(Character Motion): Mention default arg for forward-char.
[bpt/emacs.git] / lispref / edebug.texi
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73804d4b 1@comment -*-texinfo-*-
969fe9b5 2@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
177c0ea7 3@c Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
969fe9b5 4@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
73804d4b 5
177c0ea7
JB
6@c This file can also be used by an independent Edebug User
7@c Manual in which case the Edebug node below should be used
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8@c with the following links to the Bugs section and to the top level:
9
10@c , Bugs and Todo List, Top, Top
11
1911e6e5 12@node Edebug, Syntax Errors, Debugger, Debugging
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13@section Edebug
14@cindex Edebug mode
15
16@cindex Edebug
17 Edebug is a source-level debugger for Emacs Lisp programs with which
18you can:
19
20@itemize @bullet
21@item
22Step through evaluation, stopping before and after each expression.
23
24@item
25Set conditional or unconditional breakpoints.
26
27@item
28Stop when a specified condition is true (the global break event).
29
30@item
31Trace slow or fast, stopping briefly at each stop point, or
32at each breakpoint.
33
34@item
35Display expression results and evaluate expressions as if outside of
36Edebug.
37
177c0ea7 38@item
a9f0a989 39Automatically re-evaluate a list of expressions and
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40display their results each time Edebug updates the display.
41
42@item
43Output trace info on function enter and exit.
44
45@item
46Stop when an error occurs.
47
48@item
49Display a backtrace, omitting Edebug's own frames.
50
51@item
52Specify argument evaluation for macros and defining forms.
53
54@item
55Obtain rudimentary coverage testing and frequency counts.
56@end itemize
57
58The first three sections below should tell you enough about Edebug to
59enable you to use it.
60
61@menu
62* Using Edebug:: Introduction to use of Edebug.
63* Instrumenting:: You must instrument your code
64 in order to debug it with Edebug.
65* Modes: Edebug Execution Modes. Execution modes, stopping more or less often.
66* Jumping:: Commands to jump to a specified place.
67* Misc: Edebug Misc. Miscellaneous commands.
68* Breakpoints:: Setting breakpoints to make the program stop.
8241495d 69* Trapping Errors:: Trapping errors with Edebug.
73804d4b 70* Views: Edebug Views. Views inside and outside of Edebug.
8241495d 71* Eval: Edebug Eval. Evaluating expressions within Edebug.
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72* Eval List:: Expressions whose values are displayed
73 each time you enter Edebug.
74* Printing in Edebug:: Customization of printing.
75* Trace Buffer:: How to produce trace output in a buffer.
76* Coverage Testing:: How to test evaluation coverage.
77* The Outside Context:: Data that Edebug saves and restores.
78* Instrumenting Macro Calls:: Specifying how to handle macro calls.
79* Options: Edebug Options. Option variables for customizing Edebug.
80@end menu
81
82@node Using Edebug
83@subsection Using Edebug
84
85 To debug a Lisp program with Edebug, you must first @dfn{instrument}
86the Lisp code that you want to debug. A simple way to do this is to
87first move point into the definition of a function or macro and then do
88@kbd{C-u C-M-x} (@code{eval-defun} with a prefix argument). See
89@ref{Instrumenting}, for alternative ways to instrument code.
90
91 Once a function is instrumented, any call to the function activates
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92Edebug. Depending on which Edebug execution mode you have selected,
93activating Edebug may stop execution and let you step through the
94function, or it may update the display and continue execution while
95checking for debugging commands. The default execution mode is step,
96which stops execution. @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
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97
98 Within Edebug, you normally view an Emacs buffer showing the source of
99the Lisp code you are debugging. This is referred to as the @dfn{source
2bdedac1 100code buffer}, and it is temporarily read-only.
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101
102 An arrow at the left margin indicates the line where the function is
103executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is
104executing, but this ceases to be true if you move point yourself.
105
106 If you instrument the definition of @code{fac} (shown below) and then
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107execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you would normally see. Point is
108at the open-parenthesis before @code{if}.
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109
110@example
111(defun fac (n)
112=>@point{}(if (< 0 n)
113 (* n (fac (1- n)))
114 1))
115@end example
116
117@cindex stop points
118The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called
119@dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression
177c0ea7 120that is a list, and also after each variable reference.
8241495d 121Here we use periods to show the stop points in the function
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122@code{fac}:
123
124@example
125(defun fac (n)
126 .(if .(< 0 n.).
b180eac2 127 .(* n. .(fac .(1- n.).).).
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128 1).)
129@end example
130
131The special commands of Edebug are available in the source code buffer
132in addition to the commands of Emacs Lisp mode. For example, you can
133type the Edebug command @key{SPC} to execute until the next stop point.
