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