annotate etc/DEBUG @ 41544:6e1b9dffcb53

(mostlyclean): Delete bootstrap-emacs here. (clean): Not here.
author Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
date Mon, 26 Nov 2001 10:53:53 +0000
parents 380d8f312f3a
children 902e47b4907b
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
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1 Debugging GNU Emacs
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2 Copyright (c) 1985, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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3
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4 Permission is granted to anyone to make or distribute verbatim copies
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5 of this document as received, in any medium, provided that the
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6 copyright notice and permission notice are preserved,
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7 and that the distributor grants the recipient permission
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8 for further redistribution as permitted by this notice.
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9
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10 Permission is granted to distribute modified versions
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11 of this document, or of portions of it,
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12 under the above conditions, provided also that they
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13 carry prominent notices stating who last changed them.
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14
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15 [People who debug Emacs on Windows using native Windows debuggers
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16 should read the Windows-specific section near the end of this
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17 document.]
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18
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19 It is a good idea to run Emacs under GDB (or some other suitable
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20 debugger) *all the time*. Then, when Emacs crashes, you will be able
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21 to debug the live process, not just a core dump. (This is especially
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22 important on systems which don't support core files, and instead print
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23 just the registers and some stack addresses.)
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24
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25 If Emacs hangs, or seems to be stuck in some infinite loop, typing
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26 "kill -TSTP PID", where PID is the Emacs process ID, will cause GDB to
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27 kick in, provided that you run under GDB.
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28
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29 ** Getting control to the debugger
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30
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31 `Fsignal' is a very useful place to put a breakpoint in.
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32 All Lisp errors go through there.
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33
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34 It is useful, when debugging, to have a guaranteed way to return to
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35 the debugger at any time. When using X, this is easy: type C-c at the
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36 window where Emacs is running under GDB, and it will stop Emacs just
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37 as it would stop any ordinary program. When Emacs is running in a
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38 terminal, things are not so easy.
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39
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40 The src/.gdbinit file in the Emacs distribution arranges for SIGINT
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41 (C-g in Emacs) to be passed to Emacs and not give control back to GDB.
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42 On modern POSIX systems, you can override that with this command:
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43
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44 handle int stop nopass
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45
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46 After this `handle' command, SIGINT will return control to GDB. If
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47 you want the C-g to cause a QUIT within Emacs as well, omit the
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48 `nopass'.
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49
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50 A technique that can work when `handle SIGINT' does not is to store
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51 the code for some character into the variable stop_character. Thus,
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52
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53 set stop_character = 29
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54
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55 makes Control-] (decimal code 29) the stop character.
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56 Typing Control-] will cause immediate stop. You cannot
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57 use the set command until the inferior process has been started.
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58 Put a breakpoint early in `main', or suspend the Emacs,
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59 to get an opportunity to do the set command.
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60
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61 ** Examining Lisp object values.
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62
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63 When you have a live process to debug, and it has not encountered a
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64 fatal error, you can use the GDB command `pr'. First print the value
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65 in the ordinary way, with the `p' command. Then type `pr' with no
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66 arguments. This calls a subroutine which uses the Lisp printer.
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67
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68 Note: It is not a good idea to try `pr' if you know that Emacs is in
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69 deep trouble: its stack smashed (e.g., if it encountered SIGSEGV due
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70 to stack overflow), or crucial data structures, such as `obarray',
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71 corrupted, etc. In such cases, the Emacs subroutine called by `pr'
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72 might make more damage, like overwrite some data that is important for
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73 debugging the original problem.
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74
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75 Also, on some systems it is impossible to use `pr' if you stopped
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76 Emacs while it was inside `select'. This is in fact what happens if
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77 you stop Emacs while it is waiting. In such a situation, don't try to
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78 use `pr'. Instead, use `s' to step out of the system call. Then
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79 Emacs will be between instructions and capable of handling `pr'.
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80
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81 If you can't use `pr' command, for whatever reason, you can fall back
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82 on lower-level commands. Use the `xtype' command to print out the
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83 data type of the last data value. Once you know the data type, use
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84 the command that corresponds to that type. Here are these commands:
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85
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86 xint xptr xwindow xmarker xoverlay xmiscfree xintfwd xboolfwd xobjfwd
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87 xbufobjfwd xkbobjfwd xbuflocal xbuffer xsymbol xstring xvector xframe
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88 xwinconfig xcompiled xcons xcar xcdr xsubr xprocess xfloat xscrollbar
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89
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90 Each one of them applies to a certain type or class of types.