134If you type @key{SPC} once after entry to @code{fac}, here is the
135display you will see:
136
137@example
138(defun fac (n)
139=>(if @point{}(< 0 n)
140 (* n (fac (1- n)))
141 1))
142@end example
143
144When Edebug stops execution after an expression, it displays the
177c0ea7 145expression's value in the echo area.
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146
147Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop
148point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to
149exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to
150display a list of all Edebug commands.
151
152@node Instrumenting
153@subsection Instrumenting for Edebug
154
155 In order to use Edebug to debug Lisp code, you must first
156@dfn{instrument} the code. Instrumenting code inserts additional code
87b2d5ff 157into it, to invoke Edebug at the proper places.
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158
159@kindex C-M-x
160@findex eval-defun (Edebug)
161 Once you have loaded Edebug, the command @kbd{C-M-x}
162(@code{eval-defun}) is redefined so that when invoked with a prefix
163argument on a definition, it instruments the definition before
164evaluating it. (The source code itself is not modified.) If the
165variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, that inverts the
8241495d 166meaning of the prefix argument: in this case, @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the
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167definition @emph{unless} it has a prefix argument. The default value of
168@code{edebug-all-defs} is @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x
169edebug-all-defs} toggles the value of the variable
170@code{edebug-all-defs}.
171
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172@findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
173@findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
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174 If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands
175@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer}
176also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
177@code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
178instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
179to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
180edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
181
182@findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
969fe9b5 183 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
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184instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
185@code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
73804d4b 186
969fe9b5 187 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
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188(@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
189function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already
190instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
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191source for that function; for this reading, after loading Edebug,
192@code{eval-region} records the position of every definition it
193evaluates, even if not instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command
194(@pxref{Jumping}), which steps into the call after instrumenting the
195function.
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196
197@cindex special forms (Edebug)
198@cindex interactive commands (Edebug)
199@cindex anonymous lambda expressions (Edebug)
200@cindex Common Lisp (Edebug)
969fe9b5 201@pindex cl.el @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 202@pindex cl-specs.el
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203 Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms,
204@code{interactive} forms with an expression argument, anonymous lambda
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205expressions, and other defining forms. However, Edebug cannot determine
206on its own what a user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a
207macro call, so you must provide that information; see @ref{Instrumenting
208Macro Calls}, for details.
73804d4b 209
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210 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
211session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
8241495d 212@code{nil}. You can use this to load Edebug specifications
969fe9b5 213(@pxref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}) associated with a package you are
8241495d 214using, but only when you use Edebug.
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215
216@findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
a9f0a989 217 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
73804d4b 218definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
87b2d5ff 219evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
73804d4b 220@code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
bfe721d1 221(@kbd{M-:}).
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222
223 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
224at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
225
226 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
227inside of Edebug.
228
229@node Edebug Execution Modes
230@subsection Edebug Execution Modes
231
232@cindex Edebug execution modes
233Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
234debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
87b2d5ff 235not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
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236determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
237it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
238example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
239before it stops.
240
241Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
242continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
8241495d 243commands; all except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
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244least for a certain distance.
245
246@table @kbd
247@item S
8241495d 248Stop: don't execute any more of the program, but wait for more
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249Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
250
251@item @key{SPC}
252Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
253
254@item n
255Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression
256(@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in
257@ref{Edebug Misc}.
258
259@item t
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260Trace: pause (normally one second) at each Edebug stop point
261(@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
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262
263@item T
264Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually
265pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}).
266
267@item g
268Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}.
269
270@item c
271Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue
272(@code{edebug-continue-mode}).
273
274@item C
275Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause
276(@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}).
277
278@item G
279Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You
280can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command.
281@end table
282
283In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the
87b2d5ff 284program more slowly or stop sooner than the modes later in the list.
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285
286While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing
287any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and
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288then executes the command you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} during
289execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can use
290@kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else.
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291
292If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending
293to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can
294avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program
295wants input.
296
297@cindex keyboard macros (Edebug)
298Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not
299completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track
300of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or
301executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands
8241495d 302inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. See also the
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303@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option (@pxref{Edebug Options}).
304
305When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes from
306the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}. By default, this
307specifies step mode. Note that you may reenter the same Edebug level
308several times if, for example, an instrumented function is called
309several times from one command.
310
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311@defopt edebug-sit-for-seconds
312This option specifies how many seconds to wait between execution steps
313in trace mode. The default is 1 second.
b52a26fb 314@end defopt
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315
316@node Jumping
317@subsection Jumping
318
319 The commands described in this section execute until they reach a
320specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to
321establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other
322breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop
323execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints.
324
325 These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit,
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326as that can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you expected the
327program to stop.
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328
329@table @kbd
330@item h
331Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}).
332
333@item f
334Run the program forward over one expression
335(@code{edebug-forward-sexp}).
