbxread.c} does some of the basic stab processing,
1805 including for encapsulated versions, @file{stabsread.c} does
1806 the real work.
1807
1808 @subsection COFF
1809
1810 @cindex COFF debugging info
1811 The basic COFF definition includes debugging information. The level
1812 of support is minimal and non-extensible, and is not often used.
1813
1814 @subsection Mips debug (Third Eye)
1815
1816 @cindex ECOFF debugging info
1817 ECOFF includes a definition of a special debug format.
1818
1819 The file @file{mdebugread.c} implements reading for this format.
1820
1821 @subsection DWARF 1
1822
1823 @cindex DWARF 1 debugging info
1824 DWARF 1 is a debugging format that was originally designed to be
1825 used with ELF in SVR4 systems.
1826
1827 @c CHILL_PRODUCER
1828 @c GCC_PRODUCER
1829 @c GPLUS_PRODUCER
1830 @c LCC_PRODUCER
1831 @c If defined, these are the producer strings in a DWARF 1 file. All of
1832 @c these have reasonable defaults already.
1833
1834 The DWARF 1 reader is in @file{dwarfread.c}.
1835
1836 @subsection DWARF 2
1837
1838 @cindex DWARF 2 debugging info
1839 DWARF 2 is an improved but incompatible version of DWARF 1.
1840
1841 The DWARF 2 reader is in @file{dwarf2read.c}.
1842
1843 @subsection SOM
1844
1845 @cindex SOM debugging info
1846 Like COFF, the SOM definition includes debugging information.
1847
1848 @section Adding a New Symbol Reader to @value{GDBN}
1849
1850 @cindex adding debugging info reader
1851 If you are using an existing object file format (@code{a.out}, COFF, ELF, etc),
1852 there is probably little to be done.
1853
1854 If you need to add a new object file format, you must first add it to
1855 BFD. This is beyond the scope of this document.
1856
1857 You must then arrange for the BFD code to provide access to the
1858 debugging symbols. Generally @value{GDBN} will have to call swapping routines
1859 from BFD and a few other BFD internal routines to locate the debugging
1860 information. As much as possible, @value{GDBN} should not depend on the BFD
1861 internal data structures.
1862
1863 For some targets (e.g., COFF), there is a special transfer vector used
1864 to call swapping routines, since the external data structures on various
1865 platforms have different sizes and layouts. Specialized routines that
1866 will only ever be implemented by one object file format may be called
1867 directly. This interface should be described in a file
1868 @file{bfd/lib@var{xyz}.h}, which is included by @value{GDBN}.
1869
1870
1871 @node Language Support
1872
1873 @chapter Language Support
1874
1875 @cindex language support
1876 @value{GDBN}'s language support is mainly driven by the symbol reader,
1877 although it is possible for the user to set the source language
1878 manually.
1879
1880 @value{GDBN} chooses the source language by looking at the extension
1881 of the file recorded in the debug info; @file{.c} means C, @file{.f}
1882 means Fortran, etc. It may also use a special-purpose language
1883 identifier if the debug format supports it, like with DWARF.
1884
1885 @section Adding a Source Language to @value{GDBN}
1886
1887 @cindex adding source language
1888 To add other languages to @value{GDBN}'s expression parser, follow the
1889 following steps:
1890
1891 @table @emph
1892 @item Create the expression parser.
1893
1894 @cindex expression parser
1895 This should reside in a file @file{@var{lang}-exp.y}. Routines for
1896 building parsed expressions into a @code{union exp_element} list are in
1897 @file{parse.c}.
1898
1899 @cindex language parser
1900 Since we can't depend upon everyone having Bison, and YACC produces
1901 parsers that define a bunch of global names, the following lines
1902 @strong{must} be included at the top of the YACC parser, to prevent the
1903 various parsers from defining the same global names:
1904
1905 @example
1906 #define yyparse @var{lang}_parse
1907 #define yylex @var{lang}_lex
1908 #define yyerror @var{lang}_error
1909 #define yylval @var{lang}_lval
1910 #define yychar @var{lang}_char
1911 #define yydebug @var{lang}_debug
1912 #define yypact @var{lang}_pact
1913 #define yyr1 @var{lang}_r1
1914 #define yyr2 @var{lang}_r2
1915 #define yydef @var{lang}_def
1916 #define yychk @var{lang}_chk
1917 #define yypgo @var{lang}_pgo
1918 #define yyact @var{lang}_act
1919 #define yyexca @var{lang}_exca
1920 #define yyerrflag @var{lang}_errflag
1921 #define yynerrs @var{lang}_nerrs
1922 @end example
1923
1924 At the bottom of your parser, define a @code{struct language_defn} and
1925 initialize it with the right values for your language. Define an
1926 @code{initialize_@var{lang}} routine and have it call
1927 @samp{add_language(@var{lang}_language_defn)} to tell the rest of @value{GDBN}
1928 that your language exists. You'll need some other supporting variables
1929 and functions, which will be used via pointers from your
1930 @code{@var{lang}_language_defn}. See the declaration of @code{struct
1931 language_defn} in @file{language.h}, and the other @file{*-exp.y} files,
1932 for more information.
1933
1934 @item Add any evaluation routines, if necessary
1935
1936 @cindex expression evaluation routines
1937 @findex evaluate_subexp
1938 @findex prefixify_subexp
1939 @findex length_of_subexp
1940 If you need new opcodes (that represent the operations of the language),
1941 add them to the enumerated type in @file{expression.h}. Add support
1942 code for these operations in the @code{evaluate_subexp} function
1943 defined in the file @file{eval.c}. Add cases
1944 for new opcodes in two functions from @file{parse.c}:
1945 @code{prefixify_subexp} and @code{length_of_subexp}. These compute
1946 the number of @code{exp_element}s that a given operation takes up.
1947
1948 @item Update some existing code
1949
1950 Add an enumerated identifier for your language to the enumerated type
1951 @code{enum language} in @file{defs.h}.
1952
1953 Update the routines in @file{language.c} so your language is included.
1954 These routines include type predicates and such, which (in some cases)
1955 are language dependent. If your language does not appear in the switch
1956 statement, an error is reported.
1957
1958 @vindex current_language
1959 Also included in @file{language.c} is the code that updates the variable
1960 @code{current_language}, and the routines that translate the
1961 @code{language_@var{lang}} enumerated identifier into a printable
1962 string.
1963
1964 @findex _initialize_language
1965 Update the function @code{_initialize_language} to include your
1966 language. This function picks the default language upon startup, so is
1967 dependent upon which languages that @value{GDBN} is built for.
1968
1969 @findex allocate_symtab
1970 Update @code{allocate_symtab} in @file{symfile.c} and/or symbol-reading
1971 code so that the language of each symtab (source file) is set properly.
1972 This is used to determine the language to use at each stack frame level.
1973 Currently, the language is set based upon the extension of the source
1974 file. If the language can be better inferred from the symbol
1975 information, please set the language of the symtab in the symbol-reading
1976 code.
1977
1978 @findex print_subexp
1979 @findex op_print_tab
1980 Add helper code to @code{print_subexp} (in @file{expprint.c}) to handle any new
1981 expression opcodes you have added to @file{expression.h}. Also, add the
1982 printed representations of your operators to @code{op_print_tab}.
1983
1984 @item Add a place of call
1985
1986 @findex parse_exp_1
1987 Add a call to @code{@var{lang}_parse()} and @code{@var{lang}_error} in
1988 @code{parse_exp_1} (defined in @file{parse.c}).
1989
1990 @item Use macros to trim code
1991
1992 @cindex trimming language-dependent code
1993 The user has the option of building @value{GDBN} for some or all of the
1994 languages. If the user decides to build @value{GDBN} for the language
1995 @var{lang}, then every file dependent on @file{language.h} will have the
1996 macro @code{_LANG_@var{lang}} defined in it. Use @code{#ifdef}s to
1997 leave out large routines that the user won't need if he or she is not
1998 using your language.
1999
2000 Note that you do not need to do this in your YACC parser, since if @value{GDBN}
2001 is not build for @var{lang}, then @file{@var{lang}-exp.tab.o} (the
2002 compiled form of your parser) is not linked into @value{GDBN} at all.
2003
2004 See the file @file{configure.in} for how @value{GDBN} is configured
2005 for different languages.
2006
2007 @item Edit @file{Makefile.in}
2008
2009 Add dependencies in @file{Makefile.in}. Make sure you update the macro
2010 variables such as @code{HFILES} and @code{OBJS}, otherwise your code may
2011 not get linked in, or, worse yet, it may not get @code{tar}red into the
2012 distribution!
2013 @end table
2014
2015
2016 @node Host Definition
2017
2018 @chapter Host Definition
2019
2020 With the advent of Autoconf, it's rarely necessary to have host
2021 definition machinery anymore. The following information is provided,
2022 mainly, as an historical reference.
2023
2024 @section Adding a New Host
2025
2026 @cindex adding a new host
2027 @cindex host, adding
2028 @value{GDBN}'s host configuration support normally happens via Autoconf.
2029 New host-specific definitions should not be needed. Older hosts
2030 @value{GDBN} still use the host-specific definitions and files listed
2031 below, but these mostly exist for historical reasons, and will
2032 eventually disappear.
2033
2034 @table @file
2035 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{xyz}.mh
2036 This file once contained both host and native configuration information
2037 (@pxref{Native Debugging}) for the machine @var{xyz}. The host
2038 configuration information is now handed by Autoconf.
2039
2040 Host configuration information included a definition of
2041 @code{XM_FILE=xm-@var{xyz}.h} and possibly definitions for @code{CC},
2042 @code{SYSV_DEFINE}, @code{XM_CFLAGS}, @code{XM_ADD_FILES},
2043 @code{XM_CLIBS}, @code{XM_CDEPS}, etc.; see @file{Makefile.in}.
2044
2045 New host only configurations do not need this file.
2046
2047 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/xm-@var{xyz}.h
2048 This file once contained definitions and includes required when hosting
2049 gdb on machine @var{xyz}. Those definitions and includes are now
2050 handled by Autoconf.
2051
2052 New host and native configurations do not need this file.
2053
2054 @emph{Maintainer's note: Some hosts continue to use the @file{xm-xyz.h}
2055 file to define the macros @var{HOST_FLOAT_FORMAT},
2056 @var{HOST_DOUBLE_FORMAT} and @var{HOST_LONG_DOUBLE_FORMAT}. That code
2057 also needs to be replaced with either an Autoconf or run-time test.}
2058
2059 @end table
2060
2061 @subheading Generic Host Support Files
2062
2063 @cindex generic host support
2064 There are some ``generic'' versions of routines that can be used by
2065 various systems. These can be customized in various ways by macros
2066 defined in your @file{xm-@var{xyz}.h} file. If these routines work for
2067 the @var{xyz} host, you can just include the generic file's name (with
2068 @samp{.o}, not @samp{.c}) in @code{XDEPFILES}.
2069
2070 Otherwise, if your machine needs custom support routines, you will need
2071 to write routines that perform the same functions as the generic file.
2072 Put them into @code{@var{xyz}-xdep.c}, and put @code{@var{xyz}-xdep.o}
2073 into @code{XDEPFILES}.
2074
2075 @table @file
2076 @cindex remote debugging support
2077 @cindex serial line support
2078 @item ser-unix.c
2079 This contains serial line support for Unix systems. This is always
2080 included, via the makefile variable @code{SER_HARDWIRE}; override this
2081 variable in the @file{.mh} file to avoid it.
2082
2083 @item ser-go32.c
2084 This contains serial line support for 32-bit programs running under DOS,
2085 using the DJGPP (a.k.a.@: GO32) execution environment.
2086
2087 @cindex TCP remote support
2088 @item ser-tcp.c
2089 This contains generic TCP support using sockets.
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @section Host Conditionals
2093
2094 When @value{GDBN} is configured and compiled, various macros are
2095 defined or left undefined, to control compilation based on the
2096 attributes of the host system. These macros and their meanings (or if
2097 the meaning is not documented here, then one of the source files where
2098 they are used is indicated) are:
2099
2100 @ftable @code
2101 @item @value{GDBN}INIT_FILENAME
2102 The default name of @value{GDBN}'s initialization file (normally
2103 @file{.gdbinit}).
2104
2105 @item NO_STD_REGS
2106 This macro is deprecated.
2107
2108 @item NO_SYS_FILE
2109 Define this if your system does not have a @code{<sys/file.h>}.
2110
2111 @item SIGWINCH_HANDLER
2112 If your host defines @code{SIGWINCH}, you can define this to be the name
2113 of a function to be called if @code{SIGWINCH} is received.
2114
2115 @item SIGWINCH_HANDLER_BODY
2116 Define this to expand into code that will define the function named by
2117 the expansion of @code{SIGWINCH_HANDLER}.
2118
2119 @item ALIGN_STACK_ON_STARTUP
2120 @cindex stack alignment
2121 Define this if your system is of a sort that will crash in
2122 @code{tgetent} if the stack happens not to be longword-aligned when
2123 @code{main} is called. This is a rare situation, but is known to occur
2124 on several different types of systems.
2125
2126 @item CRLF_SOURCE_FILES
2127 @cindex DOS text files
2128 Define this if host files use @code{\r\n} rather than @code{\n} as a
2129 line terminator. This will cause source file listings to omit @code{\r}
2130 characters when printing and it will allow @code{\r\n} line endings of files
2131 which are ``sourced'' by gdb. It must be possible to open files in binary
2132 mode using @code{O_BINARY} or, for fopen, @code{"rb"}.
2133
2134 @item DEFAULT_PROMPT
2135 @cindex prompt
2136 The default value of the prompt string (normally @code{"(gdb) "}).
2137
2138 @item DEV_TTY
2139 @cindex terminal device
2140 The name of the generic TTY device, defaults to @code{"/dev/tty"}.
2141
2142 @item FCLOSE_PROVIDED
2143 Define this if the system declares @code{fclose} in the headers included
2144 in @code{defs.h}. This isn't needed unless your compiler is unusually
2145 anal.
2146
2147 @item FOPEN_RB
2148 Define this if binary files are opened the same way as text files.
2149
2150 @item GETENV_PROVIDED
2151 Define this if the system declares @code{getenv} in its headers included
2152 in @code{defs.h}. This isn't needed unless your compiler is unusually
2153 anal.
2154
2155 @item HAVE_MMAP
2156 @findex mmap
2157 In some cases, use the system call @code{mmap} for reading symbol
2158 tables. For some machines this allows for sharing and quick updates.
2159
2160 @item HAVE_TERMIO
2161 Define this if the host system has @code{termio.h}.
2162
2163 @item INT_MAX
2164 @itemx INT_MIN
2165 @itemx LONG_MAX
2166 @itemx UINT_MAX
2167 @itemx ULONG_MAX
2168 Values for host-side constants.
2169
2170 @item ISATTY
2171 Substitute for isatty, if not available.
2172
2173 @item LONGEST
2174 This is the longest integer type available on the host. If not defined,
2175 it will default to @code{long long} or @code{long}, depending on
2176 @code{CC_HAS_LONG_LONG}.
2177
2178 @item CC_HAS_LONG_LONG
2179 @cindex @code{long long} data type
2180 Define this if the host C compiler supports @code{long long}. This is set
2181 by the @code{configure} script.
2182
2183 @item PRINTF_HAS_LONG_LONG
2184 Define this if the host can handle printing of long long integers via
2185 the printf format conversion specifier @code{ll}. This is set by the
2186 @code{configure} script.
2187
2188 @item HAVE_LONG_DOUBLE
2189 Define this if the host C compiler supports @code{long double}. This is
2190 set by the @code{configure} script.
2191
2192 @item PRINTF_HAS_LONG_DOUBLE
2193 Define this if the host can handle printing of long double float-point
2194 numbers via the printf format conversion specifier @code{Lg}. This is
2195 set by the @code{configure} script.
2196
2197 @item SCANF_HAS_LONG_DOUBLE
2198 Define this if the host can handle the parsing of long double
2199 float-point numbers via the scanf format conversion specifier
2200 @code{Lg}. This is set by the @code{configure} script.
2201
2202 @item LSEEK_NOT_LINEAR
2203 Define this if @code{lseek (n)} does not necessarily move to byte number
2204 @code{n} in the file. This is only used when reading source files. It
2205 is normally faster to define @code{CRLF_SOURCE_FILES} when possible.
2206
2207 @item L_SET
2208 This macro is used as the argument to @code{lseek} (or, most commonly,
2209 @code{bfd_seek}). FIXME, should be replaced by SEEK_SET instead,
2210 which is the POSIX equivalent.
2211
2212 @item MMAP_BASE_ADDRESS
2213 When using HAVE_MMAP, the first mapping should go at this address.
2214
2215 @item MMAP_INCREMENT
2216 when using HAVE_MMAP, this is the increment between mappings.
2217
2218 @item NORETURN
2219 If defined, this should be one or more tokens, such as @code{volatile},
2220 that can be used in both the declaration and definition of functions to
2221 indicate that they never return. The default is already set correctly
2222 if compiling with GCC. This will almost never need to be defined.
2223
2224 @item ATTR_NORETURN
2225 If defined, this should be one or more tokens, such as
2226 @code{__attribute__ ((noreturn))}, that can be used in the declarations
2227 of functions to indicate that they never return. The default is already
2228 set correctly if compiling with GCC. This will almost never need to be
2229 defined.
2230
2231 @item USE_GENERIC_DUMMY_FRAMES
2232 @cindex generic dummy frames
2233 Define this to 1 if the target is using the generic inferior function
2234 call code. See @code{blockframe.c} for more information.
2235
2236 @item USE_MMALLOC
2237 @findex mmalloc
2238 @value{GDBN} will use the @code{mmalloc} library for memory allocation
2239 for symbol reading if this symbol is defined. Be careful defining it
2240 since there are systems on which @code{mmalloc} does not work for some
2241 reason. One example is the DECstation, where its RPC library can't
2242 cope with our redefinition of @code{malloc} to call @code{mmalloc}.
2243 When defining @code{USE_MMALLOC}, you will also have to set
2244 @code{MMALLOC} in the Makefile, to point to the @code{mmalloc} library. This
2245 define is set when you configure with @samp{--with-mmalloc}.
2246
2247 @item NO_MMCHECK
2248 @findex mmcheck
2249 Define this if you are using @code{mmalloc}, but don't want the overhead
2250 of checking the heap with @code{mmcheck}. Note that on some systems,
2251 the C runtime makes calls to @code{malloc} prior to calling @code{main}, and if
2252 @code{free} is ever called with these pointers after calling
2253 @code{mmcheck} to enable checking, a memory corruption abort is certain
2254 to occur. These systems can still use @code{mmalloc}, but must define
2255 @code{NO_MMCHECK}.
