(Edebug Execution Modes): Clarify t.
[bpt/emacs.git] / lispref / edebug.texi
1 @comment -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
5
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
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
12 @node Edebug, Syntax Errors, Debugger, Debugging
13 @section Edebug
14 @cindex Edebug mode
15
16 @cindex Edebug
17 Edebug is a source-level debugger for Emacs Lisp programs with which
18 you can:
19
20 @itemize @bullet
21 @item
22 Step through evaluation, stopping before and after each expression.
23
24 @item
25 Set conditional or unconditional breakpoints.
26
27 @item
28 Stop when a specified condition is true (the global break event).
29
30 @item
31 Trace slow or fast, stopping briefly at each stop point, or
32 at each breakpoint.
33
34 @item
35 Display expression results and evaluate expressions as if outside of
36 Edebug.
37
38 @item
39 Automatically re-evaluate a list of expressions and
40 display their results each time Edebug updates the display.
41
42 @item
43 Output trace info on function enter and exit.
44
45 @item
46 Stop when an error occurs.
47
48 @item
49 Display a backtrace, omitting Edebug's own frames.
50
51 @item
52 Specify argument evaluation for macros and defining forms.
53
54 @item
55 Obtain rudimentary coverage testing and frequency counts.
56 @end itemize
57
58 The first three sections below should tell you enough about Edebug to
59 enable 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.
69 * Trapping Errors:: Trapping errors with Edebug.
70 * Views: Edebug Views. Views inside and outside of Edebug.
71 * Eval: Edebug Eval. Evaluating expressions within Edebug.
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}
86 the Lisp code that you want to debug. A simple way to do this is to
87 first 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
92 Edebug. Depending on which Edebug execution mode you have selected,
93 activating Edebug may stop execution and let you step through the
94 function, or it may update the display and continue execution while
95 checking for debugging commands. The default execution mode is step,
96 which stops execution. @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
97
98 Within Edebug, you normally view an Emacs buffer showing the source of
99 the Lisp code you are debugging. This is referred to as the @dfn{source
100 code buffer}, and it is temporarily read-only.
101
102 An arrow at the left margin indicates the line where the function is
103 executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is
104 executing, 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
107 execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you would normally see. Point is
108 at the open-parenthesis before @code{if}.
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
118 The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called
119 @dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression
120 that is a list, and also after each variable reference.
121 Here we use periods to show the stop points in the function
122 @code{fac}:
123
124 @example
125 (defun fac (n)
126 .(if .(< 0 n.).
127 .(* n. .(fac (1- n.).).).
128 1).)
129 @end example
130
131 The special commands of Edebug are available in the source code buffer
132 in addition to the commands of Emacs Lisp mode. For example, you can
133 type the Edebug command @key{SPC} to execute until the next stop point.
134 If you type @key{SPC} once after entry to @code{fac}, here is the
135 display 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
144 When Edebug stops execution after an expression, it displays the
145 expression's value in the echo area.
146
147 Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop
148 point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to
149 exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to
150 display 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
157 into it, to invoke Edebug at the proper places.
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
163 argument on a definition, it instruments the definition before
164 evaluating it. (The source code itself is not modified.) If the
165 variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, that inverts the
166 meaning of the prefix argument: in this case, @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the
167 definition @emph{unless} it has a prefix argument. The default value of
168 @code{edebug-all-defs} is @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x
169 edebug-all-defs} toggles the value of the variable
170 @code{edebug-all-defs}.
171
172 @findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
173 @findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
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}
176 also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
177 @code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
178 instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
179 to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
180 edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
181
182 @findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
183 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
184 instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
185 @code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
186
187 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
188 (@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
189 function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already
190 instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
191 source for that function; for this reading, after loading Edebug,
192 @code{eval-region} records the position of every definition it
193 evaluates, even if not instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command
194 (@pxref{Jumping}), which steps into the call after instrumenting the
195 function.