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91 (Some of these types are not visible in Lisp, because they exist only
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92 internally.)
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93
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94 Each x... command prints some information about the value, and
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95 produces a GDB value (subsequently available in $) through which you
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96 can get at the rest of the contents.
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97
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98 In general, most of the rest of the contents will be additional Lisp
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99 objects which you can examine in turn with the x... commands.
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100
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101 Even with a live process, these x... commands are useful for
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102 examining the fields in a buffer, window, process, frame or marker.
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103 Here's an example using concepts explained in the node "Value History"
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104 of the GDB manual to print the variable frame from this line in
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105 xmenu.c:
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106
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107 buf.frame_or_window = frame;
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108
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109 First, use these commands:
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110
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111 cd src
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112 gdb emacs
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113 b xmenu.c:1296
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114 r -q
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115
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116 Then type C-x 5 2 to create a new frame, and it hits the breakpoint:
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117
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118 (gdb) p frame
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119 $1 = 1077872640
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120 (gdb) xtype
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121 Lisp_Vectorlike
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122 PVEC_FRAME
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123 (gdb) xframe
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124 $2 = (struct frame *) 0x3f0800
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125 (gdb) p *$
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126 $3 = {
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127 size = 536871989,
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128 next = 0x366240,
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129 name = 809661752,
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130 [...]
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131 }
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132 (gdb) p $3->name
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133 $4 = 809661752
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134
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135 Now we can use `pr' to print the name of the frame:
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136
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137 (gdb) pr
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138 "emacs@steenrod.math.nwu.edu"
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139
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140 The Emacs C code heavily uses macros defined in lisp.h. So suppose
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141 we want the address of the l-value expression near the bottom of
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142 `add_command_key' from keyboard.c:
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143
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144 XVECTOR (this_command_keys)->contents[this_command_key_count++] = key;
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145
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146 XVECTOR is a macro, and therefore GDB does not know about it.
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147 GDB cannot evaluate "p XVECTOR (this_command_keys)".
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148
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149 However, you can use the xvector command in GDB to get the same
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150 result. Here is how:
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151
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152 (gdb) p this_command_keys
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153 $1 = 1078005760
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154 (gdb) xvector
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155 $2 = (struct Lisp_Vector *) 0x411000
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156 0
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157 (gdb) p $->contents[this_command_key_count]
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158 $3 = 1077872640
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159 (gdb) p &$
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160 $4 = (int *) 0x411008
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161
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162 Here's a related example of macros and the GDB `define' command.
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163 There are many Lisp vectors such as `recent_keys', which contains the
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164 last 100 keystrokes. We can print this Lisp vector
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165
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166 p recent_keys
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167 pr
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168
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169 But this may be inconvenient, since `recent_keys' is much more verbose
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170 than `C-h l'. We might want to print only the last 10 elements of
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171 this vector. `recent_keys' is updated in keyboard.c by the command
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172
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173 XVECTOR (recent_keys)->contents[recent_keys_index] = c;
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174
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175 So we define a GDB command `xvector-elts', so the last 10 keystrokes
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176 are printed by
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177
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178 xvector-elts recent_keys recent_keys_index 10
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179
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180 where you can define xvector-elts as follows:
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181
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182 define xvector-elts
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183 set $i = 0
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184 p $arg0
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185 xvector
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186 set $foo = $
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187 while $i < $arg2
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188 p $foo->contents[$arg1-($i++)]
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189 pr
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190 end
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191 document xvector-elts
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192 Prints a range of elements of a Lisp vector.
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193 xvector-elts v n i
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194 prints `i' elements of the vector `v' ending at the index `n'.
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195 end
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196
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197 ** Getting Lisp-level backtrace information within GDB
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198
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199 The most convenient way is to use the `xbacktrace' command. This
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200 shows the names of the Lisp functions that are currently active.
