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1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001,
3 @c 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
6 @node Building, Maintaining, Programs, Top
7 @chapter Compiling and Testing Programs
8 @cindex building programs
9 @cindex program building
10 @cindex running Lisp functions
11
12 The previous chapter discusses the Emacs commands that are useful for
13 making changes in programs. This chapter deals with commands that assist
14 in the larger process of compiling and testing programs.
15
16 @menu
17 * Compilation:: Compiling programs in languages other
18 than Lisp (C, Pascal, etc.).
19 * Compilation Mode:: The mode for visiting compiler errors.
20 * Compilation Shell:: Customizing your shell properly
21 for use in the compilation buffer.
22 * Grep Searching:: Searching with grep.
23 * Flymake:: Finding syntax errors on the fly.
24 * Debuggers:: Running symbolic debuggers for non-Lisp programs.
25 * Executing Lisp:: Various modes for editing Lisp programs,
26 with different facilities for running
27 the Lisp programs.
28 * Libraries: Lisp Libraries. Creating Lisp programs to run in Emacs.
29 * Eval: Lisp Eval. Executing a single Lisp expression in Emacs.
30 * Interaction: Lisp Interaction. Executing Lisp in an Emacs buffer.
31 * External Lisp:: Communicating through Emacs with a separate Lisp.
32 @end menu
33
34 @node Compilation
35 @section Running Compilations under Emacs
36 @cindex inferior process
37 @cindex make
38 @cindex compilation errors
39 @cindex error log
40
41 Emacs can run compilers for noninteractive languages such as C and
42 Fortran as inferior processes, feeding the error log into an Emacs buffer.
43 It can also parse the error messages and show you the source lines where
44 compilation errors occurred.
45
46 @table @kbd
47 @item M-x compile
48 Run a compiler asynchronously under Emacs, with error messages going to
49 the @samp{*compilation*} buffer.
50 @item M-x recompile
51 Invoke a compiler with the same command as in the last invocation of
52 @kbd{M-x compile}.
53 @item M-x kill-compilation
54 Kill the running compilation subprocess.
55 @end table
56
57 @findex compile
58 To run @code{make} or another compilation command, do @kbd{M-x
59 compile}. This command reads a shell command line using the minibuffer,
60 and then executes the command in an inferior shell, putting output in
61 the buffer named @samp{*compilation*}. The current buffer's default
62 directory is used as the working directory for the execution of the
63 command; normally, therefore, the compilation happens in this
64 directory.
65
66 @vindex compile-command
67 The default for the compilation command is normally @samp{make -k},
68 which is correct most of the time for nontrivial programs.
69 @xref{Top,, Make, make, GNU Make Manual}. If you have done @kbd{M-x
70 compile} before, the default each time is the command you used the
71 previous time. @code{compile} stores this command in the variable
72 @code{compile-command}, so setting that variable specifies the default
73 for the next use of @kbd{M-x compile}. If a file specifies a file
74 local value for @code{compile-command}, that provides the default when
75 you type @kbd{M-x compile} in that file's buffer. @xref{File
76 Variables}.
77
78 Starting a compilation displays the buffer @samp{*compilation*} in
79 another window but does not select it. The buffer's mode line tells
80 you whether compilation is finished, with the word @samp{run},
81 @samp{signal} or @samp{exit} inside the parentheses. You do not have
82 to keep this buffer visible; compilation continues in any case. While
83 a compilation is going on, the string @samp{Compiling} appears in the
84 mode lines of all windows. When this string disappears, the
85 compilation is finished.
86
87 If you want to watch the compilation transcript as it appears, switch
88 to the @samp{*compilation*} buffer and move point to the end of the
89 buffer. When point is at the end, new compilation output is inserted
90 above point, which remains at the end. If point is not at the end of
91 the buffer, it remains fixed while more compilation output is added at
92 the end of the buffer.
93
94 @cindex compilation buffer, keeping point at end
95 @vindex compilation-scroll-output
96 If you change the variable @code{compilation-scroll-output} to a
97 non-@code{nil} value, the compilation buffer will scroll automatically
98 to follow the output as it comes in. If the value is
99 @code{first-error}, the scrolling stops at the first error that
100 appears, leaving point at that error. For any other non-@code{nil}
101 value, the buffer continues scrolling until there is no more output.
102
103 @findex recompile
104 To rerun the last compilation with the same command, type @kbd{M-x
105 recompile}. This automatically reuses the compilation command from
106 the last invocation of @kbd{M-x compile}. It also reuses the
107 @samp{*compilation*} buffer and starts the compilation in its default
108 directory, which is the directory in which the previous compilation
109 was started.
110
111 When the compiler process terminates, for whatever reason, the mode
112 line of the @samp{*compilation*} buffer changes to say @samp{exit}
113 (followed by the exit code, @samp{[0]} for a normal exit), or
114 @samp{signal} (if a signal terminated the process), instead of
115 @samp{run}.
116
117 @findex kill-compilation
118 Starting a new compilation also kills any compilation already
119 running in @samp{*compilation*}, as the buffer can only handle one
120 compilation at any time. However, @kbd{M-x compile} asks for
121 confirmation before actually killing a compilation that is running.
122 You can also kill the compilation process with @kbd{M-x
123 kill-compilation}.
124
125 If you want to run two compilations at once, you should start the
126 first one, then rename the @samp{*compilation*} buffer (perhaps using
127 @code{rename-uniquely}; @pxref{Misc Buffer}), and start the other
128 compilation. That will create a new @samp{*compilation*} buffer.
129
130 Emacs does not expect a compiler process to launch asynchronous
131 subprocesses; if it does, and they keep running after the main
132 compiler process has terminated, Emacs may kill them or their output
133 may not arrive in Emacs. To avoid this problem, make the main process
134 wait for its subprocesses to finish. In a shell script, you can do this
135 using @samp{$!} and @samp{wait}, like this:
136
137 @example
138 (sleep 10; echo 2nd)& pid=$! # @r{Record pid of subprocess}
139 echo first message
140 wait $pid # @r{Wait for subprocess}
141 @end example
142
143 If the background process does not output to the compilation buffer,
144 so you only need to prevent it from being killed when the main
145 compilation process terminates, this is sufficient:
146
147 @example
148 nohup @var{command}; sleep 1
149 @end example
150
151 @vindex compilation-environment
152 You can control the environment passed to the compilation command
153 with the variable @code{compilation-environment}. Its value is a list
154 of environment variable settings; each element should be a string of
155 the form @code{"@var{envvarname}=@var{value}"}. These environment
156 variable settings override the usual ones.
157
158 @node Compilation Mode
159 @section Compilation Mode
160
161 @cindex Compilation mode
162 @cindex mode, Compilation
163 The @samp{*compilation*} buffer uses a special major mode,
164 Compilation mode, whose main feature is to provide a convenient way to
165 visit the source line corresponding to an error message. These
166 commands are also available in other special buffers that list
167 locations in files, including those made by @kbd{M-x grep} and
168 @kbd{M-x occur}.
169
170 @table @kbd
171 @item M-g M-n
172 @itemx M-g n
173 @itemx C-x `
174 Visit the locus of the next error message or match.
175 @item M-g M-p
176 @itemx M-g p
177 Visit the locus of the previous error message or match.
178 @item @key{RET}
179 Visit the locus of the error message that point is on.
180 This command is used in the compilation buffer.
181 @item Mouse-2
182 Visit the locus of the error message that you click on.
183 @item M-n
184 Find and highlight the locus of the next error message, without
185 selecting the source buffer.
186 @item M-p
187 Find and highlight the locus of the previous error message, without
188 selecting the source buffer.
189 @item M-@}
190 Move point to the next error for a different file than the current
191 one.
192 @item M-@{
193 Move point to the previous error for a different file than the current
194 one.
195 @item C-c C-f
196 Toggle Next Error Follow minor mode, which makes cursor motion in the
197 compilation buffer produce automatic source display.
198 @end table
199
200 @findex compile-goto-error
201 @vindex compilation-auto-jump-to-first-error
202 You can visit the source for any particular error message by moving
203 point in the @samp{*compilation*} buffer to that error message and
204 typing @key{RET} (@code{compile-goto-error}). Alternatively, you can
205 click @kbd{Mouse-2} on the error message; you need not switch to the
206 @samp{*compilation*} buffer first. If you set the variable
207 @code{compilation-auto-jump-to-first-error} to a non-@code{nil} value,
208 Emacs automatically jumps to the first error, if any, as soon as it
209 appears in the @samp{*compilation*} buffer.
210
211 @kindex M-g M-n
212 @kindex M-g n
213 @kindex C-x `
214 @findex next-error
215 @vindex next-error-highlight
216 To parse the compiler error messages sequentially, type @kbd{C-x `}
217 (@code{next-error}). The character following the @kbd{C-x} is the
218 backquote or ``grave accent,'' not the single-quote. This command is
219 available in all buffers, not just in @samp{*compilation*}; it
220 displays the next error message at the top of one window and source
221 location of the error in another window. It also temporarily
222 highlights the relevant source line, for a period controlled by the
223 variable @code{next-error-highlight}.