336
337@item o
338Run the program until the end of the containing sexp.
339
340@item i
341Step into the function or macro called by the form after point.
342@end table
343
344The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point near the current location
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345of point, using a temporary breakpoint. See @ref{Breakpoints}, for more
346information about breakpoints.
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347
348The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More
349precisely, it sets a temporary breakpoint at the position that
350@kbd{C-M-f} would reach, then executes in go mode so that the program
351will stop at breakpoints.
352
353With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed
354@var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n}
355more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing
356expression.
357
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358You must check that the position @kbd{C-M-f} finds is a place that the
359program will really get to. In @code{cond}, for example, this may not
360be true.
73804d4b 361
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362For flexibility, the @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting
363at point, rather than at the stop point. If you want to execute one
364expression @emph{from the current stop point}, first type @kbd{w}, to
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365move point there, and then type @kbd{f}.
366
367The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a
368temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the
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369containing sexp is a function definition itself, @kbd{o} continues until
370just before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are
371now, it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this
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372command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are
373positioned after the last sexp.
374
375The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list
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376form after point, and stops at its first stop point. Note that the form
377need not be the one about to be evaluated. But if the form is a
378function call about to be evaluated, remember to use this command before
379any of the arguments are evaluated, since otherwise it will be too late.
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380
381The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to
382step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep
383in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly
384arrange to deinstrument it.
385
386@node Edebug Misc
387@subsection Miscellaneous Edebug Commands
388
389 Some miscellaneous Edebug commands are described here.
390
391@table @kbd
392@item ?
393Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}).
394
395@item C-]
396Abort one level back to the previous command level
397(@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
398
399@item q
400Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This
401exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug
402activity. However, instrumented code protected with
403@code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume
404debugging.
405
406@item Q
8241495d 407Like @kbd{q}, but don't stop even for protected code
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408(@code{top-level-nonstop}).
409
410@item r
411Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area
412(@code{edebug-previous-result}).
413
414@item d
415Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity
416(@code{edebug-backtrace}).
417
418You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as
419you would in the standard debugger.
420
421The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue
422execution.
423@end table
424
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425You can invoke commands from Edebug that activate Edebug again
426recursively. Whenever Edebug is active, you can quit to the top level
427with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with @kbd{C-]}. You can
428display a backtrace of all the pending evaluations with @kbd{d}.
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429
430@node Breakpoints
431@subsection Breakpoints
432
433@cindex breakpoints
8241495d 434Edebug's step mode stops execution when the next stop point is reached.
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435There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started:
436breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints.
437
438While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you
8241495d 439are testing: these are places where execution should stop. You can set a
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440breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For
441setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is
442the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the
443Edebug commands for breakpoints:
444
445@table @kbd
446@item b
447Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point
448(@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the
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449breakpoint is temporary---it turns off the first time it stops the
450program.
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451
452@item u
177c0ea7 453Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after
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454point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}).
455
456@item x @var{condition} @key{RET}
457Set a conditional breakpoint which stops the program only if
458@var{condition} evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value
459(@code{edebug-set-conditional-breakpoint}). With a prefix argument, the
460breakpoint is temporary.
461
462@item B
9e2b495b 463Move point to the next breakpoint in the current definition
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464(@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}).
465@end table
466
467While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one
468with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice,
469then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there.
470Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect.
471
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472Re-evaluating or reinstrumenting a definition removes all of its
473previous breakpoints.
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474
475A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program
476gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the
477condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a
478conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition
479expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a
480stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts
481the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it.
482
483You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint
969fe9b5 484@dfn{temporary} by using a prefix argument with the command to set the
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485breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is
486automatically unset.
487
8241495d 488Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint, except when the Edebug
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489mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely.
490
491To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which
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492moves point to the next breakpoint following point, within the same
493function, or to the first breakpoint if there are no following
494breakpoints. This command does not continue execution---it just moves
495point in the buffer.
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496
497@menu
177c0ea7 498* Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event.
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499* Source Breakpoints:: Embedding breakpoints in source code.
500@end menu
501
502
503@node Global Break Condition
504@subsubsection Global Break Condition
505
506@cindex stopping on events
507@cindex global break condition
508 A @dfn{global break condition} stops execution when a specified
509condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug
8241495d 510evaluates the global break condition at every stop point; if it
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511evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses
512depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If
513evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop.
514
515@findex edebug-set-global-break-condition
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516 The condition expression is stored in
517@code{edebug-global-break-condition}. You can specify a new expression
518using the @kbd{X} command (@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}).
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519
520 The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your
521code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you
522should reset the condition to @code{nil} when not using it.