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201
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202 If that doesn't work (e.g., because the `backtrace_list' structure is
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203 corrupted), type "bt" at the GDB prompt, to produce the C-level
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204 backtrace, and look for stack frames that call Ffuncall. Select them
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205 one by one in GDB, by typing "up N", where N is the appropriate number
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206 of frames to go up, and in each frame that calls Ffuncall type this:
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207
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208 p *args
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209 pr
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210
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211 This will print the name of the Lisp function called by that level
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212 of function calling.
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213
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214 By printing the remaining elements of args, you can see the argument
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215 values. Here's how to print the first argument:
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216
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217 p args[1]
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218 pr
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219
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220 If you do not have a live process, you can use xtype and the other
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221 x... commands such as xsymbol to get such information, albeit less
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222 conveniently. For example:
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223
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224 p *args
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225 xtype
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226
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227 and, assuming that "xtype" says that args[0] is a symbol:
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228
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229 xsymbol
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230
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231 ** Debugging what happens while preloading and dumping Emacs
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232
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233 Type `gdb temacs' and start it with `r -batch -l loadup dump'.
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234
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235 If temacs actually succeeds when running under GDB in this way, do not
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236 try to run the dumped Emacs, because it was dumped with the GDB
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237 breakpoints in it.
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238
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239 ** Debugging `temacs'
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240
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241 Debugging `temacs' is useful when you want to establish whether a
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242 problem happens in an undumped Emacs. To run `temacs' under a
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243 debugger, type "gdb temacs", then start it with `r -batch -l loadup'.
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244
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245 ** If you encounter X protocol errors
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246
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247 Try evaluating (x-synchronize t). That puts Emacs into synchronous
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248 mode, where each Xlib call checks for errors before it returns. This
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249 mode is much slower, but when you get an error, you will see exactly
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250 which call really caused the error.
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251
36962
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252 You can start Emacs in a synchronous mode by invoking it with the -xrm
9c7eb7e6bf3e Document the use of -xrm to start EMacs in synchronous mode.
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253 option, like this:
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254
37534
3ea5075dc420 Fix a typo in the "emacs -xrm" command line. Reported by Kenichi Handa.
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255 emacs -xrm "emacs.synchronous: true"
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256
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257 Setting a breakpoint in the function `x_error_quitter' and looking at
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258 the backtrace when Emacs stops inside that function will show what
9c7eb7e6bf3e Document the use of -xrm to start EMacs in synchronous mode.
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259 code causes the X protocol errors.
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260
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261 ** If the symptom of the bug is that Emacs fails to respond
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262
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263 Don't assume Emacs is `hung'--it may instead be in an infinite loop.
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264 To find out which, make the problem happen under GDB and stop Emacs
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265 once it is not responding. (If Emacs is using X Windows directly, you
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
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266 can stop Emacs by typing C-z at the GDB job.) Then try stepping with
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267 `step'. If Emacs is hung, the `step' command won't return. If it is
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268 looping, `step' will return.
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269
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270 If this shows Emacs is hung in a system call, stop it again and
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271 examine the arguments of the call. If you report the bug, it is very
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272 important to state exactly where in the source the system call is, and
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273 what the arguments are.
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274
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275 If Emacs is in an infinite loop, try to determine where the loop
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276 starts and ends. The easiest way to do this is to use the GDB command
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277 `finish'. Each time you use it, Emacs resumes execution until it
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278 exits one stack frame. Keep typing `finish' until it doesn't
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279 return--that means the infinite loop is in the stack frame which you
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280 just tried to finish.
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281
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282 Stop Emacs again, and use `finish' repeatedly again until you get back
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283 to that frame. Then use `next' to step through that frame. By
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284 stepping, you will see where the loop starts and ends. Also, examine
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285 the data being used in the loop and try to determine why the loop does
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286 not exit when it should.
