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73804d4b 1@comment -*-texinfo-*-
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2@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3@c Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
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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
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.
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}
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
92Edebug. Activating Edebug may stop execution and let you step through
93the function, or it may update the display and continue execution while
94checking for debugging commands, depending on which Edebug execution
95mode you have selected. The default execution mode is step, which does
96stop execution. @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
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
100code buffer}. This buffer is temporarily read-only.
101
102 An arrow at the left margin indicates the line where the function is
103executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is
104executing, but this ceases to be true if you move point yourself.
105
106 If you instrument the definition of @code{fac} (shown below) and then
107execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you normally see. Point is at the
108open-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
118The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called
119@dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression
120that is a list, and also after each variable reference.
121Here we show with periods the stop points found 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
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
145expression's value in the echo area.
146
147Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop
148point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to
149exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to
150display a list of all Edebug commands.
151
152@node Instrumenting
153@subsection Instrumenting for Edebug
154
155 In order to use Edebug to debug Lisp code, you must first
156@dfn{instrument} the code. Instrumenting code inserts additional code
87b2d5ff 157into it, to invoke Edebug at the proper places.
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158
159@kindex C-M-x
160@findex eval-defun (Edebug)
161 Once you have loaded Edebug, the command @kbd{C-M-x}
162(@code{eval-defun}) is redefined so that when invoked with a prefix
163argument on a definition, it instruments the definition before
164evaluating it. (The source code itself is not modified.) If the
165variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, that inverts the
166meaning of the prefix argument: then @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the
167definition @emph{unless} it has a prefix argument. The default value of
168@code{edebug-all-defs} is @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x
169edebug-all-defs} toggles the value of the variable
170@code{edebug-all-defs}.
171
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172@findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
173@findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
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174 If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands
175@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer}
176also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
177@code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
178instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
179to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
180edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
181
182@findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
969fe9b5 183 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
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184instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
185@code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
73804d4b 186
969fe9b5 187 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
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188(@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
189function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already
190instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
191source for that function; after loading Edebug, @code{eval-region}
192records the position of every definition it evaluates, even if not
193instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command (@pxref{Jumping}), which
194steps into the call after instrumenting the function.
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. Edebug cannot know what a
205user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a macro call, so you
a9f0a989 206must tell it; see @ref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}, for details.
73804d4b 207
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208 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
209session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
210@code{nil}. You can use this to arrange to load Edebug specifications
211(@pxref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}) associated with a package you are
212using, but actually load them only if you use Edebug.
213
214@findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
a9f0a989 215 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
73804d4b 216definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
87b2d5ff 217evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
73804d4b 218@code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
bfe721d1 219(@kbd{M-:}).
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220
221 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
222at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
223
224 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
225inside of Edebug.
226
227@node Edebug Execution Modes
228@subsection Edebug Execution Modes
229
230@cindex Edebug execution modes
231Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
232debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
87b2d5ff 233not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
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234determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
235it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
236example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
237before it stops.
238
239Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
240continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
241commands. All except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
242least for a certain distance.
243
244@table @kbd
245@item S
246Stop: don't execute any more of the program for now, just wait for more
247Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
248
249@item @key{SPC}
250Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
251
252@item n
253Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression
254(@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in
255@ref{Edebug Misc}.
256
257@item t
258Trace: pause one second at each Edebug stop point (@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
259
260@item T
261Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually
262pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}).
263
264@item g
265Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}.
266
267@item c
268Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue
269(@code{edebug-continue-mode}).
270
271@item C
272Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause
273(@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}).
274
275@item G
276Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You
277can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command.
278@end table
279
280In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the
87b2d5ff 281program more slowly or stop sooner than the modes later in the list.
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282
283While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing
284any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and
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285then executes the command you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} during
286execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can use
287@kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else.
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288
289If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending
290to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can
291avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program
292wants input.