523
524@node Source Breakpoints
525@subsubsection Source Breakpoints
526
527@findex edebug
528@cindex source breakpoints
529 All breakpoints in a definition are forgotten each time you
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530reinstrument it. If you wish to make a breakpoint that won't be
531forgotten, you can write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a
532call to the function @code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of
533course, make such a call conditional. For example, in the @code{fac}
534function, you can insert the first line as shown below, to stop when the
535argument reaches zero:
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536
537@example
538(defun fac (n)
539 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
540 (if (< 0 n)
541 (* n (fac (1- n)))
542 1))
543@end example
544
969fe9b5 545 When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is
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546called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on
547the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there.
548
969fe9b5 549 If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called,
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550that function calls @code{debug}.
551@c This may not be a good idea anymore.
552
553@node Trapping Errors
554@subsection Trapping Errors
555
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556 Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and
557not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active and
558executing instrumented code, it normally responds to all unhandled
559errors. You can customize this with the options @code{edebug-on-error}
560and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see @ref{Edebug Options}.
73804d4b 561
969fe9b5 562 When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point
73804d4b 563encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a
8241495d 564function which was not instrumented, and within which the error actually
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565occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point
566might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that
8241495d 567case, you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}).
73804d4b 568
87b2d5ff 569@c Edebug should be changed for the following: -- dan
969fe9b5 570 If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while
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571Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes
572inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables
573are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug.
574
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575@node Edebug Views
576@subsection Edebug Views
577
969fe9b5 578 These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window
a9f0a989 579status as they were before entry to Edebug. The outside window
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580configuration is the collection of windows and contents that were in
581effect outside of Edebug.
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582
583@table @kbd
584@item v
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585Temporarily view the outside window configuration
586(@code{edebug-view-outside}).
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587
588@item p
589Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its outside
590position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}). With a prefix argument @var{n},
591pause for @var{n} seconds instead.
592
593@item w
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594Move point back to the current stop point in the source code buffer
595(@code{edebug-where}).
596
597If you use this command in a different window displaying the same
598buffer, that window will be used instead to display the current
599definition in the future.
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600
601@item W
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602@c Its function is not simply to forget the saved configuration -- dan
603Toggle whether Edebug saves and restores the outside window
604configuration (@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}).
605
606With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of
607the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the
608source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap.
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609@end table
610
969fe9b5 611 You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just
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612bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if
613it is not normally displayed. After moving point, you may wish to jump
614back to the stop point with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer.
615
969fe9b5 616 Each time you use @kbd{W} to turn saving @emph{off}, Edebug forgets the
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617saved outside window configuration---so that even if you turn saving
618back @emph{on}, the current window configuration remains unchanged when
619you next exit Edebug (by continuing the program). However, the
620automatic redisplay of @samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may
621conflict with the buffers you wish to see unless you have enough windows
622open.
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623
624@node Edebug Eval
625@subsection Evaluation
626
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627 While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug
628were not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's
73804d4b 629evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side
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630effects will work as expected, except for changes to data that Edebug
631explicitly saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details
632on this process.
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633
634@table @kbd
635@item e @var{exp} @key{RET}
636Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug
637(@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its
638interference with the evaluation.
639
bfe721d1 640@item M-: @var{exp} @key{RET}
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641Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself.
642
643@item C-x C-e
644Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
645(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
646@end table
647
648@cindex lexical binding (Edebug)
969fe9b5 649 Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to
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650lexically bound symbols created by the following constructs in
651@file{cl.el} (version 2.03 or later): @code{lexical-let},
652@code{macrolet}, and @code{symbol-macrolet}.
653
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654@node Eval List
655@subsection Evaluation List Buffer
656
969fe9b5 657 You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to
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658evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the
659@dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each
660time Edebug updates the display.
661
662@table @kbd
663@item E
664Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*}
665(@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}).
666@end table
667
969fe9b5 668 In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp
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669Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
670Manual}) as well as these special commands:
671
672@table @kbd
969fe9b5 673@item C-j
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674Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert
675the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}).
676
677@item C-x C-e
678Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
679(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
680
681@item C-c C-u
87b2d5ff 682Build a new evaluation list from the contents of the buffer
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683(@code{edebug-update-eval-list}).
684
685@item C-c C-d
686Delete the evaluation list group that point is in
687(@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}).
688
689@item C-c C-w
690Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point
691(@code{edebug-where}).
692@end table
693
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694 You can evaluate expressions in the evaluation list window with
695@kbd{C-j} or @kbd{C-x C-e}, just as you would in @samp{*scratch*};
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696but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug.
697
969fe9b5 698 The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost
73804d4b 699when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list}
177c0ea7 700consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops.
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701
702@cindex evaluation list group
969fe9b5 703 To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the
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704evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or
705more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines.
706
969fe9b5 707 The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the
73804d4b 708evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of
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709each group. (The idea is that the second expression of the group is the
710value previously computed and displayed.)