224
225 The first time @w{@kbd{C-x `}} is used after the start of a compilation,
226 it moves to the first error's location. Subsequent uses of @kbd{C-x
227 `} advance down to subsequent errors. If you visit a specific error
228 message with @key{RET} or @kbd{Mouse-2}, subsequent @w{@kbd{C-x `}}
229 commands advance from there. When @w{@kbd{C-x `}} gets to the end of the
230 buffer and finds no more error messages to visit, it fails and signals
231 an Emacs error. @w{@kbd{C-u C-x `}} starts scanning from the beginning of
232 the compilation buffer, and goes to the first error's location.
233
234 @vindex compilation-skip-threshold
235 By default, @w{@kbd{C-x `}} skips less important messages. The variable
236 @code{compilation-skip-threshold} controls this. If its value is 2,
237 @w{@kbd{C-x `}} skips anything less than error, 1 skips anything less
238 than warning, and 0 doesn't skip any messages. The default is 1.
239
240 When the window has a left fringe, an arrow in the fringe points to
241 the current message in the compilation buffer. The variable
242 @code{compilation-context-lines} controls the number of lines of
243 leading context to display before the current message. Going to an
244 error message location scrolls the @samp{*compilation*} buffer to put
245 the message that far down from the top. The value @code{nil} is
246 special: if there's a left fringe, the window doesn't scroll at all
247 if the message is already visible. If there is no left fringe,
248 @code{nil} means display the message at the top of the window.
249
250 If you're not in the compilation buffer when you run
251 @code{next-error}, Emacs will look for a buffer that contains error
252 messages. First, it looks for one displayed in the selected frame,
253 then for one that previously had @code{next-error} called on it, and
254 then at the current buffer. Finally, Emacs looks at all the remaining
255 buffers. @code{next-error} signals an error if it can't find any such
256 buffer.
257
258 @vindex compilation-error-regexp-alist
259 @vindex grep-regexp-alist
260 To parse messages from the compiler, Compilation mode uses the
261 variable @code{compilation-error-regexp-alist} which lists various
262 formats of error messages and tells Emacs how to extract the source file
263 and the line number from the text of a message. If your compiler isn't
264 supported, you can tailor Compilation mode to it by adding elements to
265 that list. A similar variable @code{grep-regexp-alist} tells Emacs how
266 to parse output of a @code{grep} command.
267
268 @findex compilation-next-error
269 @findex compilation-previous-error
270 @findex compilation-next-file
271 @findex compilation-previous-file
272 Compilation mode also redefines the keys @key{SPC} and @key{DEL} to
273 scroll by screenfuls, and @kbd{M-n} (@code{compilation-next-error})
274 and @kbd{M-p} (@code{compilation-previous-error}) to move to the next
275 or previous error message. You can also use @kbd{M-@{}
276 (@code{compilation-next-file} and @kbd{M-@}}
277 (@code{compilation-previous-file}) to move up or down to an error
278 message for a different source file.
279
280 @cindex Next Error Follow mode
281 @findex next-error-follow-minor-mode
282 You can type @kbd{C-c C-f} to toggle Next Error Follow mode. In
283 this minor mode, ordinary cursor motion in the compilation buffer
284 automatically updates the source buffer. For instance, moving the
285 cursor to the next error message causes the location of that error to
286 be displayed immediately.
287
288 The features of Compilation mode are also available in a minor mode
289 called Compilation Minor mode. This lets you parse error messages in
290 any buffer, not just a normal compilation output buffer. Type @kbd{M-x
291 compilation-minor-mode} to enable the minor mode. This defines the keys
292 @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}, as in the Compilation major mode.
293
294 Compilation minor mode works in any buffer, as long as the contents
295 are in a format that it understands. In an Rlogin buffer (@pxref{Remote
296 Host}), Compilation minor mode automatically accesses remote source
297 files by FTP (@pxref{File Names}).
298
299 @node Compilation Shell
300 @section Subshells for Compilation
301
302 Emacs uses a shell to run the compilation command, but specifies the
303 option for a noninteractive shell. This means, in particular, that
304 the shell should start with no prompt. If you find your usual shell
305 prompt making an unsightly appearance in the @samp{*compilation*}
306 buffer, it means you have made a mistake in your shell's init file by
307 setting the prompt unconditionally. (This init file's name may be
308 @file{.bashrc}, @file{.profile}, @file{.cshrc}, @file{.shrc}, or
309 various other things, depending on the shell you use.) The shell init
310 file should set the prompt only if there already is a prompt. Here's
311 how to do it in bash:
312
313 @example
314 if [ "$@{PS1+set@}" = set ]
315 then PS1=@dots{}
316 fi
317 @end example
318
319 @noindent
320 And here's how to do it in csh:
321
322 @example
323 if ($?prompt) set prompt = @dots{}
324 @end example
325
326 There may well be other things that your shell's init file
327 ought to do only for an interactive shell. You can use the same
328 method to conditionalize them.
329
330 The MS-DOS ``operating system'' does not support asynchronous
331 subprocesses; to work around this lack, @kbd{M-x compile} runs the
332 compilation command synchronously on MS-DOS. As a consequence, you must
333 wait until the command finishes before you can do anything else in
334 Emacs.
335 @iftex
336 @inforef{MS-DOS,,emacs-xtra}.
337 @end iftex
338 @ifnottex
339 @xref{MS-DOS}.
340 @end ifnottex
341
342 @node Grep Searching
343 @section Searching with Grep under Emacs
344
345 Just as you can run a compiler from Emacs and then visit the lines
346 with compilation errors, you can also run @code{grep} and then visit
347 the lines on which matches were found. This works by treating the
348 matches reported by @code{grep} as if they were ``errors.'' The
349 buffer of matches uses Grep mode, which is a variant of Compilation
350 mode (@pxref{Compilation Mode}).
351
352 @table @kbd
353 @item M-x grep
354 @itemx M-x lgrep
355 Run @code{grep} asynchronously under Emacs, with matching lines
356 listed in the buffer named @samp{*grep*}.
357 @item M-x grep-find
358 @itemx M-x find-grep
359 @itemx M-x rgrep
360 Run @code{grep} via @code{find}, and collect output in the buffer
361 named @samp{*grep*}.
362 @item M-x zrgrep
363 Run @code{zgrep} and collect output in the buffer named @samp{*grep*}.
364 @item M-x kill-grep
365 Kill the running @code{grep} subprocess.
366 @end table
367
368 @findex grep
369 To run @code{grep}, type @kbd{M-x grep}, then enter a command line
370 that specifies how to run @code{grep}. Use the same arguments you
371 would give @code{grep} when running it normally: a @code{grep}-style
372 regexp (usually in single-quotes to quote the shell's special
373 characters) followed by file names, which may use wildcards. If you
374 specify a prefix argument for @kbd{M-x grep}, it finds the tag
375 (@pxref{Tags}) in the buffer around point, and puts that into the
376 default @code{grep} command.
377
378 Your command need not simply run @code{grep}; you can use any shell
379 command that produces output in the same format. For instance, you
380 can chain @code{grep} commands, like this:
381
382 @example
383 grep -nH -e foo *.el | grep bar | grep toto
384 @end example
385
386 The output from @code{grep} goes in the @samp{*grep*} buffer. You
387 can find the corresponding lines in the original files using @w{@kbd{C-x
388 `}}, @key{RET}, and so forth, just like compilation errors.
389
390 Some grep programs accept a @samp{--color} option to output special
391 markers around matches for the purpose of highlighting. You can make
392 use of this feature by setting @code{grep-highlight-matches} to
393 @code{t}. When displaying a match in the source buffer, the exact
394 match will be highlighted, instead of the entire source line.
395
396 @findex grep-find
397 @findex find-grep
398 The command @kbd{M-x grep-find} (also available as @kbd{M-x
399 find-grep}) is similar to @kbd{M-x grep}, but it supplies a different
400 initial default for the command---one that runs both @code{find} and
401 @code{grep}, so as to search every file in a directory tree. See also
402 the @code{find-grep-dired} command, in @ref{Dired and Find}.
403
404 @findex lgrep
405 @findex rgrep
406 @findex zrgrep
407 The commands @kbd{M-x lgrep} (local grep) and @kbd{M-x rgrep}
408 (recursive grep) are more user-friendly versions of @code{grep} and
409 @code{grep-find}, which prompt separately for the regular expression
410 to match, the files to search, and the base directory for the search.
411 Case sensitivity of the search is controlled by the current value of
412 @code{case-fold-search}. The command @kbd{M-x zrgrep} is similar to
413 @code{rgrep}, but it calls @code{zgrep} instead of @code{grep} to
414 search the contents of gzipped files.
415
416 These commands build the shell commands based on the variables
417 @code{grep-template} (for @code{lgrep}) and @code{grep-find-template}
418 (for @code{rgrep}). The files to search can use aliases defined in
419 the variable @code{grep-files-aliases}.
420
421 Subdirectories listed in the variable
422 @code{grep-find-ignored-directories} such as those typically used by
423 various version control systems, like CVS and arch, are automatically
424 skipped by @code{rgrep}.
