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73804d4b 1@comment -*-texinfo-*-
969fe9b5 2@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
177c0ea7 3@c Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
969fe9b5 4@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
73804d4b 5
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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.
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101
102 An arrow at the left margin indicates the line where the function is
103executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is
104executing, but this ceases to be true if you move point yourself.
105
106 If you instrument the definition of @code{fac} (shown below) and then
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107execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you would normally see. Point is
108at the open-parenthesis before @code{if}.
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109
110@example
111(defun fac (n)
112=>@point{}(if (< 0 n)
113 (* n (fac (1- n)))
114 1))
115@end example
116
117@cindex stop points
118The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called
119@dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression
177c0ea7 120that is a list, and also after each variable reference.
8241495d 121Here we use periods to show the stop points in the function
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122@code{fac}:
123
124@example
125(defun fac (n)
126 .(if .(< 0 n.).
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
177c0ea7 145expression's value in the echo area.
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146
147Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop
148point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to
149exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to
150display a list of all Edebug commands.
151
152@node Instrumenting
153@subsection Instrumenting for Edebug
154
155 In order to use Edebug to debug Lisp code, you must first
156@dfn{instrument} the code. Instrumenting code inserts additional code
87b2d5ff 157into it, to invoke Edebug at the proper places.
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158
159@kindex C-M-x
160@findex eval-defun (Edebug)
161 Once you have loaded Edebug, the command @kbd{C-M-x}
162(@code{eval-defun}) is redefined so that when invoked with a prefix
163argument on a definition, it instruments the definition before
164evaluating it. (The source code itself is not modified.) If the
165variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, that inverts the
8241495d 166meaning of the prefix argument: in this case, @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the
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167definition @emph{unless} it has a prefix argument. The default value of
168@code{edebug-all-defs} is @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x
169edebug-all-defs} toggles the value of the variable
170@code{edebug-all-defs}.
171
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172@findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
173@findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
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174 If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands
175@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer}
176also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
177@code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
178instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
179to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
180edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
181
182@findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
969fe9b5 183 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
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184instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
185@code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
73804d4b 186
969fe9b5 187 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
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188(@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
189function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already
190instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
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191source for that function; for this reading, after loading Edebug,
192@code{eval-region} records the position of every definition it
193evaluates, even if not instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command
194(@pxref{Jumping}), which steps into the call after instrumenting the
195function.
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196
197@cindex special forms (Edebug)
198@cindex interactive commands (Edebug)
199@cindex anonymous lambda expressions (Edebug)
200@cindex Common Lisp (Edebug)
969fe9b5 201@pindex cl.el @r{(Edebug)}
73804d4b 202@pindex cl-specs.el
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203 Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms,
204@code{interactive} forms with an expression argument, anonymous lambda
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205expressions, and other defining forms. However, Edebug cannot determine
206on its own what a user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a
207macro call, so you must provide that information; see @ref{Instrumenting
208Macro Calls}, for details.
73804d4b 209
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210 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
211session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
8241495d 212@code{nil}. You can use this to load Edebug specifications
969fe9b5 213(@pxref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}) associated with a package you are
8241495d 214using, but only when you use Edebug.
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215
216@findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
a9f0a989 217 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
73804d4b 218definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
87b2d5ff 219evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
73804d4b 220@code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
bfe721d1 221(@kbd{M-:}).
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222
223 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
224at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
225
226 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
227inside of Edebug.
228
229@node Edebug Execution Modes
230@subsection Edebug Execution Modes
231
232@cindex Edebug execution modes
233Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
234debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
87b2d5ff 235not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
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236determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
237it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
238example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
239before it stops.
240
241Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
242continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
8241495d 243commands; all except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
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244least for a certain distance.
245
246@table @kbd
247@item S
8241495d 248Stop: don't execute any more of the program, but wait for more
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249Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
250
251@item @key{SPC}
252Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
253
254@item n
255Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression
256(@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in
257@ref{Edebug Misc}.
258
259@item t
260Trace: pause one second at each Edebug stop point (@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
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
304When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes from
305the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}. By default, this
306specifies step mode. Note that you may reenter the same Edebug level
307several times if, for example, an instrumented function is called
308several times from one command.