73804d4b 711
969fe9b5 712 Each entry to Edebug redisplays the evaluation list by inserting each
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713expression in the buffer, followed by its current value. It also
714inserts comment lines so that each expression becomes its own group.
715Thus, if you type @kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text,
716the evaluation list is effectively unchanged.
73804d4b 717
969fe9b5 718 If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list, the
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719error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result.
720Therefore, expressions that use variables not currently valid do not
721interrupt your debugging.
722
969fe9b5 723 Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after
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724several expressions have been added to it:
725
726@smallexample
727(current-buffer)
728#<buffer *scratch*>
729;---------------------------------------------------------------
730(selected-window)
731#<window 16 on *scratch*>
732;---------------------------------------------------------------
733(point)
734196
735;---------------------------------------------------------------
736bad-var
737"Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var"
738;---------------------------------------------------------------
739(recursion-depth)
7400
741;---------------------------------------------------------------
742this-command
743eval-last-sexp
744;---------------------------------------------------------------
745@end smallexample
746
747To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply
748delete the text for the group and update the evaluation list with
749@kbd{C-c C-u}. To add a new expression to the evaluation list, insert
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750the expression at a suitable place, insert a new comment line, then type
751@kbd{C-c C-u}. You need not insert dashes in the comment line---its
752contents don't matter.
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753
754After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code
755buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when
756you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed.
757
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758@node Printing in Edebug
759@subsection Printing in Edebug
760
761@cindex printing (Edebug)
762@cindex printing circular structures
763@pindex cust-print
764 If an expression in your program produces a value containing circular
765list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it.
766
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767 One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length}
768or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for
769you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to 50 if they
770were @code{nil}. (Actually, the variables @code{edebug-print-length}
771and @code{edebug-print-level} specify the values to use within Edebug.)
772@xref{Output Variables}.
773
969fe9b5 774@defopt edebug-print-length
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775If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-length} to this value while
776printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
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777@end defopt
778
177c0ea7 779@defopt edebug-print-level
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780If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-level} to this value while
781printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
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782@end defopt
783
73804d4b 784 You can also print circular structures and structures that share
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785elements more informatively by binding @code{print-circle}
786to a non-@code{nil} value.
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787
788 Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure:
789
790@example
791(setq a '(x y))
a9f0a989 792(setcar a a)
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793@end example
794
795@noindent
796Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The
797@samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label
a9f0a989 798@samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labeled
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799structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or
800vectors.
801
177c0ea7 802@defopt edebug-print-circle
8241495d 803If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-circle} to this value while
011caae1 804printing results. The default value is @code{t}.
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805@end defopt
806
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807 Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el}
808for details.
809
810@node Trace Buffer
811@subsection Trace Buffer
812@cindex trace buffer
813
87b2d5ff 814 Edebug can record an execution trace, storing it in a buffer named
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815@samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns,
816showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable
817trace recording, set @code{edebug-trace} to a non-@code{nil} value.
818
819 Making a trace buffer is not the same thing as using trace execution
820mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}).
821
822 When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds
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823lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record consists of
824@samp{::::@{}, followed by the function name and argument values. A
825function exit record consists of @samp{::::@}}, followed by the function
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826name and result of the function.
827
828 The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You
829can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or
830end of function calls.
831
832@findex edebug-print-trace-before
833@findex edebug-print-trace-after
834 You can customize trace recording for function entry and exit by
835redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and
836@code{edebug-print-trace-after}.
837
838@defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{}
839This macro requests additional trace information around the execution
840of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text
8241495d 841to put in the trace buffer. All the arguments are evaluated, and
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842@code{edebug-tracing} returns the value of the last form in @var{body}.
843@end defmac
844
845@defun edebug-trace format-string &rest format-args
846This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text
847with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}.
87b2d5ff 848It also appends a newline to separate entries.
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849@end defun
850
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851 @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the
852trace buffer whenever they are called, even if Edebug is not active.
853Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the last
854lines inserted.
73804d4b 855
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856@node Coverage Testing
857@subsection Coverage Testing
858
859@cindex coverage testing
860@cindex frequency counts
861@cindex performance analysis
862Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution
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863frequency.
864
865 Coverage testing works by comparing the result of each expression with
866the previous result; each form in the program is considered ``covered''
867if it has returned two different values since you began testing coverage
868in the current Emacs session. Thus, to do coverage testing on your
869program, execute it under various conditions and note whether it behaves
870correctly; Edebug will tell you when you have tried enough different
871conditions that each form has returned two different values.
872
873 Coverage testing makes execution slower, so it is only done if
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874@code{edebug-test-coverage} is non-@code{nil}. Frequency counting is
875performed for all execution of an instrumented function, even if the
876execution mode is Go-nonstop, and regardless of whether coverage testing
877is enabled.
