Merge changes from emacs-23 branch
[bpt/emacs.git] / doc / lispref / edebug.texi
1 @comment -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1992-1994, 1998-1999, 2001-2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
5
6 @c This file can also be used by an independent Edebug User
7 @c Manual in which case the Edebug node below should be used
8 @c with the following links to the Bugs section and to the top level:
9
10 @c , Bugs and Todo List, Top, Top
11
12 @node Edebug, Syntax Errors, Debugger, Debugging
13 @section Edebug
14 @cindex Edebug debugging facility
15
16 Edebug is a source-level debugger for Emacs Lisp programs, with which
17 you can:
18
19 @itemize @bullet
20 @item
21 Step through evaluation, stopping before and after each expression.
22
23 @item
24 Set conditional or unconditional breakpoints.
25
26 @item
27 Stop when a specified condition is true (the global break event).
28
29 @item
30 Trace slow or fast, stopping briefly at each stop point, or
31 at each breakpoint.
32
33 @item
34 Display expression results and evaluate expressions as if outside of
35 Edebug.
36
37 @item
38 Automatically re-evaluate a list of expressions and
39 display their results each time Edebug updates the display.
40
41 @item
42 Output trace information on function calls and returns.
43
44 @item
45 Stop when an error occurs.
46
47 @item
48 Display a backtrace, omitting Edebug's own frames.
49
50 @item
51 Specify argument evaluation for macros and defining forms.
52
53 @item
54 Obtain rudimentary coverage testing and frequency counts.
55 @end itemize
56
57 The first three sections below should tell you enough about Edebug to
58 start using it.
59
60 @menu
61 * Using Edebug:: Introduction to use of Edebug.
62 * Instrumenting:: You must instrument your code
63 in order to debug it with Edebug.
64 * Modes: Edebug Execution Modes. Execution modes, stopping more or less often.
65 * Jumping:: Commands to jump to a specified place.
66 * Misc: Edebug Misc. Miscellaneous commands.
67 * Breaks:: Setting breakpoints to make the program stop.
68 * Trapping Errors:: Trapping errors with Edebug.
69 * Views: Edebug Views. Views inside and outside of Edebug.
70 * Eval: Edebug Eval. Evaluating expressions within Edebug.
71 * Eval List:: Expressions whose values are displayed
72 each time you enter Edebug.
73 * Printing in Edebug:: Customization of printing.
74 * Trace Buffer:: How to produce trace output in a buffer.
75 * Coverage Testing:: How to test evaluation coverage.
76 * The Outside Context:: Data that Edebug saves and restores.
77 * Edebug and Macros:: Specifying how to handle macro calls.
78 * Options: Edebug Options. Option variables for customizing Edebug.
79 @end menu
80
81 @node Using Edebug
82 @subsection Using Edebug
83
84 To debug a Lisp program with Edebug, you must first @dfn{instrument}
85 the Lisp code that you want to debug. A simple way to do this is to
86 first move point into the definition of a function or macro and then do
87 @kbd{C-u C-M-x} (@code{eval-defun} with a prefix argument). See
88 @ref{Instrumenting}, for alternative ways to instrument code.
89
90 Once a function is instrumented, any call to the function activates
91 Edebug. Depending on which Edebug execution mode you have selected,
92 activating Edebug may stop execution and let you step through the
93 function, or it may update the display and continue execution while
94 checking for debugging commands. The default execution mode is step,
95 which stops execution. @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
96
97 Within Edebug, you normally view an Emacs buffer showing the source of
98 the Lisp code you are debugging. This is referred to as the @dfn{source
99 code buffer}, and it is temporarily read-only.
100
101 An arrow in the left fringe indicates the line where the function is
102 executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is
103 executing, but this ceases to be true if you move point yourself.
104
105 If you instrument the definition of @code{fac} (shown below) and then
106 execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you would normally see. Point is
107 at the open-parenthesis before @code{if}.
108
109 @example
110 (defun fac (n)
111 =>@point{}(if (< 0 n)
112 (* n (fac (1- n)))
113 1))
114 @end example
115
116 @cindex stop points
117 The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called
118 @dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression
119 that is a list, and also after each variable reference.
120 Here we use periods to show the stop points in the function
121 @code{fac}:
122
123 @example
124 (defun fac (n)
125 .(if .(< 0 n.).
126 .(* n. .(fac .(1- n.).).).
127 1).)
128 @end example
129
130 The special commands of Edebug are available in the source code buffer
131 in addition to the commands of Emacs Lisp mode. For example, you can
132 type the Edebug command @key{SPC} to execute until the next stop point.
133 If you type @key{SPC} once after entry to @code{fac}, here is the
134 display you will see:
135
136 @example
137 (defun fac (n)
138 =>(if @point{}(< 0 n)
139 (* n (fac (1- n)))
140 1))
141 @end example
142
143 When Edebug stops execution after an expression, it displays the
144 expression's value in the echo area.
145
146 Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop
147 point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to
148 exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to
149 display a list of all Edebug commands.
150
151 @node Instrumenting
152 @subsection Instrumenting for Edebug
153
154 In order to use Edebug to debug Lisp code, you must first
155 @dfn{instrument} the code. Instrumenting code inserts additional code
156 into it, to invoke Edebug at the proper places.