293
294@cindex keyboard macros (Edebug)
295Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not
296completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track
297of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or
298executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands
299inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. But see the
300@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option (@pxref{Edebug Options}).
301
302When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes from
303the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}. By default, this
304specifies step mode. Note that you may reenter the same Edebug level
305several times if, for example, an instrumented function is called
306several times from one command.
307
308
309@node Jumping
310@subsection Jumping
311
312 The commands described in this section execute until they reach a
313specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to
314establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other
315breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop
316execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints.
317
318 These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit,
319because a nonlocal exit can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you
320expected the program to stop.
321
322@table @kbd
323@item h
324Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}).
325
326@item f
327Run the program forward over one expression
328(@code{edebug-forward-sexp}).
329
330@item o
331Run the program until the end of the containing sexp.
332
333@item i
334Step into the function or macro called by the form after point.
335@end table
336
337The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point near the current location
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338of point, using a temporary breakpoint. See @ref{Breakpoints}, for more
339information about breakpoints.
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340
341The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More
342precisely, it sets a temporary breakpoint at the position that
343@kbd{C-M-f} would reach, then executes in go mode so that the program
344will stop at breakpoints.
345
346With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed
347@var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n}
348more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing
349expression.
350
351Be careful that the position @kbd{C-M-f} finds is a place that the
352program will really get to; this may not be true in a
353@code{cond}, for example.
354
355The @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting at point, rather
356than at the stop point, for flexibility. If you want to execute one
357expression @emph{from the current stop point}, type @kbd{w} first, to
358move point there, and then type @kbd{f}.
359
360The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a
361temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the
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362containing sexp is a function definition itself, @kbd{o} continues until
363just before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are
364now, it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this
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365command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are
366positioned after the last sexp.
367
368The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list
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369form after point, and stops at its first stop point. Note that the form
370need not be the one about to be evaluated. But if the form is a
371function call about to be evaluated, remember to use this command before
372any of the arguments are evaluated, since otherwise it will be too late.
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373
374The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to
375step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep
376in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly
377arrange to deinstrument it.
378
379@node Edebug Misc
380@subsection Miscellaneous Edebug Commands
381
382 Some miscellaneous Edebug commands are described here.
383
384@table @kbd
385@item ?
386Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}).
387
388@item C-]
389Abort one level back to the previous command level
390(@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
391
392@item q
393Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This
394exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug
395activity. However, instrumented code protected with
396@code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume
397debugging.
398
399@item Q
400Like @kbd{q} but don't stop even for protected code
401(@code{top-level-nonstop}).
402
403@item r
404Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area
405(@code{edebug-previous-result}).
406
407@item d
408Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity
409(@code{edebug-backtrace}).
410
411You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as
412you would in the standard debugger.
413
414The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue
415execution.
416@end table
417
87b2d5ff 418From the Edebug recursive edit, you may invoke commands that activate
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419Edebug again recursively. Any time Edebug is active, you can quit to
420the top level with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with
421@kbd{C-]}. You can display a backtrace of all the
422pending evaluations with @kbd{d}.
423
424@node Breakpoints
425@subsection Breakpoints
426
427@cindex breakpoints
428Edebug's step mode stops execution at the next stop point reached.
429There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started:
430breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints.
431
432While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you
433are testing: points where execution should stop. You can set a
434breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For
435setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is
436the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the
437Edebug commands for breakpoints:
438
439@table @kbd
440@item b
441Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point
442(@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the
443breakpoint is temporary (it turns off the first time it stops the
444program).
445
446@item u
447Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after
448point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}).
449
450@item x @var{condition} @key{RET}
451Set a conditional breakpoint which stops the program only if
452@var{condition} evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value
453(@code{edebug-set-conditional-breakpoint}). With a prefix argument, the
454breakpoint is temporary.
455
456@item B
9e2b495b 457Move point to the next breakpoint in the current definition
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458(@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}).
459@end table
460
461While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one
462with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice,
463then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there.
464Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect.