2256
2257 @item MMCHECK_FORCE
2258 Define this to 1 if the C runtime allocates memory prior to
2259 @code{mmcheck} being called, but that memory is never freed so we don't
2260 have to worry about it triggering a memory corruption abort. The
2261 default is 0, which means that @code{mmcheck} will only install the heap
2262 checking functions if there has not yet been any memory allocation
2263 calls, and if it fails to install the functions, @value{GDBN} will issue a
2264 warning. This is currently defined if you configure using
2265 @samp{--with-mmalloc}.
2266
2267 @item NO_SIGINTERRUPT
2268 @findex siginterrupt
2269 Define this to indicate that @code{siginterrupt} is not available.
2270
2271 @item SEEK_CUR
2272 @itemx SEEK_SET
2273 Define these to appropriate value for the system @code{lseek}, if not already
2274 defined.
2275
2276 @item STOP_SIGNAL
2277 This is the signal for stopping @value{GDBN}. Defaults to
2278 @code{SIGTSTP}. (Only redefined for the Convex.)
2279
2280 @item USE_O_NOCTTY
2281 Define this if the interior's tty should be opened with the @code{O_NOCTTY}
2282 flag. (FIXME: This should be a native-only flag, but @file{inflow.c} is
2283 always linked in.)
2284
2285 @item USG
2286 Means that System V (prior to SVR4) include files are in use. (FIXME:
2287 This symbol is abused in @file{infrun.c}, @file{regex.c},
2288 @file{remote-nindy.c}, and @file{utils.c} for other things, at the
2289 moment.)
2290
2291 @item lint
2292 Define this to help placate @code{lint} in some situations.
2293
2294 @item volatile
2295 Define this to override the defaults of @code{__volatile__} or
2296 @code{/**/}.
2297 @end ftable
2298
2299
2300 @node Target Architecture Definition
2301
2302 @chapter Target Architecture Definition
2303
2304 @cindex target architecture definition
2305 @value{GDBN}'s target architecture defines what sort of
2306 machine-language programs @value{GDBN} can work with, and how it works
2307 with them.
2308
2309 The target architecture object is implemented as the C structure
2310 @code{struct gdbarch *}. The structure, and its methods, are generated
2311 using the Bourne shell script @file{gdbarch.sh}.
2312
2313 @section Registers and Memory
2314
2315 @value{GDBN}'s model of the target machine is rather simple.
2316 @value{GDBN} assumes the machine includes a bank of registers and a
2317 block of memory. Each register may have a different size.
2318
2319 @value{GDBN} does not have a magical way to match up with the
2320 compiler's idea of which registers are which; however, it is critical
2321 that they do match up accurately. The only way to make this work is
2322 to get accurate information about the order that the compiler uses,
2323 and to reflect that in the @code{REGISTER_NAME} and related macros.
2324
2325 @value{GDBN} can handle big-endian, little-endian, and bi-endian architectures.
2326
2327 @section Pointers Are Not Always Addresses
2328 @cindex pointer representation
2329 @cindex address representation
2330 @cindex word-addressed machines
2331 @cindex separate data and code address spaces
2332 @cindex spaces, separate data and code address
2333 @cindex address spaces, separate data and code
2334 @cindex code pointers, word-addressed
2335 @cindex converting between pointers and addresses
2336 @cindex D10V addresses
2337
2338 On almost all 32-bit architectures, the representation of a pointer is
2339 indistinguishable from the representation of some fixed-length number
2340 whose value is the byte address of the object pointed to. On such
2341 machines, the words ``pointer'' and ``address'' can be used interchangeably.
2342 However, architectures with smaller word sizes are often cramped for
2343 address space, so they may choose a pointer representation that breaks this
2344 identity, and allows a larger code address space.
2345
2346 For example, the Mitsubishi D10V is a 16-bit VLIW processor whose
2347 instructions are 32 bits long@footnote{Some D10V instructions are
2348 actually pairs of 16-bit sub-instructions. However, since you can't
2349 jump into the middle of such a pair, code addresses can only refer to
2350 full 32 bit instructions, which is what matters in this explanation.}.
2351 If the D10V used ordinary byte addresses to refer to code locations,
2352 then the processor would only be able to address 64kb of instructions.
2353 However, since instructions must be aligned on four-byte boundaries, the
2354 low two bits of any valid instruction's byte address are always
2355 zero---byte addresses waste two bits. So instead of byte addresses,
2356 the D10V uses word addresses---byte addresses shifted right two bits---to
2357 refer to code. Thus, the D10V can use 16-bit words to address 256kb of
2358 code space.
2359
2360 However, this means that code pointers and data pointers have different
2361 forms on the D10V. The 16-bit word @code{0xC020} refers to byte address
2362 @code{0xC020} when used as a data address, but refers to byte address
2363 @code{0x30080} when used as a code address.
2364
2365 (The D10V also uses separate code and data address spaces, which also
2366 affects the correspondence between pointers and addresses, but we're
2367 going to ignore that here; this example is already too long.)
2368
2369 To cope with architectures like this---the D10V is not the only
2370 one!---@value{GDBN} tries to distinguish between @dfn{addresses}, which are
2371 byte numbers, and @dfn{pointers}, which are the target's representation
2372 of an address of a particular type of data. In the example above,
2373 @code{0xC020} is the pointer, which refers to one of the addresses
2374 @code{0xC020} or @code{0x30080}, depending on the type imposed upon it.
2375 @value{GDBN} provides functions for turning a pointer into an address
2376 and vice versa, in the appropriate way for the current architecture.
2377
2378 Unfortunately, since addresses and pointers are identical on almost all
2379 processors, this distinction tends to bit-rot pretty quickly. Thus,
2380 each time you port @value{GDBN} to an architecture which does
2381 distinguish between pointers and addresses, you'll probably need to
2382 clean up some architecture-independent code.
2383
2384 Here are functions which convert between pointers and addresses:
2385
2386 @deftypefun CORE_ADDR extract_typed_address (void *@var{buf}, struct type *@var{type})
2387 Treat the bytes at @var{buf} as a pointer or reference of type
2388 @var{type}, and return the address it represents, in a manner
2389 appropriate for the current architecture. This yields an address
2390 @value{GDBN} can use to read target memory, disassemble, etc. Note that
2391 @var{buf} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2392 inferior's.
2393
2394 For example, if the current architecture is the Intel x86, this function
2395 extracts a little-endian integer of the appropriate length from
2396 @var{buf} and returns it. However, if the current architecture is the
2397 D10V, this function will return a 16-bit integer extracted from
2398 @var{buf}, multiplied by four if @var{type} is a pointer to a function.
2399
2400 If @var{type} is not a pointer or reference type, then this function
2401 will signal an internal error.
2402 @end deftypefun
2403
2404 @deftypefun CORE_ADDR store_typed_address (void *@var{buf}, struct type *@var{type}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2405 Store the address @var{addr} in @var{buf}, in the proper format for a
2406 pointer of type @var{type} in the current architecture. Note that
2407 @var{buf} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2408 inferior's.
2409
2410 For example, if the current architecture is the Intel x86, this function
2411 stores @var{addr} unmodified as a little-endian integer of the
2412 appropriate length in @var{buf}. However, if the current architecture
2413 is the D10V, this function divides @var{addr} by four if @var{type} is
2414 a pointer to a function, and then stores it in @var{buf}.
2415
2416 If @var{type} is not a pointer or reference type, then this function
2417 will signal an internal error.
2418 @end deftypefun
2419
2420 @deftypefun CORE_ADDR value_as_address (struct value *@var{val})
2421 Assuming that @var{val} is a pointer, return the address it represents,
2422 as appropriate for the current architecture.
2423
2424 This function actually works on integral values, as well as pointers.
2425 For pointers, it performs architecture-specific conversions as
2426 described above for @code{extract_typed_address}.
2427 @end deftypefun
2428
2429 @deftypefun CORE_ADDR value_from_pointer (struct type *@var{type}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2430 Create and return a value representing a pointer of type @var{type} to
2431 the address @var{addr}, as appropriate for the current architecture.
2432 This function performs architecture-specific conversions as described
2433 above for @code{store_typed_address}.
2434 @end deftypefun
2435
2436
2437 @value{GDBN} also provides functions that do the same tasks, but assume
2438 that pointers are simply byte addresses; they aren't sensitive to the
2439 current architecture, beyond knowing the appropriate endianness.
2440
2441 @deftypefun CORE_ADDR extract_address (void *@var{addr}, int len)
2442 Extract a @var{len}-byte number from @var{addr} in the appropriate
2443 endianness for the current architecture, and return it. Note that
2444 @var{addr} refers to @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the inferior's.
2445
2446 This function should only be used in architecture-specific code; it
2447 doesn't have enough information to turn bits into a true address in the
2448 appropriate way for the current architecture. If you can, use
2449 @code{extract_typed_address} instead.
2450 @end deftypefun
2451
2452 @deftypefun void store_address (void *@var{addr}, int @var{len}, LONGEST @var{val})
2453 Store @var{val} at @var{addr} as a @var{len}-byte integer, in the
2454 appropriate endianness for the current architecture. Note that
2455 @var{addr} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2456 inferior's.
2457
2458 This function should only be used in architecture-specific code; it
2459 doesn't have enough information to turn a true address into bits in the
2460 appropriate way for the current architecture. If you can, use
2461 @code{store_typed_address} instead.
2462 @end deftypefun
2463
2464
2465 Here are some macros which architectures can define to indicate the
2466 relationship between pointers and addresses. These have default
2467 definitions, appropriate for architectures on which all pointers are
2468 simple unsigned byte addresses.
2469
2470 @deftypefn {Target Macro} CORE_ADDR POINTER_TO_ADDRESS (struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{buf})
2471 Assume that @var{buf} holds a pointer of type @var{type}, in the
2472 appropriate format for the current architecture. Return the byte
2473 address the pointer refers to.
2474
2475 This function may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
2476 C@t{++} reference type.
2477 @end deftypefn
2478
2479 @deftypefn {Target Macro} void ADDRESS_TO_POINTER (struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{buf}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2480 Store in @var{buf} a pointer of type @var{type} representing the address
2481 @var{addr}, in the appropriate format for the current architecture.
2482
2483 This function may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
2484 C@t{++} reference type.
2485 @end deftypefn
2486
2487
2488 @section Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations
2489 @cindex raw representation
2490 @cindex virtual representation
2491 @cindex representations, raw and virtual
2492 @cindex register data formats, converting
2493 @cindex @code{struct value}, converting register contents to
2494
2495 @emph{Maintainer's note: The way GDB manipulates registers is undergoing
2496 significant change. Many of the macros and functions refered to in the
2497 sections below are likely to be made obsolete. See the file @file{TODO}
2498 for more up-to-date information.}
2499
2500 Some architectures use one representation for a value when it lives in a
2501 register, but use a different representation when it lives in memory.
2502 In @value{GDBN}'s terminology, the @dfn{raw} representation is the one used in
2503 the target registers, and the @dfn{virtual} representation is the one
2504 used in memory, and within @value{GDBN} @code{struct value} objects.
2505
2506 For almost all data types on almost all architectures, the virtual and
2507 raw representations are identical, and no special handling is needed.
2508 However, they do occasionally differ. For example:
2509
2510 @itemize @bullet
2511 @item
2512 The x86 architecture supports an 80-bit @code{long double} type. However, when
2513 we store those values in memory, they occupy twelve bytes: the
2514 floating-point number occupies the first ten, and the final two bytes
2515 are unused. This keeps the values aligned on four-byte boundaries,
2516 allowing more efficient access. Thus, the x86 80-bit floating-point
2517 type is the raw representation, and the twelve-byte loosely-packed
2518 arrangement is the virtual representation.
2519
2520 @item
2521 Some 64-bit MIPS targets present 32-bit registers to @value{GDBN} as 64-bit
2522 registers, with garbage in their upper bits. @value{GDBN} ignores the top 32
2523 bits. Thus, the 64-bit form, with garbage in the upper 32 bits, is the
2524 raw representation, and the trimmed 32-bit representation is the
2525 virtual representation.
2526 @end itemize
2527
2528 In general, the raw representation is determined by the architecture, or
2529 @value{GDBN}'s interface to the architecture, while the virtual representation
2530 can be chosen for @value{GDBN}'s convenience. @value{GDBN}'s register file,
2531 @code{registers}, holds the register contents in raw format, and the
2532 @value{GDBN} remote protocol transmits register values in raw format.
2533
2534 Your architecture may define the following macros to request
2535 conversions between the raw and virtual format:
2536
2537 @deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE (int @var{reg})
2538 Return non-zero if register number @var{reg}'s value needs different raw
2539 and virtual formats.
2540
2541 You should not use @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} for a register
2542 unless this macro returns a non-zero value for that register.
2543 @end deftypefn
2544
2545 @deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_RAW_SIZE (int @var{reg})
2546 The size of register number @var{reg}'s raw value. This is the number
2547 of bytes the register will occupy in @code{registers}, or in a @value{GDBN}
2548 remote protocol packet.
2549 @end deftypefn
2550
2551 @deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE (int @var{reg})
2552 The size of register number @var{reg}'s value, in its virtual format.
2553 This is the size a @code{struct value}'s buffer will have, holding that
2554 register's value.
2555 @end deftypefn
2556
2557 @deftypefn {Target Macro} struct type *REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (int @var{reg})
2558 This is the type of the virtual representation of register number
2559 @var{reg}. Note that there is no need for a macro giving a type for the
2560 register's raw form; once the register's value has been obtained, @value{GDBN}
2561 always uses the virtual form.
2562 @end deftypefn
2563
2564 @deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL (int @var{reg}, struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2565 Convert the value of register number @var{reg} to @var{type}, which
2566 should always be @code{REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})}. The buffer
2567 at @var{from} holds the register's value in raw format; the macro should
2568 convert the value to virtual format, and place it at @var{to}.
2569
2570 Note that @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} and
2571 @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW} take their @var{reg} and @var{type}
2572 arguments in different orders.
2573
2574 You should only use @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} with registers
2575 for which the @code{REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE} macro returns a non-zero
2576 value.
2577 @end deftypefn
2578
2579 @deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW (struct type *@var{type}, int @var{reg}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2580 Convert the value of register number @var{reg} to @var{type}, which
2581 should always be @code{REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})}. The buffer
2582 at @var{from} holds the register's value in raw format; the macro should
2583 convert the value to virtual format, and place it at @var{to}.
2584
2585 Note that REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL and REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW take
2586 their @var{reg} and @var{type} arguments in different orders.
2587 @end deftypefn
2588
2589
2590 @section Frame Interpretation
2591
2592 @section Inferior Call Setup
2593
2594 @section Compiler Characteristics
2595
2596 @section Target Conditionals
2597
2598 This section describes the macros that you can use to define the target
2599 machine.
2600
2601 @table @code
2602
2603 @item ADDITIONAL_OPTIONS
2604 @itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_CASES
2605 @itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HANDLER
2606 @itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HELP
2607 @findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HELP
2608 @findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HANDLER
2609 @findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_CASES
2610 @findex ADDITIONAL_OPTIONS
2611 These are a set of macros that allow the addition of additional command
2612 line options to @value{GDBN}. They are currently used only for the unsupported
2613 i960 Nindy target, and should not be used in any other configuration.
2614
2615 @item ADDR_BITS_REMOVE (addr)
2616 @findex ADDR_BITS_REMOVE
2617 If a raw machine instruction address includes any bits that are not
2618 really part of the address, then define this macro to expand into an
2619 expression that zeroes those bits in @var{addr}. This is only used for
2620 addresses of instructions, and even then not in all contexts.
2621
2622 For example, the two low-order bits of the PC on the Hewlett-Packard PA
2623 2.0 architecture contain the privilege level of the corresponding
2624 instruction. Since instructions must always be aligned on four-byte
2625 boundaries, the processor masks out these bits to generate the actual
2626 address of the instruction. ADDR_BITS_REMOVE should filter out these
2627 bits with an expression such as @code{((addr) & ~3)}.
2628
2629 @item ADDRESS_TO_POINTER (@var{type}, @var{buf}, @var{addr})
2630 @findex ADDRESS_TO_POINTER
2631 Store in @var{buf} a pointer of type @var{type} representing the address
2632 @var{addr}, in the appropriate format for the current architecture.
2633 This macro may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
2634 C@t{++} reference type.
2635 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always Addresses}.
2636
2637 @item BEFORE_MAIN_LOOP_HOOK
2638 @findex BEFORE_MAIN_LOOP_HOOK
2639 Define this to expand into any code that you want to execute before the
2640 main loop starts. Although this is not, strictly speaking, a target
2641 conditional, that is how it is currently being used. Note that if a
2642 configuration were to define it one way for a host and a different way
2643 for the target, @value{GDBN} will probably not compile, let alone run
2644 correctly. This macro is currently used only for the unsupported i960 Nindy
2645 target, and should not be used in any other configuration.
2646
2647 @item BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION
2648 @findex BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION
2649 Define if the compiler promotes a @code{short} or @code{char}
2650 parameter to an @code{int}, but still reports the parameter as its
2651 original type, rather than the promoted type.
2652
2653 @item BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION_TYPE
2654 @findex BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION_TYPE
2655 Define this if @value{GDBN} should believe the type of a @code{short}
2656 argument when compiled by @code{pcc}, but look within a full int space to get
2657 its value. Only defined for Sun-3 at present.
2658
2659 @item BITS_BIG_ENDIAN
2660 @findex BITS_BIG_ENDIAN
2661 Define this if the numbering of bits in the targets does @strong{not} match the
2662 endianness of the target byte order. A value of 1 means that the bits
2663 are numbered in a big-endian bit order, 0 means little-endian.
2664
2665 @item BREAKPOINT
2666 @findex BREAKPOINT
2667 This is the character array initializer for the bit pattern to put into
2668 memory where a breakpoint is set. Although it's common to use a trap
2669 instruction for a breakpoint, it's not required; for instance, the bit
2670 pattern could be an invalid instruction. The breakpoint must be no
2671 longer than the shortest instruction of the architecture.
2672
2673 @code{BREAKPOINT} has been deprecated in favor of
2674 @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
2675
2676 @item BIG_BREAKPOINT
2677 @itemx LITTLE_BREAKPOINT
2678 @findex LITTLE_BREAKPOINT
2679 @findex BIG_BREAKPOINT
2680 Similar to BREAKPOINT, but used for bi-endian targets.
2681
2682 @code{BIG_BREAKPOINT} and @code{LITTLE_BREAKPOINT} have been deprecated in
2683 favor of @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
2684
2685 @item REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2686 @itemx LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2687 @itemx BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2688 @findex BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2689 @findex LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2690 @findex REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2691 Similar to BREAKPOINT, but used for remote targets.
