GDB cheatsheet - page 1

Running <where> next

# gdb <program> [core dump] function_name Go to next instruction (source line) but
Start GDB (with optional core dump). Break/watch the named function. donʻt dive into functions.

# gdb --args <program> <args…> line_number finish

Start GDB and pass arguments
# gdb --pid <pid>
Start GDB and attach to process.
set args <args...>
Set arguments to pass to program to
be debugged.
run
Run the program to be debugged.
kill
Kill the running program.
Breakpoints
break <where>
Set a new breakpoint.
delete <breakpoint#>
Remove a breakpoint.
clear
Delete all breakpoints.
Break/watch the line number in the cur- Continue until the current function re-
rent source file. turns.
file:line_number continue
Break/watch the line number in the Continue normal execution.
named source file.
Variables and memory
Conditions print/format <what>
break/watch <where> if <condition> Print content of variable/memory locati-
Break/watch at the given location if the on/register.
condition is met. display/format <what>
Conditions may be almost any C ex- Like „print“, but print the information
pression that evaluate to true or false. after each stepping instruction.
condition <breakpoint#> <condition> undisplay <display#>
Set/change the condition of an existing Remove the „display“ with the given
break- or watchpoint. number.
Examining the stack enable display <display#>
backtrace disable display <display#>
where En- or disable the „display“ with the gi-
Show call stack. ven number.

enable <breakpoint#> backtrace full x/nfu <address>

Enable a disabled breakpoint. where full Print memory.
Show call stack, also print the local va- n: How many units to print (default 1).
disable <breakpoint#> f: Format character (like „print“).
riables in each frame.
Disable a breakpoint. u: Unit.
frame <frame#>
Watchpoints Select the stack frame to operate on. Unit is one of:
watch <where>
b: Byte,
Set a new watchpoint. Stepping h: Half-word (two bytes)
step
delete/enable/disable <watchpoint#> w: Word (four bytes)
Go to next instruction (source line), di-
Like breakpoints. g: Giant word (eight bytes)).
ving into function.

© 2007 Marc Haisenko <marc@darkdust.net>


Format
a
Pointer.
c
Read as integer, print as character.
d
Integer, signed decimal.
f
Floating point number.
o
Integer, print as octal.
s
Try to treat as C string.
t
Integer, print as binary (t = „two“).
u
Integer, unsigned decimal.
x
Integer, print as hexadecimal.
<what>
expression
Almost any C expression, including
function calls (must be prefixed with a
cast to tell GDB the return value type).
file_name::variable_name
Content of the variable defined in the
named file (static variables).
function::variable_name
Content of the variable defined in the
named function (if on the stack).
{type}address
Content at address, interpreted as
being of the C type type.
$register
Content of named register. Interesting
registers are $esp (stack pointer), $ebp
(frame pointer) and $eip (instruction
pointer).
Threads
thread <thread#>
Chose thread to operate on.
GDB cheatsheet - page 2
Manipulating the program Informations
set var <variable_name>=<value> disassemble
Change the content of a variable to the disassemble <where>
given value. Disassemble the current function or
given location.
return <expression>
Force the current function to return im- info args
mediately, passing the given value. Print the arguments to the function of
the current stack frame.
Sources
directory <directory> info breakpoints
Print informations about the break- and
Add directory to the list of directories
that is searched for sources. watchpoints.
list info display
list <filename>:<function> Print informations about the „displays“.
list <filename>:<line_number> info locals
list <first>,<last> Print the local variables in the currently
Shows the current or given source con- selected stack frame.
text. The filename may be omitted. If
last is omitted the context starting at info sharedlibrary
start is printed instead of centered a- List loaded shared libraries.
round it. info signals
List all signals and how they are cur-
set listsize <count>
Set how many lines to show in „list“. rently handled.
info threads
Signals List all threads.
handle <signal> <options>
Set how to handle signles. Options are: show directories
Print all directories in which GDB sear-
(no)print: (Donʻt) print a message when ches for source files.
signals occurs.
show listsize
(no)stop: (Donʻt) stop the program Print how many are shown in the „list“
when signals occurs. command.
(no)pass: (Donʻt) pass the signal to the whatis variable_name
program. Print type of named variable.
© 2007 Marc Haisenko <marc@darkdust.net>