465
a9f0a989 466Re-evaluating or reinstrumenting a definition forgets all its breakpoints.
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467
468A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program
469gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the
470condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a
471conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition
472expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a
473stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts
474the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it.
475
476You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint
969fe9b5 477@dfn{temporary} by using a prefix argument with the command to set the
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478breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is
479automatically unset.
480
481Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint except when the Edebug
482mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely.
483
484To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which
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485moves point to the next breakpoint following point, within the same
486function, or to the first breakpoint if there are no following
487breakpoints. This command does not continue execution---it just moves
488point in the buffer.
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489
490@menu
491* Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event.
492* Source Breakpoints:: Embedding breakpoints in source code.
493@end menu
494
495
496@node Global Break Condition
497@subsubsection Global Break Condition
498
499@cindex stopping on events
500@cindex global break condition
501 A @dfn{global break condition} stops execution when a specified
502condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug
503evaluates the global break condition at every stop point. If it
504evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses
505depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If
506evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop.
507
508@findex edebug-set-global-break-condition
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509 The condition expression is stored in
510@code{edebug-global-break-condition}. You can specify a new expression
511using the @kbd{X} command (@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}).
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512
513 The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your
514code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you
515should reset the condition to @code{nil} when not using it.
516
517@node Source Breakpoints
518@subsubsection Source Breakpoints
519
520@findex edebug
521@cindex source breakpoints
522 All breakpoints in a definition are forgotten each time you
523reinstrument it. To make a breakpoint that won't be forgotten, you can
524write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a call to the function
525@code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of course, make such a call
526conditional. For example, in the @code{fac} function, insert the first
527line as shown below to stop when the argument reaches zero:
528
529@example
530(defun fac (n)
531 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
532 (if (< 0 n)
533 (* n (fac (1- n)))
534 1))
535@end example
536
969fe9b5 537 When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is
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538called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on
539the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there.
540
969fe9b5 541 If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called,
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542that function calls @code{debug}.
543@c This may not be a good idea anymore.
544
545@node Trapping Errors
546@subsection Trapping Errors
547
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548 Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and
549not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active and
550executing instrumented code, it normally responds to all unhandled
551errors. You can customize this with the options @code{edebug-on-error}
552and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see @ref{Edebug Options}.
73804d4b 553
969fe9b5 554 When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point
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555encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a
556function which was not instrumented, within which the error actually
557occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point
558might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that
559case you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}).
560
87b2d5ff 561@c Edebug should be changed for the following: -- dan
969fe9b5 562 If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while
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563Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes
564inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables
565are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug.
566
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567@node Edebug Views
568@subsection Edebug Views
569
969fe9b5 570 These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window
a9f0a989 571status as they were before entry to Edebug. The outside window
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572configuration is the collection of windows and contents that were in
573effect outside of Edebug.
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574
575@table @kbd
576@item v
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577Temporarily view the outside window configuration
578(@code{edebug-view-outside}).
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579
580@item p
581Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its outside
582position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}). With a prefix argument @var{n},
583pause for @var{n} seconds instead.
584
585@item w
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586Move point back to the current stop point in the source code buffer
587(@code{edebug-where}).
588
589If you use this command in a different window displaying the same
590buffer, that window will be used instead to display the current
591definition in the future.
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592
593@item W
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594@c Its function is not simply to forget the saved configuration -- dan
595Toggle whether Edebug saves and restores the outside window
596configuration (@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}).
597
598With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of
599the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the
600source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap.
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601@end table
602
969fe9b5 603 You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just
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604bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if
605it is not normally displayed. After moving point, you may wish to jump
606back to the stop point with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer.
607
969fe9b5 608 Each time you use @kbd{W} to turn saving @emph{off}, Edebug forgets the
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609saved outside window configuration---so that even if you turn saving
610back @emph{on}, the current window configuration remains unchanged when
611you next exit Edebug (by continuing the program). However, the
612automatic redisplay of @samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may
613conflict with the buffers you wish to see unless you have enough windows
614open.