2692
2693 @code{BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT} and @code{LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT} have been
2694 deprecated in favor of @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
2695
2696 @item BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC (@var{pcptr}, @var{lenptr})
2697 @findex BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC
2698 Use the program counter to determine the contents and size of a
2699 breakpoint instruction. It returns a pointer to a string of bytes
2700 that encode a breakpoint instruction, stores the length of the string
2701 to *@var{lenptr}, and adjusts pc (if necessary) to point to the actual
2702 memory location where the breakpoint should be inserted.
2703
2704 Although it is common to use a trap instruction for a breakpoint, it's
2705 not required; for instance, the bit pattern could be an invalid
2706 instruction. The breakpoint must be no longer than the shortest
2707 instruction of the architecture.
2708
2709 Replaces all the other @var{BREAKPOINT} macros.
2710
2711 @item MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{contents_cache})
2712 @itemx MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{contents_cache})
2713 @findex MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT
2714 @findex MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT
2715 Insert or remove memory based breakpoints. Reasonable defaults
2716 (@code{default_memory_insert_breakpoint} and
2717 @code{default_memory_remove_breakpoint} respectively) have been
2718 provided so that it is not necessary to define these for most
2719 architectures. Architectures which may want to define
2720 @code{MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT} and @code{MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT} will
2721 likely have instructions that are oddly sized or are not stored in a
2722 conventional manner.
2723
2724 It may also be desirable (from an efficiency standpoint) to define
2725 custom breakpoint insertion and removal routines if
2726 @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC} needs to read the target's memory for some
2727 reason.
2728
2729 @item CALL_DUMMY_P
2730 @findex CALL_DUMMY_P
2731 A C expresson that is non-zero when the target suports inferior function
2732 calls.
2733
2734 @item CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2735 @findex CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2736 Pointer to an array of @code{LONGEST} words of data containing
2737 host-byte-ordered @code{REGISTER_BYTES} sized values that partially
2738 specify the sequence of instructions needed for an inferior function
2739 call.
2740
2741 Should be deprecated in favor of a macro that uses target-byte-ordered
2742 data.
2743
2744 @item SIZEOF_CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2745 @findex SIZEOF_CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2746 The size of @code{CALL_DUMMY_WORDS}. When @code{CALL_DUMMY_P} this must
2747 return a positive value. See also @code{CALL_DUMMY_LENGTH}.
2748
2749 @item CALL_DUMMY
2750 @findex CALL_DUMMY
2751 A static initializer for @code{CALL_DUMMY_WORDS}. Deprecated.
2752
2753 @item CALL_DUMMY_LOCATION
2754 @findex CALL_DUMMY_LOCATION
2755 See the file @file{inferior.h}.
2756
2757 @item CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST
2758 @findex CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST
2759 Stack adjustment needed when performing an inferior function call.
2760
2761 Should be deprecated in favor of something like @code{STACK_ALIGN}.
2762
2763 @item CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST_P
2764 @findex CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST_P
2765 Predicate for use of @code{CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST}.
2766
2767 Should be deprecated in favor of something like @code{STACK_ALIGN}.
2768
2769 @item CANNOT_FETCH_REGISTER (@var{regno})
2770 @findex CANNOT_FETCH_REGISTER
2771 A C expression that should be nonzero if @var{regno} cannot be fetched
2772 from an inferior process. This is only relevant if
2773 @code{FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS} is not defined.
2774
2775 @item CANNOT_STORE_REGISTER (@var{regno})
2776 @findex CANNOT_STORE_REGISTER
2777 A C expression that should be nonzero if @var{regno} should not be
2778 written to the target. This is often the case for program counters,
2779 status words, and other special registers. If this is not defined,
2780 @value{GDBN} will assume that all registers may be written.
2781
2782 @item DO_DEFERRED_STORES
2783 @itemx CLEAR_DEFERRED_STORES
2784 @findex CLEAR_DEFERRED_STORES
2785 @findex DO_DEFERRED_STORES
2786 Define this to execute any deferred stores of registers into the inferior,
2787 and to cancel any deferred stores.
2788
2789 Currently only implemented correctly for native Sparc configurations?
2790
2791 @item COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE (@var{formal}, @var{actual})
2792 @findex COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE
2793 @cindex promotion to @code{double}
2794 @cindex @code{float} arguments
2795 @cindex prototyped functions, passing arguments to
2796 @cindex passing arguments to prototyped functions
2797 Return non-zero if GDB should promote @code{float} values to
2798 @code{double} when calling a non-prototyped function. The argument
2799 @var{actual} is the type of the value we want to pass to the function.
2800 The argument @var{formal} is the type of this argument, as it appears in
2801 the function's definition. Note that @var{formal} may be zero if we
2802 have no debugging information for the function, or if we're passing more
2803 arguments than are officially declared (for example, varargs). This
2804 macro is never invoked if the function definitely has a prototype.
2805
2806 How you should pass arguments to a function depends on whether it was
2807 defined in K&R style or prototype style. If you define a function using
2808 the K&R syntax that takes a @code{float} argument, then callers must
2809 pass that argument as a @code{double}. If you define the function using
2810 the prototype syntax, then you must pass the argument as a @code{float},
2811 with no promotion.
2812
2813 Unfortunately, on certain older platforms, the debug info doesn't
2814 indicate reliably how each function was defined. A function type's
2815 @code{TYPE_FLAG_PROTOTYPED} flag may be unset, even if the function was
2816 defined in prototype style. When calling a function whose
2817 @code{TYPE_FLAG_PROTOTYPED} flag is unset, GDB consults the
2818 @code{COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE} macro to decide what to do.
2819
2820 @findex standard_coerce_float_to_double
2821 For modern targets, it is proper to assume that, if the prototype flag
2822 is unset, that can be trusted: @code{float} arguments should be promoted
2823 to @code{double}. You should use the function
2824 @code{standard_coerce_float_to_double} to get this behavior.
2825
2826 @findex default_coerce_float_to_double
2827 For some older targets, if the prototype flag is unset, that doesn't
2828 tell us anything. So we guess that, if we don't have a type for the
2829 formal parameter (@i{i.e.}, the first argument to
2830 @code{COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE} is null), then we should promote it;
2831 otherwise, we should leave it alone. The function
2832 @code{default_coerce_float_to_double} provides this behavior; it is the
2833 default value, for compatibility with older configurations.
2834
2835 @item CPLUS_MARKER
2836 @findex CPLUS_MARKERz
2837 Define this to expand into the character that G@t{++} uses to distinguish
2838 compiler-generated identifiers from programmer-specified identifiers.
2839 By default, this expands into @code{'$'}. Most System V targets should
2840 define this to @code{'.'}.
2841
2842 @item DBX_PARM_SYMBOL_CLASS
2843 @findex DBX_PARM_SYMBOL_CLASS
2844 Hook for the @code{SYMBOL_CLASS} of a parameter when decoding DBX symbol
2845 information. In the i960, parameters can be stored as locals or as
2846 args, depending on the type of the debug record.
2847
2848 @item DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK
2849 @findex DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK
2850 Define this to be the amount by which to decrement the PC after the
2851 program encounters a breakpoint. This is often the number of bytes in
2852 @code{BREAKPOINT}, though not always. For most targets this value will be 0.
2853
2854 @item DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
2855 @findex DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
2856 Similarly, for hardware breakpoints.
2857
2858 @item DISABLE_UNSETTABLE_BREAK (@var{addr})
2859 @findex DISABLE_UNSETTABLE_BREAK
2860 If defined, this should evaluate to 1 if @var{addr} is in a shared
2861 library in which breakpoints cannot be set and so should be disabled.
2862
2863 @item DO_REGISTERS_INFO
2864 @findex DO_REGISTERS_INFO
2865 If defined, use this to print the value of a register or all registers.
2866
2867 @item DWARF_REG_TO_REGNUM
2868 @findex DWARF_REG_TO_REGNUM
2869 Convert DWARF register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not defined,
2870 no conversion will be performed.
2871
2872 @item DWARF2_REG_TO_REGNUM
2873 @findex DWARF2_REG_TO_REGNUM
2874 Convert DWARF2 register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not
2875 defined, no conversion will be performed.
2876
2877 @item ECOFF_REG_TO_REGNUM
2878 @findex ECOFF_REG_TO_REGNUM
2879 Convert ECOFF register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not defined,
2880 no conversion will be performed.
2881
2882 @item END_OF_TEXT_DEFAULT
2883 @findex END_OF_TEXT_DEFAULT
2884 This is an expression that should designate the end of the text section.
2885 @c (? FIXME ?)
2886
2887 @item EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE(@var{type}, @var{regbuf}, @var{valbuf})
2888 @findex EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE
2889 Define this to extract a function's return value of type @var{type} from
2890 the raw register state @var{regbuf} and copy that, in virtual format,
2891 into @var{valbuf}.
2892
2893 @item EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS(@var{regbuf})
2894 @findex EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS
2895 When defined, extract from the array @var{regbuf} (containing the raw
2896 register state) the @code{CORE_ADDR} at which a function should return
2897 its structure value.
2898
2899 If not defined, @code{EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE} is used.
2900
2901 @item EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS_P()
2902 @findex EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS_P
2903 Predicate for @code{EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS}.
2904
2905 @item FLOAT_INFO
2906 @findex FLOAT_INFO
2907 If defined, then the @samp{info float} command will print information about
2908 the processor's floating point unit.
2909
2910 @item FP_REGNUM
2911 @findex FP_REGNUM
2912 If the virtual frame pointer is kept in a register, then define this
2913 macro to be the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
2914
2915 This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_READ_FP} and
2916 @code{TARGET_WRITE_FP} are not defined.
2917
2918 @item FRAMELESS_FUNCTION_INVOCATION(@var{fi})
2919 @findex FRAMELESS_FUNCTION_INVOCATION
2920 Define this to an expression that returns 1 if the function invocation
2921 represented by @var{fi} does not have a stack frame associated with it.
2922 Otherwise return 0.
2923
2924 @item FRAME_ARGS_ADDRESS_CORRECT
2925 @findex FRAME_ARGS_ADDRESS_CORRECT
2926 See @file{stack.c}.
2927
2928 @item FRAME_CHAIN(@var{frame})
2929 @findex FRAME_CHAIN
2930 Given @var{frame}, return a pointer to the calling frame.
2931
2932 @item FRAME_CHAIN_COMBINE(@var{chain}, @var{frame})
2933 @findex FRAME_CHAIN_COMBINE
2934 Define this to take the frame chain pointer and the frame's nominal
2935 address and produce the nominal address of the caller's frame.
2936 Presently only defined for HP PA.
2937
2938 @item FRAME_CHAIN_VALID(@var{chain}, @var{thisframe})
2939 @findex FRAME_CHAIN_VALID
2940 Define this to be an expression that returns zero if the given frame is
2941 an outermost frame, with no caller, and nonzero otherwise. Several
2942 common definitions are available:
2943
2944 @itemize @bullet
2945 @item
2946 @code{file_frame_chain_valid} is nonzero if the chain pointer is nonzero
2947 and given frame's PC is not inside the startup file (such as
2948 @file{crt0.o}).
2949
2950 @item
2951 @code{func_frame_chain_valid} is nonzero if the chain
2952 pointer is nonzero and the given frame's PC is not in @code{main} or a
2953 known entry point function (such as @code{_start}).
2954
2955 @item
2956 @code{generic_file_frame_chain_valid} and
2957 @code{generic_func_frame_chain_valid} are equivalent implementations for
2958 targets using generic dummy frames.
2959 @end itemize
2960
2961 @item FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS(@var{frame})
2962 @findex FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS
2963 See @file{frame.h}. Determines the address of all registers in the
2964 current stack frame storing each in @code{frame->saved_regs}. Space for
2965 @code{frame->saved_regs} shall be allocated by
2966 @code{FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS} using either
2967 @code{frame_saved_regs_zalloc} or @code{frame_obstack_alloc}.
2968
2969 @code{FRAME_FIND_SAVED_REGS} and @code{EXTRA_FRAME_INFO} are deprecated.
2970
2971 @item FRAME_NUM_ARGS (@var{fi})
2972 @findex FRAME_NUM_ARGS
2973 For the frame described by @var{fi} return the number of arguments that
2974 are being passed. If the number of arguments is not known, return
2975 @code{-1}.
2976
2977 @item FRAME_SAVED_PC(@var{frame})
2978 @findex FRAME_SAVED_PC
2979 Given @var{frame}, return the pc saved there. This is the return
2980 address.
2981
2982 @item FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE
2983 @findex FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE
2984 For some COFF targets, the @code{x_sym.x_misc.x_fsize} field of the
2985 function end symbol is 0. For such targets, you must define
2986 @code{FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE} to expand into the standard size of a
2987 function's epilogue.
2988
2989 @item FUNCTION_START_OFFSET
2990 @findex FUNCTION_START_OFFSET
2991 An integer, giving the offset in bytes from a function's address (as
2992 used in the values of symbols, function pointers, etc.), and the
2993 function's first genuine instruction.
2994
2995 This is zero on almost all machines: the function's address is usually
2996 the address of its first instruction. However, on the VAX, for example,
2997 each function starts with two bytes containing a bitmask indicating
2998 which registers to save upon entry to the function. The VAX @code{call}
2999 instructions check this value, and save the appropriate registers
3000 automatically. Thus, since the offset from the function's address to
3001 its first instruction is two bytes, @code{FUNCTION_START_OFFSET} would
3002 be 2 on the VAX.
3003
3004 @item GCC_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3005 @itemx GCC2_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3006 @findex GCC2_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3007 @findex GCC_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3008 If defined, these are the names of the symbols that @value{GDBN} will
3009 look for to detect that GCC compiled the file. The default symbols
3010 are @code{gcc_compiled.} and @code{gcc2_compiled.},
3011 respectively. (Currently only defined for the Delta 68.)
3012
3013 @item @value{GDBN}_MULTI_ARCH
3014 @findex @value{GDBN}_MULTI_ARCH
3015 If defined and non-zero, enables suport for multiple architectures
3016 within @value{GDBN}.
3017
3018 This support can be enabled at two levels. At level one, only
3019 definitions for previously undefined macros are provided; at level two,
3020 a multi-arch definition of all architecture dependant macros will be
3021 defined.
3022
3023 @item @value{GDBN}_TARGET_IS_HPPA
3024 @findex @value{GDBN}_TARGET_IS_HPPA
3025 This determines whether horrible kludge code in @file{dbxread.c} and
3026 @file{partial-stab.h} is used to mangle multiple-symbol-table files from
3027 HPPA's. This should all be ripped out, and a scheme like @file{elfread.c}
3028 used instead.
3029
3030 @item GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
3031 @findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
3032 For most machines, this is a target-dependent parameter. On the
3033 DECstation and the Iris, this is a native-dependent parameter, since
3034 trhe header file @file{setjmp.h} is needed to define it.
3035
3036 This macro determines the target PC address that @code{longjmp} will jump to,
3037 assuming that we have just stopped at a @code{longjmp} breakpoint. It takes a
3038 @code{CORE_ADDR *} as argument, and stores the target PC value through this
3039 pointer. It examines the current state of the machine as needed.
3040
3041 @item GET_SAVED_REGISTER
3042 @findex GET_SAVED_REGISTER
3043 @findex get_saved_register
3044 Define this if you need to supply your own definition for the function
3045 @code{get_saved_register}.
3046
3047 @item HAVE_REGISTER_WINDOWS
3048 @findex HAVE_REGISTER_WINDOWS
3049 Define this if the target has register windows.
3050
3051 @item REGISTER_IN_WINDOW_P (@var{regnum})
3052 @findex REGISTER_IN_WINDOW_P
3053 Define this to be an expression that is 1 if the given register is in
3054 the window.
3055
3056 @item IBM6000_TARGET
3057 @findex IBM6000_TARGET
3058 Shows that we are configured for an IBM RS/6000 target. This
3059 conditional should be eliminated (FIXME) and replaced by
3060 feature-specific macros. It was introduced in a haste and we are
3061 repenting at leisure.
3062
3063 @item I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
3064 An x86-based target can define this to use the generic x86 watchpoint
3065 support; see @ref{Algorithms, I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
3066
3067 @item SYMBOLS_CAN_START_WITH_DOLLAR
3068 @findex SYMBOLS_CAN_START_WITH_DOLLAR
3069 Some systems have routines whose names start with @samp{$}. Giving this
3070 macro a non-zero value tells @value{GDBN}'s expression parser to check for such
3071 routines when parsing tokens that begin with @samp{$}.
3072
3073 On HP-UX, certain system routines (millicode) have names beginning with
3074 @samp{$} or @samp{$$}. For example, @code{$$dyncall} is a millicode
3075 routine that handles inter-space procedure calls on PA-RISC.
3076
3077 @item INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO (@var{fromleaf}, @var{frame})
3078 @findex INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO
3079 If additional information about the frame is required this should be
3080 stored in @code{frame->extra_info}. Space for @code{frame->extra_info}
3081 is allocated using @code{frame_obstack_alloc}.
3082
3083 @item INIT_FRAME_PC (@var{fromleaf}, @var{prev})
3084 @findex INIT_FRAME_PC
3085 This is a C statement that sets the pc of the frame pointed to by
3086 @var{prev}. [By default...]
3087
3088 @item INNER_THAN (@var{lhs}, @var{rhs})
3089 @findex INNER_THAN
3090 Returns non-zero if stack address @var{lhs} is inner than (nearer to the
3091 stack top) stack address @var{rhs}. Define this as @code{lhs < rhs} if
3092 the target's stack grows downward in memory, or @code{lhs > rsh} if the
3093 stack grows upward.
3094
3095 @item gdbarch_in_function_epilogue_p (@var{gdbarch}, @var{pc})
3096 @findex gdbarch_in_function_epilogue_p
3097 Returns non-zero if the given @var{pc} is in the epilogue of a function.
3098 The epilogue of a function is defined as the part of a function where
3099 the stack frame of the function already has been destroyed up to the
3100 final `return from function call' instruction.
3101
3102 @item IN_SIGTRAMP (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3103 @findex IN_SIGTRAMP
3104 Define this to return non-zero if the given @var{pc} and/or @var{name}
3105 indicates that the current function is a @code{sigtramp}.