425
426 @node Flymake
427 @section Finding Syntax Errors On The Fly
428 @cindex checking syntax
429
430 Flymake mode is a minor mode that performs on-the-fly syntax
431 checking for many programming and markup languages, including C, C++,
432 Perl, HTML, and @TeX{}/La@TeX{}. It is somewhat analogous to Flyspell
433 mode, which performs spell checking for ordinary human languages in a
434 similar fashion (@pxref{Spelling}). As you edit a file, Flymake mode
435 runs an appropriate syntax checking tool in the background, using a
436 temporary copy of the buffer. It then parses the error and warning
437 messages, and highlights the erroneous lines in the buffer. The
438 syntax checking tool used depends on the language; for example, for
439 C/C++ files this is usually the C compiler. Flymake can also use
440 build tools such as @code{make} for checking complicated projects.
441
442 To activate Flymake mode, type @kbd{M-x flymake-mode}. You can move
443 to the errors spotted by Flymake mode with @kbd{M-x
444 flymake-goto-next-error} and @kbd{M-x flymake-goto-prev-error}. To
445 display any error messages associated with the current line, use
446 @kbd{M-x flymake-display-err-menu-for-current-line}.
447
448 For more details about using Flymake, see @ref{Top, Flymake,
449 Flymake, flymake, The Flymake Manual}.
450
451 @node Debuggers
452 @section Running Debuggers Under Emacs
453 @cindex debuggers
454 @cindex GUD library
455 @cindex GDB
456 @cindex DBX
457 @cindex SDB
458 @cindex XDB
459 @cindex Perldb
460 @cindex JDB
461 @cindex PDB
462
463 @c Do you believe in GUD?
464 The GUD (Grand Unified Debugger) library provides an Emacs interface
465 to a wide variety of symbolic debuggers. Unlike the GDB graphical
466 interface, which only runs GDB (@pxref{GDB Graphical Interface}), GUD
467 can also run DBX, SDB, XDB, Perl's debugging mode, the Python debugger
468 PDB, or the Java Debugger JDB.
469
470 In addition, Emacs contains a built-in system for debugging Emacs
471 Lisp programs. @xref{Debugging,, The Lisp Debugger, elisp, the Emacs
472 Lisp Reference Manual}, for information on the Emacs Lisp debugger.
473
474 @menu
475 * Starting GUD:: How to start a debugger subprocess.
476 * Debugger Operation:: Connection between the debugger and source buffers.
477 * Commands of GUD:: Key bindings for common commands.
478 * GUD Customization:: Defining your own commands for GUD.
479 * GDB Graphical Interface:: An enhanced mode that uses GDB features to
480 implement a graphical debugging environment through
481 Emacs.
482 @end menu
483
484 @node Starting GUD
485 @subsection Starting GUD
486
487 There are several commands for starting a debugger under GUD, each
488 corresponding to a particular debugger program.
489
490 @table @kbd
491 @item M-x gdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
492 @findex gdb
493 Run GDB as a subprocess of Emacs. This uses an IDE-like graphical
494 interface; see @ref{GDB Graphical Interface}. Only GDB works with the
495 graphical interface.
496
497 @item M-x gud-gdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
498 @findex gud-gdb
499 Run GDB as a subprocess of Emacs. This command creates a buffer for
500 input and output to GDB, and switches to it. If a GDB buffer already
501 exists, it just switches to that buffer.
502
503 @item M-x dbx @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
504 @findex dbx
505 Run DBX as a subprocess of Emacs. Since Emacs does not implement a
506 graphical interface for DBX, communication with DBX works by typing
507 commands in the GUD interaction buffer. The same is true for all
508 the other supported debuggers.
509
510 @item M-x xdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
511 @findex xdb
512 @vindex gud-xdb-directories
513 Run XDB as a subprocess of Emacs. Use the variable
514 @code{gud-xdb-directories} to specify directories to search for source
515 files.
516
517 @item M-x sdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
518 @findex sdb
519 Run SDB as a subprocess of Emacs.
520
521 Some versions of SDB do not mention source file names in their
522 messages. When you use them, you need to have a valid tags table
523 (@pxref{Tags}) in order for GUD to find functions in the source code.
524 If you have not visited a tags table or the tags table doesn't list
525 one of the functions, you get a message saying @samp{The sdb support
526 requires a valid tags table to work}. If this happens, generate a
527 valid tags table in the working directory and try again.
528
529 @item M-x perldb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
530 @findex perldb
531 Run the Perl interpreter in debug mode to debug @var{file}, a Perl program.
532
533 @item M-x jdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
534 @findex jdb
535 Run the Java debugger to debug @var{file}.
536
537 @item M-x pdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
538 @findex pdb
539 Run the Python debugger to debug @var{file}.
540 @end table
541
542 Each of these commands takes one argument: a command line to invoke
543 the debugger. In the simplest case, specify just the name of the
544 executable file you want to debug. You may also use options that the
545 debugger supports. However, shell wildcards and variables are not
546 allowed. GUD assumes that the first argument not starting with a
547 @samp{-} is the executable file name.
548
549 @cindex remote host, debugging on
550 Tramp provides a facility to debug programs on remote hosts
551 (@pxref{Running a debugger on a remote host, Running a debugger on a
552 remote host,, tramp, The Tramp Manual}), whereby both the debugger and
553 the program being debugged are on the same remote host. This should
554 not be confused with debugging programs remotely, where the program
555 and the debugger run on different machines, as can be done using the
556 GDB remote debugging feature, for example (@pxref{Remote Debugging,,
557 Debugging Remote Programs, gdb, The GNU debugger}).
558
559 @node Debugger Operation
560 @subsection Debugger Operation
561
562 @cindex fringes, and current execution line in GUD
563 Generally when you run a debugger with GUD, the debugger uses an Emacs
564 buffer for its ordinary input and output. This is called the GUD
565 buffer. Input and output from the program you are debugging also use
566 this buffer. We call this @dfn{text command mode}. The GDB Graphical
567 Interface can use further buffers (@pxref{GDB Graphical Interface}).
568
569 The debugger displays the source files of the program by visiting
570 them in Emacs buffers. An arrow in the left fringe indicates the
571 current execution line.@footnote{On a text-only terminal, the arrow
572 appears as @samp{=>} and overlays the first two text columns.} Moving
573 point in this buffer does not move the arrow. The arrow is not part
574 of the file's text; it appears only on the screen.
575
576 You can start editing these source files at any time in the buffers
577 that display them. If you do modify a source file, keep in mind that
578 inserting or deleting lines will throw off the arrow's positioning;
579 GUD has no way of figuring out which line corresponded before your
580 changes to the line number in a debugger message. Also, you'll
581 typically have to recompile and restart the program for your changes
582 to be reflected in the debugger's tables.
583
584 @cindex tooltips with GUD
585 @vindex tooltip-gud-modes
586 @vindex gud-tooltip-mode
587 @vindex gud-tooltip-echo-area
588 The Tooltip facility (@pxref{Tooltips}) provides support for GUD@.
589 You activate this feature by turning on the minor mode
590 @code{gud-tooltip-mode}. Then you can display a variable's value in a
591 tooltip simply by pointing at it with the mouse. This operates in the
592 GUD buffer and in source buffers with major modes in the list
593 @code{gud-tooltip-modes}. If the variable @code{gud-tooltip-echo-area}
594 is non-@code{nil} then the variable's value is displayed in the echo
595 area. When debugging a C program using the GDB Graphical Interface, you
596 can also display macro definitions associated with an identifier when
597 the program is not executing.
598
599 GUD tooltips are disabled when you use GDB in text command mode
600 (@pxref{GDB Graphical Interface}), because displaying an expression's
601 value in GDB can sometimes expand a macro and result in a side effect
602 that interferes with the program's operation. The GDB graphical
603 interface supports GUD tooltips and assures they will not cause side
604 effects.
605
606 @node Commands of GUD
607 @subsection Commands of GUD
608
609 The GUD interaction buffer uses a variant of Shell mode, so the
610 Emacs commands of Shell mode are available (@pxref{Shell Mode}). All
611 the usual commands for your debugger are available, and you can use
612 the Shell mode history commands to repeat them. If you wish, you can
613 control your debugger process entirely through this buffer.
614
615 GUD mode also provides commands for setting and clearing
616 breakpoints, for selecting stack frames, and for stepping through the
617 program. These commands are available both in the GUD buffer and
618 globally, but with different key bindings. It also has its own tool
619 bar from which you can invoke the more common commands by clicking on
620 the appropriate icon. This is particularly useful for repetitive
621 commands like @code{gud-next} and @code{gud-step}, and allows you to
622 keep the GUD buffer hidden.
623
624 The breakpoint commands are normally used in source file buffers,
625 because that is the easiest way to specify where to set or clear the
626 breakpoint. Here's the global command to set a breakpoint:
627
628 @table @kbd
629 @item C-x @key{SPC}
630 @kindex C-x SPC
631 Set a breakpoint on the source line that point is on.
632 @end table
633
634 @kindex C-x C-a @r{(GUD)}
635 Here are the other special commands provided by GUD@. The keys
636 starting with @kbd{C-c} are available only in the GUD interaction
637 buffer. The key bindings that start with @kbd{C-x C-a} are available
638 in the GUD interaction buffer and also in source files. Some of these
639 commands are not available to all the supported debuggers.