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615
616@node Edebug Eval
617@subsection Evaluation
618
969fe9b5 619 While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug were
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620not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's
621evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side
622effects will work as expected except for things that Edebug explicitly
623saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details on this
624process.
625
626@table @kbd
627@item e @var{exp} @key{RET}
628Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug
629(@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its
630interference with the evaluation.
631
bfe721d1 632@item M-: @var{exp} @key{RET}
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633Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself.
634
635@item C-x C-e
636Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
637(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
638@end table
639
640@cindex lexical binding (Edebug)
969fe9b5 641 Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to
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642lexically bound symbols created by the following constructs in
643@file{cl.el} (version 2.03 or later): @code{lexical-let},
644@code{macrolet}, and @code{symbol-macrolet}.
645
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646@node Eval List
647@subsection Evaluation List Buffer
648
969fe9b5 649 You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to
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650evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the
651@dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each
652time Edebug updates the display.
653
654@table @kbd
655@item E
656Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*}
657(@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}).
658@end table
659
969fe9b5 660 In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp
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661Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
662Manual}) as well as these special commands:
663
664@table @kbd
969fe9b5 665@item C-j
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666Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert
667the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}).
668
669@item C-x C-e
670Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
671(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
672
673@item C-c C-u
87b2d5ff 674Build a new evaluation list from the contents of the buffer
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675(@code{edebug-update-eval-list}).
676
677@item C-c C-d
678Delete the evaluation list group that point is in
679(@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}).
680
681@item C-c C-w
682Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point
683(@code{edebug-where}).
684@end table
685
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686 You can evaluate expressions in the evaluation list window with
687@kbd{C-j} or @kbd{C-x C-e}, just as you would in @samp{*scratch*};
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688but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug.
689
969fe9b5 690 The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost
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691when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list}
692consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops.
693
694@cindex evaluation list group
969fe9b5 695 To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the
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696evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or
697more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines.
698
969fe9b5 699 The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the
73804d4b 700evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of
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701each group. (The idea is that the second expression of the group is the
702value previously computed and displayed.)
73804d4b 703
969fe9b5 704 Each entry to Edebug redisplays the evaluation list by inserting each
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705expression in the buffer, followed by its current value. It also
706inserts comment lines so that each expression becomes its own group.
707Thus, if you type @kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text,
708the evaluation list is effectively unchanged.
73804d4b 709
969fe9b5 710 If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list, the
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711error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result.
712Therefore, expressions that use variables not currently valid do not
713interrupt your debugging.
714
969fe9b5 715 Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after
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716several expressions have been added to it:
717
718@smallexample
719(current-buffer)
720#<buffer *scratch*>
721;---------------------------------------------------------------
722(selected-window)
723#<window 16 on *scratch*>
724;---------------------------------------------------------------
725(point)
726196
727;---------------------------------------------------------------
728bad-var
729"Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var"
730;---------------------------------------------------------------
731(recursion-depth)
7320
733;---------------------------------------------------------------
734this-command
735eval-last-sexp
736;---------------------------------------------------------------
737@end smallexample
738
739To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply
740delete the text for the group and update the evaluation list with
741@kbd{C-c C-u}. To add a new expression to the evaluation list, insert
742the expression at a suitable place, and insert a new comment line. (You
743need not insert dashes in the comment line---its contents don't matter.)
744Then type @kbd{C-c C-u}.
745
746After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code
747buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when
748you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed.
749
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750@node Printing in Edebug
751@subsection Printing in Edebug
752
753@cindex printing (Edebug)
754@cindex printing circular structures
755@pindex cust-print
756 If an expression in your program produces a value containing circular
757list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it.
758
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759 One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length}
760or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for
761you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to 50 if they
762were @code{nil}. (Actually, the variables @code{edebug-print-length}
763and @code{edebug-print-level} specify the values to use within Edebug.)