157
158 @kindex C-M-x
159 @findex eval-defun (Edebug)
160 When you invoke command @kbd{C-M-x} (@code{eval-defun}) with a
161 prefix argument on a function definition, it instruments the
162 definition before evaluating it. (This does not modify the source
163 code itself.) If the variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is
164 non-@code{nil}, that inverts the meaning of the prefix argument: in
165 this case, @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the definition @emph{unless} it has
166 a prefix argument. The default value of @code{edebug-all-defs} is
167 @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} toggles the value
168 of the variable @code{edebug-all-defs}.
169
170 @findex eval-region @r{(Edebug)}
171 @findex eval-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
172 @findex eval-current-buffer @r{(Edebug)}
173 If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands
174 @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer}
175 also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly,
176 @code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should
177 instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply
178 to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x
179 edebug-all-forms} toggles this option.
180
181 @findex edebug-eval-top-level-form
182 Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to
183 instrument any top-level form regardless of the values of
184 @code{edebug-all-defs} and @code{edebug-all-forms}.
185
186 While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I}
187 (@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the
188 function or macro called by the list form after point, if it is not already
189 instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the
190 source for that function; for this reason, after loading Edebug,
191 @code{eval-region} records the position of every definition it
192 evaluates, even if not instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command
193 (@pxref{Jumping}), which steps into the call after instrumenting the
194 function.
195
196 Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms,
197 @code{interactive} forms with an expression argument, anonymous lambda
198 expressions, and other defining forms. However, Edebug cannot determine
199 on its own what a user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a
200 macro call, so you must provide that information using Edebug
201 specifications; for details, @pxref{Edebug and Macros}.
202
203 When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a
204 session, it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to
205 @code{nil}. You can use this to load Edebug specifications
206 associated with a package you are using, but only when you use Edebug.
207
208 @findex eval-expression @r{(Edebug)}
209 To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply re-evaluate its
210 definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of
211 evaluating forms that never instrument them: from a file with
212 @code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression}
213 (@kbd{M-:}).
214
215 If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point
216 at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error.
217
218 @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available
219 inside of Edebug.
220
221 @node Edebug Execution Modes
222 @subsection Edebug Execution Modes
223
224 @cindex Edebug execution modes
225 Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are
226 debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do
227 not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug execution mode
228 determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether
229 it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for
230 example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation
231 before it stops.
232
233 Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to
234 continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these
235 commands; all except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at
236 least for a certain distance.
237
238 @table @kbd
239 @item S
240 Stop: don't execute any more of the program, but wait for more
241 Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}).
242
243 @item @key{SPC}
244 Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}).
245
246 @item n
247 Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression
248 (@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in
249 @ref{Jumping}.
250
251 @item t
252 Trace: pause (normally one second) at each Edebug stop point
253 (@code{edebug-trace-mode}).
254
255 @item T
256 Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually
257 pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}).
258
259 @item g
260 Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}.
261
262 @item c
263 Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue
264 (@code{edebug-continue-mode}).
265
266 @item C
267 Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause
268 (@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}).
269
270 @item G
271 Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You
272 can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command.
273 @end table
274
275 In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the
276 program more slowly or stop sooner than the modes later in the list.
277
278 While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing
279 any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and
280 then executes the command you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} during
281 execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can use
282 @kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else.
283
284 If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending
285 to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can
286 avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program
287 wants input.
288
289 @cindex keyboard macros (Edebug)
290 Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not
291 completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track
292 of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or
293 executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands
294 inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. See also the
295 @code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option in @ref{Edebug Options}.
296
297 When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes
298 from the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}
299 (@pxref{Edebug Options}). By default, this specifies step mode. Note
300 that you may reenter the same Edebug level several times if, for
301 example, an instrumented function is called several times from one
302 command.
303
304 @defopt edebug-sit-for-seconds
305 This option specifies how many seconds to wait between execution steps
306 in trace mode or continue mode. The default is 1 second.
307 @end defopt
308
309 @node Jumping
310 @subsection Jumping
311
312 The commands described in this section execute until they reach a
313 specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to
314 establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other
315 breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop
316 execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints.
317
318 These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit,
319 as that can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you expected the
320 program to stop.
321
322 @table @kbd
323 @item h
324 Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}).
325
326 @item f
327 Run the program for one expression
328 (@code{edebug-forward-sexp}).
329
330 @item o
331 Run the program until the end of the containing sexp (@code{edebug-step-out}).
332
333 @item i
334 Step into the function or macro called by the form after point.
335 @end table
336
337 The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point at or after the current
338 location of point, using a temporary breakpoint.
339
340 The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More
341 precisely, it sets a temporary breakpoint at the position that
342 @code{forward-sexp} would reach, then executes in go mode so that
343 the program will stop at breakpoints.
344
345 With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed
346 @var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n}
347 more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing
348 expression.
349
350 You must check that the position @code{forward-sexp} finds is a place
351 that the program will really get to. In @code{cond}, for example,
352 this may not be true.
353
354 For flexibility, the @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting
355 at point, rather than at the stop point. If you want to execute one
356 expression @emph{from the current stop point}, first type @kbd{w}
357 (@code{edebug-where}) to move point there, and then type @kbd{f}.
358
359 The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a
360 temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the
361 containing sexp is a function definition itself, @kbd{o} continues until
362 just before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are
363 now, it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this
364 command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are
365 positioned after the last sexp.
366
367 The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list
368 form after point, and stops at its first stop point. Note that the form
369 need not be the one about to be evaluated. But if the form is a
370 function call about to be evaluated, remember to use this command before
371 any of the arguments are evaluated, since otherwise it will be too late.