196
197 @cindex special forms (Edebug)
198 @cindex interactive commands (Edebug)
199 @cindex anonymous lambda expressions (Edebug)
200 @cindex Common Lisp (Edebug)
201 @pindex cl.el @r{(Edebug)}
202 @pindex cl-specs.el
203 Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms,
204 @code{interactive} forms with an expression argument, anonymous lambda
205 expressions, and other defining forms. However, Edebug cannot determine
206 on its own what a user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a
207 macro call, so you must provide that information; see @ref{Instrumenting
208 Macro Calls}, for details.
209
210 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
211 session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
212 @code{nil}. You can use this to load Edebug specifications
213 (@pxref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}) associated with a package you are
214 using, but only when you use Edebug.
215
216 @findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
217 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
218 definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
219 evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
220 @code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
221 (@kbd{M-:}).
222
223 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
224 at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
225
226 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
227 inside of Edebug.
228
229 @node Edebug Execution Modes
230 @subsection Edebug Execution Modes
231
232 @cindex Edebug execution modes
233 Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
234 debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
235 not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
236 determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
237 it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
238 example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
239 before it stops.
240
241 Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
242 continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
243 commands; all except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
244 least for a certain distance.
245
246 @table @kbd
247 @item S
248 Stop: don't execute any more of the program, but wait for more
249 Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
250
251 @item @key{SPC}
252 Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
253
254 @item n
255 Next: 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
260 Trace: pause (normally one second) at each Edebug stop point
261 (@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
262
263 @item T
264 Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually
265 pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}).
266
267 @item g
268 Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}.
269
270 @item c
271 Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue
272 (@code{edebug-continue-mode}).
273
274 @item C
275 Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause
276 (@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}).
277
278 @item G
279 Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You
280 can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command.
281 @end table
282
283 In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the
284 program more slowly or stop sooner than the modes later in the list.
285
286 While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing
287 any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and
288 then executes the command you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} during
289 execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can use
290 @kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else.
291
292 If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending
293 to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can
294 avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program
295 wants input.
296
297 @cindex keyboard macros (Edebug)
298 Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not
299 completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track
300 of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or
301 executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands
302 inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. See also the
303 @code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option (@pxref{Edebug Options}).
304
305 When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes from
306 the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}. By default, this
307 specifies step mode. Note that you may reenter the same Edebug level
308 several times if, for example, an instrumented function is called
309 several times from one command.
310
311 @defopt edebug-sit-for-seconds
312 This option specifies how many seconds to wait between execution steps
313 in trace mode. The default is 1 second.
314 @end defvar
315
316 @node Jumping
317 @subsection Jumping
318
319 The commands described in this section execute until they reach a
320 specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to
321 establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other
322 breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop
323 execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints.
324
325 These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit,
326 as that can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you expected the
327 program to stop.
328
329 @table @kbd
330 @item h
331 Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}).
332
333 @item f
334 Run the program forward over one expression
335 (@code{edebug-forward-sexp}).
336
337 @item o
338 Run the program until the end of the containing sexp.
339
340 @item i
341 Step into the function or macro called by the form after point.
342 @end table
343
344 The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point near the current location
345 of point, using a temporary breakpoint. See @ref{Breakpoints}, for more
346 information about breakpoints.
347
348 The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More
349 precisely, 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
351 will stop at breakpoints.
352
353 With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed
354 @var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n}
355 more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing
356 expression.
357
358 You must check that the position @kbd{C-M-f} finds is a place that the
359 program will really get to. In @code{cond}, for example, this may not
360 be true.
361
362 For flexibility, the @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting
363 at point, rather than at the stop point. If you want to execute one
364 expression @emph{from the current stop point}, first type @kbd{w}, to
365 move point there, and then type @kbd{f}.
366
367 The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a
368 temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the
369 containing sexp is a function definition itself, @kbd{o} continues until
370 just before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are
371 now, it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this
372 command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are
373 positioned after the last sexp.
374
375 The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list
376 form after point, and stops at its first stop point. Note that the form
377 need not be the one about to be evaluated. But if the form is a
378 function call about to be evaluated, remember to use this command before
379 any of the arguments are evaluated, since otherwise it will be too late.
380
381 The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to
382 step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep
383 in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly
384 arrange 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 ?
393 Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}).
394
395 @item C-]
396 Abort one level back to the previous command level
397 (@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
398
399 @item q
400 Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This
401 exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug
402 activity. However, instrumented code protected with
403 @code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume
404 debugging.
405
406 @item Q
407 Like @kbd{q}, but don't stop even for protected code
408 (@code{top-level-nonstop}).