3106
3107 @item SIGTRAMP_START (@var{pc})
3108 @findex SIGTRAMP_START
3109 @itemx SIGTRAMP_END (@var{pc})
3110 @findex SIGTRAMP_END
3111 Define these to be the start and end address of the @code{sigtramp} for the
3112 given @var{pc}. On machines where the address is just a compile time
3113 constant, the macro expansion will typically just ignore the supplied
3114 @var{pc}.
3115
3116 @item IN_SOLIB_CALL_TRAMPOLINE (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3117 @findex IN_SOLIB_CALL_TRAMPOLINE
3118 Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3119 trampoline that connects to a shared library.
3120
3121 @item IN_SOLIB_RETURN_TRAMPOLINE (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3122 @findex IN_SOLIB_RETURN_TRAMPOLINE
3123 Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3124 trampoline that returns from a shared library.
3125
3126 @item IN_SOLIB_DYNSYM_RESOLVE_CODE (@var{pc})
3127 @findex IN_SOLIB_DYNSYM_RESOLVE_CODE
3128 Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3129 dynamic linker.
3130
3131 @item SKIP_SOLIB_RESOLVER (@var{pc})
3132 @findex SKIP_SOLIB_RESOLVER
3133 Define this to evaluate to the (nonzero) address at which execution
3134 should continue to get past the dynamic linker's symbol resolution
3135 function. A zero value indicates that it is not important or necessary
3136 to set a breakpoint to get through the dynamic linker and that single
3137 stepping will suffice.
3138
3139 @item INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS (@var{type}, @var{buf})
3140 @findex INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS
3141 @cindex converting integers to addresses
3142 Define this when the architecture needs to handle non-pointer to address
3143 conversions specially. Converts that value to an address according to
3144 the current architectures conventions.
3145
3146 @emph{Pragmatics: When the user copies a well defined expression from
3147 their source code and passes it, as a parameter, to @value{GDBN}'s
3148 @code{print} command, they should get the same value as would have been
3149 computed by the target program. Any deviation from this rule can cause
3150 major confusion and annoyance, and needs to be justified carefully. In
3151 other words, @value{GDBN} doesn't really have the freedom to do these
3152 conversions in clever and useful ways. It has, however, been pointed
3153 out that users aren't complaining about how @value{GDBN} casts integers
3154 to pointers; they are complaining that they can't take an address from a
3155 disassembly listing and give it to @code{x/i}. Adding an architecture
3156 method like @code{INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS} certainly makes it possible for
3157 @value{GDBN} to ``get it right'' in all circumstances.}
3158
3159 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always
3160 Addresses}.
3161
3162 @item IS_TRAPPED_INTERNALVAR (@var{name})
3163 @findex IS_TRAPPED_INTERNALVAR
3164 This is an ugly hook to allow the specification of special actions that
3165 should occur as a side-effect of setting the value of a variable
3166 internal to @value{GDBN}. Currently only used by the h8500. Note that this
3167 could be either a host or target conditional.
3168
3169 @item NEED_TEXT_START_END
3170 @findex NEED_TEXT_START_END
3171 Define this if @value{GDBN} should determine the start and end addresses of the
3172 text section. (Seems dubious.)
3173
3174 @item NO_HIF_SUPPORT
3175 @findex NO_HIF_SUPPORT
3176 (Specific to the a29k.)
3177
3178 @item POINTER_TO_ADDRESS (@var{type}, @var{buf})
3179 @findex POINTER_TO_ADDRESS
3180 Assume that @var{buf} holds a pointer of type @var{type}, in the
3181 appropriate format for the current architecture. Return the byte
3182 address the pointer refers to.
3183 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always Addresses}.
3184
3185 @item REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE (@var{reg})
3186 @findex REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE
3187 Return non-zero if @var{reg} uses different raw and virtual formats.
3188 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3189
3190 @item REGISTER_RAW_SIZE (@var{reg})
3191 @findex REGISTER_RAW_SIZE
3192 Return the raw size of @var{reg}.
3193 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3194
3195 @item REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE (@var{reg})
3196 @findex REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE
3197 Return the virtual size of @var{reg}.
3198 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3199
3200 @item REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})
3201 @findex REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE
3202 Return the virtual type of @var{reg}.
3203 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3204
3205 @item REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL(@var{reg}, @var{type}, @var{from}, @var{to})
3206 @findex REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL
3207 Convert the value of register @var{reg} from its raw form to its virtual
3208 form.
3209 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3210
3211 @item REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW(@var{type}, @var{reg}, @var{from}, @var{to})
3212 @findex REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW
3213 Convert the value of register @var{reg} from its virtual form to its raw
3214 form.
3215 @xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3216
3217 @item RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK(@var{type})
3218 @findex RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK
3219 @cindex returning structures by value
3220 @cindex structures, returning by value
3221
3222 Return non-zero if values of type TYPE are returned on the stack, using
3223 the ``struct convention'' (i.e., the caller provides a pointer to a
3224 buffer in which the callee should store the return value). This
3225 controls how the @samp{finish} command finds a function's return value,
3226 and whether an inferior function call reserves space on the stack for
3227 the return value.
3228
3229 The full logic @value{GDBN} uses here is kind of odd.
3230
3231 @itemize @bullet
3232 @item
3233 If the type being returned by value is not a structure, union, or array,
3234 and @code{RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK} returns zero, then @value{GDBN}
3235 concludes the value is not returned using the struct convention.
3236
3237 @item
3238 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} calls @code{USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION} (see below).
3239 If that returns non-zero, @value{GDBN} assumes the struct convention is
3240 in use.
3241 @end itemize
3242
3243 In other words, to indicate that a given type is returned by value using
3244 the struct convention, that type must be either a struct, union, array,
3245 or something @code{RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK} likes, @emph{and} something
3246 that @code{USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION} likes.
3247
3248 Note that, in C and C@t{++}, arrays are never returned by value. In those
3249 languages, these predicates will always see a pointer type, never an
3250 array type. All the references above to arrays being returned by value
3251 apply only to other languages.
3252
3253 @item SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP_P()
3254 @findex SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP_P
3255 Define this as 1 if the target does not have a hardware single-step
3256 mechanism. The macro @code{SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP} must also be defined.
3257
3258 @item SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP(@var{signal}, @var{insert_breapoints_p})
3259 @findex SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP
3260 A function that inserts or removes (depending on
3261 @var{insert_breapoints_p}) breakpoints at each possible destinations of
3262 the next instruction. See @file{sparc-tdep.c} and @file{rs6000-tdep.c}
3263 for examples.
3264
3265 @item SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING
3266 @findex SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING
3267 Somebody clever observed that, the more actual addresses you have in the
3268 debug information, the more time the linker has to spend relocating
3269 them. So whenever there's some other way the debugger could find the
3270 address it needs, you should omit it from the debug info, to make
3271 linking faster.
3272
3273 @code{SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING} indicates that a particular set of
3274 hacks of this sort are in use, affecting @code{N_SO} and @code{N_FUN}
3275 entries in stabs-format debugging information. @code{N_SO} stabs mark
3276 the beginning and ending addresses of compilation units in the text
3277 segment. @code{N_FUN} stabs mark the starts and ends of functions.
3278
3279 @code{SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING} means two things:
3280
3281 @itemize @bullet
3282 @item
3283 @code{N_FUN} stabs have an address of zero. Instead, you should find the
3284 addresses where the function starts by taking the function name from
3285 the stab, and then looking that up in the minsyms (the
3286 linker/assembler symbol table). In other words, the stab has the
3287 name, and the linker/assembler symbol table is the only place that carries
3288 the address.
3289
3290 @item
3291 @code{N_SO} stabs have an address of zero, too. You just look at the
3292 @code{N_FUN} stabs that appear before and after the @code{N_SO} stab,
3293 and guess the starting and ending addresses of the compilation unit from
3294 them.
3295 @end itemize
3296
3297 @item PCC_SOL_BROKEN
3298 @findex PCC_SOL_BROKEN
3299 (Used only in the Convex target.)
3300
3301 @item PC_IN_CALL_DUMMY
3302 @findex PC_IN_CALL_DUMMY
3303 See @file{inferior.h}.
3304
3305 @item PC_LOAD_SEGMENT
3306 @findex PC_LOAD_SEGMENT
3307 If defined, print information about the load segment for the program
3308 counter. (Defined only for the RS/6000.)
3309
3310 @item PC_REGNUM
3311 @findex PC_REGNUM
3312 If the program counter is kept in a register, then define this macro to
3313 be the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
3314
3315 This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_READ_PC} and
3316 @code{TARGET_WRITE_PC} are not defined.
3317
3318 @item NPC_REGNUM
3319 @findex NPC_REGNUM
3320 The number of the ``next program counter'' register, if defined.
3321
3322 @item NNPC_REGNUM
3323 @findex NNPC_REGNUM
3324 The number of the ``next next program counter'' register, if defined.
3325 Currently, this is only defined for the Motorola 88K.
3326
3327 @item PARM_BOUNDARY
3328 @findex PARM_BOUNDARY
3329 If non-zero, round arguments to a boundary of this many bits before
3330 pushing them on the stack.
3331
3332 @item PRINT_REGISTER_HOOK (@var{regno})
3333 @findex PRINT_REGISTER_HOOK
3334 If defined, this must be a function that prints the contents of the
3335 given register to standard output.
3336
3337 @item PRINT_TYPELESS_INTEGER
3338 @findex PRINT_TYPELESS_INTEGER
3339 This is an obscure substitute for @code{print_longest} that seems to
3340 have been defined for the Convex target.
3341
3342 @item PROCESS_LINENUMBER_HOOK
3343 @findex PROCESS_LINENUMBER_HOOK
3344 A hook defined for XCOFF reading.
3345
3346 @item PROLOGUE_FIRSTLINE_OVERLAP
3347 @findex PROLOGUE_FIRSTLINE_OVERLAP
3348 (Only used in unsupported Convex configuration.)
3349
3350 @item PS_REGNUM
3351 @findex PS_REGNUM
3352 If defined, this is the number of the processor status register. (This
3353 definition is only used in generic code when parsing "$ps".)
3354
3355 @item POP_FRAME
3356 @findex POP_FRAME
3357 @findex call_function_by_hand
3358 @findex return_command
3359 Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to remove an artificial stack
3360 frame and in @samp{return_command} to remove a real stack frame.
3361
3362 @item PUSH_ARGUMENTS (@var{nargs}, @var{args}, @var{sp}, @var{struct_return}, @var{struct_addr})
3363 @findex PUSH_ARGUMENTS
3364 Define this to push arguments onto the stack for inferior function
3365 call. Returns the updated stack pointer value.
3366
3367 @item PUSH_DUMMY_FRAME
3368 @findex PUSH_DUMMY_FRAME
3369 Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to create an artificial stack frame.
3370
3371 @item REGISTER_BYTES
3372 @findex REGISTER_BYTES
3373 The total amount of space needed to store @value{GDBN}'s copy of the machine's
3374 register state.
3375
3376 @item REGISTER_NAME(@var{i})
3377 @findex REGISTER_NAME
3378 Return the name of register @var{i} as a string. May return @code{NULL}
3379 or @code{NUL} to indicate that register @var{i} is not valid.
3380
3381 @item REGISTER_NAMES
3382 @findex REGISTER_NAMES
3383 Deprecated in favor of @code{REGISTER_NAME}.
3384
3385 @item REG_STRUCT_HAS_ADDR (@var{gcc_p}, @var{type})
3386 @findex REG_STRUCT_HAS_ADDR
3387 Define this to return 1 if the given type will be passed by pointer
3388 rather than directly.
3389
3390 @item SAVE_DUMMY_FRAME_TOS (@var{sp})
3391 @findex SAVE_DUMMY_FRAME_TOS
3392 Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to notify the target dependent code
3393 of the top-of-stack value that will be passed to the the inferior code.
3394 This is the value of the @code{SP} after both the dummy frame and space
3395 for parameters/results have been allocated on the stack.
3396
3397 @item SDB_REG_TO_REGNUM
3398 @findex SDB_REG_TO_REGNUM
3399 Define this to convert sdb register numbers into @value{GDBN} regnums. If not
3400 defined, no conversion will be done.
3401
3402 @item SHIFT_INST_REGS
3403 @findex SHIFT_INST_REGS
3404 (Only used for m88k targets.)
3405
3406 @item SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT
3407 @findex SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT
3408 Advance the inferior's PC past a permanent breakpoint. @value{GDBN} normally
3409 steps over a breakpoint by removing it, stepping one instruction, and
3410 re-inserting the breakpoint. However, permanent breakpoints are
3411 hardwired into the inferior, and can't be removed, so this strategy
3412 doesn't work. Calling @code{SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT} adjusts the processor's
3413 state so that execution will resume just after the breakpoint. This
3414 macro does the right thing even when the breakpoint is in the delay slot
3415 of a branch or jump.
3416
3417 @item SKIP_PROLOGUE (@var{pc})
3418 @findex SKIP_PROLOGUE
3419 A C expression that returns the address of the ``real'' code beyond the
3420 function entry prologue found at @var{pc}.
3421
3422 @item SKIP_PROLOGUE_FRAMELESS_P
3423 @findex SKIP_PROLOGUE_FRAMELESS_P
3424 A C expression that should behave similarly, but that can stop as soon
3425 as the function is known to have a frame. If not defined,
3426 @code{SKIP_PROLOGUE} will be used instead.
3427
3428 @item SKIP_TRAMPOLINE_CODE (@var{pc})
3429 @findex SKIP_TRAMPOLINE_CODE
3430 If the target machine has trampoline code that sits between callers and
3431 the functions being called, then define this macro to return a new PC
3432 that is at the start of the real function.
3433
3434 @item SP_REGNUM
3435 @findex SP_REGNUM
3436 If the stack-pointer is kept in a register, then define this macro to be
3437 the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
3438
3439 This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_WRITE_SP} and
3440 @code{TARGET_WRITE_SP} are not defined.
3441
3442 @item STAB_REG_TO_REGNUM
3443 @findex STAB_REG_TO_REGNUM
3444 Define this to convert stab register numbers (as gotten from `r'
3445 declarations) into @value{GDBN} regnums. If not defined, no conversion will be
3446 done.
3447
3448 @item STACK_ALIGN (@var{addr})
3449 @findex STACK_ALIGN
3450 Define this to adjust the address to the alignment required for the
3451 processor's stack.
3452
3453 @item STEP_SKIPS_DELAY (@var{addr})
3454 @findex STEP_SKIPS_DELAY
3455 Define this to return true if the address is of an instruction with a
3456 delay slot. If a breakpoint has been placed in the instruction's delay
3457 slot, @value{GDBN} will single-step over that instruction before resuming
3458 normally. Currently only defined for the Mips.
3459
3460 @item STORE_RETURN_VALUE (@var{type}, @var{valbuf})
3461 @findex STORE_RETURN_VALUE
3462 A C expression that stores a function return value of type @var{type},
3463 where @var{valbuf} is the address of the value to be stored.
3464
3465 @item SUN_FIXED_LBRAC_BUG
3466 @findex SUN_FIXED_LBRAC_BUG
3467 (Used only for Sun-3 and Sun-4 targets.)
3468
3469 @item SYMBOL_RELOADING_DEFAULT
3470 @findex SYMBOL_RELOADING_DEFAULT
3471 The default value of the ``symbol-reloading'' variable. (Never defined in
3472 current sources.)
3473
3474 @item TARGET_CHAR_BIT
3475 @findex TARGET_CHAR_BIT
3476 Number of bits in a char; defaults to 8.
3477
3478 @item TARGET_CHAR_SIGNED
3479 @findex TARGET_CHAR_SIGNED
3480 Non-zero if @code{char} is normally signed on this architecture; zero if
3481 it should be unsigned.
3482
3483 The ISO C standard requires the compiler to treat @code{char} as
3484 equivalent to either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char}; any
3485 character in the standard execution set is supposed to be positive.
3486 Most compilers treat @code{char} as signed, but @code{char} is unsigned
3487 on the IBM S/390, RS6000, and PowerPC targets.
3488
3489 @item TARGET_COMPLEX_BIT
3490 @findex TARGET_COMPLEX_BIT
3491 Number of bits in a complex number; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_FLOAT_BIT}.
3492
3493 At present this macro is not used.
3494
3495 @item TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT
3496 @findex TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT
3497 Number of bits in a double float; defaults to @code{8 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3498
3499 @item TARGET_DOUBLE_COMPLEX_BIT
3500 @findex TARGET_DOUBLE_COMPLEX_BIT
3501 Number of bits in a double complex; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT}.
3502
3503 At present this macro is not used.
3504
3505 @item TARGET_FLOAT_BIT
3506 @findex TARGET_FLOAT_BIT
3507 Number of bits in a float; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3508
3509 @item TARGET_INT_BIT
3510 @findex TARGET_INT_BIT
3511 Number of bits in an integer; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3512
3513 @item TARGET_LONG_BIT
3514 @findex TARGET_LONG_BIT
3515 Number of bits in a long integer; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3516
3517 @item TARGET_LONG_DOUBLE_BIT
3518 @findex TARGET_LONG_DOUBLE_BIT
3519 Number of bits in a long double float;
3520 defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT}.
3521
3522 @item TARGET_LONG_LONG_BIT
3523 @findex TARGET_LONG_LONG_BIT
3524 Number of bits in a long long integer; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_LONG_BIT}.
3525
3526 @item TARGET_PTR_BIT
3527 @findex TARGET_PTR_BIT
3528 Number of bits in a pointer; defaults to @code{TARGET_INT_BIT}.
3529
3530 @item TARGET_SHORT_BIT
3531 @findex TARGET_SHORT_BIT
3532 Number of bits in a short integer; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3533
3534 @item TARGET_READ_PC
3535 @findex TARGET_READ_PC
3536 @itemx TARGET_WRITE_PC (@var{val}, @var{pid})
3537 @findex TARGET_WRITE_PC
3538 @itemx TARGET_READ_SP
3539 @findex TARGET_READ_SP
3540 @itemx TARGET_WRITE_SP
3541 @findex TARGET_WRITE_SP
3542 @itemx TARGET_READ_FP
3543 @findex TARGET_READ_FP
3544 @itemx TARGET_WRITE_FP
3545 @findex TARGET_WRITE_FP
3546 @findex read_pc
3547 @findex write_pc
3548 @findex read_sp
3549 @findex write_sp
3550 @findex read_fp
3551 @findex write_fp
3552 These change the behavior of @code{read_pc}, @code{write_pc},
3553 @code{read_sp}, @code{write_sp}, @code{read_fp} and @code{write_fp}.