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287
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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288 ** If certain operations in Emacs are slower than they used to be, here
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
289 is some advice for how to find out why.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
290
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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291 Stop Emacs repeatedly during the slow operation, and make a backtrace
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
292 each time. Compare the backtraces looking for a pattern--a specific
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
293 function that shows up more often than you'd expect.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
294
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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295 If you don't see a pattern in the C backtraces, get some Lisp
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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296 backtrace information by typing "xbacktrace" or by looking at Ffuncall
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
297 frames (see above), and again look for a pattern.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
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298
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
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299 When using X, you can stop Emacs at any time by typing C-z at GDB.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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300 When not using X, you can do this with C-g. On non-Unix platforms,
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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301 such as MS-DOS, you might need to press C-BREAK instead.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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302
25853
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
303 ** If GDB does not run and your debuggers can't load Emacs.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
304
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
305 On some systems, no debugger can load Emacs with a symbol table,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
306 perhaps because they all have fixed limits on the number of symbols
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
307 and Emacs exceeds the limits. Here is a method that can be used
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
308 in such an extremity. Do
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
309
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
310 nm -n temacs > nmout
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
311 strip temacs
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
312 adb temacs
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
313 0xd:i
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
314 0xe:i
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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315 14:i
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
316 17:i
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
317 :r -l loadup (or whatever)
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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318
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
319 It is necessary to refer to the file `nmout' to convert
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
320 numeric addresses into symbols and vice versa.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
321
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
322 It is useful to be running under a window system.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
323 Then, if Emacs becomes hopelessly wedged, you can create
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
324 another window to do kill -9 in. kill -ILL is often
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
325 useful too, since that may make Emacs dump core or return
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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326 to adb.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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327
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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328
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
329 ** Debugging incorrect screen updating.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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330
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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331 To debug Emacs problems that update the screen wrong, it is useful
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
332 to have a record of what input you typed and what Emacs sent to the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
333 screen. To make these records, do
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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334
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
335 (open-dribble-file "~/.dribble")
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
336 (open-termscript "~/.termscript")
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
337
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
338 The dribble file contains all characters read by Emacs from the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
339 terminal, and the termscript file contains all characters it sent to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
340 the terminal. The use of the directory `~/' prevents interference
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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341 with any other user.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
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342
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
343 If you have irreproducible display problems, put those two expressions
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
344 in your ~/.emacs file. When the problem happens, exit the Emacs that
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
345 you were running, kill it, and rename the two files. Then you can start
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
346 another Emacs without clobbering those files, and use it to examine them.
34594
9b989029cccf Add note aboute using `inverse-video' to detect excessive screen redraw.
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 32523
diff changeset
347
9b989029cccf Add note aboute using `inverse-video' to detect excessive screen redraw.
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 32523
diff changeset
348 An easy way to see if too much text is being redrawn on a terminal is to
9b989029cccf Add note aboute using `inverse-video' to detect excessive screen redraw.
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 32523
diff changeset
349 evaluate `(setq inverse-video t)' before you try the operation you think
9b989029cccf Add note aboute using `inverse-video' to detect excessive screen redraw.
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 32523
diff changeset
350 will cause too much redrawing. This doesn't refresh the screen, so only
9b989029cccf Add note aboute using `inverse-video' to detect excessive screen redraw.
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 32523
diff changeset
351 newly drawn text is in inverse video.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
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352
37509
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
353 The Emacs display code includes special debugging code, but it is
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
354 normally disabled. You can enable it by building Emacs with the
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
355 pre-processing symbol GLYPH_DEBUG defined. Here's one easy way,
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
356 suitable for Unix and GNU systems, to build such a debugging version:
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
357
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
358 MYCPPFLAGS='-DGLYPH_DEBUG=1' make
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
359
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
360 Building Emacs like that activates many assertions which scrutinize
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
361 display code operation more than Emacs does normally. (To see the
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
362 code which tests these assertions, look for calls to the `xassert'
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
363 macros.) Any assertion that is reported to fail should be
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
364 investigated.
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
365
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
366 Building with GLYPH_DEBUG defined also defines several helper
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
367 functions which can help debugging display code. One such function is
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
368 `dump_glyph_matrix'. If you run Emacs under GDB, you can print the
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
369 contents of any glyph matrix by just calling that function with the
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
370 matrix as its argument. For example, the following command will print
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
371 the contents of the current matrix of the window whose pointer is in
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
372 `w':
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
373
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
374 (gdb) p dump_glyph_matrix (w->current_matrix, 2)
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
375
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
376 (The second argument 2 tells dump_glyph_matrix to print the glyphs in
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
377 a long form.) You can dump the selected window's current glyph matrix
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
378 interactively with "M-x dump-glyph-matrix RET"; see the documentation
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
379 of this function for more details.