309
310
311@node Jumping
312@subsection Jumping
313
314 The commands described in this section execute until they reach a
315specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to
316establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other
317breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop
318execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints.
319
320 These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit,
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321as that can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you expected the
322program to stop.
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323
324@table @kbd
325@item h
326Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}).
327
328@item f
329Run the program forward over one expression
330(@code{edebug-forward-sexp}).
331
332@item o
333Run the program until the end of the containing sexp.
334
335@item i
336Step into the function or macro called by the form after point.
337@end table
338
339The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point near the current location
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340of point, using a temporary breakpoint. See @ref{Breakpoints}, for more
341information about breakpoints.
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342
343The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More
344precisely, it sets a temporary breakpoint at the position that
345@kbd{C-M-f} would reach, then executes in go mode so that the program
346will stop at breakpoints.
347
348With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed
349@var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n}
350more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing
351expression.
352
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353You must check that the position @kbd{C-M-f} finds is a place that the
354program will really get to. In @code{cond}, for example, this may not
355be true.
73804d4b 356
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357For flexibility, the @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting
358at point, rather than at the stop point. If you want to execute one
359expression @emph{from the current stop point}, first type @kbd{w}, to
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360move point there, and then type @kbd{f}.
361
362The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a
363temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the
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364containing sexp is a function definition itself, @kbd{o} continues until
365just before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are
366now, it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this
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367command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are
368positioned after the last sexp.
369
370The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list
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371form after point, and stops at its first stop point. Note that the form
372need not be the one about to be evaluated. But if the form is a
373function call about to be evaluated, remember to use this command before
374any of the arguments are evaluated, since otherwise it will be too late.
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375
376The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to
377step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep
378in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly
379arrange to deinstrument it.
380
381@node Edebug Misc
382@subsection Miscellaneous Edebug Commands
383
384 Some miscellaneous Edebug commands are described here.
385
386@table @kbd
387@item ?
388Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}).
389
390@item C-]
391Abort one level back to the previous command level
392(@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
393
394@item q
395Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This
396exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug
397activity. However, instrumented code protected with
398@code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume
399debugging.
400
401@item Q
8241495d 402Like @kbd{q}, but don't stop even for protected code
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403(@code{top-level-nonstop}).
404
405@item r
406Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area
407(@code{edebug-previous-result}).
408
409@item d
410Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity
411(@code{edebug-backtrace}).
412
413You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as
414you would in the standard debugger.
415
416The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue
417execution.
418@end table
419
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420You can invoke commands from Edebug that activate Edebug again
421recursively. Whenever Edebug is active, you can quit to the top level
422with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with @kbd{C-]}. You can
423display a backtrace of all the pending evaluations with @kbd{d}.
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424
425@node Breakpoints
426@subsection Breakpoints
427
428@cindex breakpoints
8241495d 429Edebug's step mode stops execution when the next stop point is reached.
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430There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started:
431breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints.
432
433While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you
8241495d 434are testing: these are places where execution should stop. You can set a
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435breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For
436setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is
437the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the
438Edebug commands for breakpoints:
439
440@table @kbd
441@item b
442Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point
443(@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the
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444breakpoint is temporary---it turns off the first time it stops the
445program.
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446
447@item u
177c0ea7 448Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after
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449point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}).
450
451@item x @var{condition} @key{RET}
452Set a conditional breakpoint which stops the program only if
453@var{condition} evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value
454(@code{edebug-set-conditional-breakpoint}). With a prefix argument, the
455breakpoint is temporary.
456
457@item B
9e2b495b 458Move point to the next breakpoint in the current definition
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459(@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}).
460@end table
461
462While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one
463with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice,
464then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there.
465Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect.
466
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467Re-evaluating or reinstrumenting a definition removes all of its
468previous breakpoints.
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469
470A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program
471gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the
472condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a
473conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition
474expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a
475stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts
476the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it.
477
478You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint
969fe9b5 479@dfn{temporary} by using a prefix argument with the command to set the
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480breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is
481automatically unset.