764@xref{Output Variables}.
765
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766@defopt edebug-print-length
767If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-length} to this while printing
768results in Edebug. The default value is @code{50}.
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769@end defopt
770
771@defopt edebug-print-level
772If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-level} to this while printing
773results in Edebug. The default value is @code{50}.
774@end defopt
775
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776 You can also print circular structures and structures that share
777elements more informatively by using the @file{cust-print} package.
778
779 To load @file{cust-print} and activate custom printing only for
780Edebug, simply use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-install-custom-print}.
781To restore the standard print functions, use @kbd{M-x
782edebug-uninstall-custom-print}.
783
784 Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure:
785
786@example
787(setq a '(x y))
a9f0a989 788(setcar a a)
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789@end example
790
791@noindent
792Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The
793@samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label
a9f0a989 794@samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labeled
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795structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or
796vectors.
797
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798@defopt edebug-print-circle
799If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-circle} to this while printing
800results in Edebug. The default value is @code{nil}.
801@end defopt
802
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803 Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el}
804for details.
805
806@node Trace Buffer
807@subsection Trace Buffer
808@cindex trace buffer
809
87b2d5ff 810 Edebug can record an execution trace, storing it in a buffer named
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811@samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns,
812showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable
813trace recording, set @code{edebug-trace} to a non-@code{nil} value.
814
815 Making a trace buffer is not the same thing as using trace execution
816mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}).
817
818 When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds
819lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record looks like
820@samp{::::@{} followed by the function name and argument values. A
821function exit record looks like @samp{::::@}} followed by the function
822name and result of the function.
823
824 The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You
825can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or
826end of function calls.
827
828@findex edebug-print-trace-before
829@findex edebug-print-trace-after
830 You can customize trace recording for function entry and exit by
831redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and
832@code{edebug-print-trace-after}.
833
834@defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{}
835This macro requests additional trace information around the execution
836of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text
837to put in the trace buffer. All the arguments are evaluated.
838@code{edebug-tracing} returns the value of the last form in @var{body}.
839@end defmac
840
841@defun edebug-trace format-string &rest format-args
842This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text
843with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}.
87b2d5ff 844It also appends a newline to separate entries.
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845@end defun
846
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847 @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the
848trace buffer whenever they are called, even if Edebug is not active.
849Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the last
850lines inserted.
73804d4b 851
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852@node Coverage Testing
853@subsection Coverage Testing
854
855@cindex coverage testing
856@cindex frequency counts
857@cindex performance analysis
858Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution
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859frequency.
860
861 Coverage testing works by comparing the result of each expression with
862the previous result; each form in the program is considered ``covered''
863if it has returned two different values since you began testing coverage
864in the current Emacs session. Thus, to do coverage testing on your
865program, execute it under various conditions and note whether it behaves
866correctly; Edebug will tell you when you have tried enough different
867conditions that each form has returned two different values.
868
869 Coverage testing makes execution slower, so it is only done if
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870@code{edebug-test-coverage} is non-@code{nil}. Frequency counting is
871performed for all execution of an instrumented function, even if the
872execution mode is Go-nonstop, and regardless of whether coverage testing
873is enabled.
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874
875 Use @kbd{M-x edebug-display-freq-count} to display both the
a9f0a989 876coverage information and the frequency counts for a definition.
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877
878@deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count
879This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the
880current definition.
881
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882The frequency counts appear as comment lines after each line of code,
883and you can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The
884counts appear under the @samp{(} before an expression or the @samp{)}
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885after an expression, or on the last character of a variable. To
886simplify the display, a count is not shown if it is equal to the
887count of an earlier expression on the same line.
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888
889The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that
a9f0a989 890the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated.
1911e6e5 891In other words, it is not yet ``covered'' for coverage testing purposes.
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892
893To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition,
a9f0a989 894simply reinstrument it with @code{eval-defun}.
