Debugging with GDB: GDB/MI

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27 The GDB/MI Interface

Function and Purpose

GDB/MI is a line based machine oriented text interface to GDB and is activated by specifying using the --interpreter command line option (see Mode Options). It is specifically intended to support the development of systems which use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.

This chapter is a specification of the GDB/MI interface. It is written in the form of a reference manual.

Note that GDB/MI is still under construction, so some of the features described below are incomplete and subject to change (see GDB/MI Development and Front Ends).

Notation and Terminology

This chapter uses the following notation:

• | separates two alternatives.
• [ something ] indicates that something is optional: it may or may not be given.
• ( group )* means that group inside the parentheses may repeat zero or more times.
• ( group )+ means that group inside the parentheses may repeat one or more times.
• "string" means a literal string.

• GDB/MI General Design:
• GDB/MI Command Syntax:
• GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI:
• GDB/MI Development and Front Ends:
• GDB/MI Output Records:
• GDB/MI Simple Examples:
• GDB/MI Command Description Format:
• GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands:
• GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands:
• GDB/MI Program Context:
• GDB/MI Thread Commands:
• GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands:
• GDB/MI Program Execution:
• GDB/MI Stack Manipulation:
• GDB/MI Variable Objects:
• GDB/MI Data Manipulation:
• GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands:
• GDB/MI Symbol Query:
• GDB/MI File Commands:
• GDB/MI Target Manipulation:
• GDB/MI File Transfer Commands:
• GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands:
• GDB/MI Support Commands:
• GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands:

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