482
8241495d 483Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint, except when the Edebug
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484mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely.
485
486To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which
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487moves point to the next breakpoint following point, within the same
488function, or to the first breakpoint if there are no following
489breakpoints. This command does not continue execution---it just moves
490point in the buffer.
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491
492@menu
177c0ea7 493* Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event.
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494* Source Breakpoints:: Embedding breakpoints in source code.
495@end menu
496
497
498@node Global Break Condition
499@subsubsection Global Break Condition
500
501@cindex stopping on events
502@cindex global break condition
503 A @dfn{global break condition} stops execution when a specified
504condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug
8241495d 505evaluates the global break condition at every stop point; if it
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506evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses
507depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If
508evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop.
509
510@findex edebug-set-global-break-condition
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511 The condition expression is stored in
512@code{edebug-global-break-condition}. You can specify a new expression
513using the @kbd{X} command (@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}).
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514
515 The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your
516code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you
517should reset the condition to @code{nil} when not using it.
518
519@node Source Breakpoints
520@subsubsection Source Breakpoints
521
522@findex edebug
523@cindex source breakpoints
524 All breakpoints in a definition are forgotten each time you
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525reinstrument it. If you wish to make a breakpoint that won't be
526forgotten, you can write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a
527call to the function @code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of
528course, make such a call conditional. For example, in the @code{fac}
529function, you can insert the first line as shown below, to stop when the
530argument reaches zero:
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531
532@example
533(defun fac (n)
534 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
535 (if (< 0 n)
536 (* n (fac (1- n)))
537 1))
538@end example
539
969fe9b5 540 When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is
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541called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on
542the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there.
543
969fe9b5 544 If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called,
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545that function calls @code{debug}.
546@c This may not be a good idea anymore.
547
548@node Trapping Errors
549@subsection Trapping Errors
550
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551 Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and
552not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active and
553executing instrumented code, it normally responds to all unhandled
554errors. You can customize this with the options @code{edebug-on-error}
555and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see @ref{Edebug Options}.
73804d4b 556
969fe9b5 557 When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point
73804d4b 558encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a
8241495d 559function which was not instrumented, and within which the error actually
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560occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point
561might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that
8241495d 562case, you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}).
73804d4b 563
87b2d5ff 564@c Edebug should be changed for the following: -- dan
969fe9b5 565 If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while
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566Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes
567inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables
568are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug.
569
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570@node Edebug Views
571@subsection Edebug Views
572
969fe9b5 573 These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window
a9f0a989 574status as they were before entry to Edebug. The outside window
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575configuration is the collection of windows and contents that were in
576effect outside of Edebug.
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577
578@table @kbd
579@item v
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580Temporarily view the outside window configuration
581(@code{edebug-view-outside}).
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582
583@item p
584Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its outside
585position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}). With a prefix argument @var{n},
586pause for @var{n} seconds instead.
587
588@item w
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589Move point back to the current stop point in the source code buffer
590(@code{edebug-where}).
591
592If you use this command in a different window displaying the same
593buffer, that window will be used instead to display the current
594definition in the future.
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595
596@item W
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597@c Its function is not simply to forget the saved configuration -- dan
598Toggle whether Edebug saves and restores the outside window
599configuration (@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}).
600
601With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of
602the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the
603source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap.
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604@end table
605
969fe9b5 606 You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just
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607bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if
608it is not normally displayed. After moving point, you may wish to jump
609back to the stop point with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer.
610
969fe9b5 611 Each time you use @kbd{W} to turn saving @emph{off}, Edebug forgets the
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612saved outside window configuration---so that even if you turn saving
613back @emph{on}, the current window configuration remains unchanged when
614you next exit Edebug (by continuing the program). However, the
615automatic redisplay of @samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may
616conflict with the buffers you wish to see unless you have enough windows
617open.
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618
619@node Edebug Eval
620@subsection Evaluation
621
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622 While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug
623were not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's
73804d4b 624evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side
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625effects will work as expected, except for changes to data that Edebug
626explicitly saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details
627on this process.
