(Major Mode Conventions): A derived mode only needs to put the call to
[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.
c79ef4bb 3@c Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
969fe9b5 4@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
73804d4b 5
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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.
73804d4b 101
2634c6e4 102 An arrow in the left fringe indicates the line where the function is
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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)
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161 When you invoke command @kbd{C-M-x} (@code{eval-defun}) with a
162prefix argument on a function definition, it instruments the
163definition before evaluating it. (This does not modify the source
164code itself.) If the variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is
165non-@code{nil}, that inverts the meaning of the prefix argument: in
166this case, @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the definition @emph{unless} it has
167a prefix argument. The default value of @code{edebug-all-defs} is
168@code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} toggles the value
169of the variable @code{edebug-all-defs}.
73804d4b 170
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171@findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
172@findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
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173 If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands
174@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer}
175also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
176@code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
177instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
178to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
179edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
180
181@findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
969fe9b5 182 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
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183instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
184@code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
73804d4b 185
969fe9b5 186 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
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187(@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
188function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already
189instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
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190source for that function; for this reading, after loading Edebug,
191@code{eval-region} records the position of every definition it
192evaluates, even if not instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command
193(@pxref{Jumping}), which steps into the call after instrumenting the
194function.
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195
196@cindex special forms (Edebug)
197@cindex interactive commands (Edebug)
198@cindex anonymous lambda expressions (Edebug)
199@cindex Common Lisp (Edebug)
969fe9b5 200@pindex cl.el @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 201@pindex cl-specs.el
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202 Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms,
203@code{interactive} forms with an expression argument, anonymous lambda
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204expressions, and other defining forms. However, Edebug cannot determine
205on its own what a user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a
206macro call, so you must provide that information; see @ref{Instrumenting
207Macro Calls}, for details.
73804d4b 208
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209 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
210session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
8241495d 211@code{nil}. You can use this to load Edebug specifications
969fe9b5 212(@pxref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}) associated with a package you are
8241495d 213using, but only when you use Edebug.
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214
215@findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
a9f0a989 216 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
73804d4b 217definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
87b2d5ff 218evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
73804d4b 219@code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
bfe721d1 220(@kbd{M-:}).
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221
222 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
223at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
224
225 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
226inside of Edebug.
227
228@node Edebug Execution Modes
229@subsection Edebug Execution Modes
230
231@cindex Edebug execution modes
232Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
233debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
87b2d5ff 234not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
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235determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
236it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
237example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
238before it stops.
239
240Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
241continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
8241495d 242commands; all except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
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243least for a certain distance.
244
245@table @kbd
246@item S
8241495d 247Stop: don't execute any more of the program, but wait for more
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248Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
249
250@item @key{SPC}
251Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
252
253@item n
254Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression
255(@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in
256@ref{Edebug Misc}.
257
258@item t
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259Trace: pause (normally one second) at each Edebug stop point
260(@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
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261
262@item T
263Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually
264pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}).
265
266@item g
267Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}.
268
269@item c
270Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue
271(@code{edebug-continue-mode}).
272
273@item C
274Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause
275(@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}).
276
277@item G
278Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You
279can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command.
280@end table
281
282In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the
87b2d5ff 283program more slowly or stop sooner than the modes later in the list.
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284
285While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing
286any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and
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287then executes the command you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} during
288execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can use
289@kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else.
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290
291If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending
292to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can
293avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program
294wants input.
295
296@cindex keyboard macros (Edebug)
297Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not
298completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track
299of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or
300executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands
8241495d 301inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. See also the
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302@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option (@pxref{Edebug Options}).
303
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304When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes
305from the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}.
306(@xref{Edebug Options}.) By default, this specifies step mode. Note
307that you may reenter the same Edebug level several times if, for
308example, an instrumented function is called several times from one
309command.
73804d4b 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
73804d4b 957The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
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958Edebug is active, @code{executing-kbd-macro} is bound to @code{nil}
959unless @code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} is non-@code{nil}.