409
410 @item r
411 Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area
412 (@code{edebug-previous-result}).
413
414 @item d
415 Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity
416 (@code{edebug-backtrace}).
417
418 You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as
419 you would in the standard debugger.
420
421 The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue
422 execution.
423 @end table
424
425 You can invoke commands from Edebug that activate Edebug again
426 recursively. Whenever Edebug is active, you can quit to the top level
427 with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with @kbd{C-]}. You can
428 display a backtrace of all the pending evaluations with @kbd{d}.
429
430 @node Breakpoints
431 @subsection Breakpoints
432
433 @cindex breakpoints
434 Edebug's step mode stops execution when the next stop point is reached.
435 There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started:
436 breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints.
437
438 While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you
439 are testing: these are places where execution should stop. You can set a
440 breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For
441 setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is
442 the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the
443 Edebug commands for breakpoints:
444
445 @table @kbd
446 @item b
447 Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point
448 (@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the
449 breakpoint is temporary---it turns off the first time it stops the
450 program.
451
452 @item u
453 Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after
454 point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}).
455
456 @item x @var{condition} @key{RET}
457 Set 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
460 breakpoint is temporary.
461
462 @item B
463 Move point to the next breakpoint in the current definition
464 (@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}).
465 @end table
466
467 While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one
468 with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice,
469 then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there.
470 Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect.
471
472 Re-evaluating or reinstrumenting a definition removes all of its
473 previous breakpoints.
474
475 A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program
476 gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the
477 condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a
478 conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition
479 expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a
480 stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts
481 the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it.
482
483 You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint
484 @dfn{temporary} by using a prefix argument with the command to set the
485 breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is
486 automatically unset.
487
488 Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint, except when the Edebug
489 mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely.
490
491 To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which
492 moves point to the next breakpoint following point, within the same
493 function, or to the first breakpoint if there are no following
494 breakpoints. This command does not continue execution---it just moves
495 point in the buffer.
496
497 @menu
498 * Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event.
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
509 condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug
510 evaluates the global break condition at every stop point; if it
511 evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses
512 depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If
513 evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop.
514
515 @findex edebug-set-global-break-condition
516 The condition expression is stored in
517 @code{edebug-global-break-condition}. You can specify a new expression
518 using the @kbd{X} command (@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}).
519
520 The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your
521 code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you
522 should 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
530 reinstrument it. If you wish to make a breakpoint that won't be
531 forgotten, you can write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a
532 call to the function @code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of
533 course, make such a call conditional. For example, in the @code{fac}
534 function, you can insert the first line as shown below, to stop when the
535 argument reaches zero:
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
545 When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is
546 called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on
547 the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there.
548
549 If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called,
550 that function calls @code{debug}.
551 @c This may not be a good idea anymore.
552
553 @node Trapping Errors
554 @subsection Trapping Errors
555
556 Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and
557 not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active and
558 executing instrumented code, it normally responds to all unhandled
559 errors. You can customize this with the options @code{edebug-on-error}
560 and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see @ref{Edebug Options}.
561
562 When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point
563 encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a
564 function which was not instrumented, and within which the error actually
565 occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point
566 might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that
567 case, you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}).
568
569 @c Edebug should be changed for the following: -- dan
570 If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while
571 Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes
572 inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables
573 are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug.
574
575 @node Edebug Views
576 @subsection Edebug Views
577
578 These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window
579 status as they were before entry to Edebug. The outside window
580 configuration is the collection of windows and contents that were in
581 effect outside of Edebug.
582
583 @table @kbd
584 @item v
585 Temporarily view the outside window configuration
586 (@code{edebug-view-outside}).
587
588 @item p
589 Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its outside
590 position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}). With a prefix argument @var{n},
591 pause for @var{n} seconds instead.
592
593 @item w
594 Move point back to the current stop point in the source code buffer
595 (@code{edebug-where}).
596
597 If you use this command in a different window displaying the same
598 buffer, that window will be used instead to display the current
599 definition in the future.
600
601 @item W
602 @c Its function is not simply to forget the saved configuration -- dan
603 Toggle whether Edebug saves and restores the outside window
604 configuration (@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}).
605
606 With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of
607 the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the
608 source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap.