372
373 The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to
374 step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep
375 in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly
376 arrange to deinstrument it.
377
378 @node Edebug Misc
379 @subsection Miscellaneous Edebug Commands
380
381 Some miscellaneous Edebug commands are described here.
382
383 @table @kbd
384 @item ?
385 Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}).
386
387 @item C-]
388 Abort one level back to the previous command level
389 (@code{abort-recursive-edit}).
390
391 @item q
392 Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This
393 exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug
394 activity. However, instrumented code protected with
395 @code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume
396 debugging.
397
398 @item Q
399 Like @kbd{q}, but don't stop even for protected code
400 (@code{edebug-top-level-nonstop}).
401
402 @item r
403 Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area
404 (@code{edebug-previous-result}).
405
406 @item d
407 Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity
408 (@code{edebug-backtrace}).
409
410 You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as
411 you would in the standard debugger.
412
413 The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue
414 execution.
415 @end table
416
417 You can invoke commands from Edebug that activate Edebug again
418 recursively. Whenever Edebug is active, you can quit to the top level
419 with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with @kbd{C-]}. You can
420 display a backtrace of all the pending evaluations with @kbd{d}.
421
422 @node Breaks
423 @subsection Breaks
424
425 Edebug's step mode stops execution when the next stop point is reached.
426 There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started:
427 breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints.
428
429 @menu
430 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints at stop points.
431 * Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event.
432 * Source Breakpoints:: Embedding breakpoints in source code.
433 @end menu
434
435 @node Breakpoints
436 @subsubsection Edebug Breakpoints
437
438 @cindex breakpoints (Edebug)
439 While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you
440 are testing: these are places where execution should stop. You can set a
441 breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For
442 setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is
443 the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the
444 Edebug commands for breakpoints:
445
446 @table @kbd
447 @item b
448 Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point
449 (@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the
450 breakpoint is temporary---it turns off the first time it stops the
451 program.
452
453 @item u
454 Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after
455 point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}).
456
457 @item x @var{condition} @key{RET}
458 Set a conditional breakpoint which stops the program only if
459 evaluating @var{condition} produces a non-@code{nil} value
460 (@code{edebug-set-conditional-breakpoint}). With a prefix argument,
461 the breakpoint is temporary.
462
463 @item B
464 Move point to the next breakpoint in the current definition
465 (@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}).
466 @end table
467
468 While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one
469 with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice,
470 then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there.
471 Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect.
472
473 Re-evaluating or reinstrumenting a definition removes all of its
474 previous breakpoints.
475
476 A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program
477 gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the
478 condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a
479 conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition
480 expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a
481 stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts
482 the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it.
483
484 You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint
485 @dfn{temporary} by using a prefix argument with the command to set the
486 breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is
487 automatically unset.
488
489 Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint, except when the Edebug
490 mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely.
491
492 To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which
493 moves point to the next breakpoint following point, within the same
494 function, or to the first breakpoint if there are no following
495 breakpoints. This command does not continue execution---it just moves
496 point in the buffer.
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
504 condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug
505 evaluates the global break condition at every stop point; if it
506 evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses
507 depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If
508 evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop.
509
510 @findex edebug-set-global-break-condition
511 The condition expression is stored in
512 @code{edebug-global-break-condition}. You can specify a new expression
513 using the @kbd{X} command from the source code buffer while Edebug is
514 active, or using @kbd{C-x X X} from any buffer at any time, as long as
515 Edebug is loaded (@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}).
516
517 The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your
518 code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you
519 should reset the condition to @code{nil} when not using it.
520
521 @node Source Breakpoints
522 @subsubsection Source Breakpoints
523
524 @findex edebug
525 @cindex source breakpoints
526 All breakpoints in a definition are forgotten each time you
527 reinstrument it. If you wish to make a breakpoint that won't be
528 forgotten, you can write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a
529 call to the function @code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of
530 course, make such a call conditional. For example, in the @code{fac}
531 function, you can insert the first line as shown below, to stop when the
532 argument reaches zero:
533
534 @example
535 (defun fac (n)
536 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
537 (if (< 0 n)
538 (* n (fac (1- n)))
539 1))
540 @end example
541
542 When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is
543 called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on
544 the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there.
545
546 If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called,
547 that function calls @code{debug}.
548 @c This may not be a good idea anymore.
549
550 @node Trapping Errors
551 @subsection Trapping Errors
552
553 Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and
554 not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active and
555 executing instrumented code, it normally responds to all unhandled
556 errors. You can customize this with the options @code{edebug-on-error}
557 and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see @ref{Edebug Options}.
558
559 When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point
560 encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a
561 function which was not instrumented, and within which the error actually
562 occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point
563 might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that
564 case, you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}).
565
566 @c Edebug should be changed for the following: -- dan
567 If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while
568 Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes
569 inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables
570 are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug.
571
572 @node Edebug Views
573 @subsection Edebug Views
574
575 These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window
576 status as they were before entry to Edebug. The outside window
577 configuration is the collection of windows and contents that were in
578 effect outside of Edebug.
579
580 @table @kbd
581 @item v
582 Switch to viewing the outside window configuration
583 (@code{edebug-view-outside}). Type @kbd{C-x X w} to return to Edebug.
584
585 @item p
586 Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its
587 outside position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}), pausing for one second
588 before returning to Edebug. With a prefix argument @var{n}, pause for
589 @var{n} seconds instead.