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960@end itemize
961
962
963@node Edebug Display Update
964@subsubsection Edebug Display Update
965
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966@c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
967@c needs an xref to be on just one line.
73804d4b 968When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
177c0ea7 969the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
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970(@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
971the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
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972
973Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
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974execution, the program re-enters Edebug at a breakpoint or after
975stepping, without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
73804d4b 976Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
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977Consequently, what you see is the same window configuration as the last
978time Edebug was active, with no interruption.
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979
980Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
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981following data (though some of them are deliberately not restored if an
982error or quit signal occurs).
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983
984@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 985@item
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986@cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
987Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
988current buffer, are saved and restored.
989
177c0ea7 990@item
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991@cindex window configuration (Edebug)
992The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
993@code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}).
994
995The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
996outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
997case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
998@code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
999and restored.
1000
1001The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
1002not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
1003
1004@item
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1005The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if
1006@code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}.
1007
1008@item
1009The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1010@code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely
1011invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1012
177c0ea7 1013@item
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1014@code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1015the cursor shows up in the window.
1016@end itemize
1017
1018@node Edebug Recursive Edit
1019@subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1020
1021When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1022saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1023
1024@itemize @bullet
1025@item
1026The current match data. @xref{Match Data}.
1027
1028@item
1029@code{last-command}, @code{this-command}, @code{last-command-char},
1030@code{last-input-char}, @code{last-input-event},
1031@code{last-command-event}, @code{last-event-frame},
1032@code{last-nonmenu-event}, and @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within
1033Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug.
1034
1035The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by
1036executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset
1037the key sequence from Lisp.
1038
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1039Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1040@code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1041nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1042debugging.
1043
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1044@item
1045Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1046@code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1047
1048@item
1049Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1050depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1051evaluation list window.
1052
1053@item
1054@code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1055by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1056evaluations.
1057
177c0ea7 1058@item
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1059The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1060Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to
1061@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
1062@end itemize
1063
1064@node Instrumenting Macro Calls
1065@subsection Instrumenting Macro Calls
1066
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1067 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1068additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1069because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1070macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1071in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1072time later.)
1073
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1074 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro
1075that Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that
a7679889 1076macro. To do this, add a @code{debug} declaration to the macro
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1077definition. Here is a simple example that shows the specification for
1078the @code{for} example macro (@pxref{Argument Evaluation}).
1079
1080@example
1081(defmacro for (var from init to final do &rest body)
1082 "Execute a simple \"for\" loop.
1083For example, (for i from 1 to 10 do (print i))."
af5a6df7 1084 (declare (debug (symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form)))
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1085 ...)
1086@end example
1087
89f6de49 1088 The Edebug specification says which parts of a call to the macro are
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1089forms to be evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification}
1090often looks very similar to the formal argument list of the macro
1091definition, but specifications are much more general than macro
1092arguments. @xref{Defining Macros}, for more explanation of
40d2bb40 1093the @code{declare} form.
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1094
1095 You can also define an edebug specification for a macro separately
f9350c5c 1096from the macro definition with @code{def-edebug-spec}. Adding
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1097@code{debug} declarations is preferred, and more convenient, for macro
1098definitions in Lisp, but @code{def-edebug-spec} makes it possible to
1099define Edebug specifications for special forms implemented in C.
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1100
1101@deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1102Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
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1103evaluated. @var{specification} should be the edebug specification.
1104It is not evaluated.
73804d4b 1105
969fe9b5 1106The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
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1107name.
1108@end deffn
1109
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1110Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1111directs processing of arguments.
1112
ec221d13 1113@table @asis
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1114@item @code{t}
1115All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1116
1117@item @code{0}
1118None of the arguments is instrumented.
1119
1120@item a symbol
1121The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead.
1122This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
a9f0a989 1123found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
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1124
1125@item a list
1126The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1127calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1128described in the following sections.
1129@end table
1130
1131@menu
1132* Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation.
1133* Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails.
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1134* Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications.