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628
629@table @kbd
630@item e @var{exp} @key{RET}
631Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug
632(@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its
633interference with the evaluation.
634
bfe721d1 635@item M-: @var{exp} @key{RET}
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636Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself.
637
638@item C-x C-e
639Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
640(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
641@end table
642
643@cindex lexical binding (Edebug)
969fe9b5 644 Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to
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645lexically bound symbols created by the following constructs in
646@file{cl.el} (version 2.03 or later): @code{lexical-let},
647@code{macrolet}, and @code{symbol-macrolet}.
648
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649@node Eval List
650@subsection Evaluation List Buffer
651
969fe9b5 652 You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to
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653evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the
654@dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each
655time Edebug updates the display.
656
657@table @kbd
658@item E
659Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*}
660(@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}).
661@end table
662
969fe9b5 663 In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp
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664Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
665Manual}) as well as these special commands:
666
667@table @kbd
969fe9b5 668@item C-j
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669Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert
670the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}).
671
672@item C-x C-e
673Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
674(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
675
676@item C-c C-u
87b2d5ff 677Build a new evaluation list from the contents of the buffer
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678(@code{edebug-update-eval-list}).
679
680@item C-c C-d
681Delete the evaluation list group that point is in
682(@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}).
683
684@item C-c C-w
685Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point
686(@code{edebug-where}).
687@end table
688
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689 You can evaluate expressions in the evaluation list window with
690@kbd{C-j} or @kbd{C-x C-e}, just as you would in @samp{*scratch*};
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691but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug.
692
969fe9b5 693 The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost
73804d4b 694when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list}
177c0ea7 695consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops.
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696
697@cindex evaluation list group
969fe9b5 698 To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the
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699evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or
700more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines.
701
969fe9b5 702 The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the
73804d4b 703evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of
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704each group. (The idea is that the second expression of the group is the
705value previously computed and displayed.)
73804d4b 706
969fe9b5 707 Each entry to Edebug redisplays the evaluation list by inserting each
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708expression in the buffer, followed by its current value. It also
709inserts comment lines so that each expression becomes its own group.
710Thus, if you type @kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text,
711the evaluation list is effectively unchanged.
73804d4b 712
969fe9b5 713 If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list, the
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714error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result.
715Therefore, expressions that use variables not currently valid do not
716interrupt your debugging.
717
969fe9b5 718 Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after
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719several expressions have been added to it:
720
721@smallexample
722(current-buffer)
723#<buffer *scratch*>
724;---------------------------------------------------------------
725(selected-window)
726#<window 16 on *scratch*>
727;---------------------------------------------------------------
728(point)
729196
730;---------------------------------------------------------------
731bad-var
732"Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var"
733;---------------------------------------------------------------
734(recursion-depth)
7350
736;---------------------------------------------------------------
737this-command
738eval-last-sexp
739;---------------------------------------------------------------
740@end smallexample
741
742To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply
743delete the text for the group and update the evaluation list with
744@kbd{C-c C-u}. To add a new expression to the evaluation list, insert
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745the expression at a suitable place, insert a new comment line, then type
746@kbd{C-c C-u}. You need not insert dashes in the comment line---its
747contents don't matter.
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748
749After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code
750buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when
751you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed.
752
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753@node Printing in Edebug
754@subsection Printing in Edebug
755
756@cindex printing (Edebug)
757@cindex printing circular structures
758@pindex cust-print
759 If an expression in your program produces a value containing circular
760list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it.
761
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762 One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length}
763or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for
764you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to 50 if they
765were @code{nil}. (Actually, the variables @code{edebug-print-length}
766and @code{edebug-print-level} specify the values to use within Edebug.)
767@xref{Output Variables}.
768
969fe9b5 769@defopt edebug-print-length
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770If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-length} to this value while
771printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
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772@end defopt
773
177c0ea7 774@defopt edebug-print-level
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775If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-level} to this value while
776printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
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777@end defopt
778
73804d4b 779 You can also print circular structures and structures that share
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780elements more informatively by binding @code{print-circle}
781to a non-@code{nil} value.