609 @end table
610
611 You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just
612 bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if
613 it is not normally displayed. After moving point, you may wish to jump
614 back to the stop point with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer.
615
616 Each time you use @kbd{W} to turn saving @emph{off}, Edebug forgets the
617 saved outside window configuration---so that even if you turn saving
618 back @emph{on}, the current window configuration remains unchanged when
619 you next exit Edebug (by continuing the program). However, the
620 automatic redisplay of @samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may
621 conflict with the buffers you wish to see unless you have enough windows
622 open.
623
624 @node Edebug Eval
625 @subsection Evaluation
626
627 While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug
628 were not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's
629 evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side
630 effects will work as expected, except for changes to data that Edebug
631 explicitly saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details
632 on this process.
633
634 @table @kbd
635 @item e @var{exp} @key{RET}
636 Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug
637 (@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its
638 interference with the evaluation.
639
640 @item M-: @var{exp} @key{RET}
641 Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself.
642
643 @item C-x C-e
644 Evaluate 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)
649 Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to
650 lexically 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
654 @node Eval List
655 @subsection Evaluation List Buffer
656
657 You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to
658 evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the
659 @dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each
660 time Edebug updates the display.
661
662 @table @kbd
663 @item E
664 Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*}
665 (@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}).
666 @end table
667
668 In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp
669 Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
670 Manual}) as well as these special commands:
671
672 @table @kbd
673 @item C-j
674 Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert
675 the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}).
676
677 @item C-x C-e
678 Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
679 (@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
680
681 @item C-c C-u
682 Build a new evaluation list from the contents of the buffer
683 (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}).
684
685 @item C-c C-d
686 Delete the evaluation list group that point is in
687 (@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}).
688
689 @item C-c C-w
690 Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point
691 (@code{edebug-where}).
692 @end table
693
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*};
696 but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug.
697
698 The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost
699 when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list}
700 consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops.
701
702 @cindex evaluation list group
703 To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the
704 evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or
705 more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines.
706
707 The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the
708 evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of
709 each group. (The idea is that the second expression of the group is the
710 value previously computed and displayed.)
711
712 Each entry to Edebug redisplays the evaluation list by inserting each
713 expression in the buffer, followed by its current value. It also
714 inserts comment lines so that each expression becomes its own group.
715 Thus, if you type @kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text,
716 the evaluation list is effectively unchanged.
717
718 If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list, the
719 error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result.
720 Therefore, expressions that use variables not currently valid do not
721 interrupt your debugging.
722
723 Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after
724 several 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)
734 196
735 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
736 bad-var
737 "Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var"
738 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
739 (recursion-depth)
740 0
741 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
742 this-command
743 eval-last-sexp
744 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
745 @end smallexample
746
747 To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply
748 delete 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
750 the 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
752 contents don't matter.
753
754 After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code
755 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when
756 you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed.
757
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
765 list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it.
766
767 One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length}
768 or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for
769 you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to 50 if they
770 were @code{nil}. (Actually, the variables @code{edebug-print-length}
771 and @code{edebug-print-level} specify the values to use within Edebug.)
772 @xref{Output Variables}.
773
774 @defopt edebug-print-length
775 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-length} to this value while
776 printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
777 @end defopt
778
779 @defopt edebug-print-level
780 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-level} to this value while
781 printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
782 @end defopt
783
784 You can also print circular structures and structures that share
785 elements more informatively by binding @code{print-circle}
786 to a non-@code{nil} value.
787
788 Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure:
789
790 @example
791 (setq a '(x y))
792 (setcar a a)
793 @end example
794
795 @noindent
796 Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The
797 @samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label
798 @samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labeled
799 structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or
800 vectors.
801
802 @defopt edebug-print-circle
803 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-circle} to this value while
804 printing results. The default value is @code{nil}.
805 @end defopt
806
807 Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el}
808 for details.
809
810 @node Trace Buffer
811 @subsection Trace Buffer
812 @cindex trace buffer
813
814 Edebug can record an execution trace, storing it in a buffer named
815 @samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns,
816 showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable
817 trace 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
820 mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}).
821
822 When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds
823 lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record consists of
824 @samp{::::@{}, followed by the function name and argument values. A
825 function exit record consists of @samp{::::@}}, followed by the function
826 name and result of the function.