3554 For most targets, these may be left undefined. @value{GDBN} will call the read
3555 and write register functions with the relevant @code{_REGNUM} argument.
3556
3557 These macros are useful when a target keeps one of these registers in a
3558 hard to get at place; for example, part in a segment register and part
3559 in an ordinary register.
3560
3561 @item TARGET_VIRTUAL_FRAME_POINTER(@var{pc}, @var{regp}, @var{offsetp})
3562 @findex TARGET_VIRTUAL_FRAME_POINTER
3563 Returns a @code{(register, offset)} pair representing the virtual
3564 frame pointer in use at the code address @var{pc}. If virtual
3565 frame pointers are not used, a default definition simply returns
3566 @code{FP_REGNUM}, with an offset of zero.
3567
3568 @item TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
3569 If non-zero, the target has support for hardware-assisted
3570 watchpoints. @xref{Algorithms, watchpoints}, for more details and
3571 other related macros.
3572
3573 @item TARGET_PRINT_INSN (@var{addr}, @var{info})
3574 @findex TARGET_PRINT_INSN
3575 This is the function used by @value{GDBN} to print an assembly
3576 instruction. It prints the instruction at address @var{addr} in
3577 debugged memory and returns the length of the instruction, in bytes. If
3578 a target doesn't define its own printing routine, it defaults to an
3579 accessor function for the global pointer @code{tm_print_insn}. This
3580 usually points to a function in the @code{opcodes} library (@pxref{Support
3581 Libraries, ,Opcodes}). @var{info} is a structure (of type
3582 @code{disassemble_info}) defined in @file{include/dis-asm.h} used to
3583 pass information to the instruction decoding routine.
3584
3585 @item USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION (@var{gcc_p}, @var{type})
3586 @findex USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION
3587 If defined, this must be an expression that is nonzero if a value of the
3588 given @var{type} being returned from a function must have space
3589 allocated for it on the stack. @var{gcc_p} is true if the function
3590 being considered is known to have been compiled by GCC; this is helpful
3591 for systems where GCC is known to use different calling convention than
3592 other compilers.
3593
3594 @item VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK (@var{desc}, @var{gcc_p})
3595 @findex VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK
3596 For dbx-style debugging information, if the compiler puts variable
3597 declarations inside LBRAC/RBRAC blocks, this should be defined to be
3598 nonzero. @var{desc} is the value of @code{n_desc} from the
3599 @code{N_RBRAC} symbol, and @var{gcc_p} is true if @value{GDBN} has noticed the
3600 presence of either the @code{GCC_COMPILED_SYMBOL} or the
3601 @code{GCC2_COMPILED_SYMBOL}. By default, this is 0.
3602
3603 @item OS9K_VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK (@var{desc}, @var{gcc_p})
3604 @findex OS9K_VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK
3605 Similarly, for OS/9000. Defaults to 1.
3606 @end table
3607
3608 Motorola M68K target conditionals.
3609
3610 @ftable @code
3611 @item BPT_VECTOR
3612 Define this to be the 4-bit location of the breakpoint trap vector. If
3613 not defined, it will default to @code{0xf}.
3614
3615 @item REMOTE_BPT_VECTOR
3616 Defaults to @code{1}.
3617 @end ftable
3618
3619 @section Adding a New Target
3620
3621 @cindex adding a target
3622 The following files add a target to @value{GDBN}:
3623
3624 @table @file
3625 @vindex TDEPFILES
3626 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{ttt}.mt
3627 Contains a Makefile fragment specific to this target. Specifies what
3628 object files are needed for target @var{ttt}, by defining
3629 @samp{TDEPFILES=@dots{}} and @samp{TDEPLIBS=@dots{}}. Also specifies
3630 the header file which describes @var{ttt}, by defining @samp{TM_FILE=
3631 tm-@var{ttt}.h}.
3632
3633 You can also define @samp{TM_CFLAGS}, @samp{TM_CLIBS}, @samp{TM_CDEPS},
3634 but these are now deprecated, replaced by autoconf, and may go away in
3635 future versions of @value{GDBN}.
3636
3637 @item gdb/@var{ttt}-tdep.c
3638 Contains any miscellaneous code required for this target machine. On
3639 some machines it doesn't exist at all. Sometimes the macros in
3640 @file{tm-@var{ttt}.h} become very complicated, so they are implemented
3641 as functions here instead, and the macro is simply defined to call the
3642 function. This is vastly preferable, since it is easier to understand
3643 and debug.
3644
3645 @item gdb/@var{arch}-tdep.c
3646 @itemx gdb/@var{arch}-tdep.h
3647 This often exists to describe the basic layout of the target machine's
3648 processor chip (registers, stack, etc.). If used, it is included by
3649 @file{@var{ttt}-tdep.h}. It can be shared among many targets that use
3650 the same processor.
3651
3652 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/tm-@var{ttt}.h
3653 (@file{tm.h} is a link to this file, created by @code{configure}). Contains
3654 macro definitions about the target machine's registers, stack frame
3655 format and instructions.
3656
3657 New targets do not need this file and should not create it.
3658
3659 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/tm-@var{arch}.h
3660 This often exists to describe the basic layout of the target machine's
3661 processor chip (registers, stack, etc.). If used, it is included by
3662 @file{tm-@var{ttt}.h}. It can be shared among many targets that use the
3663 same processor.
3664
3665 New targets do not need this file and should not create it.
3666
3667 @end table
3668
3669 If you are adding a new operating system for an existing CPU chip, add a
3670 @file{config/tm-@var{os}.h} file that describes the operating system
3671 facilities that are unusual (extra symbol table info; the breakpoint
3672 instruction needed; etc.). Then write a @file{@var{arch}/tm-@var{os}.h}
3673 that just @code{#include}s @file{tm-@var{arch}.h} and
3674 @file{config/tm-@var{os}.h}.
3675
3676
3677 @node Target Vector Definition
3678
3679 @chapter Target Vector Definition
3680 @cindex target vector
3681
3682 The target vector defines the interface between @value{GDBN}'s
3683 abstract handling of target systems, and the nitty-gritty code that
3684 actually exercises control over a process or a serial port.
3685 @value{GDBN} includes some 30-40 different target vectors; however,
3686 each configuration of @value{GDBN} includes only a few of them.
3687
3688 @section File Targets
3689
3690 Both executables and core files have target vectors.
3691
3692 @section Standard Protocol and Remote Stubs
3693
3694 @value{GDBN}'s file @file{remote.c} talks a serial protocol to code
3695 that runs in the target system. @value{GDBN} provides several sample
3696 @dfn{stubs} that can be integrated into target programs or operating
3697 systems for this purpose; they are named @file{*-stub.c}.
3698
3699 The @value{GDBN} user's manual describes how to put such a stub into
3700 your target code. What follows is a discussion of integrating the
3701 SPARC stub into a complicated operating system (rather than a simple
3702 program), by Stu Grossman, the author of this stub.
3703
3704 The trap handling code in the stub assumes the following upon entry to
3705 @code{trap_low}:
3706
3707 @enumerate
3708 @item
3709 %l1 and %l2 contain pc and npc respectively at the time of the trap;
3710
3711 @item
3712 traps are disabled;
3713
3714 @item
3715 you are in the correct trap window.
3716 @end enumerate
3717
3718 As long as your trap handler can guarantee those conditions, then there
3719 is no reason why you shouldn't be able to ``share'' traps with the stub.
3720 The stub has no requirement that it be jumped to directly from the
3721 hardware trap vector. That is why it calls @code{exceptionHandler()},
3722 which is provided by the external environment. For instance, this could
3723 set up the hardware traps to actually execute code which calls the stub
3724 first, and then transfers to its own trap handler.
3725
3726 For the most point, there probably won't be much of an issue with
3727 ``sharing'' traps, as the traps we use are usually not used by the kernel,
3728 and often indicate unrecoverable error conditions. Anyway, this is all
3729 controlled by a table, and is trivial to modify. The most important
3730 trap for us is for @code{ta 1}. Without that, we can't single step or
3731 do breakpoints. Everything else is unnecessary for the proper operation
3732 of the debugger/stub.
3733
3734 From reading the stub, it's probably not obvious how breakpoints work.
3735 They are simply done by deposit/examine operations from @value{GDBN}.
3736
3737 @section ROM Monitor Interface
3738
3739 @section Custom Protocols
3740
3741 @section Transport Layer
3742
3743 @section Builtin Simulator
3744
3745
3746 @node Native Debugging
3747
3748 @chapter Native Debugging
3749 @cindex native debugging
3750
3751 Several files control @value{GDBN}'s configuration for native support:
3752
3753 @table @file
3754 @vindex NATDEPFILES
3755 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{xyz}.mh
3756 Specifies Makefile fragments needed by a @emph{native} configuration on
3757 machine @var{xyz}. In particular, this lists the required
3758 native-dependent object files, by defining @samp{NATDEPFILES=@dots{}}.
3759 Also specifies the header file which describes native support on
3760 @var{xyz}, by defining @samp{NAT_FILE= nm-@var{xyz}.h}. You can also
3761 define @samp{NAT_CFLAGS}, @samp{NAT_ADD_FILES}, @samp{NAT_CLIBS},
3762 @samp{NAT_CDEPS}, etc.; see @file{Makefile.in}.
3763
3764 @emph{Maintainer's note: The @file{.mh} suffix is because this file
3765 originally contained @file{Makefile} fragments for hosting @value{GDBN}
3766 on machine @var{xyz}. While the file is no longer used for this
3767 purpose, the @file{.mh} suffix remains. Perhaphs someone will
3768 eventually rename these fragments so that they have a @file{.mn}
3769 suffix.}
3770
3771 @item gdb/config/@var{arch}/nm-@var{xyz}.h
3772 (@file{nm.h} is a link to this file, created by @code{configure}). Contains C
3773 macro definitions describing the native system environment, such as
3774 child process control and core file support.
3775
3776 @item gdb/@var{xyz}-nat.c
3777 Contains any miscellaneous C code required for this native support of
3778 this machine. On some machines it doesn't exist at all.
3779 @end table
3780
3781 There are some ``generic'' versions of routines that can be used by
3782 various systems. These can be customized in various ways by macros
3783 defined in your @file{nm-@var{xyz}.h} file. If these routines work for
3784 the @var{xyz} host, you can just include the generic file's name (with
3785 @samp{.o}, not @samp{.c}) in @code{NATDEPFILES}.
3786
3787 Otherwise, if your machine needs custom support routines, you will need
3788 to write routines that perform the same functions as the generic file.
3789 Put them into @file{@var{xyz}-nat.c}, and put @file{@var{xyz}-nat.o}
3790 into @code{NATDEPFILES}.
3791
3792 @table @file
3793 @item inftarg.c
3794 This contains the @emph{target_ops vector} that supports Unix child
3795 processes on systems which use ptrace and wait to control the child.
3796
3797 @item procfs.c
3798 This contains the @emph{target_ops vector} that supports Unix child
3799 processes on systems which use /proc to control the child.
3800
3801 @item fork-child.c
3802 This does the low-level grunge that uses Unix system calls to do a ``fork
3803 and exec'' to start up a child process.
3804
3805 @item infptrace.c
3806 This is the low level interface to inferior processes for systems using
3807 the Unix @code{ptrace} call in a vanilla way.
3808 @end table
3809
3810 @section Native core file Support
3811 @cindex native core files
3812
3813 @table @file
3814 @findex fetch_core_registers
3815 @item core-aout.c::fetch_core_registers()
3816 Support for reading registers out of a core file. This routine calls
3817 @code{register_addr()}, see below. Now that BFD is used to read core
3818 files, virtually all machines should use @code{core-aout.c}, and should
3819 just provide @code{fetch_core_registers} in @code{@var{xyz}-nat.c} (or
3820 @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR} in @code{nm-@var{xyz}.h}).
3821
3822 @item core-aout.c::register_addr()
3823 If your @code{nm-@var{xyz}.h} file defines the macro
3824 @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR(addr, blockend, regno)}, it should be defined to
3825 set @code{addr} to the offset within the @samp{user} struct of @value{GDBN}
3826 register number @code{regno}. @code{blockend} is the offset within the
3827 ``upage'' of @code{u.u_ar0}. If @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR} is defined,
3828 @file{core-aout.c} will define the @code{register_addr()} function and
3829 use the macro in it. If you do not define @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR}, but
3830 you are using the standard @code{fetch_core_registers()}, you will need
3831 to define your own version of @code{register_addr()}, put it into your
3832 @code{@var{xyz}-nat.c} file, and be sure @code{@var{xyz}-nat.o} is in
3833 the @code{NATDEPFILES} list. If you have your own
3834 @code{fetch_core_registers()}, you may not need a separate
3835 @code{register_addr()}. Many custom @code{fetch_core_registers()}
3836 implementations simply locate the registers themselves.@refill
3837 @end table
3838
3839 When making @value{GDBN} run native on a new operating system, to make it
3840 possible to debug core files, you will need to either write specific
3841 code for parsing your OS's core files, or customize
3842 @file{bfd/trad-core.c}. First, use whatever @code{#include} files your
3843 machine uses to define the struct of registers that is accessible
3844 (possibly in the u-area) in a core file (rather than
3845 @file{machine/reg.h}), and an include file that defines whatever header
3846 exists on a core file (e.g. the u-area or a @code{struct core}). Then
3847 modify @code{trad_unix_core_file_p} to use these values to set up the
3848 section information for the data segment, stack segment, any other
3849 segments in the core file (perhaps shared library contents or control
3850 information), ``registers'' segment, and if there are two discontiguous
3851 sets of registers (e.g. integer and float), the ``reg2'' segment. This
3852 section information basically delimits areas in the core file in a
3853 standard way, which the section-reading routines in BFD know how to seek
3854 around in.
3855
3856 Then back in @value{GDBN}, you need a matching routine called
3857 @code{fetch_core_registers}. If you can use the generic one, it's in
3858 @file{core-aout.c}; if not, it's in your @file{@var{xyz}-nat.c} file.
3859 It will be passed a char pointer to the entire ``registers'' segment,
3860 its length, and a zero; or a char pointer to the entire ``regs2''
3861 segment, its length, and a 2. The routine should suck out the supplied
3862 register values and install them into @value{GDBN}'s ``registers'' array.
3863
3864 If your system uses @file{/proc} to control processes, and uses ELF
3865 format core files, then you may be able to use the same routines for
3866 reading the registers out of processes and out of core files.
3867
3868 @section ptrace
3869
3870 @section /proc
3871
3872 @section win32
3873
3874 @section shared libraries
3875
3876 @section Native Conditionals
3877 @cindex native conditionals
3878
3879 When @value{GDBN} is configured and compiled, various macros are
3880 defined or left undefined, to control compilation when the host and
3881 target systems are the same. These macros should be defined (or left
3882 undefined) in @file{nm-@var{system}.h}.
3883
3884 @table @code
3885 @item ATTACH_DETACH
3886 @findex ATTACH_DETACH
3887 If defined, then @value{GDBN} will include support for the @code{attach} and
3888 @code{detach} commands.
3889
3890 @item CHILD_PREPARE_TO_STORE
3891 @findex CHILD_PREPARE_TO_STORE
3892 If the machine stores all registers at once in the child process, then
3893 define this to ensure that all values are correct. This usually entails
3894 a read from the child.
3895
3896 [Note that this is incorrectly defined in @file{xm-@var{system}.h} files
3897 currently.]
3898
3899 @item FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS
3900 @findex FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS
3901 Define this if the native-dependent code will provide its own routines
3902 @code{fetch_inferior_registers} and @code{store_inferior_registers} in
3903 @file{@var{host}-nat.c}. If this symbol is @emph{not} defined, and
3904 @file{infptrace.c} is included in this configuration, the default
3905 routines in @file{infptrace.c} are used for these functions.
3906
3907 @item FILES_INFO_HOOK
3908 @findex FILES_INFO_HOOK
3909 (Only defined for Convex.)
3910
3911 @item FP0_REGNUM
3912 @findex FP0_REGNUM
3913 This macro is normally defined to be the number of the first floating
3914 point register, if the machine has such registers. As such, it would
3915 appear only in target-specific code. However, @file{/proc} support uses this
3916 to decide whether floats are in use on this target.
3917
3918 @item GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
3919 @findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
3920 For most machines, this is a target-dependent parameter. On the
3921 DECstation and the Iris, this is a native-dependent parameter, since
3922 @file{setjmp.h} is needed to define it.
3923
3924 This macro determines the target PC address that @code{longjmp} will jump to,
3925 assuming that we have just stopped at a longjmp breakpoint. It takes a
3926 @code{CORE_ADDR *} as argument, and stores the target PC value through this
3927 pointer. It examines the current state of the machine as needed.
3928
3929 @item I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
3930 An x86-based machine can define this to use the generic x86 watchpoint
3931 support; see @ref{Algorithms, I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
3932
3933 @item KERNEL_U_ADDR
3934 @findex KERNEL_U_ADDR
3935 Define this to the address of the @code{u} structure (the ``user
3936 struct'', also known as the ``u-page'') in kernel virtual memory. @value{GDBN}
3937 needs to know this so that it can subtract this address from absolute
3938 addresses in the upage, that are obtained via ptrace or from core files.
3939 On systems that don't need this value, set it to zero.
3940
3941 @item KERNEL_U_ADDR_BSD
3942 @findex KERNEL_U_ADDR_BSD
3943 Define this to cause @value{GDBN} to determine the address of @code{u} at
3944 runtime, by using Berkeley-style @code{nlist} on the kernel's image in
3945 the root directory.
3946
3947 @item KERNEL_U_ADDR_HPUX
3948 @findex KERNEL_U_ADDR_HPUX
3949 Define this to cause @value{GDBN} to determine the address of @code{u} at
3950 runtime, by using HP-style @code{nlist} on the kernel's image in the
3951 root directory.
3952
3953 @item ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT
3954 @findex ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT
3955 Define this to be able to, when a breakpoint insertion fails, warn the
3956 user that another process may be running with the same executable.
3957
3958 @item PREPARE_TO_PROCEED (@var{select_it})
3959 @findex PREPARE_TO_PROCEED
3960 This (ugly) macro allows a native configuration to customize the way the
3961 @code{proceed} function in @file{infrun.c} deals with switching between
3962 threads.
3963
3964 In a multi-threaded task we may select another thread and then continue
3965 or step. But if the old thread was stopped at a breakpoint, it will
3966 immediately cause another breakpoint stop without any execution (i.e. it
3967 will report a breakpoint hit incorrectly). So @value{GDBN} must step over it
3968 first.