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895@end deffn
896
897For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source
898breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when
899the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this:
900
901@example
902(defun fac (n)
903 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
904;#6 1 0 =5
905 (if (< 0 n)
906;#5 =
907 (* n (fac (1- n)))
908;# 5 0
909 1))
910;# 0
911@end example
912
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913The comment lines show that @code{fac} was called 6 times. The
914first @code{if} statement returned 5 times with the same result each
73804d4b 915time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}.
87b2d5ff 916The recursive call of @code{fac} did not return at all.
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917
918
919@node The Outside Context
920@subsection The Outside Context
921
922Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it
923does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when
924you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list
925buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section
926explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to
927be completely transparent.
928
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929@menu
930* Checking Whether to Stop:: When Edebug decides what to do.
931* Edebug Display Update:: When Edebug updates the display.
932* Edebug Recursive Edit:: When Edebug stops execution.
933@end menu
934
935@node Checking Whether to Stop
936@subsubsection Checking Whether to Stop
937
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938Whenever Edebug is entered, it needs to save and restore certain data
939before even deciding whether to make trace information or stop the
940program.
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941
942@itemize @bullet
943@item
944@code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both
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945incremented once to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. You could,
946however, still run out of stack space when using Edebug.
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947
948@item
949The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
950Edebug is active, @code{executing-macro} is bound to
951@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
952
953@end itemize
954
955
956@node Edebug Display Update
957@subsubsection Edebug Display Update
958
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959@c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
960@c needs an xref to be on just one line.
73804d4b 961When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
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962the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
963(@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
964the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
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965
966Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
967execution, the program comes back into Edebug at a breakpoint or after
968stepping without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
969Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
970What you see is the same window configuration as the last time Edebug
971was active, with no interruption.
972
973Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
974following data, but some of these are deliberately not restored if an
975error or quit signal occurs.
976
977@itemize @bullet
978@item
979@cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
980Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
981current buffer, are saved and restored.
982
983@item
984@cindex window configuration (Edebug)
985The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
986@code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}).
987
988The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
989outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
990case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
991@code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
992and restored.
993
994The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
995not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
996
997@item
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998The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if
999@code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}.
1000
1001@item
1002The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1003@code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely
1004invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1005
1006@item
1007@code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1008the cursor shows up in the window.
1009@end itemize
1010
1011@node Edebug Recursive Edit
1012@subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1013
1014When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1015saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1016
1017@itemize @bullet
1018@item
1019The current match data. @xref{Match Data}.
1020
1021@item
1022@code{last-command}, @code{this-command}, @code{last-command-char},
1023@code{last-input-char}, @code{last-input-event},
1024@code{last-command-event}, @code{last-event-frame},
1025@code{last-nonmenu-event}, and @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within
1026Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug.
1027
1028The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by
1029executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset
1030the key sequence from Lisp.
1031
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1032Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1033@code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1034nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1035debugging.
1036
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1037@item
1038Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1039@code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1040
1041@item
1042Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1043depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1044evaluation list window.
1045
1046@item
1047@code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1048by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1049evaluations.
1050
1051@item
1052The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1053Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to
1054@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
1055@end itemize
1056
1057@node Instrumenting Macro Calls
1058@subsection Instrumenting Macro Calls
1059
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1060 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1061additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1062because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1063macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1064in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1065time later.)
1066
1067 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro that
1068Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that macro. To
1069do this, use @code{def-edebug-spec}.
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1070
1071@deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1072Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
1073evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification} often looks very
1074similar to the formal argument list of the macro definition, but
1075specifications are much more general than macro arguments.
1076
969fe9b5 1077The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
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1078name.
1079@end deffn
1080
1081Here is a simple example that defines the specification for the
1911e6e5 1082@code{for} example macro (@pxref{Argument Evaluation}), followed by an
a9f0a989 1083alternative, equivalent specification.
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1084
1085@example
1086(def-edebug-spec for
1087 (symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form))
1088
1089(def-edebug-spec for
1090 (symbolp ['from form] ['to form] ['do body]))
1091@end example
1092
1093Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1094directs processing of arguments.