640
641 @table @kbd
642 @item C-c C-l
643 @kindex C-c C-l @r{(GUD)}
644 @itemx C-x C-a C-l
645 @findex gud-refresh
646 Display in another window the last line referred to in the GUD
647 buffer (that is, the line indicated in the last location message).
648 This runs the command @code{gud-refresh}.
649
650 @item C-c C-s
651 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(GUD)}
652 @itemx C-x C-a C-s
653 @findex gud-step
654 Execute a single line of code (@code{gud-step}). If the line contains
655 a function call, execution stops after entering the called function.
656
657 @item C-c C-n
658 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(GUD)}
659 @itemx C-x C-a C-n
660 @findex gud-next
661 Execute a single line of code, stepping across entire function calls
662 at full speed (@code{gud-next}).
663
664 @item C-c C-i
665 @kindex C-c C-i @r{(GUD)}
666 @itemx C-x C-a C-i
667 @findex gud-stepi
668 Execute a single machine instruction (@code{gud-stepi}).
669
670 @item C-c C-p
671 @kindex C-c C-p @r{(GUD)}
672 @itemx C-x C-a C-p
673 @findex gud-print
674 Evaluate the expression at point (@code{gud-print}). If Emacs
675 does not print the exact expression that you want, mark it as a region
676 first.
677
678 @need 3000
679 @item C-c C-r
680 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(GUD)}
681 @itemx C-x C-a C-r
682 @findex gud-cont
683 Continue execution without specifying any stopping point. The program
684 will run until it hits a breakpoint, terminates, or gets a signal that
685 the debugger is checking for (@code{gud-cont}).
686
687 @need 1000
688 @item C-c C-d
689 @kindex C-c C-d @r{(GUD)}
690 @itemx C-x C-a C-d
691 @findex gud-remove
692 Delete the breakpoint(s) on the current source line, if any
693 (@code{gud-remove}). If you use this command in the GUD interaction
694 buffer, it applies to the line where the program last stopped.
695
696 @item C-c C-t
697 @kindex C-c C-t @r{(GUD)}
698 @itemx C-x C-a C-t
699 @findex gud-tbreak
700 Set a temporary breakpoint on the current source line, if any
701 (@code{gud-tbreak}). If you use this command in the GUD interaction
702 buffer, it applies to the line where the program last stopped.
703
704 @item C-c <
705 @kindex C-c < @r{(GUD)}
706 @itemx C-x C-a <
707 @findex gud-up
708 Select the next enclosing stack frame (@code{gud-up}). This is
709 equivalent to the GDB command @samp{up}.
710
711 @item C-c >
712 @kindex C-c > @r{(GUD)}
713 @itemx C-x C-a >
714 @findex gud-down
715 Select the next inner stack frame (@code{gud-down}). This is
716 equivalent to the GDB command @samp{down}.
717
718 @item C-c C-u
719 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(GUD)}
720 @itemx C-x C-a C-u
721 @findex gud-until
722 Continue execution to the current line (@code{gud-until}). The
723 program will run until it hits a breakpoint, terminates, gets a signal
724 that the debugger is checking for, or reaches the line on which the
725 cursor currently sits.
726
727 @item C-c C-f
728 @kindex C-c C-f @r{(GUD)}
729 @itemx C-x C-a C-f
730 @findex gud-finish
731 Run the program until the selected stack frame returns or
732 stops for some other reason (@code{gud-finish}).
733 @end table
734
735 If you are using GDB, these additional key bindings are available:
736
737 @table @kbd
738 @item C-x C-a C-j
739 @kindex C-x C-a C-j @r{(GUD)}
740 @findex gud-jump
741 Only useful in a source buffer, @code{gud-jump} transfers the
742 program's execution point to the current line. In other words, the
743 next line that the program executes will be the one where you gave the
744 command. If the new execution line is in a different function from
745 the previously one, GDB prompts for confirmation since the results may
746 be bizarre. See the GDB manual entry regarding @code{jump} for
747 details.
748
749 @item @key{TAB}
750 @kindex TAB @r{(GUD)}
751 @findex gud-gdb-complete-command
752 With GDB, complete a symbol name (@code{gud-gdb-complete-command}).
753 This key is available only in the GUD interaction buffer.
754 @end table
755
756 These commands interpret a numeric argument as a repeat count, when
757 that makes sense.
758
759 Because @key{TAB} serves as a completion command, you can't use it to
760 enter a tab as input to the program you are debugging with GDB.
761 Instead, type @kbd{C-q @key{TAB}} to enter a tab.
762
763 @node GUD Customization
764 @subsection GUD Customization
765
766 @vindex gdb-mode-hook
767 @vindex dbx-mode-hook
768 @vindex sdb-mode-hook
769 @vindex xdb-mode-hook
770 @vindex perldb-mode-hook
771 @vindex pdb-mode-hook
772 @vindex jdb-mode-hook
773 On startup, GUD runs one of the following hooks: @code{gdb-mode-hook},
774 if you are using GDB; @code{dbx-mode-hook}, if you are using DBX;
775 @code{sdb-mode-hook}, if you are using SDB; @code{xdb-mode-hook}, if you
776 are using XDB; @code{perldb-mode-hook}, for Perl debugging mode;
777 @code{pdb-mode-hook}, for PDB; @code{jdb-mode-hook}, for JDB. You can
778 use these hooks to define custom key bindings for the debugger
779 interaction buffer. @xref{Hooks}.
780
781 Here is a convenient way to define a command that sends a particular
782 command string to the debugger, and set up a key binding for it in the
783 debugger interaction buffer:
784
785 @findex gud-def
786 @example
787 (gud-def @var{function} @var{cmdstring} @var{binding} @var{docstring})
788 @end example
789
790 This defines a command named @var{function} which sends
791 @var{cmdstring} to the debugger process, and gives it the documentation
792 string @var{docstring}. You can then use the command @var{function} in any
793 buffer. If @var{binding} is non-@code{nil}, @code{gud-def} also binds
794 the command to @kbd{C-c @var{binding}} in the GUD buffer's mode and to
795 @kbd{C-x C-a @var{binding}} generally.
796
797 The command string @var{cmdstring} may contain certain
798 @samp{%}-sequences that stand for data to be filled in at the time
799 @var{function} is called:
800
801 @table @samp
802 @item %f
803 The name of the current source file. If the current buffer is the GUD
804 buffer, then the ``current source file'' is the file that the program
805 stopped in.
806
807 @item %l
808 The number of the current source line. If the current buffer is the GUD
809 buffer, then the ``current source line'' is the line that the program
810 stopped in.
811
812 @item %e
813 In transient-mark-mode the text in the region, if it is active.
814 Otherwise the text of the C lvalue or function-call expression at or
815 adjacent to point.
816
817 @item %a
818 The text of the hexadecimal address at or adjacent to point.
819
820 @item %p
821 The numeric argument of the called function, as a decimal number. If
822 the command is used without a numeric argument, @samp{%p} stands for the
823 empty string.
824
825 If you don't use @samp{%p} in the command string, the command you define
826 ignores any numeric argument.
827
828 @item %d
829 The name of the directory of the current source file.
830
831 @item %c
832 Fully qualified class name derived from the expression surrounding point
833 (jdb only).
834 @end table
835
836 @node GDB Graphical Interface
837 @subsection GDB Graphical Interface
838
839 The command @code{gdb} starts GDB in a graphical interface, using
840 Emacs windows for display program state information. With it, you do
841 not need to use textual GDB commands; you can control the debugging
842 session with the mouse. For example, you can click in the fringe of a
843 source buffer to set a breakpoint there, or on a stack frame in the
844 stack buffer to select that frame.
845
846 This mode requires telling GDB that its ``screen size'' is
847 unlimited, so it sets the height and width accordingly. For correct
848 operation you must not change these values during the GDB session.
849
850 @vindex gud-gdb-command-name
851 To run GDB in text command mode, like the other debuggers in Emacs,
852 use @kbd{M-x gud-gdb}. You need to use text command mode to debug
853 multiple programs within one Emacs session.
854
855 @menu
856 * GDB User Interface Layout:: Control the number of displayed buffers.
857 * Source Buffers:: Use the mouse in the fringe/margin to
858 control your program.
859 * Breakpoints Buffer:: A breakpoint control panel.
860 * Threads Buffer:: Displays your threads.
861 * Stack Buffer:: Select a frame from the call stack.
862 * Other GDB Buffers:: Input/output, locals, registers,
863 assembler, threads and memory buffers.
864 * Watch Expressions:: Monitor variable values in the speedbar.
865 * Multithreaded Debugging:: Debugging programs with several threads.
866 @end menu
867
868 @node GDB User Interface Layout
869 @subsubsection GDB User Interface Layout
870 @cindex GDB User Interface layout
871
872 @vindex gdb-many-windows
873 If the variable @code{gdb-many-windows} is @code{nil} (the default
874 value) then @kbd{M-x gdb} normally displays only the GUD buffer.