1911e6e5 878
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879@kindex C-x X =
880@findex edebug-temp-display-freq-count
881 Use @kbd{C-x X =} (@code{edebug-display-freq-count}) to display both
882the coverage information and the frequency counts for a definition.
883Just @kbd{=} (@code{edebug-temp-display-freq-count}) displays the same
884information temporarily, only until you type another key.
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885
886@deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count
887This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the
888current definition.
889
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890The frequency counts appear as comment lines after each line of code,
891and you can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The
892counts appear under the @samp{(} before an expression or the @samp{)}
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893after an expression, or on the last character of a variable. To
894simplify the display, a count is not shown if it is equal to the
895count of an earlier expression on the same line.
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896
897The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that
a9f0a989 898the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated.
1911e6e5 899In other words, it is not yet ``covered'' for coverage testing purposes.
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900
901To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition,
a9f0a989 902simply reinstrument it with @code{eval-defun}.
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903@end deffn
904
905For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source
906breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when
907the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this:
908
909@example
910(defun fac (n)
911 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
011caae1 912;#6 1 = =5
73804d4b 913 (if (< 0 n)
177c0ea7 914;#5 =
73804d4b 915 (* n (fac (1- n)))
177c0ea7 916;# 5 0
73804d4b 917 1))
177c0ea7 918;# 0
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919@end example
920
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921The comment lines show that @code{fac} was called 6 times. The
922first @code{if} statement returned 5 times with the same result each
73804d4b 923time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}.
87b2d5ff 924The recursive call of @code{fac} did not return at all.
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925
926
927@node The Outside Context
928@subsection The Outside Context
929
930Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it
931does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when
932you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list
933buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section
934explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to
935be completely transparent.
936
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937@menu
938* Checking Whether to Stop:: When Edebug decides what to do.
939* Edebug Display Update:: When Edebug updates the display.
940* Edebug Recursive Edit:: When Edebug stops execution.
941@end menu
942
943@node Checking Whether to Stop
944@subsubsection Checking Whether to Stop
945
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946Whenever Edebug is entered, it needs to save and restore certain data
947before even deciding whether to make trace information or stop the
948program.
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949
950@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 951@item
73804d4b 952@code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both
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953incremented once to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. You could,
954however, still run out of stack space when using Edebug.
73804d4b 955
177c0ea7 956@item
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957The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
958Edebug is active, @code{executing-macro} is bound to
959@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
960
961@end itemize
962
963
964@node Edebug Display Update
965@subsubsection Edebug Display Update
966
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967@c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
968@c needs an xref to be on just one line.
73804d4b 969When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
177c0ea7 970the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
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971(@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
972the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
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973
974Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
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975execution, the program re-enters Edebug at a breakpoint or after
976stepping, without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
73804d4b 977Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
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978Consequently, what you see is the same window configuration as the last
979time Edebug was active, with no interruption.
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980
981Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
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982following data (though some of them are deliberately not restored if an
983error or quit signal occurs).
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984
985@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 986@item
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987@cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
988Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
989current buffer, are saved and restored.
990
177c0ea7 991@item
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992@cindex window configuration (Edebug)
993The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
994@code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}).
995
996The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
997outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
998case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
999@code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
1000and restored.
1001
1002The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
1003not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
1004
1005@item
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1006The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if
1007@code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}.
1008
1009@item
1010The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1011@code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely
1012invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1013
177c0ea7 1014@item
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1015@code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1016the cursor shows up in the window.
1017@end itemize
1018
1019@node Edebug Recursive Edit
1020@subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1021
1022When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1023saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1024
1025@itemize @bullet
1026@item
1027The current match data. @xref{Match Data}.
1028
1029@item
1030@code{last-command}, @code{this-command}, @code{last-command-char},
1031@code{last-input-char}, @code{last-input-event},
1032@code{last-command-event}, @code{last-event-frame},
1033@code{last-nonmenu-event}, and @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within
1034Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug.
1035
1036The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by
1037executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset
1038the key sequence from Lisp.
1039
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1040Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1041@code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1042nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1043debugging.
1044
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1045@item
1046Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1047@code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1048
1049@item
1050Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1051depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1052evaluation list window.
1053
1054@item
1055@code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1056by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1057evaluations.
1058
177c0ea7 1059@item
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1060The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1061Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to
1062@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
1063@end itemize
1064
1065@node Instrumenting Macro Calls
1066@subsection Instrumenting Macro Calls
1067
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1068 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1069additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1070because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1071macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1072in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1073time later.)
1074
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1075 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro
1076that Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that
1077macro. To do this, add an @code{edebug} declaration to the macro
1078definition. Here is a simple example that shows the specification for
1079the @code{for} example macro (@pxref{Argument Evaluation}).