3969
3970 If defined, @code{PREPARE_TO_PROCEED} should check the current thread
3971 against the thread that reported the most recent event. If a step-over
3972 is required, it returns TRUE. If @var{select_it} is non-zero, it should
3973 reselect the old thread.
3974
3975 @item PROC_NAME_FMT
3976 @findex PROC_NAME_FMT
3977 Defines the format for the name of a @file{/proc} device. Should be
3978 defined in @file{nm.h} @emph{only} in order to override the default
3979 definition in @file{procfs.c}.
3980
3981 @item PTRACE_FP_BUG
3982 @findex PTRACE_FP_BUG
3983 See @file{mach386-xdep.c}.
3984
3985 @item PTRACE_ARG3_TYPE
3986 @findex PTRACE_ARG3_TYPE
3987 The type of the third argument to the @code{ptrace} system call, if it
3988 exists and is different from @code{int}.
3989
3990 @item REGISTER_U_ADDR
3991 @findex REGISTER_U_ADDR
3992 Defines the offset of the registers in the ``u area''.
3993
3994 @item SHELL_COMMAND_CONCAT
3995 @findex SHELL_COMMAND_CONCAT
3996 If defined, is a string to prefix on the shell command used to start the
3997 inferior.
3998
3999 @item SHELL_FILE
4000 @findex SHELL_FILE
4001 If defined, this is the name of the shell to use to run the inferior.
4002 Defaults to @code{"/bin/sh"}.
4003
4004 @item SOLIB_ADD (@var{filename}, @var{from_tty}, @var{targ}, @var{readsyms})
4005 @findex SOLIB_ADD
4006 Define this to expand into an expression that will cause the symbols in
4007 @var{filename} to be added to @value{GDBN}'s symbol table. If
4008 @var{readsyms} is zero symbols are not read but any necessary low level
4009 processing for @var{filename} is still done.
4010
4011 @item SOLIB_CREATE_INFERIOR_HOOK
4012 @findex SOLIB_CREATE_INFERIOR_HOOK
4013 Define this to expand into any shared-library-relocation code that you
4014 want to be run just after the child process has been forked.
4015
4016 @item START_INFERIOR_TRAPS_EXPECTED
4017 @findex START_INFERIOR_TRAPS_EXPECTED
4018 When starting an inferior, @value{GDBN} normally expects to trap
4019 twice; once when
4020 the shell execs, and once when the program itself execs. If the actual
4021 number of traps is something other than 2, then define this macro to
4022 expand into the number expected.
4023
4024 @item SVR4_SHARED_LIBS
4025 @findex SVR4_SHARED_LIBS
4026 Define this to indicate that SVR4-style shared libraries are in use.
4027
4028 @item USE_PROC_FS
4029 @findex USE_PROC_FS
4030 This determines whether small routines in @file{*-tdep.c}, which
4031 translate register values between @value{GDBN}'s internal
4032 representation and the @file{/proc} representation, are compiled.
4033
4034 @item U_REGS_OFFSET
4035 @findex U_REGS_OFFSET
4036 This is the offset of the registers in the upage. It need only be
4037 defined if the generic ptrace register access routines in
4038 @file{infptrace.c} are being used (that is, @file{infptrace.c} is
4039 configured in, and @code{FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS} is not defined). If
4040 the default value from @file{infptrace.c} is good enough, leave it
4041 undefined.
4042
4043 The default value means that u.u_ar0 @emph{points to} the location of
4044 the registers. I'm guessing that @code{#define U_REGS_OFFSET 0} means
4045 that @code{u.u_ar0} @emph{is} the location of the registers.
4046
4047 @item CLEAR_SOLIB
4048 @findex CLEAR_SOLIB
4049 See @file{objfiles.c}.
4050
4051 @item DEBUG_PTRACE
4052 @findex DEBUG_PTRACE
4053 Define this to debug @code{ptrace} calls.
4054 @end table
4055
4056
4057 @node Support Libraries
4058
4059 @chapter Support Libraries
4060
4061 @section BFD
4062 @cindex BFD library
4063
4064 BFD provides support for @value{GDBN} in several ways:
4065
4066 @table @emph
4067 @item identifying executable and core files
4068 BFD will identify a variety of file types, including a.out, coff, and
4069 several variants thereof, as well as several kinds of core files.
4070
4071 @item access to sections of files
4072 BFD parses the file headers to determine the names, virtual addresses,
4073 sizes, and file locations of all the various named sections in files
4074 (such as the text section or the data section). @value{GDBN} simply
4075 calls BFD to read or write section @var{x} at byte offset @var{y} for
4076 length @var{z}.
4077
4078 @item specialized core file support
4079 BFD provides routines to determine the failing command name stored in a
4080 core file, the signal with which the program failed, and whether a core
4081 file matches (i.e.@: could be a core dump of) a particular executable
4082 file.
4083
4084 @item locating the symbol information
4085 @value{GDBN} uses an internal interface of BFD to determine where to find the
4086 symbol information in an executable file or symbol-file. @value{GDBN} itself
4087 handles the reading of symbols, since BFD does not ``understand'' debug
4088 symbols, but @value{GDBN} uses BFD's cached information to find the symbols,
4089 string table, etc.
4090 @end table
4091
4092 @section opcodes
4093 @cindex opcodes library
4094
4095 The opcodes library provides @value{GDBN}'s disassembler. (It's a separate
4096 library because it's also used in binutils, for @file{objdump}).
4097
4098 @section readline
4099
4100 @section mmalloc
4101
4102 @section libiberty
4103
4104 @section gnu-regex
4105 @cindex regular expressions library
4106
4107 Regex conditionals.
4108
4109 @table @code
4110 @item C_ALLOCA
4111
4112 @item NFAILURES
4113
4114 @item RE_NREGS
4115
4116 @item SIGN_EXTEND_CHAR
4117
4118 @item SWITCH_ENUM_BUG
4119
4120 @item SYNTAX_TABLE
4121
4122 @item Sword
4123
4124 @item sparc
4125 @end table
4126
4127 @section include
4128
4129 @node Coding
4130
4131 @chapter Coding
4132
4133 This chapter covers topics that are lower-level than the major
4134 algorithms of @value{GDBN}.
4135
4136 @section Cleanups
4137 @cindex cleanups
4138
4139 Cleanups are a structured way to deal with things that need to be done
4140 later.
4141
4142 When your code does something (e.g., @code{xmalloc} some memory, or
4143 @code{open} a file) that needs to be undone later (e.g., @code{xfree}
4144 the memory or @code{close} the file), it can make a cleanup. The
4145 cleanup will be done at some future point: when the command is finished
4146 and control returns to the top level; when an error occurs and the stack
4147 is unwound; or when your code decides it's time to explicitly perform
4148 cleanups. Alternatively you can elect to discard the cleanups you
4149 created.
4150
4151 Syntax:
4152
4153 @table @code
4154 @item struct cleanup *@var{old_chain};
4155 Declare a variable which will hold a cleanup chain handle.
4156
4157 @findex make_cleanup
4158 @item @var{old_chain} = make_cleanup (@var{function}, @var{arg});
4159 Make a cleanup which will cause @var{function} to be called with
4160 @var{arg} (a @code{char *}) later. The result, @var{old_chain}, is a
4161 handle that can later be passed to @code{do_cleanups} or
4162 @code{discard_cleanups}. Unless you are going to call
4163 @code{do_cleanups} or @code{discard_cleanups}, you can ignore the result
4164 from @code{make_cleanup}.
4165
4166 @findex do_cleanups
4167 @item do_cleanups (@var{old_chain});
4168 Do all cleanups added to the chain since the corresponding
4169 @code{make_cleanup} call was made.
4170
4171 @findex discard_cleanups
4172 @item discard_cleanups (@var{old_chain});
4173 Same as @code{do_cleanups} except that it just removes the cleanups from
4174 the chain and does not call the specified functions.
4175 @end table
4176
4177 Cleanups are implemented as a chain. The handle returned by
4178 @code{make_cleanups} includes the cleanup passed to the call and any
4179 later cleanups appended to the chain (but not yet discarded or
4180 performed). E.g.:
4181
4182 @example
4183 make_cleanup (a, 0);
4184 @{
4185 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (b, 0);
4186 make_cleanup (c, 0)
4187 ...
4188 do_cleanups (old);
4189 @}
4190 @end example
4191
4192 @noindent
4193 will call @code{c()} and @code{b()} but will not call @code{a()}. The
4194 cleanup that calls @code{a()} will remain in the cleanup chain, and will
4195 be done later unless otherwise discarded.@refill
4196
4197 Your function should explicitly do or discard the cleanups it creates.
4198 Failing to do this leads to non-deterministic behavior since the caller
4199 will arbitrarily do or discard your functions cleanups. This need leads
4200 to two common cleanup styles.
4201
4202 The first style is try/finally. Before it exits, your code-block calls
4203 @code{do_cleanups} with the old cleanup chain and thus ensures that your
4204 code-block's cleanups are always performed. For instance, the following
4205 code-segment avoids a memory leak problem (even when @code{error} is
4206 called and a forced stack unwind occurs) by ensuring that the
4207 @code{xfree} will always be called:
4208
4209 @example
4210 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (null_cleanup, 0);
4211 data = xmalloc (sizeof blah);
4212 make_cleanup (xfree, data);
4213 ... blah blah ...
4214 do_cleanups (old);
4215 @end example
4216
4217 The second style is try/except. Before it exits, your code-block calls
4218 @code{discard_cleanups} with the old cleanup chain and thus ensures that
4219 any created cleanups are not performed. For instance, the following
4220 code segment, ensures that the file will be closed but only if there is
4221 an error:
4222
4223 @example
4224 FILE *file = fopen ("afile", "r");
4225 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (close_file, file);
4226 ... blah blah ...
4227 discard_cleanups (old);
4228 return file;
4229 @end example
4230
4231 Some functions, e.g. @code{fputs_filtered()} or @code{error()}, specify
4232 that they ``should not be called when cleanups are not in place''. This
4233 means that any actions you need to reverse in the case of an error or
4234 interruption must be on the cleanup chain before you call these
4235 functions, since they might never return to your code (they
4236 @samp{longjmp} instead).
4237
4238 @section Wrapping Output Lines
4239 @cindex line wrap in output
4240
4241 @findex wrap_here
4242 Output that goes through @code{printf_filtered} or @code{fputs_filtered}
4243 or @code{fputs_demangled} needs only to have calls to @code{wrap_here}
4244 added in places that would be good breaking points. The utility
4245 routines will take care of actually wrapping if the line width is
4246 exceeded.
4247
4248 The argument to @code{wrap_here} is an indentation string which is
4249 printed @emph{only} if the line breaks there. This argument is saved
4250 away and used later. It must remain valid until the next call to
4251 @code{wrap_here} or until a newline has been printed through the
4252 @code{*_filtered} functions. Don't pass in a local variable and then
4253 return!
4254
4255 It is usually best to call @code{wrap_here} after printing a comma or
4256 space. If you call it before printing a space, make sure that your
4257 indentation properly accounts for the leading space that will print if
4258 the line wraps there.
4259
4260 Any function or set of functions that produce filtered output must
4261 finish by printing a newline, to flush the wrap buffer, before switching
4262 to unfiltered (@code{printf}) output. Symbol reading routines that
4263 print warnings are a good example.
4264
4265 @section @value{GDBN} Coding Standards
4266 @cindex coding standards
4267
4268 @value{GDBN} follows the GNU coding standards, as described in
4269 @file{etc/standards.texi}. This file is also available for anonymous
4270 FTP from GNU archive sites. @value{GDBN} takes a strict interpretation
4271 of the standard; in general, when the GNU standard recommends a practice
4272 but does not require it, @value{GDBN} requires it.
4273
4274 @value{GDBN} follows an additional set of coding standards specific to
4275 @value{GDBN}, as described in the following sections.
4276
4277
4278 @subsection ISO-C
4279
4280 @value{GDBN} assumes an ISO-C compliant compiler.
4281
4282 @value{GDBN} does not assume an ISO-C or POSIX compliant C library.
4283
4284
4285 @subsection Memory Management
4286
4287 @value{GDBN} does not use the functions @code{malloc}, @code{realloc},
4288 @code{calloc}, @code{free} and @code{asprintf}.
4289
4290 @value{GDBN} uses the functions @code{xmalloc}, @code{xrealloc} and
4291 @code{xcalloc} when allocating memory. Unlike @code{malloc} et.al.@:
4292 these functions do not return when the memory pool is empty. Instead,
4293 they unwind the stack using cleanups. These functions return
4294 @code{NULL} when requested to allocate a chunk of memory of size zero.
4295
4296 @emph{Pragmatics: By using these functions, the need to check every
4297 memory allocation is removed. These functions provide portable
4298 behavior.}
4299
4300 @value{GDBN} does not use the function @code{free}.
4301
4302 @value{GDBN} uses the function @code{xfree} to return memory to the
4303 memory pool. Consistent with ISO-C, this function ignores a request to
4304 free a @code{NULL} pointer.
4305
4306 @emph{Pragmatics: On some systems @code{free} fails when passed a
4307 @code{NULL} pointer.}
4308
4309 @value{GDBN} can use the non-portable function @code{alloca} for the
4310 allocation of small temporary values (such as strings).
4311
4312 @emph{Pragmatics: This function is very non-portable. Some systems
4313 restrict the memory being allocated to no more than a few kilobytes.}
4314
4315 @value{GDBN} uses the string function @code{xstrdup} and the print
4316 function @code{xasprintf}.
4317
4318 @emph{Pragmatics: @code{asprintf} and @code{strdup} can fail. Print
4319 functions such as @code{sprintf} are very prone to buffer overflow
4320 errors.}
4321
4322
4323 @subsection Compiler Warnings
4324 @cindex compiler warnings
4325
4326 With few exceptions, developers should include the configuration option
4327 @samp{--enable-gdb-build-warnings=,-Werror} when building @value{GDBN}.
4328 The exceptions are listed in the file @file{gdb/MAINTAINERS}.
4329
4330 This option causes @value{GDBN} (when built using GCC) to be compiled
4331 with a carefully selected list of compiler warning flags. Any warnings
4332 from those flags being treated as errors.
4333
4334 The current list of warning flags includes:
4335
4336 @table @samp
4337 @item -Wimplicit
4338 Since @value{GDBN} coding standard requires all functions to be declared
4339 using a prototype, the flag has the side effect of ensuring that
4340 prototyped functions are always visible with out resorting to
4341 @samp{-Wstrict-prototypes}.
4342
4343 @item -Wreturn-type
4344 Such code often appears to work except on instruction set architectures
4345 that use register windows.
4346
4347 @item -Wcomment
4348
4349 @item -Wtrigraphs
4350
4351 @item -Wformat
4352 Since @value{GDBN} uses the @code{format printf} attribute on all
4353 @code{printf} like functions this checks not just @code{printf} calls
4354 but also calls to functions such as @code{fprintf_unfiltered}.
4355
4356 @item -Wparentheses
4357 This warning includes uses of the assignment operator within an
4358 @code{if} statement.
4359
4360 @item -Wpointer-arith
4361
4362 @item -Wuninitialized
4363 @end table
4364
4365 @emph{Pragmatics: Due to the way that @value{GDBN} is implemented most
4366 functions have unused parameters. Consequently the warning
4367 @samp{-Wunused-parameter} is precluded from the list. The macro
4368 @code{ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED} is not used as it leads to false negatives ---
4369 it is not an error to have @code{ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED} on a parameter that
4370 is being used. The options @samp{-Wall} and @samp{-Wunused} are also
4371 precluded because they both include @samp{-Wunused-parameter}.}
4372
4373 @emph{Pragmatics: @value{GDBN} has not simply accepted the warnings
4374 enabled by @samp{-Wall -Werror -W...}. Instead it is selecting warnings
4375 when and where their benefits can be demonstrated.}
4376
4377 @subsection Formatting
4378
4379 @cindex source code formatting
4380 The standard GNU recommendations for formatting must be followed
4381 strictly.
4382
4383 A function declaration should not have its name in column zero. A
4384 function definition should have its name in column zero.
4385
4386 @example
4387 /* Declaration */
4388 static void foo (void);
4389 /* Definition */
4390 void
4391 foo (void)
4392 @{
4393 @}
4394 @end example
4395
4396 @emph{Pragmatics: This simplifies scripting. Function definitions can
4397 be found using @samp{^function-name}.}
4398
4399 There must be a space between a function or macro name and the opening
4400 parenthesis of its argument list (except for macro definitions, as
4401 required by C). There must not be a space after an open paren/bracket
4402 or before a close paren/bracket.
4403
4404 While additional whitespace is generally helpful for reading, do not use
4405 more than one blank line to separate blocks, and avoid adding whitespace
4406 after the end of a program line (as of 1/99, some 600 lines had
4407 whitespace after the semicolon). Excess whitespace causes difficulties
4408 for @code{diff} and @code{patch} utilities.
4409
4410 Pointers are declared using the traditional K&R C style:
4411
4412 @example
4413 void *foo;
4414 @end example
4415
4416 @noindent
4417 and not:
4418
4419 @example
4420 void * foo;
4421 void* foo;
4422 @end example
4423
4424 @subsection Comments
4425
4426 @cindex comment formatting
4427 The standard GNU requirements on comments must be followed strictly.
4428
4429 Block comments must appear in the following form, with no @code{/*}- or
4430 @code{*/}-only lines, and no leading @code{*}:
4431
4432 @example
4433 /* Wait for control to return from inferior to debugger. If inferior
4434 gets a signal, we may decide to start it up again instead of
4435 returning. That is why there is a loop in this function. When
4436 this function actually returns it means the inferior should be left
4437 stopped and @value{GDBN} should read more commands. */
4438 @end example
4439
4440 (Note that this format is encouraged by Emacs; tabbing for a multi-line
4441 comment works correctly, and @kbd{M-q} fills the block consistently.)
4442
4443 Put a blank line between the block comments preceding function or
4444 variable definitions, and the definition itself.
4445
4446 In general, put function-body comments on lines by themselves, rather
4447 than trying to fit them into the 20 characters left at the end of a
4448 line, since either the comment or the code will inevitably get longer
4449 than will fit, and then somebody will have to move it anyhow.
4450
4451 @subsection C Usage
4452
4453 @cindex C data types
4454 Code must not depend on the sizes of C data types, the format of the
4455 host's floating point numbers, the alignment of anything, or the order
4456 of evaluation of expressions.