1135@end menu
1136
1137
1138@node Specification List
1139@subsubsection Specification List
1140
1141@cindex Edebug specification list
1142A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1143some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1144elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1145modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1146@dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1147as @code{&optional}).
1148
1149A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1150themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1151and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
969fe9b5 1152levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
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1153sublist or group they are contained in.
1154
1155When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1156it against an actual macro call may require backtracking.
1157@xref{Backtracking}, for more details.
1158
1159Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1160plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1161balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1162indirect specifications.
1163
1164Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1165their meanings:
1166
1167@table @code
1168@item sexp
1911e6e5 1169A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
a9f0a989 1170@c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
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1171
1172@item form
1173A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1174
1175@item place
1176@findex edebug-unwrap
1177A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1178
1179@item body
1180Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1181
1182@item function-form
1183A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1184expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1185lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1186expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1187@code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1188either way.
1189
1190@item lambda-expr
1191A lambda expression with no quoting.
1192
1193@item &optional
89f6de49 1194@c @kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1195All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
177c0ea7 1196as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
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1197
1198To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1199use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1200elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1201[@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1202
1203@item &rest
89f6de49 1204@c @kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1205All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
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1206more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1207expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1208specification list.
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1209
1210To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1211To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1212@code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1213
1214@item &or
89f6de49 1215@c @kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
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1216Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1217alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1218specification fails.
1219
1220Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1221group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1222@code{[@dots{}]}.
1223
1224@item &not
89f6de49 1225@c @kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
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1226Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using
1227@code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none
1228of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1229succeeds.
1230
177c0ea7 1231@item &define
89f6de49 1232@c @kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 1233Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
a9f0a989 1234form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
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1235after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1236instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1237a list specification.
1238
1239@item nil
1240This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1241current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1242specifications and the backquote example below.
1243
1244@item gate
1245@cindex preventing backtracking
1246No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1247while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1248is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1249@ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example
1250below.
1251
1252@item @var{other-symbol}
1253@cindex indirect specifications
1254Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1255indirect specification.
1256
1257If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1258specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1259place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1260arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1261just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below.
1262
1263Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1264with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1265@code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented.
1266
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1267Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1268@code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
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1269
1270@item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1271@cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1272A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1273specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1274
1275@item "@var{string}"
1276The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1277is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1278of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1279
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1280@item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1281The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the
1282@var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example below.
1283
1284@item (@var{elements}@dots{})
1285Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1286a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1287
1288@cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1289A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1290argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1291dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
a9f0a989 1292grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
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1293specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1294This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1295example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1296above for terminating such recursion.
1297
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1298Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1299is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1300(sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
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1301sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1302@end table
1303
1304@c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1305
969fe9b5 1306Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
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1307@code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1308
1309@table @code
1310@item name
177c0ea7 1311The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
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1312
1313A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1314multiple name fields.
1315
1316@item :name
1317This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1318following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1319name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1320static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1321than once.
1322
1323@item arg
1324The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
a9f0a989 1325However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
87b2d5ff 1326are not allowed.
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1327
1328@item lambda-list
1329@cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1330This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
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1331
1332@item def-body
1333The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1334@code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1335with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1336the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1337within the definition.
1338
1339@item def-form
1340The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1341like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than
1342a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1343tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1344@code{interactive} example below.
1345@end table
1346
1347@node Backtracking
969fe9b5 1348@subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
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1349
1350@cindex backtracking
1351@cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1352If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1353necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1354@dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1355exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1356matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1357in the specification must match some argument.
177c0ea7 1358
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1359When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1360later after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1361point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1362disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1363that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1364it is reenabled when a new alternative is established by
1365@code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of
1366processing a sublist, group, or indirect specification. The effect of
1367enabling or disabling backtracking is limited to the remainder of the
1368level currently being processed and lower levels.