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782
783 Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure:
784
785@example
786(setq a '(x y))
a9f0a989 787(setcar a a)
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788@end example
789
790@noindent
791Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The
792@samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label
a9f0a989 793@samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labeled
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794structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or
795vectors.
796
177c0ea7 797@defopt edebug-print-circle
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798If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-circle} to this value while
799printing results. The default value is @code{nil}.
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800@end defopt
801
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802 Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el}
803for details.
804
805@node Trace Buffer
806@subsection Trace Buffer
807@cindex trace buffer
808
87b2d5ff 809 Edebug can record an execution trace, storing it in a buffer named
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810@samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns,
811showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable
812trace recording, set @code{edebug-trace} to a non-@code{nil} value.
813
814 Making a trace buffer is not the same thing as using trace execution
815mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}).
816
817 When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds
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818lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record consists of
819@samp{::::@{}, followed by the function name and argument values. A
820function exit record consists of @samp{::::@}}, followed by the function
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821name and result of the function.
822
823 The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You
824can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or
825end of function calls.
826
827@findex edebug-print-trace-before
828@findex edebug-print-trace-after
829 You can customize trace recording for function entry and exit by
830redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and
831@code{edebug-print-trace-after}.
832
833@defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{}
834This macro requests additional trace information around the execution
835of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text
8241495d 836to put in the trace buffer. All the arguments are evaluated, and
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837@code{edebug-tracing} returns the value of the last form in @var{body}.
838@end defmac
839
840@defun edebug-trace format-string &rest format-args
841This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text
842with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}.
87b2d5ff 843It also appends a newline to separate entries.
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844@end defun
845
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846 @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the
847trace buffer whenever they are called, even if Edebug is not active.
848Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the last
849lines inserted.
73804d4b 850
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851@node Coverage Testing
852@subsection Coverage Testing
853
854@cindex coverage testing
855@cindex frequency counts
856@cindex performance analysis
857Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution
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858frequency.
859
860 Coverage testing works by comparing the result of each expression with
861the previous result; each form in the program is considered ``covered''
862if it has returned two different values since you began testing coverage
863in the current Emacs session. Thus, to do coverage testing on your
864program, execute it under various conditions and note whether it behaves
865correctly; Edebug will tell you when you have tried enough different
866conditions that each form has returned two different values.
867
868 Coverage testing makes execution slower, so it is only done if
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869@code{edebug-test-coverage} is non-@code{nil}. Frequency counting is
870performed for all execution of an instrumented function, even if the
871execution mode is Go-nonstop, and regardless of whether coverage testing
872is enabled.
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873
874 Use @kbd{M-x edebug-display-freq-count} to display both the
a9f0a989 875coverage information and the frequency counts for a definition.
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876
877@deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count
878This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the
879current definition.
880
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881The frequency counts appear as comment lines after each line of code,
882and you can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The
883counts appear under the @samp{(} before an expression or the @samp{)}
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884after an expression, or on the last character of a variable. To
885simplify the display, a count is not shown if it is equal to the
886count of an earlier expression on the same line.
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887
888The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that
a9f0a989 889the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated.
1911e6e5 890In other words, it is not yet ``covered'' for coverage testing purposes.
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891
892To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition,
a9f0a989 893simply reinstrument it with @code{eval-defun}.
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894@end deffn
895
896For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source
897breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when
898the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this:
899
900@example
901(defun fac (n)
902 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
177c0ea7 903;#6 1 0 =5
73804d4b 904 (if (< 0 n)
177c0ea7 905;#5 =
73804d4b 906 (* n (fac (1- n)))
177c0ea7 907;# 5 0
73804d4b 908 1))
177c0ea7 909;# 0
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910@end example
911
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912The comment lines show that @code{fac} was called 6 times. The
913first @code{if} statement returned 5 times with the same result each
73804d4b 914time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}.
87b2d5ff 915The recursive call of @code{fac} did not return at all.
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916
917
918@node The Outside Context
919@subsection The Outside Context
920
921Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it
922does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when
923you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list
924buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section
925explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to
926be completely transparent.
927
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928@menu
929* Checking Whether to Stop:: When Edebug decides what to do.