590
591 @item w
592 Move point back to the current stop point in the source code buffer
593 (@code{edebug-where}).
594
595 If you use this command in a different window displaying the same
596 buffer, that window will be used instead to display the current
597 definition in the future.
598
599 @item W
600 @c Its function is not simply to forget the saved configuration -- dan
601 Toggle whether Edebug saves and restores the outside window
602 configuration (@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}).
603
604 With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of
605 the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the
606 source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap.
607 @end table
608
609 You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just
610 bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if
611 it is not normally displayed.
612
613 After moving point, you may wish to jump back to the stop point.
614 You can do that with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer. You can jump
615 back to the stop point in the source code buffer from any buffer using
616 @kbd{C-x X w}.
617
618 Each time you use @kbd{W} to turn saving @emph{off}, Edebug forgets the
619 saved outside window configuration---so that even if you turn saving
620 back @emph{on}, the current window configuration remains unchanged when
621 you next exit Edebug (by continuing the program). However, the
622 automatic redisplay of @samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may
623 conflict with the buffers you wish to see unless you have enough windows
624 open.
625
626 @node Edebug Eval
627 @subsection Evaluation
628
629 While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug
630 were not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's
631 evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side
632 effects will work as expected, except for changes to data that Edebug
633 explicitly saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details
634 on this process.
635
636 @table @kbd
637 @item e @var{exp} @key{RET}
638 Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug
639 (@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its
640 interference with the evaluation.
641
642 @item M-: @var{exp} @key{RET}
643 Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself
644 (@code{eval-expression}).
645
646 @item C-x C-e
647 Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
648 (@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
649 @end table
650
651 @cindex lexical binding (Edebug)
652 Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to
653 lexically bound symbols created by the following constructs in
654 @file{cl.el}: @code{lexical-let}, @code{macrolet}, and
655 @code{symbol-macrolet}.
656
657 @node Eval List
658 @subsection Evaluation List Buffer
659
660 You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to
661 evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the
662 @dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each
663 time Edebug updates the display.
664
665 @table @kbd
666 @item E
667 Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*}
668 (@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}).
669 @end table
670
671 In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp
672 Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs
673 Manual}) as well as these special commands:
674
675 @table @kbd
676 @item C-j
677 Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert
678 the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}).
679
680 @item C-x C-e
681 Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug
682 (@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}).
683
684 @item C-c C-u
685 Build a new evaluation list from the contents of the buffer
686 (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}).
687
688 @item C-c C-d
689 Delete the evaluation list group that point is in
690 (@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}).
691
692 @item C-c C-w
693 Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point
694 (@code{edebug-where}).
695 @end table
696
697 You can evaluate expressions in the evaluation list window with
698 @kbd{C-j} or @kbd{C-x C-e}, just as you would in @samp{*scratch*};
699 but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug.
700
701 The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost
702 when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list}
703 consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops.
704
705 @cindex evaluation list group
706 To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the
707 evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or
708 more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines.
709
710 The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the
711 evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of
712 each group. (The idea is that the second expression of the group is the
713 value previously computed and displayed.)
714
715 Each entry to Edebug redisplays the evaluation list by inserting each
716 expression in the buffer, followed by its current value. It also
717 inserts comment lines so that each expression becomes its own group.
718 Thus, if you type @kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text,
719 the evaluation list is effectively unchanged.
720
721 If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list,
722 the error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result.
723 Therefore, expressions using variables that are not currently valid do
724 not interrupt your debugging.
725
726 Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after
727 several expressions have been added to it:
728
729 @smallexample
730 (current-buffer)
731 #<buffer *scratch*>
732 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
733 (selected-window)
734 #<window 16 on *scratch*>
735 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
736 (point)
737 196
738 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
739 bad-var
740 "Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var"
741 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
742 (recursion-depth)
743 0
744 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
745 this-command
746 eval-last-sexp
747 ;---------------------------------------------------------------
748 @end smallexample
749
750 To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply
751 delete the text for the group and update the evaluation list with
752 @kbd{C-c C-u}. To add a new expression to the evaluation list, insert
753 the expression at a suitable place, insert a new comment line, then type
754 @kbd{C-c C-u}. You need not insert dashes in the comment line---its
755 contents don't matter.
756
757 After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code
758 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when
759 you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed.
760
761 @node Printing in Edebug
762 @subsection Printing in Edebug
763
764 @cindex printing (Edebug)
765 @cindex printing circular structures
766 @pindex cust-print
767 If an expression in your program produces a value containing circular
768 list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it.
769
770 One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length}
771 or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for
772 you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to the values
773 of the variables @code{edebug-print-length} and
774 @code{edebug-print-level} (so long as they have non-@code{nil}
775 values). @xref{Output Variables}.
776
777 @defopt edebug-print-length
778 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-length} to this value while
779 printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
780 @end defopt
781
782 @defopt edebug-print-level
783 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-level} to this value while
784 printing results. The default value is @code{50}.
785 @end defopt
786
787 You can also print circular structures and structures that share
788 elements more informatively by binding @code{print-circle}
789 to a non-@code{nil} value.
790
791 Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure:
792
793 @example
794 (setq a '(x y))
795 (setcar a a)
796 @end example
797
798 @noindent
799 Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The
800 @samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label
801 @samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labeled
802 structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or
803 vectors.
804
805 @defopt edebug-print-circle
806 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug binds @code{print-circle} to this value while
807 printing results. The default value is @code{t}.