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
380
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
381 Several more functions for debugging display code are available in
37565
77f4666fdd04 Fix last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37534
diff changeset
382 Emacs compiled with GLYPH_DEBUG defined; type "C-h f dump- TAB" and
77f4666fdd04 Fix last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37534
diff changeset
383 "C-h f trace- TAB" to see the full list.
37509
ed5dca63a0ed Document some of the facilities for debugging display code, including
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37481
diff changeset
384
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
385
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
386 ** Debugging LessTif
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
387
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
388 If you encounter bugs whereby Emacs built with LessTif grabs all mouse
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
389 and keyboard events, or LessTif menus behave weirdly, it might be
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
390 helpful to set the `DEBUGSOURCES' and `DEBUG_FILE' environment
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
391 variables, so that one can see what LessTif was doing at this point.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
392 For instance
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
393
36625
08aed53e171c DEBUGSOURCES should contain a list of files, separated by colons.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 35861
diff changeset
394 export DEBUGSOURCES="RowColumn.c:MenuShell.c:MenuUtil.c"
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
395 export DEBUG_FILE=/usr/tmp/LESSTIF_TRACE
35720
c6ae90d82552 Clarify the instructions for debugging LessTif.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35655
diff changeset
396 emacs &
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
397
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
398 causes LessTif to print traces from the three named source files to a
35720
c6ae90d82552 Clarify the instructions for debugging LessTif.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35655
diff changeset
399 file in `/usr/tmp' (that file can get pretty large). The above should
c6ae90d82552 Clarify the instructions for debugging LessTif.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35655
diff changeset
400 be typed at the shell prompt before invoking Emacs, as shown by the
c6ae90d82552 Clarify the instructions for debugging LessTif.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35655
diff changeset
401 last line above.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
402
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
403 Running GDB from another terminal could also help with such problems.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
404 You can arrange for GDB to run on one machine, with the Emacs display
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
405 appearing on another. Then, when the bug happens, you can go back to
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
406 the machine where you started GDB and use the debugger from there.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
407
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
408
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
409 ** Debugging problems which happen in GC
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
410
37015
f8dd0e40dc34 Make it clear that last_marked[] holds pointers to Lisp objects, not
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36962
diff changeset
411 The array `last_marked' (defined on alloc.c) can be used to display up
f8dd0e40dc34 Make it clear that last_marked[] holds pointers to Lisp objects, not
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36962
diff changeset
412 to 500 last objects marked by the garbage collection process.
37076
ec5579aad1bb Fix the wording in the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37015
diff changeset
413 Whenever the garbage collector marks a Lisp object, it records the
ec5579aad1bb Fix the wording in the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37015
diff changeset
414 pointer to that object in the `last_marked' array. The variable
37015
f8dd0e40dc34 Make it clear that last_marked[] holds pointers to Lisp objects, not
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36962
diff changeset
415 `last_marked_index' holds the index into the `last_marked' array one
f8dd0e40dc34 Make it clear that last_marked[] holds pointers to Lisp objects, not
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36962
diff changeset
416 place beyond where the pointer to the very last marked object is
f8dd0e40dc34 Make it clear that last_marked[] holds pointers to Lisp objects, not
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36962
diff changeset
417 stored.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
418
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
419 The single most important goal in debugging GC problems is to find the
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
420 Lisp data structure that got corrupted. This is not easy since GC
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
421 changes the tag bits and relocates strings which make it hard to look
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
422 at Lisp objects with commands such as `pr'. It is sometimes necessary
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
423 to convert Lisp_Object variables into pointers to C struct's manually.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
424 Use the `last_marked' array and the source to reconstruct the sequence
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
425 that objects were marked.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
426
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
427 Once you discover the corrupted Lisp object or data structure, it is
35861
9cc9788cc61b Fix a couple of typos.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35791
diff changeset
428 useful to look at it in a fresh Emacs session and compare its contents
9cc9788cc61b Fix a couple of typos.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35791
diff changeset
429 with a session that you are debugging.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
430
37481
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
431 ** Debugging problems with non-ASCII characters
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
432
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
433 If you experience problems which seem to be related to non-ASCII
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
434 characters, such as \201 characters appearing in the buffer or in your
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
435 files, set the variable byte-debug-flag to t. This causes Emacs to do
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
436 some extra checks, such as look for broken relations between byte and
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
437 character positions in buffers and strings; the resulting diagnostics
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
438 might pinpoint the cause of the problem.
