1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001,
3 @c 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 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 developing and maintaining 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 current position at the end
94 @vindex compilation-scroll-output
95 If you set the variable @code{compilation-scroll-output} to a
96 non-@code{nil} value, then the compilation buffer always scrolls to
97 follow output as it comes in.
99 @findex kill-compilation
100 When the compiler process terminates, for whatever reason, the mode
101 line of the @samp{*compilation*} buffer changes to say @samp{exit}
102 (followed by the exit code, @samp{[0]} for a normal exit), or
103 @samp{signal} (if a signal terminated the process), instead of
104 @samp{run}. Starting a new compilation also kills any running
105 compilation, as only one can exist at any time. However, @kbd{M-x
106 compile} asks for confirmation before actually killing a compilation
107 that is running. You can also kill the compilation process with
108 @kbd{M-x kill-compilation}.
111 To rerun the last compilation with the same command, type @kbd{M-x
112 recompile}. This automatically reuses the compilation command from
113 the last invocation of @kbd{M-x compile}. It also reuses the
114 @samp{*compilation*} buffer and starts the compilation in its default
115 directory, which is the directory in which the previous compilation
118 Emacs does not expect a compiler process to launch asynchronous
119 subprocesses; if it does, and they keep running after the main
120 compiler process has terminated, Emacs may kill them or their output
121 may not arrive in Emacs. To avoid this problem, make the main process
122 wait for its subprocesses to finish. In a shell script, you can do this
123 using @samp{$!} and @samp{wait}, like this:
126 (sleep 10; echo 2nd)& pid=$! # @r{Record pid of subprocess}
128 wait $pid # @r{Wait for subprocess}
131 If the background process does not output to the compilation buffer,
132 so you only need to prevent it from being killed when the main
133 compilation process terminates, this is sufficient:
136 nohup @var{command}; sleep 1
139 @vindex compilation-environment
140 You can control the environment passed to the compilation command
141 with the variable @code{compilation-environment}. Its value is a list
142 of environment variable settings; each element should be a string of
143 the form @code{"@var{envvarname}=@var{value}"}. These environment
144 variable settings override the usual ones.
146 @node Compilation Mode
147 @section Compilation Mode
149 @findex compile-goto-error
150 @cindex Compilation mode
151 @cindex mode, Compilation
152 The @samp{*compilation*} buffer uses a special major mode, Compilation
153 mode, whose main feature is to provide a convenient way to look at the
154 source line where the error happened.
156 If you set the variable @code{compilation-scroll-output} to a
157 non-@code{nil} value, then the compilation buffer always scrolls to
158 follow output as it comes in.
164 Visit the locus of the next compiler error message or @code{grep} match.
167 Visit the locus of the previous compiler error message or @code{grep} match.
169 Visit the locus of the error message that point is on.
170 This command is used in the compilation buffer.
172 Visit the locus of the error message that you click on.
174 Find and highlight the locus of the next error message, without
175 selecting the source buffer.
177 Find and highlight the locus of the previous error message, without
178 selecting the source buffer.
180 Move point to the next error for a different file than the current
183 Move point to the previous error for a different file than the current
186 Toggle Next Error Follow minor mode, which makes cursor motion in the
187 compilation buffer produce automatic source display.
194 You can visit the source for any particular error message by moving
195 point in the @samp{*compilation*} buffer to that error message and
196 typing @key{RET} (@code{compile-goto-error}). Alternatively, you can
197 click @kbd{Mouse-2} on the error message; you need not switch to the
198 @samp{*compilation*} buffer first.
200 @vindex next-error-highlight
201 To parse the compiler error messages sequentially, type @kbd{C-x `}
202 (@code{next-error}). The character following the @kbd{C-x} is the
203 backquote or ``grave accent,'' not the single-quote. This command is
204 available in all buffers, not just in @samp{*compilation*}; it
205 displays the next error message at the top of one window and source
206 location of the error in another window. It also momentarily
207 highlights the relevant source line. You can change the behavior of
208 this highlighting with the variable @code{next-error-highlight}.
210 The first time @kbd{C-x `} is used after the start of a compilation,
211 it moves to the first error's location. Subsequent uses of @kbd{C-x `}
212 advance down to subsequent errors. If you visit a specific error
213 message with @key{RET} or @kbd{Mouse-2}, subsequent @kbd{C-x `}
214 commands advance from there. When @kbd{C-x `} gets to the end of the
215 buffer and finds no more error messages to visit, it fails and signals
218 When the left fringe is displayed, an arrow points to the
219 current message in the compilation buffer. The variable
220 @code{compilation-context-lines} controls the number of lines of
221 leading context in the window before the current message. If it is
222 @code{nil} and the left fringe is displayed, the window doesn't
223 scroll. If there is no left fringe, no arrow is displayed and a value
224 of @code{nil} means display the message at the top of the window.