808 @end defopt
809
810 Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el}
811 for details.
812
813 @node Trace Buffer
814 @subsection Trace Buffer
815 @cindex trace buffer
816
817 Edebug can record an execution trace, storing it in a buffer named
818 @samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns,
819 showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable
820 trace recording, set @code{edebug-trace} to a non-@code{nil} value.
821
822 Making a trace buffer is not the same thing as using trace execution
823 mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}).
824
825 When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds
826 lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record consists of
827 @samp{::::@{}, followed by the function name and argument values. A
828 function exit record consists of @samp{::::@}}, followed by the function
829 name and result of the function.
830
831 The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You
832 can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or
833 end of function calls.
834
835 @findex edebug-print-trace-before
836 @findex edebug-print-trace-after
837 You can customize trace recording for function entry and exit by
838 redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and
839 @code{edebug-print-trace-after}.
840
841 @defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{}
842 This macro requests additional trace information around the execution
843 of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text
844 to put in the trace buffer, after the @samp{@{} or @samp{@}}. All
845 the arguments are evaluated, and @code{edebug-tracing} returns the
846 value of the last form in @var{body}.
847 @end defmac
848
849 @defun edebug-trace format-string &rest format-args
850 This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text
851 with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}.
852 It also appends a newline to separate entries.
853 @end defun
854
855 @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the
856 trace buffer whenever they are called, even if Edebug is not active.
857 Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the last
858 lines inserted.
859
860 @node Coverage Testing
861 @subsection Coverage Testing
862
863 @cindex coverage testing (Edebug)
864 @cindex frequency counts
865 @cindex performance analysis
866 Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution
867 frequency.
868
869 Coverage testing works by comparing the result of each expression with
870 the previous result; each form in the program is considered ``covered''
871 if it has returned two different values since you began testing coverage
872 in the current Emacs session. Thus, to do coverage testing on your
873 program, execute it under various conditions and note whether it behaves
874 correctly; Edebug will tell you when you have tried enough different
875 conditions that each form has returned two different values.
876
877 Coverage testing makes execution slower, so it is only done if
878 @code{edebug-test-coverage} is non-@code{nil}. Frequency counting is
879 performed for all executions of an instrumented function, even if the
880 execution mode is Go-nonstop, and regardless of whether coverage testing
881 is enabled.
882
883 @kindex C-x X =
884 @findex edebug-temp-display-freq-count
885 Use @kbd{C-x X =} (@code{edebug-display-freq-count}) to display both
886 the coverage information and the frequency counts for a definition.
887 Just @kbd{=} (@code{edebug-temp-display-freq-count}) displays the same
888 information temporarily, only until you type another key.
889
890 @deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count
891 This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the
892 current definition.
893
894 It inserts frequency counts as comment lines after each line of code.
895 You can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The counts
896 appear under the @samp{(} before an expression or the @samp{)} after
897 an expression, or on the last character of a variable. To simplify
898 the display, a count is not shown if it is equal to the count of an
899 earlier expression on the same line.
900
901 The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that
902 the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated.
903 In other words, it is not yet ``covered'' for coverage testing purposes.
904
905 To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition,
906 simply reinstrument it with @code{eval-defun}.
907 @end deffn
908
909 For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source
910 breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when
911 the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this:
912
913 @example
914 (defun fac (n)
915 (if (= n 0) (edebug))
916 ;#6 1 = =5
917 (if (< 0 n)
918 ;#5 =
919 (* n (fac (1- n)))
920 ;# 5 0
921 1))
922 ;# 0
923 @end example
924
925 The comment lines show that @code{fac} was called 6 times. The
926 first @code{if} statement returned 5 times with the same result each
927 time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}.
928 The recursive call of @code{fac} did not return at all.
929
930
931 @node The Outside Context
932 @subsection The Outside Context
933
934 Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it
935 does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when
936 you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list
937 buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section
938 explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to
939 be completely transparent.
940
941 @menu
942 * Checking Whether to Stop:: When Edebug decides what to do.
943 * Edebug Display Update:: When Edebug updates the display.
944 * Edebug Recursive Edit:: When Edebug stops execution.
945 @end menu
946
947 @node Checking Whether to Stop
948 @subsubsection Checking Whether to Stop
949
950 Whenever Edebug is entered, it needs to save and restore certain data
951 before even deciding whether to make trace information or stop the
952 program.
953
954 @itemize @bullet
955 @item
956 @code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both
957 increased to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. You could, however,
958 still run out of stack space when using Edebug.
959
960 @item
961 The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While
962 Edebug is active, @code{executing-kbd-macro} is bound to @code{nil}
963 unless @code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} is non-@code{nil}.
964 @end itemize
965
966
967 @node Edebug Display Update
968 @subsubsection Edebug Display Update
969
970 @c This paragraph is not filled, because LaLiberte's conversion script
971 @c needs an xref to be on just one line.
972 When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves
973 the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug
974 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). When you exit Edebug (by continuing
975 the program), it restores the previous window configuration.
976
977 Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue
978 execution, the program re-enters Edebug at a breakpoint or after
979 stepping, without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases,
980 Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration.
981 Consequently, what you see is the same window configuration as the last
982 time Edebug was active, with no interruption.
983
984 Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the
985 following data (though some of them are deliberately not restored if an
986 error or quit signal occurs).
987
988 @itemize @bullet
989 @item
990 @cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug)
991 Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the
992 current buffer, are saved and restored.