875 However, if the variable @code{gdb-show-main} is also non-@code{nil},
876 it starts with two windows: one displaying the GUD buffer, and the
877 other showing the source for the @code{main} function of the program
878 you are debugging.
879
880 If @code{gdb-many-windows} is non-@code{nil}, then @kbd{M-x gdb}
881 displays the following frame layout:
882
883 @smallexample
884 @group
885 +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
886 | GUD buffer (I/O of GDB) | Locals/Registers buffer |
887 |--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
888 | Primary Source buffer | I/O buffer for debugged pgm |
889 |--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
890 | Stack buffer | Breakpoints/Threads buffer |
891 +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
892 @end group
893 @end smallexample
894
895 However, if @code{gdb-use-separate-io-buffer} is @code{nil}, the I/O
896 buffer does not appear and the primary source buffer occupies the full
897 width of the frame.
898
899 @findex gdb-restore-windows
900 If you change the window layout, for example, while editing and
901 re-compiling your program, then you can restore this standard window
902 layout with the command @code{gdb-restore-windows}.
903
904 @findex gdb-many-windows
905 To switch between this standard layout and a simple layout
906 containing just the GUD buffer and a source file, type @kbd{M-x
907 gdb-many-windows}.
908
909 You may also specify additional GDB-related buffers to display,
910 either in the same frame or a different one. Select the buffers you
911 want with the @samp{GUD->GDB-Windows} and @samp{GUD->GDB-Frames}
912 sub-menus. If the menu-bar is unavailable, type @code{M-x
913 gdb-display-@var{buffertype}-buffer} or @code{M-x
914 gdb-frame-@var{buffertype}-buffer} respectively, where
915 @var{buffertype} is the relevant buffer type, such as
916 @samp{breakpoints}. Most of these buffers are read-only, and typing
917 @kbd{q} in them kills them.
918
919 When you finish debugging, kill the GUD buffer with @kbd{C-x k},
920 which will also kill all the buffers associated with the session.
921 However you need not do this if, after editing and re-compiling your
922 source code within Emacs, you wish continue debugging. When you
923 restart execution, GDB will automatically find your new executable.
924 Keeping the GUD buffer has the advantage of keeping the shell history
925 as well as GDB's breakpoints. You do need to check that the
926 breakpoints in recently edited source files are still in the right
927 places.
928
929 @node Source Buffers
930 @subsubsection Source Buffers
931 @cindex GDB commands in Fringe
932
933 @c @findex gdb-mouse-set-clear-breakpoint
934 @c @findex gdb-mouse-toggle-breakpoint
935 Many GDB commands can be entered using key bindings or the tool bar but
936 sometimes it is quicker to use the fringe. These commands either
937 manipulate breakpoints or control program execution. When there is no
938 fringe, you can use the margin but this is only present when the
939 source file already has a breakpoint.
940
941 You can click @kbd{Mouse-1} in the fringe or display margin of a
942 source buffer to set a breakpoint there and, on a graphical display, a
943 red bullet will appear on that line. If a breakpoint already exists
944 on that line, the same click will remove it. You can also enable or
945 disable a breakpoint by clicking @kbd{C-Mouse-1} on the bullet.
946
947 A solid arrow in the left fringe of a source buffer indicates the line
948 of the innermost frame where the debugged program has stopped. A
949 hollow arrow indicates the current execution line of higher level
950 frames.
951
952 If you drag the arrow in the fringe with @kbd{Mouse-1}
953 (@code{gdb-mouse-until}), execution will continue to the line where
954 you release the button, provided it is still in the same frame.
955 Alternatively, you can click @kbd{Mouse-3} at some point in the fringe
956 of this buffer and execution will advance to there. A similar command
957 (@code{gdb-mouse-jump}) allows you to jump to a source line without
958 executing the intermediate lines by clicking @kbd{C-Mouse-3}. This
959 command allows you to go backwards which can be useful for running
960 through code that has already executed, in order to examine its
961 execution in more detail.
962
963 @table @kbd
964 @item Mouse-1
965 Set or clear a breakpoint.
966
967 @item C-Mouse-1
968 Enable or disable a breakpoint.
969
970 @item Mouse-3
971 Continue execution to here.
972
973 @item C-Mouse-3
974 Jump to here.
975 @end table
976
977 If the variable @code{gdb-find-source-frame} is non-@code{nil} and
978 execution stops in a frame for which there is no source code e.g after
979 an interrupt, then Emacs finds and displays the first frame further up
980 stack for which there is source. If it is @code{nil} then the source
981 buffer continues to display the last frame which maybe more useful,
982 for example, when re-setting a breakpoint.
983
984 @node Breakpoints Buffer
985 @subsubsection Breakpoints Buffer
986
987 The breakpoints buffer shows the existing breakpoints, watchpoints and
988 catchpoints (@pxref{Breakpoints,,, gdb, The GNU debugger}). It has
989 these special commands, which mostly apply to the @dfn{current
990 breakpoint}, the breakpoint which point is on.
991
992 @table @kbd
993 @item @key{SPC}
994 @kindex SPC @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
995 @findex gdb-toggle-breakpoint
996 Enable/disable the current breakpoint (@code{gdb-toggle-breakpoint}).
997 On a graphical display, this changes the color of a bullet in the
998 margin of a source buffer at the relevant line. This is red when
999 the breakpoint is enabled and grey when it is disabled. Text-only
1000 terminals correspondingly display a @samp{B} or @samp{b}.
1001
1002 @item D
1003 @kindex D @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
1004 @findex gdb-delete-breakpoint
1005 Delete the current breakpoint (@code{gdb-delete-breakpoint}).
1006
1007 @item @key{RET}
1008 @kindex RET @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
1009 @findex gdb-goto-breakpoint
1010 Visit the source line for the current breakpoint
1011 (@code{gdb-goto-breakpoint}).
1012
1013 @item Mouse-2
1014 @kindex Mouse-2 @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
1015 Visit the source line for the breakpoint you click on.
1016 @end table
1017
1018 @vindex gdb-show-threads-by-default
1019 When @code{gdb-many-windows} is non-@code{nil}, the breakpoints buffer
1020 shares its window with the threads buffer. To switch from one to the
1021 other click with @kbd{Mouse-1} on the relevant button in the header
1022 line. If @code{gdb-show-threads-by-default} is non-@code{nil}, the
1023 threads buffer, rather than the breakpoints buffer, is shown at start
1024 up.
1025
1026 @node Threads Buffer
1027 @subsubsection Threads Buffer
1028
1029 @findex gdb-select-thread
1030 The threads buffer displays a summary of all threads currently in your
1031 program (@pxref{Threads, Threads, Debugging programs with multiple
1032 threads, gdb, The GNU debugger}). Move point to any thread in the list
1033 and press @key{RET} to select it (@code{gdb-select-thread}) and
1034 display the associated source in the primary source buffer.
1035 Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} on a thread to select it. Contents
1036 of all GDB buffers are updated whenever you select a thread.
1037
1038 You can customize variables under @code{gdb-buffers} group to select
1039 fields included in threads buffer.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @item gdb-thread-buffer-verbose-names
1043 @vindex gdb-thread-buffer-verbose-names
1044 Show long thread names like @samp{Thread 0x4e2ab70 (LWP 1983)} in
1045 threads buffer.
1046
1047 @item gdb-thread-buffer-arguments
1048 @vindex gdb-thread-buffer-arguments
1049 Show arguments of thread top frames in threads buffer.
1050
1051 @item gdb-thread-buffer-locations
1052 @vindex gdb-thread-buffer-locations
1053 Show file information or library names in threads buffer.
1054
1055 @item gdb-thread-buffer-addresses
1056 @vindex gdb-thread-buffer-addresses
1057 Show addresses for thread frames in threads buffer.
1058 @end table
1059
1060 It’s possible to observe information for several threads
1061 simultaneously (in addition to buffers which show information for
1062 currently selected thread) using the following keys from the threads
1063 buffer.
1064
1065 @table @kbd
1066 @item d
1067 @kindex d @r{(GDB threads buffer)}
1068 @findex gdb-display-disassembly-for-thread
1069 Display disassembly buffer for the thread at current line.
1070 (@code{gdb-display-disassembly-for-thread})
1071
1072 @item f
1073 @kindex f @r{(GDB threads buffer)}
1074 @findex gdb-display-stack-for-thread
1075 Display stack buffer for the thread at current line.
1076 (@code{gdb-display-stack-for-thread}).
1077
1078 @item l
1079 @kindex l @r{(GDB threads buffer)}
1080 @findex gdb-display-locals-for-thread
1081 Display locals buffer for the thread at current line.
1082 (@code{gdb-display-locals-for-thread}).
1083
1084 @item r
1085 @kindex r @r{(GDB threads buffer)}
1086 @findex gdb-display-registers-for-thread
1087 Display registers buffer for the thread at current line.
1088 (@code{gdb-display-registers-for-thread}).