1080
1081@example
1082(defmacro for (var from init to final do &rest body)
1083 "Execute a simple \"for\" loop.
1084For example, (for i from 1 to 10 do (print i))."
1085 (declare (edebug symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form))
1086 ...)
1087@end example
1088
89f6de49 1089 The Edebug specification says which parts of a call to the macro are
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1090forms to be evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification}
1091often looks very similar to the formal argument list of the macro
1092definition, but specifications are much more general than macro
1093arguments. @xref{Defining Macros}, for more explanation of
40d2bb40 1094the @code{declare} form.
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1095
1096 You can also define an edebug specification for a macro separately
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1097from the macro definition with @code{def-edebug-spec}. Adding
1098@code{edebug} declarations is preferred, and more convenient, for
1099macro definitions in Lisp, but @code{def-edebug-spec} makes it
1100possible to define Edebug specifications for special forms implemented
1101in C.
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1102
1103@deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1104Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
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1105evaluated. @var{specification} should be the edebug specification.
1106It is not evaluated.
73804d4b 1107
969fe9b5 1108The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
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1109name.
1110@end deffn
1111
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1112Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1113directs processing of arguments.
1114
ec221d13 1115@table @asis
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1116@item @code{t}
1117All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1118
1119@item @code{0}
1120None of the arguments is instrumented.
1121
1122@item a symbol
1123The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead.
1124This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
a9f0a989 1125found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
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1126
1127@item a list
1128The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1129calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1130described in the following sections.
1131@end table
1132
1133@menu
1134* Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation.
1135* Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails.
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1136* Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications.
1137@end menu
1138
1139
1140@node Specification List
1141@subsubsection Specification List
1142
1143@cindex Edebug specification list
1144A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1145some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1146elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1147modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1148@dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1149as @code{&optional}).
1150
1151A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1152themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1153and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
969fe9b5 1154levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
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1155sublist or group they are contained in.
1156
1157When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1158it against an actual macro call may require backtracking.
1159@xref{Backtracking}, for more details.
1160
1161Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1162plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1163balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1164indirect specifications.
1165
1166Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1167their meanings:
1168
1169@table @code
1170@item sexp
1911e6e5 1171A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
a9f0a989 1172@c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
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1173
1174@item form
1175A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1176
1177@item place
1178@findex edebug-unwrap
1179A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1180
1181@item body
1182Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1183
1184@item function-form
1185A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1186expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1187lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1188expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1189@code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1190either way.
1191
1192@item lambda-expr
1193A lambda expression with no quoting.
1194
1195@item &optional
89f6de49 1196@c @kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1197All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
177c0ea7 1198as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
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1199
1200To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1201use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1202elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1203[@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1204
1205@item &rest
89f6de49 1206@c @kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1207All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
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1208more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1209expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1210specification list.
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1211
1212To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1213To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1214@code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1215
1216@item &or
89f6de49 1217@c @kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
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1218Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1219alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1220specification fails.
1221
1222Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1223group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1224@code{[@dots{}]}.
1225
1226@item &not
89f6de49 1227@c @kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
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1228Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using
1229@code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none
1230of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1231succeeds.
1232
177c0ea7 1233@item &define
89f6de49 1234@c @kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1235Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
a9f0a989 1236form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
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1237after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1238instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1239a list specification.
1240
1241@item nil
1242This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1243current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1244specifications and the backquote example below.
1245
1246@item gate
1247@cindex preventing backtracking
1248No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1249while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1250is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1251@ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example
1252below.
1253
1254@item @var{other-symbol}
1255@cindex indirect specifications
1256Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1257indirect specification.
1258
1259If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1260specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1261place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1262arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1263just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below.
1264
1265Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1266with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1267@code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented.
1268
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1269Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1270@code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
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1271
1272@item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1273@cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1274A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1275specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1276
1277@item "@var{string}"
1278The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1279is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1280of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1281
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1282@item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1283The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the
1284@var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example below.
1285
1286@item (@var{elements}@dots{})
1287Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1288a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1289
1290@cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1291A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1292argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1293dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
a9f0a989 1294grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
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1295specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1296This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1297example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1298above for terminating such recursion.
1299
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1300Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1301is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1302(sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
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1303sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1304@end table
1305
1306@c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1307
969fe9b5 1308Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
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1309@code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1310
1311@table @code
1312@item name
177c0ea7 1313The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
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1314
1315A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1316multiple name fields.
1317
1318@item :name
1319This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1320following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1321name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1322static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1323than once.
1324
1325@item arg
1326The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
a9f0a989 1327However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
87b2d5ff 1328are not allowed.
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1329
1330@item lambda-list
1331@cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1332This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
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1333
1334@item def-body
1335The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1336@code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1337with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1338the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1339within the definition.
1340
1341@item def-form
1342The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1343like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than
1344a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1345tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1346@code{interactive} example below.
