[v3,14/14] the "compile" command
Commit Message
On Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:58:30 +0100, Eli Zaretskii wrote:
> > The command "compile code k = 3;" makes the change persistent. Contrary to it
> > command "compile code int k = 3;" would not be persistent which is described
> > about 3 paragraphs beneath:
> > Variables and types that are created as part
> > of the @code{compile} command are not persistent, and only exist as
> > long as the injected object code exists. This example is valid:
> >
> > @smallexample
> > compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
> > @end smallexample
>
> Then maybe we need to tell what "persistent" means in this context.
> Something like "visible to the rest of the program for the duration of
> this run".
I find this was said by "and only exist as long as the injected object code
exists.". But I have therefore changed the sentence to:
Variables and types that are created as part of the @code{compile}
command are not visible to the rest of the program for the duration of
this run.
BTW I would say s/this run/its run/.
There is also later this sentence with "persistence" but I have left it as is:
However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
location when the command exists.
> > > > +However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
> > > > +command has completed:
> > > > +
> > > > +@smallexample
> > > > +compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
> > > > +@end smallexample
> > > > +
> > > > +A compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
> > >
> > > Again, @noindend after the @example, and start "a compiler error" with
> > > a lower-case letter, as this is a continuation of the sentence before
> > > the example.
> >
> > TBH I do not agree with this formatting as the previous sentence has been
> > terminated by its colon (':').
>
> But then that previous sentence is incomplete, because it in effect
> goes like "If you were to type the following: SOMETHING." A sentence
> with an "if" but no "then" part is incomplete. I thought what follows
> the @example is the "then" part, which is why I suggested those
> changes.
OK, I agree now.
> OK, then let's say so explicitly. Something like
>
> Types defined in the @code{compile} will no longer be available in
> the next @code{compile} command.
I used it as you wrote. Although I would write:
Types defined in the @code{compile} command will no longer be
available in the next @code{compile} command.
Thanks,
Jan
Comments
> Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 19:41:32 +0100
> From: Jan Kratochvil <jan.kratochvil@redhat.com>
> Cc: gdb-patches@sourceware.org
>
> > Then maybe we need to tell what "persistent" means in this context.
> > Something like "visible to the rest of the program for the duration of
> > this run".
>
> I find this was said by "and only exist as long as the injected object code
> exists.". But I have therefore changed the sentence to:
> Variables and types that are created as part of the @code{compile}
> command are not visible to the rest of the program for the duration of
> this run.
>
> BTW I would say s/this run/its run/.
That's also fine.
> > OK, then let's say so explicitly. Something like
> >
> > Types defined in the @code{compile} will no longer be available in
> > the next @code{compile} command.
>
> I used it as you wrote. Although I would write:
> Types defined in the @code{compile} command will no longer be
> available in the next @code{compile} command.
That'd be fine as well.
I think the patch can go in now. Thanks.
@@ -16493,6 +16493,7 @@ address, or even return prematurely from a function.
* Returning:: Returning from a function
* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
* Patching:: Patching your program
+* Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
@end menu
@node Assignment
@@ -16915,6 +16916,237 @@ Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
as well as reading.
@end table
+@node Compiling and Injecting Code
+@section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
+@cindex injecting code
+@cindex writing into executables
+@cindex compiling code
+
+@value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
+programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
+@file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
+This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
+
+@table @code
+@kindex compile code
+@item compile code @var{source-code}
+@itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
+Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
+language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
+injection is not supported with the current language specified in
+@value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
+message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
+successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
+and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
+It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
+After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
+new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
+
+The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
+The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
+E.g.:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code printf ("hello world\n");
+@end smallexample
+
+If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
+may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
+from actual source code. E.g.:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
+@end smallexample
+
+Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
+enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
+following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
+allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
+have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
+editor.
+
+@smallexample
+compile code
+>printf ("hello\n");
+>printf ("world\n");
+>end
+@end smallexample
+
+Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
+provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
+specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
+@code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
+inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
+@var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
+inferior symbols otherwise.
+
+@kindex compile file
+@item compile file @var{filename}
+@itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
+Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
+
+@smallexample
+compile file /home/user/example.c
+@end smallexample
+@end table
+
+@subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
+
+There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
+command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
+highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
+
+@table @asis
+@item C code examples and caveats
+When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
+attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
+code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
+access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
+the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
+
+Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
+follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
+much like any other normal debugging session.
+
+@smallexample
+void function1 (void)
+@{
+ int i = 42;
+ printf ("function 1\n");
+@}
+
+void function2 (void)
+@{
+ int j = 12;
+ function1 ();
+@}
+
+int main(void)
+@{
+ int k = 6;
+ int *p;
+ function2 ();
+ return 0;
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
+been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
+@code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
+
+To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
+program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
+@code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
+information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
+be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
+
+So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
+information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
+all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
+out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
+@code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
+the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
+and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
+read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
+@code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
+@code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code k = 3;
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
+something else in the example program changes it, or another
+@code{compile} command changes it.
+
+Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
+injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
+@code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
+currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
+are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
+
+@smallexample
+compile code j = 3;
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+will result in a compilation error message.
+
+Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
+scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
+the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
+
+You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
+part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
+of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
+the duration of this run. This example is valid:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
+@end smallexample
+
+However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
+command has completed:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
+exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
+command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
+when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
+code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
+@end smallexample
+
+The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
+@code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
+it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
+assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
+changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
+variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
+to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
+would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
+
+@smallexample
+compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
+@end smallexample
+
+In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
+@code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
+However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
+assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
+location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
+in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
+or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
+
+Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
+defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
+will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
+Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
+@code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
+need to resolve the type can be achieved.
+
+@smallexample
+(gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
+(gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
+gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
+Compilation failed.
+(gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
+42
+@end smallexample
+
+Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
+accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
+Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
+will print to the console.
+@end table
+
@node GDB Files
@chapter @value{GDBN} Files