4457
4458 @cindex function usage
4459 Use functions freely. There are only a handful of compute-bound areas
4460 in @value{GDBN} that might be affected by the overhead of a function
4461 call, mainly in symbol reading. Most of @value{GDBN}'s performance is
4462 limited by the target interface (whether serial line or system call).
4463
4464 However, use functions with moderation. A thousand one-line functions
4465 are just as hard to understand as a single thousand-line function.
4466
4467 @emph{Macros are bad, M'kay.}
4468 (But if you have to use a macro, make sure that the macro arguments are
4469 protected with parentheses.)
4470
4471 @cindex types
4472
4473 Declarations like @samp{struct foo *} should be used in preference to
4474 declarations like @samp{typedef struct foo @{ @dots{} @} *foo_ptr}.
4475
4476
4477 @subsection Function Prototypes
4478 @cindex function prototypes
4479
4480 Prototypes must be used when both @emph{declaring} and @emph{defining}
4481 a function. Prototypes for @value{GDBN} functions must include both the
4482 argument type and name, with the name matching that used in the actual
4483 function definition.
4484
4485 All external functions should have a declaration in a header file that
4486 callers include, except for @code{_initialize_*} functions, which must
4487 be external so that @file{init.c} construction works, but shouldn't be
4488 visible to random source files.
4489
4490 Where a source file needs a forward declaration of a static function,
4491 that declaration must appear in a block near the top of the source file.
4492
4493
4494 @subsection Internal Error Recovery
4495
4496 During its execution, @value{GDBN} can encounter two types of errors.
4497 User errors and internal errors. User errors include not only a user
4498 entering an incorrect command but also problems arising from corrupt
4499 object files and system errors when interacting with the target.
4500 Internal errors include situtations where @value{GDBN} has detected, at
4501 run time, a corrupt or erroneous situtation.
4502
4503 When reporting an internal error, @value{GDBN} uses
4504 @code{internal_error} and @code{gdb_assert}.
4505
4506 @value{GDBN} must not call @code{abort} or @code{assert}.
4507
4508 @emph{Pragmatics: There is no @code{internal_warning} function. Either
4509 the code detected a user error, recovered from it and issued a
4510 @code{warning} or the code failed to correctly recover from the user
4511 error and issued an @code{internal_error}.}
4512
4513 @subsection File Names
4514
4515 Any file used when building the core of @value{GDBN} must be in lower
4516 case. Any file used when building the core of @value{GDBN} must be 8.3
4517 unique. These requirements apply to both source and generated files.
4518
4519 @emph{Pragmatics: The core of @value{GDBN} must be buildable on many
4520 platforms including DJGPP and MacOS/HFS. Every time an unfriendly file
4521 is introduced to the build process both @file{Makefile.in} and
4522 @file{configure.in} need to be modified accordingly. Compare the
4523 convoluted conversion process needed to transform @file{COPYING} into
4524 @file{copying.c} with the conversion needed to transform
4525 @file{version.in} into @file{version.c}.}
4526
4527 Any file non 8.3 compliant file (that is not used when building the core
4528 of @value{GDBN}) must be added to @file{gdb/config/djgpp/fnchange.lst}.
4529
4530 @emph{Pragmatics: This is clearly a compromise.}
4531
4532 When @value{GDBN} has a local version of a system header file (ex
4533 @file{string.h}) the file name based on the POSIX header prefixed with
4534 @file{gdb_} (@file{gdb_string.h}).
4535
4536 For other files @samp{-} is used as the separator.
4537
4538
4539 @subsection Include Files
4540
4541 All @file{.c} files should include @file{defs.h} first.
4542
4543 All @file{.c} files should explicitly include the headers for any
4544 declarations they refer to. They should not rely on files being
4545 included indirectly.
4546
4547 With the exception of the global definitions supplied by @file{defs.h},
4548 a header file should explictily include the header declaring any
4549 @code{typedefs} et.al.@: it refers to.
4550
4551 @code{extern} declarations should never appear in @code{.c} files.
4552
4553 All include files should be wrapped in:
4554
4555 @example
4556 #ifndef INCLUDE_FILE_NAME_H
4557 #define INCLUDE_FILE_NAME_H
4558 header body
4559 #endif
4560 @end example
4561
4562
4563 @subsection Clean Design and Portable Implementation
4564
4565 @cindex design
4566 In addition to getting the syntax right, there's the little question of
4567 semantics. Some things are done in certain ways in @value{GDBN} because long
4568 experience has shown that the more obvious ways caused various kinds of
4569 trouble.
4570
4571 @cindex assumptions about targets
4572 You can't assume the byte order of anything that comes from a target
4573 (including @var{value}s, object files, and instructions). Such things
4574 must be byte-swapped using @code{SWAP_TARGET_AND_HOST} in
4575 @value{GDBN}, or one of the swap routines defined in @file{bfd.h},
4576 such as @code{bfd_get_32}.
4577
4578 You can't assume that you know what interface is being used to talk to
4579 the target system. All references to the target must go through the
4580 current @code{target_ops} vector.
4581
4582 You can't assume that the host and target machines are the same machine
4583 (except in the ``native'' support modules). In particular, you can't
4584 assume that the target machine's header files will be available on the
4585 host machine. Target code must bring along its own header files --
4586 written from scratch or explicitly donated by their owner, to avoid
4587 copyright problems.
4588
4589 @cindex portability
4590 Insertion of new @code{#ifdef}'s will be frowned upon. It's much better
4591 to write the code portably than to conditionalize it for various
4592 systems.
4593
4594 @cindex system dependencies
4595 New @code{#ifdef}'s which test for specific compilers or manufacturers
4596 or operating systems are unacceptable. All @code{#ifdef}'s should test
4597 for features. The information about which configurations contain which
4598 features should be segregated into the configuration files. Experience
4599 has proven far too often that a feature unique to one particular system
4600 often creeps into other systems; and that a conditional based on some
4601 predefined macro for your current system will become worthless over
4602 time, as new versions of your system come out that behave differently
4603 with regard to this feature.
4604
4605 Adding code that handles specific architectures, operating systems,
4606 target interfaces, or hosts, is not acceptable in generic code.
4607
4608 @cindex portable file name handling
4609 @cindex file names, portability
4610 One particularly notorious area where system dependencies tend to
4611 creep in is handling of file names. The mainline @value{GDBN} code
4612 assumes Posix semantics of file names: absolute file names begin with
4613 a forward slash @file{/}, slashes are used to separate leading
4614 directories, case-sensitive file names. These assumptions are not
4615 necessarily true on non-Posix systems such as MS-Windows. To avoid
4616 system-dependent code where you need to take apart or construct a file
4617 name, use the following portable macros:
4618
4619 @table @code
4620 @findex HAVE_DOS_BASED_FILE_SYSTEM
4621 @item HAVE_DOS_BASED_FILE_SYSTEM
4622 This preprocessing symbol is defined to a non-zero value on hosts
4623 whose filesystems belong to the MS-DOS/MS-Windows family. Use this
4624 symbol to write conditional code which should only be compiled for
4625 such hosts.
4626
4627 @findex IS_DIR_SEPARATOR
4628 @item IS_DIR_SEPARATOR (@var{c}
4629 Evaluates to a non-zero value if @var{c} is a directory separator
4630 character. On Unix and GNU/Linux systems, only a slash @file{/} is
4631 such a character, but on Windows, both @file{/} and @file{\} will
4632 pass.
4633
4634 @findex IS_ABSOLUTE_PATH
4635 @item IS_ABSOLUTE_PATH (@var{file})
4636 Evaluates to a non-zero value if @var{file} is an absolute file name.
4637 For Unix and GNU/Linux hosts, a name which begins with a slash
4638 @file{/} is absolute. On DOS and Windows, @file{d:/foo} and
4639 @file{x:\bar} are also absolute file names.
4640
4641 @findex FILENAME_CMP
4642 @item FILENAME_CMP (@var{f1}, @var{f2})
4643 Calls a function which compares file names @var{f1} and @var{f2} as
4644 appropriate for the underlying host filesystem. For Posix systems,
4645 this simply calls @code{strcmp}; on case-insensitive filesystems it
4646 will call @code{strcasecmp} instead.
4647
4648 @findex DIRNAME_SEPARATOR
4649 @item DIRNAME_SEPARATOR
4650 Evaluates to a character which separates directories in
4651 @code{PATH}-style lists, typically held in environment variables.
4652 This character is @samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on DOS and Windows.
4653
4654 @findex SLASH_STRING
4655 @item SLASH_STRING
4656 This evaluates to a constant string you should use to produce an
4657 absolute filename from leading directories and the file's basename.
4658 @code{SLASH_STRING} is @code{"/"} on most systems, but might be
4659 @code{"\\"} for some Windows-based ports.
4660 @end table
4661
4662 In addition to using these macros, be sure to use portable library
4663 functions whenever possible. For example, to extract a directory or a
4664 basename part from a file name, use the @code{dirname} and
4665 @code{basename} library functions (available in @code{libiberty} for
4666 platforms which don't provide them), instead of searching for a slash
4667 with @code{strrchr}.
4668
4669 Another way to generalize @value{GDBN} along a particular interface is with an
4670 attribute struct. For example, @value{GDBN} has been generalized to handle
4671 multiple kinds of remote interfaces---not by @code{#ifdef}s everywhere, but
4672 by defining the @code{target_ops} structure and having a current target (as
4673 well as a stack of targets below it, for memory references). Whenever
4674 something needs to be done that depends on which remote interface we are
4675 using, a flag in the current target_ops structure is tested (e.g.,
4676 @code{target_has_stack}), or a function is called through a pointer in the
4677 current target_ops structure. In this way, when a new remote interface
4678 is added, only one module needs to be touched---the one that actually
4679 implements the new remote interface. Other examples of
4680 attribute-structs are BFD access to multiple kinds of object file
4681 formats, or @value{GDBN}'s access to multiple source languages.
4682
4683 Please avoid duplicating code. For example, in @value{GDBN} 3.x all
4684 the code interfacing between @code{ptrace} and the rest of
4685 @value{GDBN} was duplicated in @file{*-dep.c}, and so changing
4686 something was very painful. In @value{GDBN} 4.x, these have all been
4687 consolidated into @file{infptrace.c}. @file{infptrace.c} can deal
4688 with variations between systems the same way any system-independent
4689 file would (hooks, @code{#if defined}, etc.), and machines which are
4690 radically different don't need to use @file{infptrace.c} at all.
4691
4692 All debugging code must be controllable using the @samp{set debug
4693 @var{module}} command. Do not use @code{printf} to print trace
4694 messages. Use @code{fprintf_unfiltered(gdb_stdlog, ...}. Do not use
4695 @code{#ifdef DEBUG}.
4696
4697
4698 @node Porting GDB
4699
4700 @chapter Porting @value{GDBN}
4701 @cindex porting to new machines
4702
4703 Most of the work in making @value{GDBN} compile on a new machine is in
4704 specifying the configuration of the machine. This is done in a
4705 dizzying variety of header files and configuration scripts, which we
4706 hope to make more sensible soon. Let's say your new host is called an
4707 @var{xyz} (e.g., @samp{sun4}), and its full three-part configuration
4708 name is @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}} (e.g.,
4709 @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}). In particular:
4710
4711 @itemize @bullet
4712 @item
4713 In the top level directory, edit @file{config.sub} and add @var{arch},
4714 @var{xvend}, and @var{xos} to the lists of supported architectures,
4715 vendors, and operating systems near the bottom of the file. Also, add
4716 @var{xyz} as an alias that maps to
4717 @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}. You can test your changes by
4718 running
4719
4720 @example
4721 ./config.sub @var{xyz}
4722 @end example
4723
4724 @noindent
4725 and
4726
4727 @example
4728 ./config.sub @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}
4729 @end example
4730
4731 @noindent
4732 which should both respond with @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}
4733 and no error messages.
4734
4735 @noindent
4736 You need to port BFD, if that hasn't been done already. Porting BFD is
4737 beyond the scope of this manual.
4738
4739 @item
4740 To configure @value{GDBN} itself, edit @file{gdb/configure.host} to recognize
4741 your system and set @code{gdb_host} to @var{xyz}, and (unless your
4742 desired target is already available) also edit @file{gdb/configure.tgt},
4743 setting @code{gdb_target} to something appropriate (for instance,
4744 @var{xyz}).
4745
4746 @emph{Maintainer's note: Work in progress. The file
4747 @file{gdb/configure.host} originally needed to be modified when either a
4748 new native target or a new host machine was being added to @value{GDBN}.
4749 Recent changes have removed this requirement. The file now only needs
4750 to be modified when adding a new native configuration. This will likely
4751 changed again in the future.}
4752
4753 @item
4754 Finally, you'll need to specify and define @value{GDBN}'s host-, native-, and
4755 target-dependent @file{.h} and @file{.c} files used for your
4756 configuration.
4757 @end itemize
4758
4759 @section Configuring @value{GDBN} for Release
4760
4761 @cindex preparing a release
4762 @cindex making a distribution tarball
4763 From the top level directory (containing @file{gdb}, @file{bfd},
4764 @file{libiberty}, and so on):
4765
4766 @example
4767 make -f Makefile.in gdb.tar.gz
4768 @end example
4769
4770 @noindent
4771 This will properly configure, clean, rebuild any files that are
4772 distributed pre-built (e.g. @file{c-exp.tab.c} or @file{refcard.ps}),
4773 and will then make a tarfile. (If the top level directory has already
4774 been configured, you can just do @code{make gdb.tar.gz} instead.)
4775
4776 This procedure requires:
4777
4778 @itemize @bullet
4779
4780 @item
4781 symbolic links;
4782
4783 @item
4784 @code{makeinfo} (texinfo2 level);
4785
4786 @item
4787 @TeX{};
4788
4789 @item
4790 @code{dvips};
4791
4792 @item
4793 @code{yacc} or @code{bison}.
4794 @end itemize
4795
4796 @noindent
4797 @dots{} and the usual slew of utilities (@code{sed}, @code{tar}, etc.).
4798
4799 @subheading TEMPORARY RELEASE PROCEDURE FOR DOCUMENTATION
4800
4801 @file{gdb.texinfo} is currently marked up using the texinfo-2 macros,
4802 which are not yet a default for anything (but we have to start using
4803 them sometime).
4804
4805 For making paper, the only thing this implies is the right generation of
4806 @file{texinfo.tex} needs to be included in the distribution.
4807
4808 For making info files, however, rather than duplicating the texinfo2
4809 distribution, generate @file{gdb-all.texinfo} locally, and include the
4810 files @file{gdb.info*} in the distribution. Note the plural;
4811 @code{makeinfo} will split the document into one overall file and five
4812 or so included files.
4813
4814 @node Releasing GDB
4815
4816 @chapter Releasing @value{GDBN}
4817 @cindex making a new release of gdb
4818
4819 @section Before the branch
4820
4821 The most important objective at this stage is to find and fix simple
4822 changes that become a pain to track once the branch is created. For
4823 instance, configuration problems that stop @value{GDBN} from even
4824 building. If you can't get the problem fixed, document it in the
4825 @file{PROBLEMS} file.
4826
4827 @subheading Obsolete any code
4828
4829 Mark as @kbd{OBSOLETE} any uninteresting targets or code files. This
4830 has a number of steps and is slow --- mainly to ensure that people have
4831 had a reasonable chance to respond. Remember, everything on the
4832 internet takes a week.
4833
4834 @itemize @bullet
4835 @item
4836 announce the change on @email{gdb@@sources.redhat.com, GDB mailing list}
4837 @item
4838 wait a week
4839 @item
4840 announce the change on @email{gdb-announce@@sources.redhat.com, GDB
4841 Announcement mailing list}
4842 @item
4843 wait a week or so
4844 @item
4845 post / commit the change
4846 @end itemize
4847
4848 @subheading Refresh any imported files.
4849
4850 A number of files are taken from external repositories. They include:
4851
4852 @itemize @bullet
4853 @item
4854 @file{texinfo/texinfo.tex}
4855 @item
4856 @file{config.guess} et.@: al.@:
4857 @end itemize
4858
4859 and should be refreshed.
4860
4861 @subheading Organize and announce the schedule.
4862
4863 The following is a possible schedule. It is based on the rule-of-thumb
4864 that everything on the Internet takes a week. You may want to even
4865 increase those times further since an analysis of the actual data
4866 strongly suggests that the below is far to aggressive.
4867
4868 @itemize @bullet
4869 @item
4870 announce it
4871 @item
4872 wait a week
4873 @item
4874 announce branch date
4875 @item
4876 wait a week
4877 @item
4878 Cut the branch
4879 @item
4880 wait a week
4881 @item
4882 start enjoying all the fun
4883 @end itemize
4884
4885 As an aside, the branch tag name is probably regrettable vis:
4886 @file{gdb_N_M-YYYY-MM-DD-@{branch,branchpoint@}}.
4887
4888
4889 @section Building a Release
4890
4891 @subheading Establish a few defaults.
4892
4893 @example
4894 $ b=gdb_5_1_0_1-2002-01-03-branch
4895 $ v=5.1.0.1
4896 $ cd /sourceware/snapshot-tmp/gdbadmin-tmp/$b
4897 $ which autoconf
4898 /home/gdbadmin/bin/autoconf
4899 @end example
4900
4901 NB: Check the autoconf version carefully. You want to be using
4902 @file{gdbadmin}'s version (which is really the version taken from the
4903 binutils snapshot). SWARE may have a different version installed.
4904
4905 @subheading Check out the relevant modules:
4906
4907 @example
4908 $ for m in gdb insight dejagnu; do
4909 ( mkdir -p $m && cd $m && cvs -q -f -d /cvs/src co -P -r $b $m )
4910 done
4911 @end example
4912
4913 NB: The reading of @file{.cvsrc} is disabled (@file{-f}) so that there
4914 isn't any confusion between what is written here and what CVS really
4915 does.
4916
4917 @subheading Update the file @file{gdb/version.in} where applicable.
4918
4919 @example
4920 $ for m in gdb insight; do echo $v > $m/src/gdb/version.in ; done
4921 @end example
4922
4923
4924 @subheading Mutter something about creating a @file{ChangeLog} entry. (both trunk and branch).
4925
4926 @example
4927 $ emacs gdb/src/gdb/version.in
4928 c-x 4 a
4929 Bump version to 5.1.0.1.
4930 c-x c-s c-x c-c
4931 @end example
4932
4933 ditto for @file{insight/src/gdb/version.in}
4934
4935 @subheading Mutter something about updating @file{README}
4936
4937 For dejagnu, edit @file{dejagnu/src/dejagnu/configure.in} and set it to
4938 gdb-$v and then regenerate configure. Mention this in the dejagnu
4939 @file{ChangeLog}.