930* Edebug Display Update:: When Edebug updates the display.
931* Edebug Recursive Edit:: When Edebug stops execution.
932@end menu
933
934@node Checking Whether to Stop
935@subsubsection Checking Whether to Stop
936
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937Whenever Edebug is entered, it needs to save and restore certain data
938before even deciding whether to make trace information or stop the
939program.
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940
941@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 942@item
73804d4b 943@code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both
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944incremented once to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. You could,
945however, still run out of stack space when using Edebug.
73804d4b 946
177c0ea7 947@item
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948The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
949Edebug is active, @code{executing-macro} is bound to
950@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
951
952@end itemize
953
954
955@node Edebug Display Update
956@subsubsection Edebug Display Update
957
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958@c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
959@c needs an xref to be on just one line.
73804d4b 960When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
177c0ea7 961the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
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962(@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
963the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
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964
965Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
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966execution, the program re-enters Edebug at a breakpoint or after
967stepping, without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
73804d4b 968Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
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969Consequently, what you see is the same window configuration as the last
970time Edebug was active, with no interruption.
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971
972Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
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973following data (though some of them are deliberately not restored if an
974error or quit signal occurs).
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975
976@itemize @bullet
177c0ea7 977@item
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978@cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
979Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
980current buffer, are saved and restored.
981
177c0ea7 982@item
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983@cindex window configuration (Edebug)
984The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
985@code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}).
986
987The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
988outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
989case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
990@code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
991and restored.
992
993The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
994not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
995
996@item
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997The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if
998@code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}.
999
1000@item
1001The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1002@code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely
1003invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1004
177c0ea7 1005@item
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1006@code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1007the cursor shows up in the window.
1008@end itemize
1009
1010@node Edebug Recursive Edit
1011@subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1012
1013When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1014saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1015
1016@itemize @bullet
1017@item
1018The current match data. @xref{Match Data}.
1019
1020@item
1021@code{last-command}, @code{this-command}, @code{last-command-char},
1022@code{last-input-char}, @code{last-input-event},
1023@code{last-command-event}, @code{last-event-frame},
1024@code{last-nonmenu-event}, and @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within
1025Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug.
1026
1027The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by
1028executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset
1029the key sequence from Lisp.
1030
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1031Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1032@code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1033nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1034debugging.
1035
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1036@item
1037Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1038@code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1039
1040@item
1041Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1042depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1043evaluation list window.
1044
1045@item
1046@code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1047by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1048evaluations.
1049
177c0ea7 1050@item
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1051The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1052Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to
1053@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
1054@end itemize
1055
1056@node Instrumenting Macro Calls
1057@subsection Instrumenting Macro Calls
1058
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1059 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1060additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1061because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1062macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1063in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1064time later.)
1065
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1066 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro
1067that Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that
1068macro. To do this, add an @code{edebug} declaration to the macro
1069definition. Here is a simple example that shows the specification for
1070the @code{for} example macro (@pxref{Argument Evaluation}).
1071
1072@example
1073(defmacro for (var from init to final do &rest body)
1074 "Execute a simple \"for\" loop.
1075For example, (for i from 1 to 10 do (print i))."
1076 (declare (edebug symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form))
1077 ...)
1078@end example
1079
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1080 The Edebug specifation says which parts of a call to the macro are
1081forms to be evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification}
1082often looks very similar to the formal argument list of the macro
1083definition, but specifications are much more general than macro
1084arguments. @xref{Defining Macros}, for more explanation of
1085the @code{declare} special form.
1086
1087 You can also define an edebug specification for a macro separately
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1088from the macro definition with @code{def-edebug-spec}. Adding
1089@code{edebug} declarations is preferred, and more convenient, for
1090macro definitions in Lisp, but @code{def-edebug-spec} makes it
1091possible to define Edebug specifications for special forms implemented
1092in C.
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1093
1094@deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1095Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
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1096evaluated. @var{specification} should be the edebug specification.
1097It is not evaluated.
73804d4b 1098
969fe9b5 1099The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
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1100name.
1101@end deffn
1102
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1103Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1104directs processing of arguments.