993
994 @item
995 @cindex window configuration (Edebug)
996 The outside window configuration is saved and restored if
997 @code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Options}).
998
999 The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the
1000 outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in
1001 case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of
1002 @code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved
1003 and restored.
1004
1005 The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are
1006 not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug.
1007
1008 @item
1009 The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if
1010 @code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}.
1011
1012 @item
1013 The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and
1014 @code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored, so you can safely
1015 invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer.
1016
1017 @item
1018 @code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that
1019 the cursor shows up in the window.
1020 @end itemize
1021
1022 @node Edebug Recursive Edit
1023 @subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit
1024
1025 When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it
1026 saves (and later restores) these additional data:
1027
1028 @itemize @bullet
1029 @item
1030 The current match data. @xref{Match Data}.
1031
1032 @item
1033 The variables @code{last-command}, @code{this-command},
1034 @code{last-input-event}, @code{last-command-event},
1035 @code{last-event-frame}, @code{last-nonmenu-event}, and
1036 @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within Edebug do not affect these
1037 variables outside of Edebug.
1038
1039 Executing commands within Edebug can change the key sequence that
1040 would be returned by @code{this-command-keys}, and there is no way to
1041 reset the key sequence from Lisp.
1042
1043 Edebug cannot save and restore the value of
1044 @code{unread-command-events}. Entering Edebug while this variable has a
1045 nontrivial value can interfere with execution of the program you are
1046 debugging.
1047
1048 @item
1049 Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable
1050 @code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution.
1051
1052 @item
1053 Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion
1054 depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated
1055 evaluation list window.
1056
1057 @item
1058 @code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil}
1059 by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during
1060 evaluations.
1061
1062 @item
1063 The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While
1064 Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to
1065 @code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}.
1066 @end itemize
1067
1068 @node Edebug and Macros
1069 @subsection Edebug and Macros
1070
1071 To make Edebug properly instrument expressions that call macros, some
1072 extra care is needed. This subsection explains the details.
1073
1074 @menu
1075 * Instrumenting Macro Calls:: The basic problem.
1076 * Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation.
1077 * Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails.
1078 * Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications.
1079 @end menu
1080
1081 @node Instrumenting Macro Calls
1082 @subsubsection Instrumenting Macro Calls
1083
1084 When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs
1085 additional information about the macro to do the job properly. This is
1086 because there is no a-priori way to tell which subexpressions of the
1087 macro call are forms to be evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly
1088 in the macro body, or when the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any
1089 time later.)
1090
1091 Therefore, you must define an Edebug specification for each macro
1092 that Edebug will encounter, to explain the format of calls to that
1093 macro. To do this, add a @code{debug} declaration to the macro
1094 definition. Here is a simple example that shows the specification for
1095 the @code{for} example macro (@pxref{Argument Evaluation}).
1096
1097 @smallexample
1098 (defmacro for (var from init to final do &rest body)
1099 "Execute a simple \"for\" loop.
1100 For example, (for i from 1 to 10 do (print i))."
1101 (declare (debug (symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form)))
1102 ...)
1103 @end smallexample
1104
1105 The Edebug specification says which parts of a call to the macro are
1106 forms to be evaluated. For simple macros, the specification
1107 often looks very similar to the formal argument list of the macro
1108 definition, but specifications are much more general than macro
1109 arguments. @xref{Defining Macros}, for more explanation of
1110 the @code{declare} form.
1111
1112 You can also define an edebug specification for a macro separately
1113 from the macro definition with @code{def-edebug-spec}. Adding
1114 @code{debug} declarations is preferred, and more convenient, for macro
1115 definitions in Lisp, but @code{def-edebug-spec} makes it possible to
1116 define Edebug specifications for special forms implemented in C.
1117
1118 @deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification
1119 Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be
1120 evaluated. @var{specification} should be the edebug specification.
1121 Neither argument is evaluated.
1122
1123 The @var{macro} argument can actually be any symbol, not just a macro
1124 name.
1125 @end deffn
1126
1127 Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each
1128 directs processing of arguments.
1129
1130 @table @asis
1131 @item @code{t}
1132 All arguments are instrumented for evaluation.
1133
1134 @item @code{0}
1135 None of the arguments is instrumented.
1136
1137 @item a symbol
1138 The symbol must have an Edebug specification, which is used instead.
1139 This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is
1140 found. This allows you to inherit the specification from another macro.
1141
1142 @item a list
1143 The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a
1144 calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are
1145 described in the following sections.
1146 @end table
1147
1148 If a macro has no Edebug specification, neither through a @code{debug}
1149 declaration nor through a @code{def-edebug-spec} call, the variable
1150 @code{edebug-eval-macro-args} comes into play.
1151
1152 @defopt edebug-eval-macro-args
1153 This controls the way Edebug treats macro arguments with no explicit
1154 Edebug specification. If it is @code{nil} (the default), none of the
1155 arguments is instrumented for evaluation. Otherwise, all arguments
1156 are instrumented.
1157 @end defopt
1158
1159 @node Specification List
1160 @subsubsection Specification List
1161
1162 @cindex Edebug specification list
1163 A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if
1164 some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some
1165 elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others
1166 modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called
1167 @dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such
1168 as @code{&optional}).
1169
1170 A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are
1171 themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists
1172 and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of
1173 levels. Specification keywords apply only to the remainder of the
1174 sublist or group they are contained in.