827
828 The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You
829 can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or
830 end 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
835 redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and
836 @code{edebug-print-trace-after}.
837
838 @defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{}
839 This macro requests additional trace information around the execution
840 of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text
841 to put in the trace buffer. All the arguments are evaluated, and
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
846 This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text
847 with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}.
848 It also appends a newline to separate entries.
849 @end defun
850
851 @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the
852 trace buffer whenever they are called, even if Edebug is not active.
853 Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the last
854 lines inserted.
855
856 @node Coverage Testing
857 @subsection Coverage Testing
858
859 @cindex coverage testing
860 @cindex frequency counts
861 @cindex performance analysis
862 Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution
863 frequency.
864
865 Coverage testing works by comparing the result of each expression with
866 the previous result; each form in the program is considered ``covered''
867 if it has returned two different values since you began testing coverage
868 in the current Emacs session. Thus, to do coverage testing on your
869 program, execute it under various conditions and note whether it behaves
870 correctly; Edebug will tell you when you have tried enough different
871 conditions that each form has returned two different values.
872
873 Coverage testing makes execution slower, so it is only done if
874 @code{edebug-test-coverage} is non-@code{nil}. Frequency counting is
875 performed for all execution of an instrumented function, even if the
876 execution mode is Go-nonstop, and regardless of whether coverage testing
877 is enabled.
878
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
882 the coverage information and the frequency counts for a definition.
883 Just @kbd{=} (@code{edebug-temp-display-freq-count}) displays the same
884 information temporarily, only until you type another key.
885
886 @deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count
887 This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the
888 current definition.
889
890 The frequency counts appear as comment lines after each line of code,
891 and you can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The
892 counts appear under the @samp{(} before an expression or the @samp{)}
893 after an expression, or on the last character of a variable. To
894 simplify the display, a count is not shown if it is equal to the
895 count of an earlier expression on the same line.
896
897 The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that
898 the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated.
899 In other words, it is not yet ``covered'' for coverage testing purposes.
900
901 To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition,
902 simply reinstrument it with @code{eval-defun}.
903 @end deffn
904
905 For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source
906 breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when
907 the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this:
908
909 @example
910 (defun fac (n)
911 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
912 ;#6 1 0 =5
913 (if (< 0 n)
914 ;#5 =
915 (* n (fac (1- n)))
916 ;# 5 0
917 1))
918 ;# 0
919 @end example
920
921 The comment lines show that @code{fac} was called 6 times. The
922 first @code{if} statement returned 5 times with the same result each
923 time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}.
924 The recursive call of @code{fac} did not return at all.
925
926
927 @node The Outside Context
928 @subsection The Outside Context
929
930 Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it
931 does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when
932 you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list
933 buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section
934 explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to
935 be completely transparent.
936
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
946 Whenever Edebug is entered, it needs to save and restore certain data
947 before even deciding whether to make trace information or stop the
948 program.
949
950 @itemize @bullet
951 @item
952 @code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both
953 incremented once to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. You could,
954 however, still run out of stack space when using Edebug.
955
956 @item
957 The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
958 Edebug 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
967 @c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
968 @c needs an xref to be on just one line.
969 When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
970 the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
971 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
972 the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
973
974 Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
975 execution, the program re-enters Edebug at a breakpoint or after
976 stepping, without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
977 Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
978 Consequently, what you see is the same window configuration as the last
979 time Edebug was active, with no interruption.
980
981 Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
982 following data (though some of them are deliberately not restored if an
983 error or quit signal occurs).
984
985 @itemize @bullet
986 @item
987 @cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
988 Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
989 current buffer, are saved and restored.
990
991 @item
992 @cindex window configuration (Edebug)
993 The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
994 @code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}).
995
996 The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
997 outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
998 case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
999 @code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
1000 and restored.
1001
1002 The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
1003 not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
1004
1005 @item
1006 The 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
1010 The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1011 @code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely
1012 invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1013
1014 @item
1015 @code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1016 the cursor shows up in the window.
1017 @end itemize
1018
1019 @node Edebug Recursive Edit
1020 @subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1021
1022 When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1023 saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1024
1025 @itemize @bullet
1026 @item
1027 The 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
1034 Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug.