1369
1370Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1371form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
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1372@code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1373must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1374
a9f0a989 1375Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
73804d4b 1376symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
a9f0a989 1377recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
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1378all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1379constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1380@code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1381
3e7274ae 1382Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that backtracking is
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1383automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1384disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1385useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1386example of the @code{let} specification.
73804d4b 1387
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1388@node Specification Examples
1389@subsubsection Specification Examples
1390
1391It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1392the examples provided here.
1393
1394A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1395of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
a9f0a989 1396optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
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1397inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found.
1398
1399@example
1400(def-edebug-spec let
1401 ((&rest
1402 &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form))
1403 body))
1404@end example
1405
1406Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and
1407@code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive}
1408specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially
1409since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the
1410function body.
1411
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1412@smallexample
1413(def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec.}
177c0ea7
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1414(def-edebug-spec defun
1415 (&define name lambda-list
87b2d5ff 1416 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
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1417 [&optional ("interactive" interactive)]
1418 def-body))
1419
1420(def-edebug-spec lambda-list
1421 (([&rest arg]
1422 [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]]
1423 &optional ["&rest" arg]
1424 )))
1425
1426(def-edebug-spec interactive
1427 (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}}
87b2d5ff 1428@end smallexample
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1429
1430The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1431dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1432illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1433specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because
1434doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.)
1435
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1436@smallexample
1437(def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
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1438
1439(def-edebug-spec backquote-form
1440 (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form)
1441 (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form])
1442 (vector &rest backquote-form)
1443 sexp))
87b2d5ff 1444@end smallexample
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1445
1446
1447@node Edebug Options
1448@subsection Edebug Options
1449
1450 These options affect the behavior of Edebug:
1451
1452@defopt edebug-setup-hook
1453Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1454value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1455@code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1456load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1457but only when you also use Edebug.
1458@xref{Instrumenting}.
1459@end defopt
1460
1461@defopt edebug-all-defs
1462If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1463@code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
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1464applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1465and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1466
1467Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1468option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1469@end defopt
1470
1471@defopt edebug-all-forms
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1472If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1473@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1474instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1475This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
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1476
1477Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
87b2d5ff 1478option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1479@end defopt
1480
1481@defopt edebug-save-windows
1482If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1483configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1484what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1485variable to @code{nil}.
1486
1487If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
177c0ea7 1488restored.
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1489
1490You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1491interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1492@end defopt
1493
1494@defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
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1495If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1496displayed buffers.
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1497
1498Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1499debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in
1500a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
87b2d5ff 1501point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
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1502
1503Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1504requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1505it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1506@end defopt
1507
1508@defopt edebug-initial-mode
1509If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1510mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are
1511@code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace},
1512@code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}.
1513
177c0ea7 1514The default value is @code{step}.
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1515@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1516@end defopt
1517
1518@defopt edebug-trace
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1519Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit.
1520Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
177c0ea7 1521function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
73804d4b 1522
177c0ea7 1523The default value is @code{nil}.
73804d4b 1524
a9f0a989 1525Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
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1526@end defopt
1527
177c0ea7 1528@defopt edebug-test-coverage
73804d4b 1529If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
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1530@xref{Coverage Testing}.
1531@end defopt
1532
177c0ea7 1533@defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
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1534If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1535that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1536debugged.
1537@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1538@end defopt
1539
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1540@defopt edebug-on-error
1541Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1542@code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1543Errors}.
1544@end defopt
1545
1546@defopt edebug-on-quit
1547Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1548@code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1549Errors}.
1550@end defopt
1551
1552 If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or
1553@code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used
87b2d5ff
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1554until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked via a new command.
1555@c Not necessarily a deeper command level.
1556@c A new command is not precisely true, but that is close enough -- dan
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1557
1558@defopt edebug-global-break-condition
9a8dc0d3
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1559If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. If
1560the result is non-@code{nil}, then break. Errors are ignored.
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1561@xref{Global Break Condition}.
1562@end defopt
ab5796a9
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1563
1564@ignore
1565 arch-tag: 74842db8-019f-4818-b5a4-b2de878e57fd
1566@end ignore