1175
1176 When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching
1177 it against an actual macro call may require backtracking. For more
1178 details, @pxref{Backtracking}.
1179
1180 Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching,
1181 plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with
1182 balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via
1183 indirect specifications.
1184
1185 Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with
1186 their meanings (see @ref{Specification Examples}, for the referenced
1187 examples):
1188
1189 @table @code
1190 @item sexp
1191 A single unevaluated Lisp object, which is not instrumented.
1192 @c an "expression" is not necessarily intended for evaluation.
1193
1194 @item form
1195 A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented.
1196
1197 @item place
1198 @c I can't see that this index entry is useful without any explanation.
1199 @c @findex edebug-unwrap
1200 A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct.
1201
1202 @item body
1203 Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below.
1204
1205 @item function-form
1206 A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda
1207 expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or
1208 lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda
1209 expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than
1210 @code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression
1211 either way.
1212
1213 @item lambda-expr
1214 A lambda expression with no quoting.
1215
1216 @item &optional
1217 @c @kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)}
1218 All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon
1219 as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level.
1220
1221 To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements,
1222 use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several
1223 elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional
1224 [@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example.
1225
1226 @item &rest
1227 @c @kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)}
1228 All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or
1229 more times. In the last repetition, however, it is not a problem if the
1230 expression runs out before matching all of the elements of the
1231 specification list.
1232
1233 To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1234 To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use
1235 @code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}.
1236
1237 @item &or
1238 @c @kindex &or @r{(Edebug)}
1239 Each of the following elements in the specification list is an
1240 alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or}
1241 specification fails.
1242
1243 Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To
1244 group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in
1245 @code{[@dots{}]}.
1246
1247 @item &not
1248 @c @kindex &not @r{(Edebug)}
1249 Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using
1250 @code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none
1251 of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{&not} specification
1252 succeeds.
1253
1254 @item &define
1255 @c @kindex &define @r{(Edebug)}
1256 Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining
1257 form itself is not instrumented (that is, Edebug does not stop before and
1258 after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be
1259 instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in
1260 a list specification.
1261
1262 @item nil
1263 This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the
1264 current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist
1265 specifications and the backquote example.
1266
1267 @item gate
1268 @cindex preventing backtracking
1269 No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled
1270 while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This
1271 is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See
1272 @ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example.
1273
1274 @item @var{other-symbol}
1275 @cindex indirect specifications
1276 Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an
1277 indirect specification.
1278
1279 If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect
1280 specification} should be either a list specification that is used in
1281 place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the
1282 arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec}
1283 just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example.
1284
1285 Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called
1286 with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns
1287 @code{nil}, and the argument is not instrumented.
1288
1289 Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp},
1290 @code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}.
1291
1292 @item [@var{elements}@dots{}]
1293 @cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug)
1294 A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group
1295 specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors.
1296
1297 @item "@var{string}"
1298 The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification
1299 is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name
1300 of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred.
1301
1302 @item (vector @var{elements}@dots{})
1303 The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the
1304 @var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example.
1305
1306 @item (@var{elements}@dots{})
1307 Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be
1308 a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}.
1309
1310 @cindex dotted lists (Edebug)
1311 A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list
1312 argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a
1313 dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a
1314 grouping or an indirect specification, e.g., @code{(spec . [(more
1315 specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments.
1316 This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote
1317 example. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification
1318 above for terminating such recursion.
1319
1320 Note that a sublist specification written as @code{(specs . nil)}
1321 is equivalent to @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs .
1322 (sublist-elements@dots{}))} is equivalent to @code{(specs
1323 sublist-elements@dots{})}.
1324 @end table
1325
1326 @c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol
1327
1328 Here is a list of additional specifications that may appear only after
1329 @code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example.
1330
1331 @table @code
1332 @item name
1333 The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form.
1334
1335 A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have
1336 multiple name fields.
1337
1338 @item :name
1339 This construct does not actually match an argument. The element
1340 following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional
1341 name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique,
1342 static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more
1343 than once.
1344
1345 @item arg
1346 The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form.
1347 However, lambda-list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{&})
1348 are not allowed.
1349
1350 @item lambda-list
1351 @cindex lambda-list (Edebug)
1352 This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression.
1353
1354 @item def-body
1355 The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like
1356 @code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented
1357 with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with
1358 the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms
1359 within the definition.
1360
1361 @item def-form
1362 The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is
1363 like @code{def-body}, except it is used to match a single form rather than
1364 a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that
1365 tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the
1366 @code{interactive} example.
1367 @end table
1368
1369 @node Backtracking
1370 @subsubsection Backtracking in Specifications
1371
1372 @cindex backtracking
1373 @cindex syntax error (Edebug)
1374 If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not
1375 necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead,
1376 @dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been
1377 exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be
1378 matched by some element in the specification, and every required element
1379 in the specification must match some argument.
1380
1381 When a syntax error is detected, it might not be reported until much
1382 later, after higher-level alternatives have been exhausted, and with the
1383 point positioned further from the real error. But if backtracking is
1384 disabled when an error occurs, it can be reported immediately. Note
1385 that backtracking is also reenabled automatically in several situations;
1386 when a new alternative is established by @code{&optional},
1387 @code{&rest}, or @code{&or}, or at the start of processing a sublist,
1388 group, or indirect specification. The effect of enabling or disabling
1389 backtracking is limited to the remainder of the level currently being
1390 processed and lower levels.