1089 @end table
1090
1091 Pressing their upper-case counterparts, @kbd{D}, @kbd{F} ,@kbd{L} and
1092 @kbd{R} displays the corresponding buffer in a new frame.
1093
1094 When you create a buffer showing information about some specific
1095 thread, it becomes bound to that thread and keeps showing actual
1096 information while you debug your program. Every GDB buffer contains a
1097 number of thread it shows information for in its mode name. Thread
1098 number is also included in the buffer name of bound buffers to prevent
1099 buffer names clashing.
1100
1101 Further commands are available in the threads buffer which depend on the
1102 mode of GDB that is used for controlling execution of your program.
1103 (@pxref{Multithreaded Debugging, Stopping and Starting Multi-threaded Programs}).
1104
1105 @node Stack Buffer
1106 @subsubsection Stack Buffer
1107
1108 The stack buffer displays a @dfn{call stack}, with one line for each
1109 of the nested subroutine calls (@dfn{stack frames}) now active in the
1110 program. @xref{Backtrace,, Backtraces, gdb, The GNU debugger}.
1111
1112 @findex gdb-frames-select
1113 An arrow in the fringe points to the selected frame or, if the fringe is
1114 not present, the number of the selected frame is displayed in reverse
1115 contrast. To select a frame in GDB, move point in the stack buffer to
1116 that stack frame and type @key{RET} (@code{gdb-frames-select}), or click
1117 @kbd{Mouse-2} on a stack frame. If the locals buffer is visible,
1118 selecting a stack frame updates it to display the local variables of the
1119 new frame.
1120
1121 @node Other GDB Buffers
1122 @subsubsection Other Buffers
1123
1124 @table @asis
1125 @item Input/Output Buffer
1126 @vindex gdb-use-separate-io-buffer
1127 If the variable @code{gdb-use-separate-io-buffer} is non-@code{nil},
1128 the program being debugged takes its input and displays its output
1129 here. Otherwise it uses the GUD buffer for that. To toggle whether
1130 GUD mode uses this buffer, do @kbd{M-x gdb-use-separate-io-buffer}.
1131 This takes effect when you next restart the program you are debugging.
1132
1133 The history and replay commands from Shell mode are available here,
1134 as are the commands to send signals to the debugged program.
1135 @xref{Shell Mode}.
1136
1137 @item Locals Buffer
1138 The locals buffer displays the values of local variables of the
1139 current frame for simple data types (@pxref{Frame Info, Frame Info,
1140 Information on a frame, gdb, The GNU debugger}). Press @key{RET} or
1141 click @kbd{Mouse-2} on the value if you want to edit it.
1142
1143 Arrays and structures display their type only. With GDB 6.4 or later,
1144 move point to their name and press @key{RET}, or alternatively click
1145 @kbd{Mouse-2} there, to examine their values. With earlier versions
1146 of GDB, use @kbd{Mouse-2} or @key{RET} on the type description
1147 (@samp{[struct/union]} or @samp{[array]}). @xref{Watch Expressions}.
1148
1149 @item Registers Buffer
1150 @findex toggle-gdb-all-registers
1151 The registers buffer displays the values held by the registers
1152 (@pxref{Registers,,, gdb, The GNU debugger}). Press @key{RET} or
1153 click @kbd{Mouse-2} on a register if you want to edit its value.
1154 With GDB 6.4 or later, recently changed register values display with
1155 @code{font-lock-warning-face}. With earlier versions of GDB, you can
1156 press @key{SPC} to toggle the display of floating point registers
1157 (@code{toggle-gdb-all-registers}).
1158
1159 @item Assembler Buffer
1160 The assembler buffer displays the current frame as machine code. An
1161 arrow points to the current instruction, and you can set and remove
1162 breakpoints as in a source buffer. Breakpoint icons also appear in
1163 the fringe or margin.
1164
1165 @item Memory Buffer
1166 The memory buffer lets you examine sections of program memory
1167 (@pxref{Memory, Memory, Examining memory, gdb, The GNU debugger}).
1168 Click @kbd{Mouse-1} on the appropriate part of the header line to
1169 change the starting address or number of data items that the buffer
1170 displays. Alternatively, use @kbd{S} or @kbd{N} respectively. Click
1171 @kbd{Mouse-3} on the header line to select the display format or unit
1172 size for these data items.
1173 @end table
1174
1175 When @code{gdb-many-windows} is non-@code{nil}, the locals buffer
1176 shares its window with the registers buffer, just like breakpoints
1177 and threads buffers. To switch from one to the other click with
1178 @kbd{Mouse-1} on the relevant button in the header line.
1179
1180 @node Watch Expressions
1181 @subsubsection Watch Expressions
1182 @cindex Watching expressions in GDB
1183
1184 @findex gud-watch
1185 @kindex C-x C-a C-w @r{(GUD)}
1186 If you want to see how a variable changes each time your program
1187 stops, move point into the variable name and click on the watch icon
1188 in the tool bar (@code{gud-watch}) or type @kbd{C-x C-a C-w}. If you
1189 specify a prefix argument, you can enter the variable name in the
1190 minibuffer.
1191
1192 Each watch expression is displayed in the speedbar. Complex data
1193 types, such as arrays, structures and unions are represented in a tree
1194 format. Leaves and simple data types show the name of the expression
1195 and its value and, when the speedbar frame is selected, display the
1196 type as a tooltip. Higher levels show the name, type and address
1197 value for pointers and just the name and type otherwise. Root expressions
1198 also display the frame address as a tooltip to help identify the frame
1199 in which they were defined.
1200
1201 To expand or contract a complex data type, click @kbd{Mouse-2} or
1202 press @key{SPC} on the tag to the left of the expression. Emacs asks
1203 for confirmation before expanding the expression if its number of
1204 immediate children exceeds the value of the variable
1205 @code{gdb-max-children}.
1206
1207 @kindex D @r{(GDB speedbar)}
1208 @findex gdb-var-delete
1209 To delete a complex watch expression, move point to the root
1210 expression in the speedbar and type @kbd{D} (@code{gdb-var-delete}).
1211
1212 @kindex RET @r{(GDB speedbar)}
1213 @findex gdb-edit-value
1214 To edit a variable with a simple data type, or a simple element of a
1215 complex data type, move point there in the speedbar and type @key{RET}
1216 (@code{gdb-edit-value}). Or you can click @kbd{Mouse-2} on a value to
1217 edit it. Either way, this reads the new value using the minibuffer.
1218
1219 @vindex gdb-show-changed-values
1220 If you set the variable @code{gdb-show-changed-values} to
1221 non-@code{nil} (the default value), Emacs uses
1222 @code{font-lock-warning-face} to highlight values that have recently
1223 changed and @code{shadow} face to make variables which have gone out of
1224 scope less noticeable. When a variable goes out of scope you can't
1225 edit its value.
1226
1227 @vindex gdb-delete-out-of-scope
1228 If the variable @code{gdb-delete-out-of-scope} is non-@code{nil}
1229 (the default value), Emacs automatically deletes watch expressions
1230 which go out of scope. Sometimes, when re-entering the same function,
1231 it may be useful to set this value to @code{nil} so that you don't
1232 need to recreate the watch expression.
1233
1234 @vindex gdb-use-colon-colon-notation
1235 If the variable @code{gdb-use-colon-colon-notation} is
1236 non-@code{nil}, Emacs uses the @samp{@var{function}::@var{variable}}
1237 format. This allows the user to display watch expressions which share
1238 the same variable name. The default value is @code{nil}.
1239
1240 @vindex gdb-speedbar-auto-raise
1241 To automatically raise the speedbar every time the display of watch
1242 expressions updates, set @code{gdb-speedbar-auto-raise} to
1243 non-@code{nil}. This can be useful if you are debugging with a full
1244 screen Emacs frame.
1245
1246 @node Multithreaded Debugging
1247 @subsubsection Stopping and Starting Multi-threaded Programs
1248 @cindex Multithreaded debugging in GDB
1249
1250 @subsubheading All-stop Debugging
1251
1252 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops, @emph{all} threads of
1253 execution stop. Likewise, whenever you restart the program, all
1254 threads start executing. @xref{All-Stop Mode, , All-Stop Mode, gdb,
1255 The GNU debugger}. You can enable this behaviour in Emacs by setting
1256 @code{gdb-non-stop-setting} to @code{nil} before starting a debugging
1257 session.
1258
1259 @subsubheading Non-stop Debugging
1260 @cindex Non-stop debugging in GDB
1261
1262 For some multi-threaded targets, GDB supports a further mode of
1263 operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in the
1264 debugger while other threads continue to execute freely.
1265 @xref{Non-Stop Mode, , Non-Stop Mode, gdb, The GNU debugger}.
1266 This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
1267
1268 Versions of GDB prior to 7.0 do not support non-stop mode and it does
1269 not work on all targets. In such cases, Emacs uses all-stop mode
1270 regardless of the value of @code{gdb-non-stop-setting}.