1347@end table
1348
1349@node Backtracking
969fe9b5 1350@subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
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1351
1352@cindex backtracking
1353@cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1354If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1355necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1356@dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1357exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1358matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1359in the specification must match some argument.
177c0ea7 1360
a9f0a989
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1361When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1362later after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1363point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1364disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1365that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1366it is reenabled when a new alternative is established by
1367@code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of
1368processing a sublist, group, or indirect specification. The effect of
1369enabling or disabling backtracking is limited to the remainder of the
1370level currently being processed and lower levels.
1371
1372Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1373form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
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1374@code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1375must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1376
a9f0a989 1377Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
73804d4b 1378symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
a9f0a989 1379recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
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1380all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1381constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1382@code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1383
3e7274ae 1384Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that backtracking is
a9f0a989
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1385automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1386disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1387useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1388example of the @code{let} specification.
73804d4b 1389
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1390@node Specification Examples
1391@subsubsection Specification Examples
1392
1393It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1394the examples provided here.
1395
1396A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1397of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
a9f0a989 1398optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
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1399inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found.
1400
1401@example
1402(def-edebug-spec let
1403 ((&rest
1404 &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form))
1405 body))
1406@end example
1407
1408Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and
1409@code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive}
1410specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially
1411since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the
1412function body.
1413
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1414@smallexample
1415(def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec.}
177c0ea7
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1416(def-edebug-spec defun
1417 (&define name lambda-list
87b2d5ff 1418 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
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1419 [&optional ("interactive" interactive)]
1420 def-body))
1421
1422(def-edebug-spec lambda-list
1423 (([&rest arg]
1424 [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]]
1425 &optional ["&rest" arg]
1426 )))
1427
1428(def-edebug-spec interactive
1429 (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}}
87b2d5ff 1430@end smallexample
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1431
1432The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1433dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1434illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1435specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because
1436doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.)
1437
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1438@smallexample
1439(def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
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1440
1441(def-edebug-spec backquote-form
1442 (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form)
1443 (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form])
1444 (vector &rest backquote-form)
1445 sexp))
87b2d5ff 1446@end smallexample
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1447
1448
1449@node Edebug Options
1450@subsection Edebug Options
1451
1452 These options affect the behavior of Edebug:
1453
1454@defopt edebug-setup-hook
1455Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1456value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1457@code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1458load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1459but only when you also use Edebug.
1460@xref{Instrumenting}.
1461@end defopt
1462
1463@defopt edebug-all-defs
1464If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1465@code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
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1466applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1467and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1468
1469Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1470option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1471@end defopt
1472
1473@defopt edebug-all-forms
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1474If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1475@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1476instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1477This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
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1478
1479Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
87b2d5ff 1480option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1481@end defopt
1482
1483@defopt edebug-save-windows
1484If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1485configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1486what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1487variable to @code{nil}.
1488
1489If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
177c0ea7 1490restored.
73804d4b
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1491
1492You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1493interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1494@end defopt
1495
1496@defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
87b2d5ff
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1497If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1498displayed buffers.
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1499
1500Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1501debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in
1502a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
87b2d5ff 1503point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
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1504
1505Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1506requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1507it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1508@end defopt
1509
1510@defopt edebug-initial-mode
1511If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1512mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are
1513@code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace},
1514@code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}.
1515
177c0ea7 1516The default value is @code{step}.
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1517@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1518@end defopt
1519
1520@defopt edebug-trace
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1521Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit.
1522Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
177c0ea7 1523function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
73804d4b 1524
177c0ea7 1525The default value is @code{nil}.
73804d4b 1526
a9f0a989 1527Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
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1528@end defopt
1529
177c0ea7 1530@defopt edebug-test-coverage
73804d4b 1531If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
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1532@xref{Coverage Testing}.
1533@end defopt
1534
177c0ea7 1535@defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
73804d4b
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1536If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1537that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1538debugged.
1539@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1540@end defopt
1541
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1542@defopt edebug-on-error
1543Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1544@code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1545Errors}.
1546@end defopt
1547
1548@defopt edebug-on-quit
1549Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1550@code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1551Errors}.
1552@end defopt
1553
1554 If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or
1555@code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used
87b2d5ff
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1556until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked via a new command.
1557@c Not necessarily a deeper command level.
1558@c A new command is not precisely true, but that is close enough -- dan
73804d4b
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1559
1560@defopt edebug-global-break-condition
9a8dc0d3
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1561If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. If
1562the result is non-@code{nil}, then break. Errors are ignored.
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1563@xref{Global Break Condition}.
1564@end defopt
ab5796a9
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1565
1566@ignore
1567 arch-tag: 74842db8-019f-4818-b5a4-b2de878e57fd
1568@end ignore