1391
1392 Backtracking is disabled while matching any of the
1393 form specifications (that is, @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and
1394 @code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error
1395 must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level.
1396
1397 Backtracking is also disabled after successfully matching a quoted
1398 symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a
1399 recognized construct. But if you have a set of alternative constructs that
1400 all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this
1401 constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g.,
1402 @code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}.
1403
1404 Most needs are satisfied by these two ways that backtracking is
1405 automatically disabled, but occasionally it is useful to explicitly
1406 disable backtracking by using the @code{gate} specification. This is
1407 useful when you know that no higher alternatives could apply. See the
1408 example of the @code{let} specification.
1409
1410 @node Specification Examples
1411 @subsubsection Specification Examples
1412
1413 It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying
1414 the examples provided here.
1415
1416 A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each
1417 of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and
1418 optional expression. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate}
1419 inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found.
1420
1421 @c FIXME? The actual definition in edebug.el does not have a gate.
1422 @example
1423 (def-edebug-spec let
1424 ((&rest
1425 &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form))
1426 body))
1427 @end example
1428
1429 Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and the
1430 associated argument list and @code{interactive} specifications. It is
1431 necessary to handle interactive forms specially since an expression
1432 argument is actually evaluated outside of the function body. (The
1433 specification for @code{defmacro} is very similar to that for
1434 @code{defun}, but allows for the @code{declare} statement.)
1435
1436 @smallexample
1437 (def-edebug-spec defun
1438 (&define name lambda-list
1439 [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.}
1440 [&optional ("interactive" interactive)]
1441 def-body))
1442
1443 (def-edebug-spec lambda-list
1444 (([&rest arg]
1445 [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]]
1446 &optional ["&rest" arg]
1447 )))
1448
1449 (def-edebug-spec interactive
1450 (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}}
1451 @end smallexample
1452
1453 The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match
1454 dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also
1455 illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual
1456 specification defined by Edebug is a little different, and does not
1457 support dotted lists because doing so causes very deep recursion that
1458 could fail.)
1459
1460 @smallexample
1461 (def-edebug-spec \` (backquote-form)) ; @r{Alias just for clarity.}
1462
1463 (def-edebug-spec backquote-form
1464 (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form)
1465 (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form])
1466 (vector &rest backquote-form)
1467 sexp))
1468 @end smallexample
1469
1470
1471 @node Edebug Options
1472 @subsection Edebug Options
1473
1474 These options affect the behavior of Edebug:
1475 @c Previously defopt'd:
1476 @c edebug-sit-for-seconds, edebug-print-length, edebug-print-level
1477 @c edebug-print-circle, edebug-eval-macro-args
1478
1479 @defopt edebug-setup-hook
1480 Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new
1481 value, Edebug will call those functions once and then
1482 @code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to
1483 load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using
1484 but only when you also use Edebug.
1485 @xref{Instrumenting}.
1486 @end defopt
1487
1488 @defopt edebug-all-defs
1489 If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as
1490 @code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This
1491 applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer},
1492 and @code{eval-current-buffer}.
1493
1494 Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-defs} to toggle the value of this
1495 option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
1496 @end defopt
1497
1498 @defopt edebug-all-forms
1499 If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun},
1500 @code{eval-region}, @code{eval-buffer}, and @code{eval-current-buffer}
1501 instrument all forms, even those that don't define anything.
1502 This doesn't apply to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer.
1503
1504 Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this
1505 option. @xref{Instrumenting}.
1506 @end defopt
1507
1508 @defopt edebug-save-windows
1509 If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window
1510 configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care
1511 what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this
1512 variable to @code{nil}.
1513
1514 If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and
1515 restored.
1516
1517 You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable
1518 interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1519 @end defopt
1520
1521 @defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points
1522 If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all
1523 displayed buffers.
1524
1525 Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are
1526 debugging code that changes the point of a buffer that is displayed in
1527 a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window,
1528 point in that buffer will move to the window's value of point.
1529
1530 Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it
1531 requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need
1532 it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}.
1533 @end defopt
1534
1535 @defopt edebug-initial-mode
1536 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution
1537 mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are
1538 @code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace},
1539 @code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}.
1540
1541 The default value is @code{step}.
1542 @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1543 @end defopt
1544
1545 @defopt edebug-trace
1546 If this is non-@code{nil}, trace each function entry and exit.
1547 Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one
1548 function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level.
1549
1550 Also see @code{edebug-tracing}, in @ref{Trace Buffer}.
1551 @end defopt
1552
1553 @defopt edebug-test-coverage
1554 If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged.
1555 @xref{Coverage Testing}.
1556 @end defopt
1557
1558 @defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro
1559 If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro
1560 that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not
1561 debugged.
1562 @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}.
1563 @end defopt
1564
1565 @c FIXME edebug-unwrap-results
1566
1567 @defopt edebug-on-error
1568 Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if
1569 @code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1570 Errors}.
1571 @end defopt
1572
1573 @defopt edebug-on-quit
1574 Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if
1575 @code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping
1576 Errors}.
1577 @end defopt
1578
1579 If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or
1580 @code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used
1581 until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked via a new command.
1582 @c Not necessarily a deeper command level.
1583 @c A new command is not precisely true, but that is close enough -- dan
1584
1585 @defopt edebug-global-break-condition
1586 If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. If
1587 the result is non-@code{nil}, then break. Errors are ignored.
1588 @xref{Global Break Condition}.
1589 @end defopt