1035
1036 The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by
1037 executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset
1038 the key sequence from Lisp.
1039
1040 Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1041 @code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1042 nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1043 debugging.
1044
1045 @item
1046 Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1047 @code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1048
1049 @item
1050 Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1051 depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1052 evaluation list window.
1053
1054 @item
1055 @code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1056 by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1057 evaluations.
1058
1059 @item
1060 The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1061 Edebug 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
1068 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1069 additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1070 because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1071 macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1072 in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1073 time later.)
1074
1075 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro
1076 that Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that
1077 macro. To do this, add an @code{edebug} declaration to the macro
1078 definition. Here is a simple example that shows the specification for
1079 the @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.
1084 For 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
1089 The Edebug specification says which parts of a call to the macro are
1090 forms to be evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification}
1091 often looks very similar to the formal argument list of the macro
1092 definition, but specifications are much more general than macro
1093 arguments. @xref{Defining Macros}, for more explanation of
1094 the @code{declare} special form.
1095
1096 You can also define an edebug specification for a macro separately
1097 from the macro definition with @code{def-edebug-spec}. Adding
1098 @code{edebug} declarations is preferred, and more convenient, for
1099 macro definitions in Lisp, but @code{def-edebug-spec} makes it
1100 possible to define Edebug specifications for special forms implemented
1101 in C.
1102
1103 @deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1104 Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
1105 evaluated. @var{specification} should be the edebug specification.
1106 It is not evaluated.
1107
1108 The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
1109 name.
1110 @end deffn
1111
1112 Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1113 directs processing of arguments.
1114
1115 @table @asis
1116 @item @code{t}
1117 All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1118
1119 @item @code{0}
1120 None of the arguments is instrumented.
1121
1122 @item a symbol
1123 The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead.
1124 This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
1125 found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
1126
1127 @item a list
1128 The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1129 calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1130 described 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.
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
1144 A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1145 some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1146 elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1147 modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1148 @dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1149 as @code{&optional}).
1150
1151 A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1152 themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1153 and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
1154 levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
1155 sublist or group they are contained in.
1156
1157 When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1158 it against an actual macro call may require backtracking.
1159 @xref{Backtracking}, for more details.
1160
1161 Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1162 plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1163 balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1164 indirect specifications.
1165
1166 Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1167 their meanings:
1168
1169 @table @code
1170 @item sexp
1171 A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
1172 @c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
1173
1174 @item form
1175 A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1176
1177 @item place
1178 @findex edebug-unwrap
1179 A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1180
1181 @item body
1182 Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1183
1184 @item function-form
1185 A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1186 expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1187 lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1188 expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1189 @code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1190 either way.
1191
1192 @item lambda-expr
1193 A lambda expression with no quoting.
1194
1195 @item &optional
1196 @c @kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
1197 All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
1198 as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
1199
1200 To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1201 use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1202 elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1203 [@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1204
1205 @item &rest
1206 @c @kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
1207 All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
1208 more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1209 expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1210 specification list.
1211
1212 To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1213 To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1214 @code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1215
1216 @item &or
1217 @c @kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
1218 Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1219 alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1220 specification fails.
1221
1222 Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1223 group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1224 @code{[@dots{}]}.
1225
1226 @item &not
1227 @c @kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
1228 Each 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
1230 of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1231 succeeds.
1232
1233 @item &define
1234 @c @kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
1235 Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
1236 form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
1237 after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1238 instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1239 a list specification.
1240
1241 @item nil
1242 This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1243 current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1244 specifications and the backquote example below.
1245
1246 @item gate
1247 @cindex preventing backtracking
1248 No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1249 while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1250 is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1251 @ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example
1252 below.
1253
1254 @item @var{other-symbol}
1255 @cindex indirect specifications
1256 Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1257 indirect specification.
1258
1259 If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1260 specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1261 place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1262 arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1263 just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below.
1264
1265 Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1266 with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1267 @code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented.
1268
1269 Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1270 @code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
1271
1272 @item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1273 @cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1274 A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1275 specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1276
1277 @item "@var{string}"
1278 The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1279 is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1280 of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1281
1282 @item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1283 The 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{})
1287 Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1288 a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1289
1290 @cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1291 A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1292 argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1293 dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
1294 grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
1295 specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1296 This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1297 example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1298 above for terminating such recursion.