1095
ec221d13 1096@table @asis
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1097@item @code{t}
1098All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1099
1100@item @code{0}
1101None of the arguments is instrumented.
1102
1103@item a symbol
1104The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead.
1105This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
a9f0a989 1106found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
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1107
1108@item a list
1109The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1110calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1111described in the following sections.
1112@end table
1113
1114@menu
1115* Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation.
1116* Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails.
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1117* Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications.
1118@end menu
1119
1120
1121@node Specification List
1122@subsubsection Specification List
1123
1124@cindex Edebug specification list
1125A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1126some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1127elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1128modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1129@dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1130as @code{&optional}).
1131
1132A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1133themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1134and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
969fe9b5 1135levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
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1136sublist or group they are contained in.
1137
1138When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1139it against an actual macro call may require backtracking.
1140@xref{Backtracking}, for more details.
1141
1142Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1143plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1144balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1145indirect specifications.
1146
1147Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1148their meanings:
1149
1150@table @code
1151@item sexp
1911e6e5 1152A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
a9f0a989 1153@c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
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1154
1155@item form
1156A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1157
1158@item place
1159@findex edebug-unwrap
1160A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1161
1162@item body
1163Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1164
1165@item function-form
1166A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1167expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1168lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1169expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1170@code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1171either way.
1172
1173@item lambda-expr
1174A lambda expression with no quoting.
1175
1176@item &optional
1177@kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
1178All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
1179as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
1180
1181To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1182use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1183elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1184[@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1185
1186@item &rest
1187@kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
1188All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
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1189more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1190expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1191specification list.
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1192
1193To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1194To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1195@code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1196
1197@item &or
1198@kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
1199Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1200alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1201specification fails.
1202
1203Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1204group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1205@code{[@dots{}]}.
1206
1207@item &not
1208@kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
1209Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using
1210@code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none
1211of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1212succeeds.
1213
1214@item &define
1215@kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
1216Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
a9f0a989 1217form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
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1218after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1219instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1220a list specification.
1221
1222@item nil
1223This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1224current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1225specifications and the backquote example below.
1226
1227@item gate
1228@cindex preventing backtracking
1229No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1230while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1231is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1232@ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example
1233below.
1234
1235@item @var{other-symbol}
1236@cindex indirect specifications
1237Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1238indirect specification.
1239
1240If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1241specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1242place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1243arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1244just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below.
1245
1246Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1247with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1248@code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented.
1249
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1250Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1251@code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
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1252
1253@item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1254@cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1255A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1256specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1257
1258@item "@var{string}"
1259The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1260is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1261of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1262
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1263@item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1264The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the
1265@var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example below.
1266
1267@item (@var{elements}@dots{})
1268Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1269a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1270
1271@cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1272A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1273argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1274dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
a9f0a989 1275grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
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1276specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1277This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1278example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1279above for terminating such recursion.
1280
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1281Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1282is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1283(sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
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1284sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1285@end table
1286
1287@c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1288
969fe9b5 1289Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
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1290@code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1291
1292@table @code
1293@item name
1294The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
1295
1296A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1297multiple name fields.
1298
1299@item :name
1300This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1301following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1302name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1303static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1304than once.
1305
1306@item arg
1307The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
a9f0a989 1308However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
87b2d5ff 1309are not allowed.
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1310
1311@item lambda-list
1312@cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1313This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
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1314
1315@item def-body
1316The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1317@code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1318with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1319the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1320within the definition.
1321
1322@item def-form
1323The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1324like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than
1325a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1326tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1327@code{interactive} example below.
1328@end table
1329
1330@node Backtracking
969fe9b5 1331@subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
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1332
1333@cindex backtracking
1334@cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1335If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1336necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1337@dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1338exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1339matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1340in the specification must match some argument.