1271
1272 @vindex gdb-non-stop-setting
1273 If the variable @code{gdb-non-stop-setting} is non-@code{nil} (the
1274 default value), Emacs tries to start GDB in non-stop mode. Note that
1275 GDB debugging session needs to be restarted for change of this setting
1276 to take effect.
1277
1278 @vindex gdb-switch-when-another-stopped
1279 When a thread stops in non-stop mode, Emacs automatically switches to
1280 that thread. It may be undesirable to allow switching of current
1281 thread when some other stopped thread is already selected. Set
1282 @code{gdb-switch-when-another-stopped} to @code{nil} to prevent this.
1283
1284 @vindex gdb-switch-reasons
1285 Emacs can decide whether or not to switch to the stopped thread
1286 depending on the reason which caused the stop. Customize
1287 @code{gdb-switch-reasons} to select stop reasons which make Emacs
1288 switch thread.
1289
1290 @vindex gdb-stopped-hooks
1291 The variable @code{gdb-stopped-hooks} allows you to execute your
1292 functions whenever some thread stops.
1293
1294 In non-stop mode, you can switch between different modes for GUD
1295 execution control commands.
1296
1297 @vindex gdb-gud-control-all-threads
1298 @table @dfn
1299 @item Non-stop/A
1300
1301 When @code{gdb-gud-control-all-threads} is @code{t} (the default
1302 value), interruption and continuation commands apply to all threads,
1303 so you can halt or continue all your threads with one command using
1304 @code{gud-stop-subjob} and @code{gud-cont}, respectively. The
1305 @samp{Go} button is shown on the toolbar when at least one thread is
1306 stopped, whereas @samp{Stop} button is shown when at least one thread
1307 is running.
1308
1309 @item Non-stop/T
1310
1311 When @code{gdb-gud-control-all-threads} is @code{nil}, only the
1312 current thread is stopped/continued. @samp{Go} and @samp{Stop}
1313 buttons on the GUD toolbar are shown depending on the state of current
1314 thread.
1315 @end table
1316
1317 You can change the current value of @code{gdb-gud-control-all-threads}
1318 from the tool bar or from @samp{GUD->GDB-MI} menu.
1319
1320 Stepping commands always apply to the current thread.
1321
1322 @subsubheading Fine Thread Control
1323
1324 In non-stop mode, you can interrupt/continue your threads without
1325 selecting them. Hitting @kbd{i} in threads buffer interrupts thread
1326 under point, @kbd{c} continues it, @kbd{s} steps through. More such
1327 commands may be added in the future.
1328
1329 Combined with creating bound buffers for any thread, this allows you
1330 to change and track state of many threads in the same time.
1331
1332 Note that when you interrupt a thread, it stops with @samp{signal
1333 received} reason. If that reason is included in your
1334 @code{gdb-switch-reasons} (it is by default), Emacs will switch to
1335 that thread.
1336
1337 @node Executing Lisp
1338 @section Executing Lisp Expressions
1339
1340 Emacs has several different major modes for Lisp and Scheme. They are
1341 the same in terms of editing commands, but differ in the commands for
1342 executing Lisp expressions. Each mode has its own purpose.
1343
1344 @table @asis
1345 @item Emacs-Lisp mode
1346 The mode for editing source files of programs to run in Emacs Lisp.
1347 This mode defines @kbd{C-M-x} to evaluate the current defun.
1348 @xref{Lisp Libraries}.
1349 @item Lisp Interaction mode
1350 The mode for an interactive session with Emacs Lisp. It defines
1351 @kbd{C-j} to evaluate the sexp before point and insert its value in the
1352 buffer. @xref{Lisp Interaction}.
1353 @item Lisp mode
1354 The mode for editing source files of programs that run in Lisps other
1355 than Emacs Lisp. This mode defines @kbd{C-M-x} to send the current defun
1356 to an inferior Lisp process. @xref{External Lisp}.
1357 @item Inferior Lisp mode
1358 The mode for an interactive session with an inferior Lisp process.
1359 This mode combines the special features of Lisp mode and Shell mode
1360 (@pxref{Shell Mode}).
1361 @item Scheme mode
1362 Like Lisp mode but for Scheme programs.
1363 @item Inferior Scheme mode
1364 The mode for an interactive session with an inferior Scheme process.
1365 @end table
1366
1367 Most editing commands for working with Lisp programs are in fact
1368 available globally. @xref{Programs}.
1369
1370 @node Lisp Libraries
1371 @section Libraries of Lisp Code for Emacs
1372 @cindex libraries
1373 @cindex loading Lisp code
1374
1375 Lisp code for Emacs editing commands is stored in files whose names
1376 conventionally end in @file{.el}. This ending tells Emacs to edit them in
1377 Emacs-Lisp mode (@pxref{Executing Lisp}).
1378
1379 @cindex byte code
1380 Emacs Lisp code can be compiled into byte-code, which loads faster,
1381 takes up less space, and executes faster. @xref{Byte Compilation,,
1382 Byte Compilation, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}. By
1383 convention, the compiled code for a library goes in a separate file
1384 whose name ends in @samp{.elc}. Thus, the compiled code for
1385 @file{foo.el} goes in @file{foo.elc}.
1386
1387 @findex load-file
1388 To execute a file of Emacs Lisp code, use @kbd{M-x load-file}. This
1389 command reads a file name using the minibuffer and then executes the
1390 contents of that file as Lisp code. It is not necessary to visit the
1391 file first; in any case, this command reads the file as found on disk,
1392 not text in an Emacs buffer.
1393
1394 @findex load
1395 @findex load-library
1396 Once a file of Lisp code is installed in the Emacs Lisp library
1397 directories, users can load it using @kbd{M-x load-library}. Programs
1398 can load it by calling @code{load}, a more primitive function that is
1399 similar but accepts some additional arguments.
1400
1401 @kbd{M-x load-library} differs from @kbd{M-x load-file} in that it
1402 searches a sequence of directories and tries three file names in each
1403 directory. Suppose your argument is @var{lib}; the three names are
1404 @file{@var{lib}.elc}, @file{@var{lib}.el}, and lastly just
1405 @file{@var{lib}}. If @file{@var{lib}.elc} exists, it is by convention
1406 the result of compiling @file{@var{lib}.el}; it is better to load the
1407 compiled file, since it will load and run faster.
1408
1409 If @code{load-library} finds that @file{@var{lib}.el} is newer than
1410 @file{@var{lib}.elc} file, it issues a warning, because it's likely
1411 that somebody made changes to the @file{.el} file and forgot to
1412 recompile it. Nonetheless, it loads @file{@var{lib}.elc}. This is
1413 because people often leave unfinished edits the source file, and don't
1414 recompile it until they think it is ready to use.
1415
1416 @vindex load-path
1417 The variable @code{load-path} specifies the sequence of directories
1418 searched by @kbd{M-x load-library}. Its value should be a list of
1419 strings that are directory names; in addition, @code{nil} in this list
1420 stands for the current default directory. (Generally, it is not a
1421 good idea to put @code{nil} in the list; if you find yourself wishing
1422 that @code{nil} were in the list, most likely what you really want is
1423 to do @kbd{M-x load-file} this once.)
1424
1425 The default value of @code{load-path} is a list of directories where
1426 the Lisp code for Emacs itself is stored. If you have libraries of
1427 your own, put them in a single directory and add that directory to
1428 @code{load-path}, by adding a line like this to your init file
1429 (@pxref{Init File}):
1430
1431 @example
1432 (add-to-list 'load-path "/path/to/lisp/libraries")
1433 @end example
1434
1435 @cindex autoload
1436 Some commands are @dfn{autoloaded}: when you run them, Emacs will
1437 automatically load the associated library first. For instance, the
1438 @code{compile} and @code{compilation-mode} commands
1439 (@pxref{Compilation}) are autoloaded; if you call either command,
1440 Emacs automatically loads the @code{compile} library. In contrast,
1441 the command @code{recompile} is not autoloaded, so it is unavailable
1442 until you load the @code{compile} library.
1443
1444 @vindex load-dangerous-libraries
1445 @cindex Lisp files byte-compiled by XEmacs
1446 By default, Emacs refuses to load compiled Lisp files which were
1447 compiled with XEmacs, a modified versions of Emacs---they can cause
1448 Emacs to crash. Set the variable @code{load-dangerous-libraries} to
1449 @code{t} if you want to try loading them.
1450
1451 @node Lisp Eval
1452 @section Evaluating Emacs Lisp Expressions
1453 @cindex Emacs-Lisp mode
1454 @cindex mode, Emacs-Lisp
1455
1456 @findex emacs-lisp-mode
1457 Lisp programs intended to be run in Emacs should be edited in
1458 Emacs-Lisp mode; this happens automatically for file names ending in
1459 @file{.el}. By contrast, Lisp mode itself is used for editing Lisp
1460 programs intended for other Lisp systems. To switch to Emacs-Lisp mode
1461 explicitly, use the command @kbd{M-x emacs-lisp-mode}.
1462
1463 For testing of Lisp programs to run in Emacs, it is often useful to
1464 evaluate part of the program as it is found in the Emacs buffer. For
1465 example, after changing the text of a Lisp function definition,
1466 evaluating the definition installs the change for future calls to the
1467 function. Evaluation of Lisp expressions is also useful in any kind of
1468 editing, for invoking noninteractive functions (functions that are
1469 not commands).