1299
1300 Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1301 is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1302 (sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
1303 sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1304 @end table
1305
1306 @c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1307
1308 Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
1309 @code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1310
1311 @table @code
1312 @item name
1313 The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
1314
1315 A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1316 multiple name fields.
1317
1318 @item :name
1319 This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1320 following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1321 name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1322 static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1323 than once.
1324
1325 @item arg
1326 The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
1327 However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
1328 are not allowed.
1329
1330 @item lambda-list
1331 @cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1332 This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
1333
1334 @item def-body
1335 The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1336 @code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1337 with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1338 the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1339 within the definition.
1340
1341 @item def-form
1342 The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1343 like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than
1344 a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1345 tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1346 @code{interactive} example below.
1347 @end table
1348
1349 @node Backtracking
1350 @subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
1351
1352 @cindex backtracking
1353 @cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1354 If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1355 necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1356 @dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1357 exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1358 matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1359 in the specification must match some argument.
1360
1361 When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1362 later after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1363 point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1364 disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1365 that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1366 it is reenabled when a new alternative is established by
1367 @code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of
1368 processing a sublist, group, or indirect specification. The effect of
1369 enabling or disabling backtracking is limited to the remainder of the
1370 level currently being processed and lower levels.
1371
1372 Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1373 form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
1374 @code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1375 must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1376
1377 Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
1378 symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
1379 recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
1380 all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1381 constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1382 @code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1383
1384 Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that bactracking is
1385 automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1386 disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1387 useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1388 example of the @code{let} specification.
1389
1390 @node Specification Examples
1391 @subsubsection Specification Examples
1392
1393 It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1394 the examples provided here.
1395
1396 A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1397 of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
1398 optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
1399 inside 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
1408 Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and
1409 @code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive}
1410 specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially
1411 since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the
1412 function body.
1413
1414 @smallexample
1415 (def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec.}
1416 (def-edebug-spec defun
1417 (&define name lambda-list
1418 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
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}}
1430 @end smallexample
1431
1432 The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1433 dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1434 illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1435 specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because
1436 doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.)
1437
1438 @smallexample
1439 (def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
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))
1446 @end smallexample
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
1455 Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1456 value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1457 @code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1458 load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1459 but only when you also use Edebug.
1460 @xref{Instrumenting}.
1461 @end defopt
1462
1463 @defopt edebug-all-defs
1464 If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1465 @code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
1466 applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1467 and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1468
1469 Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1470 option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
1471 @end defopt
1472
1473 @defopt edebug-all-forms
1474 If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1475 @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1476 instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1477 This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
1478
1479 Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
1480 option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
1481 @end defopt
1482
1483 @defopt edebug-save-windows
1484 If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1485 configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1486 what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1487 variable to @code{nil}.
1488
1489 If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
1490 restored.
1491
1492 You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1493 interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1494 @end defopt
1495
1496 @defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
1497 If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1498 displayed buffers.
1499
1500 Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1501 debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in
1502 a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
1503 point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
1504
1505 Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1506 requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1507 it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1508 @end defopt
1509
1510 @defopt edebug-initial-mode
1511 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1512 mode 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
1516 The default value is @code{step}.
1517 @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1518 @end defopt
1519
1520 @defopt edebug-trace
1521 Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit.
1522 Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
1523 function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
1524
1525 The default value is @code{nil}.
1526
1527 Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
1528 @end defopt
1529
1530 @defopt edebug-test-coverage
1531 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
1532 @xref{Coverage Testing}.
1533 @end defopt
1534
1535 @defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
1536 If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1537 that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1538 debugged.
1539 @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1540 @end defopt
1541
1542 @defopt edebug-on-error
1543 Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1544 @code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1545 Errors}.
1546 @end defopt
1547
1548 @defopt edebug-on-quit
1549 Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1550 @code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1551 Errors}.
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
1556 until 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
1559
1560 @defopt edebug-global-break-condition
1561 If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. If
1562 the result is non-@code{nil}, then break. Errors are ignored.
1563 @xref{Global Break Condition}.
1564 @end defopt
1565
1566 @ignore
1567 arch-tag: 74842db8-019f-4818-b5a4-b2de878e57fd
1568 @end ignore