1105
ec221d13 1106@table @asis
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1107@item @code{t}
1108All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1109
1110@item @code{0}
1111None of the arguments is instrumented.
1112
1113@item a symbol
1114The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead.
1115This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
a9f0a989 1116found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
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1117
1118@item a list
1119The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1120calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1121described in the following sections.
1122@end table
1123
1124@menu
1125* Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation.
1126* Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails.
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1127* Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications.
1128@end menu
1129
1130
1131@node Specification List
1132@subsubsection Specification List
1133
1134@cindex Edebug specification list
1135A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1136some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1137elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1138modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1139@dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1140as @code{&optional}).
1141
1142A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1143themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1144and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
969fe9b5 1145levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
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1146sublist or group they are contained in.
1147
1148When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1149it against an actual macro call may require backtracking.
1150@xref{Backtracking}, for more details.
1151
1152Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1153plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1154balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1155indirect specifications.
1156
1157Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1158their meanings:
1159
1160@table @code
1161@item sexp
1911e6e5 1162A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
a9f0a989 1163@c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
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1164
1165@item form
1166A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1167
1168@item place
1169@findex edebug-unwrap
1170A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1171
1172@item body
1173Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1174
1175@item function-form
1176A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1177expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1178lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1179expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1180@code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1181either way.
1182
1183@item lambda-expr
1184A lambda expression with no quoting.
1185
1186@item &optional
1187@kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
1188All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
177c0ea7 1189as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
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1190
1191To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1192use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1193elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1194[@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1195
1196@item &rest
1197@kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
1198All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
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1199more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1200expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1201specification list.
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1202
1203To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1204To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1205@code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1206
1207@item &or
1208@kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
1209Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1210alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1211specification fails.
1212
1213Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1214group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1215@code{[@dots{}]}.
1216
1217@item &not
1218@kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
1219Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using
1220@code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none
1221of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1222succeeds.
1223
177c0ea7 1224@item &define
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1225@kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
1226Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
a9f0a989 1227form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
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1228after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1229instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1230a list specification.
1231
1232@item nil
1233This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1234current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1235specifications and the backquote example below.
1236
1237@item gate
1238@cindex preventing backtracking
1239No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1240while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1241is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1242@ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example
1243below.
1244
1245@item @var{other-symbol}
1246@cindex indirect specifications
1247Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1248indirect specification.
1249
1250If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1251specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1252place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1253arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1254just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below.
1255
1256Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1257with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1258@code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented.
1259
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1260Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1261@code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
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1262
1263@item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1264@cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1265A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1266specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1267
1268@item "@var{string}"
1269The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1270is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1271of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1272
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1273@item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1274The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the
1275@var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example below.
1276
1277@item (@var{elements}@dots{})
1278Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1279a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1280
1281@cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1282A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1283argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1284dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
a9f0a989 1285grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
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1286specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1287This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1288example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1289above for terminating such recursion.
1290
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1291Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1292is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1293(sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
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1294sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1295@end table
1296
1297@c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1298
969fe9b5 1299Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
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1300@code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below.
1301
1302@table @code
1303@item name
177c0ea7 1304The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
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1305
1306A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1307multiple name fields.
1308
1309@item :name
1310This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1311following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1312name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1313static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1314than once.
1315
1316@item arg
1317The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
a9f0a989 1318However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
87b2d5ff 1319are not allowed.
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1320
1321@item lambda-list
1322@cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1323This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
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1324
1325@item def-body
1326The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1327@code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1328with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1329the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1330within the definition.
1331
1332@item def-form
1333The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1334like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than
1335a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1336tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1337@code{interactive} example below.
1338@end table
1339
1340@node Backtracking
969fe9b5 1341@subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
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1342
1343@cindex backtracking
1344@cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1345If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1346necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1347@dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1348exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1349matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1350in the specification must match some argument.
177c0ea7 1351
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1352When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1353later after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1354point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1355disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1356that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1357it is reenabled when a new alternative is established by
1358@code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of
1359processing a sublist, group, or indirect specification. The effect of
1360enabling or disabling backtracking is limited to the remainder of the
1361level currently being processed and lower levels.