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1341
1342When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1343later after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1344point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1345disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1346that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1347it is reenabled when a new alternative is established by
1348@code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of
1349processing a sublist, group, or indirect specification. The effect of
1350enabling or disabling backtracking is limited to the remainder of the
1351level currently being processed and lower levels.
1352
1353Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1354form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
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1355@code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1356must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1357
a9f0a989 1358Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
73804d4b 1359symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
a9f0a989 1360recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
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1361all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1362constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1363@code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1364
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1365Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that bactracking is
1366automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1367disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1368useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1369example of the @code{let} specification.
73804d4b 1370
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1371@node Specification Examples
1372@subsubsection Specification Examples
1373
1374It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1375the examples provided here.
1376
1377A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1378of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
a9f0a989 1379optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
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1380inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found.
1381
1382@example
1383(def-edebug-spec let
1384 ((&rest
1385 &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form))
1386 body))
1387@end example
1388
1389Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and
1390@code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive}
1391specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially
1392since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the
1393function body.
1394
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1395@smallexample
1396(def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec.}
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1397(def-edebug-spec defun
1398 (&define name lambda-list
87b2d5ff 1399 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
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1400 [&optional ("interactive" interactive)]
1401 def-body))
1402
1403(def-edebug-spec lambda-list
1404 (([&rest arg]
1405 [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]]
1406 &optional ["&rest" arg]
1407 )))
1408
1409(def-edebug-spec interactive
1410 (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}}
87b2d5ff 1411@end smallexample
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1412
1413The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1414dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1415illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1416specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because
1417doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.)
1418
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1419@smallexample
1420(def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
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1421
1422(def-edebug-spec backquote-form
1423 (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form)
1424 (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form])
1425 (vector &rest backquote-form)
1426 sexp))
87b2d5ff 1427@end smallexample
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1428
1429
1430@node Edebug Options
1431@subsection Edebug Options
1432
1433 These options affect the behavior of Edebug:
1434
1435@defopt edebug-setup-hook
1436Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1437value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1438@code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1439load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1440but only when you also use Edebug.
1441@xref{Instrumenting}.
1442@end defopt
1443
1444@defopt edebug-all-defs
1445If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1446@code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
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1447applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1448and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1449
1450Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1451option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1452@end defopt
1453
1454@defopt edebug-all-forms
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1455If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1456@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1457instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1458This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
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1459
1460Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
87b2d5ff 1461option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1462@end defopt
1463
1464@defopt edebug-save-windows
1465If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1466configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1467what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1468variable to @code{nil}.
1469
1470If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
1471restored.
1472
1473You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1474interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1475@end defopt
1476
1477@defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
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1478If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1479displayed buffers.
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1480
1481Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1482debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in
1483a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
87b2d5ff 1484point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
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1485
1486Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1487requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1488it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1489@end defopt
1490
1491@defopt edebug-initial-mode
1492If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1493mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are
1494@code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace},
1495@code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}.
1496
1497The default value is @code{step}.
1498@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1499@end defopt
1500
1501@defopt edebug-trace
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1502Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit.
1503Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
1504function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
1505
1506The default value is @code{nil}.
1507
a9f0a989 1508Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
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1509@end defopt
1510
1511@defopt edebug-test-coverage
1512If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
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1513@xref{Coverage Testing}.
1514@end defopt
1515
1516@defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
1517If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1518that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1519debugged.
1520@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1521@end defopt
1522
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1523@defopt edebug-on-error
1524Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1525@code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1526Errors}.
1527@end defopt
1528
1529@defopt edebug-on-quit
1530Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1531@code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1532Errors}.
1533@end defopt
1534
1535 If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or
1536@code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used
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1537until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked via a new command.
1538@c Not necessarily a deeper command level.
1539@c A new command is not precisely true, but that is close enough -- dan
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1540
1541@defopt edebug-global-break-condition
1542If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point.
1543If the result is non-nil, then break. Errors are ignored.
1544@xref{Global Break Condition}.
1545@end defopt