1470
1471 @table @kbd
1472 @item M-:
1473 Read a single Lisp expression in the minibuffer, evaluate it, and print
1474 the value in the echo area (@code{eval-expression}).
1475 @item C-x C-e
1476 Evaluate the Lisp expression before point, and print the value in the
1477 echo area (@code{eval-last-sexp}).
1478 @item C-M-x
1479 Evaluate the defun containing or after point, and print the value in
1480 the echo area (@code{eval-defun}).
1481 @item M-x eval-region
1482 Evaluate all the Lisp expressions in the region.
1483 @item M-x eval-buffer
1484 Evaluate all the Lisp expressions in the buffer.
1485 @end table
1486
1487 @ifinfo
1488 @c This uses ``colon'' instead of a literal `:' because Info cannot
1489 @c cope with a `:' in a menu
1490 @kindex M-@key{colon}
1491 @end ifinfo
1492 @ifnotinfo
1493 @kindex M-:
1494 @end ifnotinfo
1495 @findex eval-expression
1496 @kbd{M-:} (@code{eval-expression}) is the most basic command for evaluating
1497 a Lisp expression interactively. It reads the expression using the
1498 minibuffer, so you can execute any expression on a buffer regardless of
1499 what the buffer contains. When the expression is evaluated, the current
1500 buffer is once again the buffer that was current when @kbd{M-:} was
1501 typed.
1502
1503 @kindex C-M-x @r{(Emacs-Lisp mode)}
1504 @findex eval-defun
1505 In Emacs-Lisp mode, the key @kbd{C-M-x} is bound to the command
1506 @code{eval-defun}, which parses the defun containing or following point
1507 as a Lisp expression and evaluates it. The value is printed in the echo
1508 area. This command is convenient for installing in the Lisp environment
1509 changes that you have just made in the text of a function definition.
1510
1511 @kbd{C-M-x} treats @code{defvar} expressions specially. Normally,
1512 evaluating a @code{defvar} expression does nothing if the variable it
1513 defines already has a value. But @kbd{C-M-x} unconditionally resets the
1514 variable to the initial value specified in the @code{defvar} expression.
1515 @code{defcustom} expressions are treated similarly.
1516 This special feature is convenient for debugging Lisp programs.
1517 Typing @kbd{C-M-x} on a @code{defface} expression reinitializes
1518 the face according to the @code{defface} specification.
1519
1520 @kindex C-x C-e
1521 @findex eval-last-sexp
1522 The command @kbd{C-x C-e} (@code{eval-last-sexp}) evaluates the Lisp
1523 expression preceding point in the buffer, and displays the value in the
1524 echo area. It is available in all major modes, not just Emacs-Lisp
1525 mode. It does not treat @code{defvar} specially.
1526
1527 When the result of an evaluation is an integer, you can type
1528 @kbd{C-x C-e} a second time to display the value of the integer result
1529 in additional formats (octal, hexadecimal, and character).
1530
1531 If @kbd{C-x C-e}, or @kbd{M-:} is given a numeric argument, it
1532 inserts the value into the current buffer at point, rather than
1533 displaying it in the echo area. The argument's value does not matter.
1534 @kbd{C-M-x} with a numeric argument instruments the function
1535 definition for Edebug (@pxref{Instrumenting, Instrumenting for Edebug,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}).
1536
1537 @findex eval-region
1538 @findex eval-buffer
1539 The most general command for evaluating Lisp expressions from a buffer
1540 is @code{eval-region}. @kbd{M-x eval-region} parses the text of the
1541 region as one or more Lisp expressions, evaluating them one by one.
1542 @kbd{M-x eval-buffer} is similar but evaluates the entire
1543 buffer. This is a reasonable way to install the contents of a file of
1544 Lisp code that you are ready to test. Later, as you find bugs and
1545 change individual functions, use @kbd{C-M-x} on each function that you
1546 change. This keeps the Lisp world in step with the source file.
1547
1548 @vindex eval-expression-print-level
1549 @vindex eval-expression-print-length
1550 @vindex eval-expression-debug-on-error
1551 The two customizable variables @code{eval-expression-print-level} and
1552 @code{eval-expression-print-length} control the maximum depth and length
1553 of lists to print in the result of the evaluation commands before
1554 abbreviating them. @code{eval-expression-debug-on-error} controls
1555 whether evaluation errors invoke the debugger when these commands are
1556 used; its default is @code{t}.
1557
1558 @node Lisp Interaction
1559 @section Lisp Interaction Buffers
1560
1561 When Emacs starts up, it contains a buffer named @samp{*scratch*},
1562 which is provided for evaluating Lisp expressions interactively inside
1563 Emacs. Its major mode is Lisp Interaction mode.
1564
1565 @findex eval-print-last-sexp
1566 @kindex C-j @r{(Lisp Interaction mode)}
1567 The simplest way to use the @samp{*scratch*} buffer is to insert
1568 Lisp expressions and type @kbd{C-j} (@code{eval-print-last-sexp})
1569 after each expression. This command reads the Lisp expression before
1570 point, evaluates it, and inserts the value in printed representation
1571 before point. The result is a complete typescript of the expressions
1572 you have evaluated and their values.
1573
1574 @vindex initial-scratch-message
1575 At startup, the @samp{*scratch*} buffer contains a short message, in
1576 the form of a Lisp comment, that explains what it is for. This
1577 message is controlled by the variable @code{initial-scratch-message},
1578 which should be either a string or @code{nil}. If you set it to the
1579 empty string, or @code{nil}, the initial message is suppressed.
1580
1581 @findex lisp-interaction-mode
1582 All other commands in Lisp Interaction mode are the same as in Emacs
1583 Lisp mode. You can enable Lisp Interaction mode by typing @kbd{M-x
1584 lisp-interaction-mode}.
1585
1586 @findex ielm
1587 An alternative way of evaluating Emacs Lisp expressions interactively
1588 is to use Inferior Emacs-Lisp mode, which provides an interface rather
1589 like Shell mode (@pxref{Shell Mode}) for evaluating Emacs Lisp
1590 expressions. Type @kbd{M-x ielm} to create an @samp{*ielm*} buffer
1591 which uses this mode. For more information see that command's
1592 documentation.
1593
1594 @node External Lisp
1595 @section Running an External Lisp
1596
1597 Emacs has facilities for running programs in other Lisp systems. You can
1598 run a Lisp process as an inferior of Emacs, and pass expressions to it to
1599 be evaluated. You can also pass changed function definitions directly from
1600 the Emacs buffers in which you edit the Lisp programs to the inferior Lisp
1601 process.
1602
1603 @findex run-lisp
1604 @vindex inferior-lisp-program
1605 @kindex C-x C-z
1606 To run an inferior Lisp process, type @kbd{M-x run-lisp}. This runs
1607 the program named @code{lisp}, the same program you would run by typing
1608 @code{lisp} as a shell command, with both input and output going through
1609 an Emacs buffer named @samp{*lisp*}. That is to say, any ``terminal
1610 output'' from Lisp will go into the buffer, advancing point, and any
1611 ``terminal input'' for Lisp comes from text in the buffer. (You can
1612 change the name of the Lisp executable file by setting the variable
1613 @code{inferior-lisp-program}.)
1614
1615 To give input to Lisp, go to the end of the buffer and type the input,
1616 terminated by @key{RET}. The @samp{*lisp*} buffer is in Inferior Lisp
1617 mode, which combines the special characteristics of Lisp mode with most
1618 of the features of Shell mode (@pxref{Shell Mode}). The definition of
1619 @key{RET} to send a line to a subprocess is one of the features of Shell
1620 mode.
1621
1622 @findex lisp-mode
1623 For the source files of programs to run in external Lisps, use Lisp
1624 mode. You can switch to this mode with @kbd{M-x lisp-mode}, and it is
1625 used automatically for files whose names end in @file{.l},
1626 @file{.lsp}, or @file{.lisp}.
1627
1628 @kindex C-M-x @r{(Lisp mode)}
1629 @findex lisp-eval-defun
1630 When you edit a function in a Lisp program you are running, the easiest
1631 way to send the changed definition to the inferior Lisp process is the key
1632 @kbd{C-M-x}. In Lisp mode, this runs the function @code{lisp-eval-defun},
1633 which finds the defun around or following point and sends it as input to
1634 the Lisp process. (Emacs can send input to any inferior process regardless
1635 of what buffer is current.)
1636
1637 Contrast the meanings of @kbd{C-M-x} in Lisp mode (for editing
1638 programs to be run in another Lisp system) and Emacs-Lisp mode (for
1639 editing Lisp programs to be run in Emacs; see @pxref{Lisp Eval}): in
1640 both modes it has the effect of installing the function definition
1641 that point is in, but the way of doing so is different according to
1642 where the relevant Lisp environment is found.
1643
1644
1645 @ignore
1646 arch-tag: 9c3c2f71-b332-4144-8500-3ff9945a50ed
1647 @end ignore