1362
1363Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1364form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
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1365@code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1366must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1367
a9f0a989 1368Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
73804d4b 1369symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
a9f0a989 1370recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
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1371all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1372constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1373@code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1374
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1375Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that bactracking is
1376automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1377disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1378useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1379example of the @code{let} specification.
73804d4b 1380
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1381@node Specification Examples
1382@subsubsection Specification Examples
1383
1384It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1385the examples provided here.
1386
1387A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1388of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
a9f0a989 1389optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
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1390inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found.
1391
1392@example
1393(def-edebug-spec let
1394 ((&rest
1395 &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form))
1396 body))
1397@end example
1398
1399Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and
1400@code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive}
1401specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially
1402since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the
1403function body.
1404
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1405@smallexample
1406(def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec.}
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1407(def-edebug-spec defun
1408 (&define name lambda-list
87b2d5ff 1409 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
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1410 [&optional ("interactive" interactive)]
1411 def-body))
1412
1413(def-edebug-spec lambda-list
1414 (([&rest arg]
1415 [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]]
1416 &optional ["&rest" arg]
1417 )))
1418
1419(def-edebug-spec interactive
1420 (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}}
87b2d5ff 1421@end smallexample
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1422
1423The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1424dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1425illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1426specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because
1427doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.)
1428
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1429@smallexample
1430(def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
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1431
1432(def-edebug-spec backquote-form
1433 (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form)
1434 (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form])
1435 (vector &rest backquote-form)
1436 sexp))
87b2d5ff 1437@end smallexample
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1438
1439
1440@node Edebug Options
1441@subsection Edebug Options
1442
1443 These options affect the behavior of Edebug:
1444
1445@defopt edebug-setup-hook
1446Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1447value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1448@code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1449load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1450but only when you also use Edebug.
1451@xref{Instrumenting}.
1452@end defopt
1453
1454@defopt edebug-all-defs
1455If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1456@code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
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1457applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1458and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1459
1460Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1461option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1462@end defopt
1463
1464@defopt edebug-all-forms
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1465If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1466@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1467instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1468This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
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1469
1470Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
87b2d5ff 1471option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
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1472@end defopt
1473
1474@defopt edebug-save-windows
1475If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1476configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1477what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1478variable to @code{nil}.
1479
1480If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
177c0ea7 1481restored.
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1482
1483You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1484interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1485@end defopt
1486
1487@defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
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1488If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1489displayed buffers.
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1490
1491Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1492debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in
1493a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
87b2d5ff 1494point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
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1495
1496Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1497requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1498it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1499@end defopt
1500
1501@defopt edebug-initial-mode
1502If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1503mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are
1504@code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace},
1505@code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}.
1506
177c0ea7 1507The default value is @code{step}.
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1508@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1509@end defopt
1510
1511@defopt edebug-trace
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1512Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit.
1513Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
177c0ea7 1514function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
73804d4b 1515
177c0ea7 1516The default value is @code{nil}.
73804d4b 1517
a9f0a989 1518Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
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1519@end defopt
1520
177c0ea7 1521@defopt edebug-test-coverage
73804d4b 1522If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
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1523@xref{Coverage Testing}.
1524@end defopt
1525
177c0ea7 1526@defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
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1527If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1528that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1529debugged.
1530@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1531@end defopt
1532
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1533@defopt edebug-on-error
1534Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1535@code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1536Errors}.
1537@end defopt
1538
1539@defopt edebug-on-quit
1540Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1541@code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1542Errors}.
1543@end defopt
1544
1545 If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or
1546@code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used
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1547until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked via a new command.
1548@c Not necessarily a deeper command level.
1549@c A new command is not precisely true, but that is close enough -- dan
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1550
1551@defopt edebug-global-break-condition
9a8dc0d3
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1552If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. If
1553the result is non-@code{nil}, then break. Errors are ignored.
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1554@xref{Global Break Condition}.
1555@end defopt
ab5796a9
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1556
1557@ignore
1558 arch-tag: 74842db8-019f-4818-b5a4-b2de878e57fd
1559@end ignore