7121f840504e Document byte-debug-flag.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37333
diff changeset
439
40247
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
440 ** Debugging the TTY (non-windowed) version
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
441
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
442 The most convenient method of debugging the character-terminal display
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
443 is to do that on a window system such as X. Begin by starting an
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
444 xterm window, then type these commands inside that window:
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
445
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
446 $ tty
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
447 $ echo $TERM
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
448
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
449 Let's say these commands print "/dev/ttyp4" and "xterm", respectively.
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
450
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
451 Now start Emacs (the normal, windowed-display session, i.e. without
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
452 the `-nw' option), and invoke "M-x gdb RET emacs RET" from there. Now
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
453 type these commands at GDB's prompt:
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
454
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
455 (gdb) set args -nw -t /dev/ttyp4
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
456 (gdb) set environment TERM xterm
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
457 (gdb) run
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
458
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
459 The debugged Emacs should now start in no-window mode with its display
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
460 directed to the xterm window you opened above.
c824be0e27e2 Add information about debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37586
diff changeset
461
40348
380d8f312f3a Mention that screen(1) can come in handy for debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 40247
diff changeset
462 Similar arrangement is possible on a character terminal by using the
380d8f312f3a Mention that screen(1) can come in handy for debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 40247
diff changeset
463 `screen' package.
380d8f312f3a Mention that screen(1) can come in handy for debugging the tty version.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 40247
diff changeset
464
37586
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
465 ** Running Emacs built with malloc debugging packages
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
466
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
467 If Emacs exhibits bugs that seem to be related to use of memory
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
468 allocated off the heap, it might be useful to link Emacs with a
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
469 special debugging library, such as Electric Fence (a.k.a. efence) or
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
470 GNU Checker, which helps find such problems.
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
471
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
472 Emacs compiled with such packages might not run without some hacking,
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
473 because Emacs replaces the system's memory allocation functions with
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
474 its own versions, and because the dumping process might be
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
475 incompatible with the way these packages use to track allocated
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
476 memory. Here are some of the changes you might find necessary
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
477 (SYSTEM-NAME and MACHINE-NAME are the names of your OS- and
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
478 CPU-specific headers in the subdirectories of `src'):
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
479
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
480 - In src/s/SYSTEM-NAME.h add "#define SYSTEM_MALLOC".
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
481
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
482 - In src/m/MACHINE-NAME.h add "#define CANNOT_DUMP" and
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
483 "#define CANNOT_UNEXEC".
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
484
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
485 - Configure with a different --prefix= option. If you use GCC,
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
486 version 2.7.2 is preferred, as some malloc debugging packages
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
487 work a lot better with it than with 2.95 or later versions.
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
488
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
489 - Type "make" then "make -k install".
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
490
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
491 - If required, invoke the package-specific command to prepare
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
492 src/temacs for execution.
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
493
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
494 - cd ..; src/temacs
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
495
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
496 (Note that this runs `temacs' instead of the usual `emacs' executable.
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
497 This avoids problems with dumping Emacs mentioned above.)
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
498
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
499 Some malloc debugging libraries might print lots of false alarms for
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
500 bitfields used by Emacs in some data structures. If you want to get
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
501 rid of the false alarms, you will have to hack the definitions of
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
502 these data structures on the respective headers to remove the `:N'
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
503 bitfield definitions (which will cause each such field to use a full
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
504 int).
c4354368031e Add hints for running Emacs with malloc debuggers.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37565
diff changeset
505
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
506 ** Some suggestions for debugging on MS Windows:
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
507
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
508 (written by Marc Fleischeuers, Geoff Voelker and Andrew Innes)
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
509
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
510 To debug Emacs with Microsoft Visual C++, you either start emacs from
37333
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
511 the debugger or attach the debugger to a running emacs process.