4940
4941 @example
4942 $ emacs dejagnu/src/dejagnu/configure.in
4943 ...
4944 c-x 4 a
4945 Bump version to 5.1.0.1.
4946 * configure: Re-generate.
4947 c-x c-s c-x c-c
4948 $ ( cd dejagnu/src/dejagnu && autoconf )
4949 @end example
4950
4951 @subheading Build the snapshot:
4952
4953 @example
4954 $ for m in gdb insight dejagnu; do
4955 ( cd $m/src && gmake -f Makefile.in $m.tar.bz2 )
4956 done
4957 @end example
4958
4959 @subheading Do another @kbd{CVS update} to see what the damage is.
4960
4961 @example
4962 $ ( cd gdb/src && cvs -q update )
4963 @end example
4964
4965 You're looking for files that have mysteriously disappeared as the
4966 @kbd{distclean} has the habit of deleting files it shouldn't. Watch out
4967 for the @file{version.in} update cronjob.
4968
4969 @subheading Copy all the @file{.bz2} files to the ftp directory:
4970
4971 @example
4972 cp */src/*.bz2 ~ftp/.....
4973 @end example
4974
4975 @subheading Something about @kbd{gzip}'ing them.
4976
4977 @subheading Something about web pages?
4978
4979 @subheading Something about documentation?
4980
4981 @subheading Cleanup the release tree
4982
4983 In particular you'll need to:
4984
4985 @itemize @bullet
4986 @item
4987 Commit the changes to @file{ChangeLog} and @file{version.in}
4988 @item
4989 Tag the repository.
4990 @end itemize
4991
4992
4993 @section After the release
4994
4995 Remove any @kbd{OBSOLETE} code.
4996
4997
4998 @node Testsuite
4999
5000 @chapter Testsuite
5001 @cindex test suite
5002
5003 The testsuite is an important component of the @value{GDBN} package.
5004 While it is always worthwhile to encourage user testing, in practice
5005 this is rarely sufficient; users typically use only a small subset of
5006 the available commands, and it has proven all too common for a change
5007 to cause a significant regression that went unnoticed for some time.
5008
5009 The @value{GDBN} testsuite uses the DejaGNU testing framework.
5010 DejaGNU is built using @code{Tcl} and @code{expect}. The tests
5011 themselves are calls to various @code{Tcl} procs; the framework runs all the
5012 procs and summarizes the passes and fails.
5013
5014 @section Using the Testsuite
5015
5016 @cindex running the test suite
5017 To run the testsuite, simply go to the @value{GDBN} object directory (or to the
5018 testsuite's objdir) and type @code{make check}. This just sets up some
5019 environment variables and invokes DejaGNU's @code{runtest} script. While
5020 the testsuite is running, you'll get mentions of which test file is in use,
5021 and a mention of any unexpected passes or fails. When the testsuite is
5022 finished, you'll get a summary that looks like this:
5023
5024 @example
5025 === gdb Summary ===
5026
5027 # of expected passes 6016
5028 # of unexpected failures 58
5029 # of unexpected successes 5
5030 # of expected failures 183
5031 # of unresolved testcases 3
5032 # of untested testcases 5
5033 @end example
5034
5035 The ideal test run consists of expected passes only; however, reality
5036 conspires to keep us from this ideal. Unexpected failures indicate
5037 real problems, whether in @value{GDBN} or in the testsuite. Expected
5038 failures are still failures, but ones which have been decided are too
5039 hard to deal with at the time; for instance, a test case might work
5040 everywhere except on AIX, and there is no prospect of the AIX case
5041 being fixed in the near future. Expected failures should not be added
5042 lightly, since you may be masking serious bugs in @value{GDBN}.
5043 Unexpected successes are expected fails that are passing for some
5044 reason, while unresolved and untested cases often indicate some minor
5045 catastrophe, such as the compiler being unable to deal with a test
5046 program.
5047
5048 When making any significant change to @value{GDBN}, you should run the
5049 testsuite before and after the change, to confirm that there are no
5050 regressions. Note that truly complete testing would require that you
5051 run the testsuite with all supported configurations and a variety of
5052 compilers; however this is more than really necessary. In many cases
5053 testing with a single configuration is sufficient. Other useful
5054 options are to test one big-endian (Sparc) and one little-endian (x86)
5055 host, a cross config with a builtin simulator (powerpc-eabi,
5056 mips-elf), or a 64-bit host (Alpha).
5057
5058 If you add new functionality to @value{GDBN}, please consider adding
5059 tests for it as well; this way future @value{GDBN} hackers can detect
5060 and fix their changes that break the functionality you added.
5061 Similarly, if you fix a bug that was not previously reported as a test
5062 failure, please add a test case for it. Some cases are extremely
5063 difficult to test, such as code that handles host OS failures or bugs
5064 in particular versions of compilers, and it's OK not to try to write
5065 tests for all of those.
5066
5067 @section Testsuite Organization
5068
5069 @cindex test suite organization
5070 The testsuite is entirely contained in @file{gdb/testsuite}. While the
5071 testsuite includes some makefiles and configury, these are very minimal,
5072 and used for little besides cleaning up, since the tests themselves
5073 handle the compilation of the programs that @value{GDBN} will run. The file
5074 @file{testsuite/lib/gdb.exp} contains common utility procs useful for
5075 all @value{GDBN} tests, while the directory @file{testsuite/config} contains
5076 configuration-specific files, typically used for special-purpose
5077 definitions of procs like @code{gdb_load} and @code{gdb_start}.
5078
5079 The tests themselves are to be found in @file{testsuite/gdb.*} and
5080 subdirectories of those. The names of the test files must always end
5081 with @file{.exp}. DejaGNU collects the test files by wildcarding
5082 in the test directories, so both subdirectories and individual files
5083 get chosen and run in alphabetical order.
5084
5085 The following table lists the main types of subdirectories and what they
5086 are for. Since DejaGNU finds test files no matter where they are
5087 located, and since each test file sets up its own compilation and
5088 execution environment, this organization is simply for convenience and
5089 intelligibility.
5090
5091 @table @file
5092 @item gdb.base
5093 This is the base testsuite. The tests in it should apply to all
5094 configurations of @value{GDBN} (but generic native-only tests may live here).
5095 The test programs should be in the subset of C that is valid K&R,
5096 ANSI/ISO, and C++ (@code{#ifdef}s are allowed if necessary, for instance
5097 for prototypes).
5098
5099 @item gdb.@var{lang}
5100 Language-specific tests for any language @var{lang} besides C. Examples are
5101 @file{gdb.c++} and @file{gdb.java}.
5102
5103 @item gdb.@var{platform}
5104 Non-portable tests. The tests are specific to a specific configuration
5105 (host or target), such as HP-UX or eCos. Example is @file{gdb.hp}, for
5106 HP-UX.
5107
5108 @item gdb.@var{compiler}
5109 Tests specific to a particular compiler. As of this writing (June
5110 1999), there aren't currently any groups of tests in this category that
5111 couldn't just as sensibly be made platform-specific, but one could
5112 imagine a @file{gdb.gcc}, for tests of @value{GDBN}'s handling of GCC
5113 extensions.
5114
5115 @item gdb.@var{subsystem}
5116 Tests that exercise a specific @value{GDBN} subsystem in more depth. For
5117 instance, @file{gdb.disasm} exercises various disassemblers, while
5118 @file{gdb.stabs} tests pathways through the stabs symbol reader.
5119 @end table
5120
5121 @section Writing Tests
5122 @cindex writing tests
5123
5124 In many areas, the @value{GDBN} tests are already quite comprehensive; you
5125 should be able to copy existing tests to handle new cases.
5126
5127 You should try to use @code{gdb_test} whenever possible, since it
5128 includes cases to handle all the unexpected errors that might happen.
5129 However, it doesn't cost anything to add new test procedures; for
5130 instance, @file{gdb.base/exprs.exp} defines a @code{test_expr} that
5131 calls @code{gdb_test} multiple times.
5132
5133 Only use @code{send_gdb} and @code{gdb_expect} when absolutely
5134 necessary, such as when @value{GDBN} has several valid responses to a command.
5135
5136 The source language programs do @emph{not} need to be in a consistent
5137 style. Since @value{GDBN} is used to debug programs written in many different
5138 styles, it's worth having a mix of styles in the testsuite; for
5139 instance, some @value{GDBN} bugs involving the display of source lines would
5140 never manifest themselves if the programs used GNU coding style
5141 uniformly.
5142
5143 @node Hints
5144
5145 @chapter Hints
5146
5147 Check the @file{README} file, it often has useful information that does not
5148 appear anywhere else in the directory.
5149
5150 @menu
5151 * Getting Started:: Getting started working on @value{GDBN}
5152 * Debugging GDB:: Debugging @value{GDBN} with itself
5153 @end menu
5154
5155 @node Getting Started,,, Hints
5156
5157 @section Getting Started
5158
5159 @value{GDBN} is a large and complicated program, and if you first starting to
5160 work on it, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, if you
5161 know how to go about it, there are ways to figure out what is going on.
5162
5163 This manual, the @value{GDBN} Internals manual, has information which applies
5164 generally to many parts of @value{GDBN}.
5165
5166 Information about particular functions or data structures are located in
5167 comments with those functions or data structures. If you run across a
5168 function or a global variable which does not have a comment correctly
5169 explaining what is does, this can be thought of as a bug in @value{GDBN}; feel
5170 free to submit a bug report, with a suggested comment if you can figure
5171 out what the comment should say. If you find a comment which is
5172 actually wrong, be especially sure to report that.
5173
5174 Comments explaining the function of macros defined in host, target, or
5175 native dependent files can be in several places. Sometimes they are
5176 repeated every place the macro is defined. Sometimes they are where the
5177 macro is used. Sometimes there is a header file which supplies a
5178 default definition of the macro, and the comment is there. This manual
5179 also documents all the available macros.
5180 @c (@pxref{Host Conditionals}, @pxref{Target
5181 @c Conditionals}, @pxref{Native Conditionals}, and @pxref{Obsolete
5182 @c Conditionals})
5183
5184 Start with the header files. Once you have some idea of how
5185 @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables are stored (see @file{symtab.h},
5186 @file{gdbtypes.h}), you will find it much easier to understand the
5187 code which uses and creates those symbol tables.
5188
5189 You may wish to process the information you are getting somehow, to
5190 enhance your understanding of it. Summarize it, translate it to another
5191 language, add some (perhaps trivial or non-useful) feature to @value{GDBN}, use
5192 the code to predict what a test case would do and write the test case
5193 and verify your prediction, etc. If you are reading code and your eyes
5194 are starting to glaze over, this is a sign you need to use a more active
5195 approach.
5196
5197 Once you have a part of @value{GDBN} to start with, you can find more
5198 specifically the part you are looking for by stepping through each
5199 function with the @code{next} command. Do not use @code{step} or you
5200 will quickly get distracted; when the function you are stepping through
5201 calls another function try only to get a big-picture understanding
5202 (perhaps using the comment at the beginning of the function being
5203 called) of what it does. This way you can identify which of the
5204 functions being called by the function you are stepping through is the
5205 one which you are interested in. You may need to examine the data
5206 structures generated at each stage, with reference to the comments in
5207 the header files explaining what the data structures are supposed to
5208 look like.
5209
5210 Of course, this same technique can be used if you are just reading the
5211 code, rather than actually stepping through it. The same general
5212 principle applies---when the code you are looking at calls something
5213 else, just try to understand generally what the code being called does,
5214 rather than worrying about all its details.
5215
5216 @cindex command implementation
5217 A good place to start when tracking down some particular area is with
5218 a command which invokes that feature. Suppose you want to know how
5219 single-stepping works. As a @value{GDBN} user, you know that the
5220 @code{step} command invokes single-stepping. The command is invoked
5221 via command tables (see @file{command.h}); by convention the function
5222 which actually performs the command is formed by taking the name of
5223 the command and adding @samp{_command}, or in the case of an
5224 @code{info} subcommand, @samp{_info}. For example, the @code{step}
5225 command invokes the @code{step_command} function and the @code{info
5226 display} command invokes @code{display_info}. When this convention is
5227 not followed, you might have to use @code{grep} or @kbd{M-x
5228 tags-search} in emacs, or run @value{GDBN} on itself and set a
5229 breakpoint in @code{execute_command}.
5230
5231 @cindex @code{bug-gdb} mailing list
5232 If all of the above fail, it may be appropriate to ask for information
5233 on @code{bug-gdb}. But @emph{never} post a generic question like ``I was
5234 wondering if anyone could give me some tips about understanding
5235 @value{GDBN}''---if we had some magic secret we would put it in this manual.
5236 Suggestions for improving the manual are always welcome, of course.
5237
5238 @node Debugging GDB,,,Hints
5239
5240 @section Debugging @value{GDBN} with itself
5241 @cindex debugging @value{GDBN}
5242
5243 If @value{GDBN} is limping on your machine, this is the preferred way to get it
5244 fully functional. Be warned that in some ancient Unix systems, like
5245 Ultrix 4.2, a program can't be running in one process while it is being
5246 debugged in another. Rather than typing the command @kbd{@w{./gdb
5247 ./gdb}}, which works on Suns and such, you can copy @file{gdb} to
5248 @file{gdb2} and then type @kbd{@w{./gdb ./gdb2}}.
5249
5250 When you run @value{GDBN} in the @value{GDBN} source directory, it will read a
5251 @file{.gdbinit} file that sets up some simple things to make debugging
5252 gdb easier. The @code{info} command, when executed without a subcommand
5253 in a @value{GDBN} being debugged by gdb, will pop you back up to the top level
5254 gdb. See @file{.gdbinit} for details.
5255
5256 If you use emacs, you will probably want to do a @code{make TAGS} after
5257 you configure your distribution; this will put the machine dependent
5258 routines for your local machine where they will be accessed first by
5259 @kbd{M-.}
5260
5261 Also, make sure that you've either compiled @value{GDBN} with your local cc, or
5262 have run @code{fixincludes} if you are compiling with gcc.
5263
5264 @section Submitting Patches
5265
5266 @cindex submitting patches
5267 Thanks for thinking of offering your changes back to the community of
5268 @value{GDBN} users. In general we like to get well designed enhancements.
5269 Thanks also for checking in advance about the best way to transfer the
5270 changes.
5271
5272 The @value{GDBN} maintainers will only install ``cleanly designed'' patches.
5273 This manual summarizes what we believe to be clean design for @value{GDBN}.
5274
5275 If the maintainers don't have time to put the patch in when it arrives,
5276 or if there is any question about a patch, it goes into a large queue
5277 with everyone else's patches and bug reports.
5278
5279 @cindex legal papers for code contributions
5280 The legal issue is that to incorporate substantial changes requires a
5281 copyright assignment from you and/or your employer, granting ownership
5282 of the changes to the Free Software Foundation. You can get the
5283 standard documents for doing this by sending mail to @code{gnu@@gnu.org}
5284 and asking for it. We recommend that people write in "All programs
5285 owned by the Free Software Foundation" as "NAME OF PROGRAM", so that
5286 changes in many programs (not just @value{GDBN}, but GAS, Emacs, GCC,
5287 etc) can be
5288 contributed with only one piece of legalese pushed through the
5289 bureaucracy and filed with the FSF. We can't start merging changes until
5290 this paperwork is received by the FSF (their rules, which we follow
5291 since we maintain it for them).
5292
5293 Technically, the easiest way to receive changes is to receive each
5294 feature as a small context diff or unidiff, suitable for @code{patch}.
5295 Each message sent to me should include the changes to C code and
5296 header files for a single feature, plus @file{ChangeLog} entries for
5297 each directory where files were modified, and diffs for any changes
5298 needed to the manuals (@file{gdb/doc/gdb.texinfo} or
5299 @file{gdb/doc/gdbint.texinfo}). If there are a lot of changes for a
5300 single feature, they can be split down into multiple messages.
5301
5302 In this way, if we read and like the feature, we can add it to the
5303 sources with a single patch command, do some testing, and check it in.
5304 If you leave out the @file{ChangeLog}, we have to write one. If you leave
5305 out the doc, we have to puzzle out what needs documenting. Etc., etc.
5306
5307 The reason to send each change in a separate message is that we will not
5308 install some of the changes. They'll be returned to you with questions
5309 or comments. If we're doing our job correctly, the message back to you
5310 will say what you have to fix in order to make the change acceptable.
5311 The reason to have separate messages for separate features is so that
5312 the acceptable changes can be installed while one or more changes are
5313 being reworked. If multiple features are sent in a single message, we
5314 tend to not put in the effort to sort out the acceptable changes from
5315 the unacceptable, so none of the features get installed until all are
5316 acceptable.
5317
5318 If this sounds painful or authoritarian, well, it is. But we get a lot
5319 of bug reports and a lot of patches, and many of them don't get
5320 installed because we don't have the time to finish the job that the bug
5321 reporter or the contributor could have done. Patches that arrive
5322 complete, working, and well designed, tend to get installed on the day
5323 they arrive. The others go into a queue and get installed as time
5324 permits, which, since the maintainers have many demands to meet, may not
5325 be for quite some time.
5326
5327 Please send patches directly to
5328 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.cygnus.com, the @value{GDBN} maintainers}.
5329
5330 @section Obsolete Conditionals
5331 @cindex obsolete code
5332
5333 Fragments of old code in @value{GDBN} sometimes reference or set the following
5334 configuration macros. They should not be used by new code, and old uses
5335 should be removed as those parts of the debugger are otherwise touched.
5336
5337 @table @code
5338 @item STACK_END_ADDR
5339 This macro used to define where the end of the stack appeared, for use
5340 in interpreting core file formats that don't record this address in the
5341 core file itself. This information is now configured in BFD, and @value{GDBN}
5342 gets the info portably from there. The values in @value{GDBN}'s configuration
5343 files should be moved into BFD configuration files (if needed there),
5344 and deleted from all of @value{GDBN}'s config files.
5345
5346 Any @file{@var{foo}-xdep.c} file that references STACK_END_ADDR
5347 is so old that it has never been converted to use BFD. Now that's old!
5348
5349 @item PYRAMID_CONTROL_FRAME_DEBUGGING
5350 pyr-xdep.c
5351 @item PYRAMID_CORE
5352 pyr-xdep.c
5353 @item PYRAMID_PTRACE
5354 pyr-xdep.c
5355
5356 @item REG_STACK_SEGMENT
5357 exec.c
5358
5359 @end table
5360
5361 @node Index
5362 @unnumbered Index
5363
5364 @printindex cp
5365
5366 @bye