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
512
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
513 To start emacs from the debugger, you can use the file bin/debug.bat.
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
514 The Microsoft Developer studio will start and under Project, Settings,
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
515 Debug, General you can set the command-line arguments and Emacs's
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
516 startup directory. Set breakpoints (Edit, Breakpoints) at Fsignal and
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
517 other functions that you want to examine. Run the program (Build,
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
518 Start debug). Emacs will start and the debugger will take control as
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
519 soon as a breakpoint is hit.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
520
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
521 You can also attach the debugger to an already running Emacs process.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
522 To do this, start up the Microsoft Developer studio and select Build,
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
523 Start debug, Attach to process. Choose the Emacs process from the
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
524 list. Send a break to the running process (Debug, Break) and you will
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
525 find that execution is halted somewhere in user32.dll. Open the stack
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
526 trace window and go up the stack to w32_msg_pump. Now you can set
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
527 breakpoints in Emacs (Edit, Breakpoints). Continue the running Emacs
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
528 process (Debug, Step out) and control will return to Emacs, until a
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
529 breakpoint is hit.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
530
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
531 To examine the contents of a Lisp variable, you can use the function
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
532 'debug_print'. Right-click on a variable, select QuickWatch (it has
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
533 an eyeglass symbol on its button in the toolbar), and in the text
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
534 field at the top of the window, place 'debug_print(' and ')' around
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
535 the expression. Press 'Recalculate' and the output is sent to stderr,
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
536 and to the debugger via the OutputDebugString routine. The output
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
537 sent to stderr should be displayed in the console window that was
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
538 opened when the emacs.exe executable was started. The output sent to
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
539 the debugger should be displayed in the 'Debug' pane in the Output
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
540 window. If Emacs was started from the debugger, a console window was
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
541 opened at Emacs' startup; this console window also shows the output of
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
542 'debug_print'.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
543
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
544 For example, start and run Emacs in the debugger until it is waiting
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
545 for user input. Then click on the `Break' button in the debugger to
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
546 halt execution. Emacs should halt in `ZwUserGetMessage' waiting for
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
547 an input event. Use the `Call Stack' window to select the procedure
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
548 `w32_msp_pump' up the call stack (see below for why you have to do
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
549 this). Open the QuickWatch window and enter
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
550 "debug_print(Vexec_path)". Evaluating this expression will then print
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
551 out the contents of the Lisp variable `exec-path'.
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
552
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
553 If QuickWatch reports that the symbol is unknown, then check the call
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
554 stack in the `Call Stack' window. If the selected frame in the call
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
555 stack is not an Emacs procedure, then the debugger won't recognize
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
556 Emacs symbols. Instead, select a frame that is inside an Emacs
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
557 procedure and try using `debug_print' again.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
558
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
559 If QuickWatch invokes debug_print but nothing happens, then check the
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
560 thread that is selected in the debugger. If the selected thread is
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
561 not the last thread to run (the "current" thread), then it cannot be
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
562 used to execute debug_print. Use the Debug menu to select the current
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
563 thread and try using debug_print again. Note that the debugger halts
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
564 execution (e.g., due to a breakpoint) in the context of the current
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
565 thread, so this should only be a problem if you've explicitly switched
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
566 threads.
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
567
35791
7c5f4564ff27 Changes, clean-ups, and typo fixes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 35720
diff changeset
568 It is also possible to keep appropriately masked and typecast Lisp
35655
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
569 symbols in the Watch window, this is more convenient when steeping
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
570 though the code. For instance, on entering apply_lambda, you can
c3ac662ac2a3 Expand and update, based on the instructions to
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 34594
diff changeset
571 watch (struct Lisp_Symbol *) (0xfffffff & args[0]).
37333
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
572
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
573 Optimizations often confuse the MS debugger. For example, the
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
574 debugger will sometimes report wrong line numbers, e.g., when it
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
575 prints the backtrace for a crash. It is usually best to look at the
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
576 disassembly to determine exactly what code is being run--the
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
577 disassembly will probably show several source lines followed by a
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
578 block of assembler for those lines. The actual point where Emacs
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
579 crashes will be one of those source lines, but not neccesarily the one
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
580 that the debugger reports.
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
581
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
582 Another problematic area with the MS debugger is with variables that
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
583 are stored in registers: it will sometimes display wrong values for
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
584 those variables. Usually you will not be able to see any value for a
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
585 register variable, but if it is only being stored in a register
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
586 temporarily, you will see an old value for it. Again, you need to
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
587 look at the disassembly to determine which registers are being used,
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
588 and look at those registers directly, to see the actual current values
54ec1bffae34 Document problems with MS debugger working on optimized code.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 37157
diff changeset
589 of these variables.