226 If you're not in the compilation buffer when you run
227 @code{next-error}, Emacs will look for a buffer that contains error
228 messages. First, it looks for one displayed in the selected frame,
229 then for one that previously had @code{next-error} called on it, and
230 then at the current buffer. Finally, Emacs looks at all the remaining
231 buffers. @code{next-error} signals an error if it can't find any such
234 @kbd{C-u C-x `} starts scanning from the beginning of the compilation
235 buffer. This is one way to process the same set of errors again.
237 @vindex compilation-error-regexp-alist
238 @vindex grep-regexp-alist
239 To parse messages from the compiler, Compilation mode uses the
240 variable @code{compilation-error-regexp-alist} which lists various
241 formats of error messages and tells Emacs how to extract the source file
242 and the line number from the text of a message. If your compiler isn't
243 supported, you can tailor Compilation mode to it by adding elements to
244 that list. A similar variable @code{grep-regexp-alist} tells Emacs how
245 to parse output of a @code{grep} command.
247 @findex compilation-next-error
248 @findex compilation-previous-error
249 @findex compilation-next-file
250 @findex compilation-previous-file
251 Compilation mode also redefines the keys @key{SPC} and @key{DEL} to
252 scroll by screenfuls, and @kbd{M-n} (@code{compilation-next-error})
253 and @kbd{M-p} (@code{compilation-previous-error}) to move to the next
254 or previous error message. You can also use @kbd{M-@{}
255 (@code{compilation-next-file} and @kbd{M-@}}
256 (@code{compilation-previous-file}) to move up or down to an error
257 message for a different source file.
259 @cindex Next Error Follow mode
260 @findex next-error-follow-minor-mode
261 You can type @kbd{C-c C-f} to toggle Next Error Follow mode. In
262 this minor mode, ordinary cursor motion in the compilation buffer
263 automatically updates the source buffer. For instance, moving the
264 cursor to the next error message causes the location of that error to
265 be displayed immediately.
267 The features of Compilation mode are also available in a minor mode
268 called Compilation Minor mode. This lets you parse error messages in
269 any buffer, not just a normal compilation output buffer. Type @kbd{M-x
270 compilation-minor-mode} to enable the minor mode. This defines the keys
271 @key{RET} and @kbd{Mouse-2}, as in the Compilation major mode.
273 Compilation minor mode works in any buffer, as long as the contents
274 are in a format that it understands. In an Rlogin buffer (@pxref{Remote
275 Host}), Compilation minor mode automatically accesses remote source
276 files by FTP (@pxref{File Names}).
278 @node Compilation Shell
279 @section Subshells for Compilation
281 Emacs uses a shell to run the compilation command, but specifies
282 the option for a noninteractive shell. This means, in particular, that
283 the shell should start with no prompt. If you find your usual shell
284 prompt making an unsightly appearance in the @samp{*compilation*}
285 buffer, it means you have made a mistake in your shell's init file by
286 setting the prompt unconditionally. (This init file's name may be
287 @file{.bashrc}, @file{.profile}, @file{.cshrc}, @file{.shrc}, or various
288 other things, depending on the shell you use.) The shell init file
289 should set the prompt only if there already is a prompt. In csh, here
293 if ($?prompt) set prompt = @dots{}
297 And here's how to do it in bash:
300 if [ "$@{PS1+set@}" = set ]
305 There may well be other things that your shell's init file
306 ought to do only for an interactive shell. You can use the same
307 method to conditionalize them.
309 The MS-DOS ``operating system'' does not support asynchronous
310 subprocesses; to work around this lack, @kbd{M-x compile} runs the
311 compilation command synchronously on MS-DOS. As a consequence, you must
312 wait until the command finishes before you can do anything else in
313 Emacs. @xref{MS-DOS}.
316 @section Searching with Grep under Emacs
318 Just as you can run a compiler from Emacs and then visit the lines
319 with compilation errors, you can also run @code{grep} and
320 then visit the lines on which matches were found. This works by
321 treating the matches reported by @code{grep} as if they were ``errors.''
325 Run @code{grep} asynchronously under Emacs, with matching lines
326 listed in the buffer named @samp{*grep*}.
329 Run @code{grep} via @code{find}, with user-specified arguments, and
330 collect output in the buffer named @samp{*grep*}.
332 Kill the running @code{grep} subprocess.
336 To run @code{grep}, type @kbd{M-x grep}, then enter a command line that
337 specifies how to run @code{grep}. Use the same arguments you would give
338 @code{grep} when running it normally: a @code{grep}-style regexp
339 (usually in single-quotes to quote the shell's special characters)
340 followed by file names, which may use wildcards. If you specify a
341 prefix argument for @kbd{M-x grep}, it figures out the tag
342 (@pxref{Tags}) around point, and puts that into the default
345 The output from @code{grep} goes in the @samp{*grep*} buffer. You
346 can find the corresponding lines in the original files using @kbd{C-x
347 `}, @key{RET}, and so forth, just like compilation errors.
349 Some grep programs accept a @samp{--color} option to output special
350 markers around matches for the purpose of highlighting. You can make
351 use of this feature by setting @code{grep-highlight-matches} to
352 @code{t}. When displaying a match in the source buffer, the exact
353 match will be highlighted, instead of the entire source line.
357 The command @kbd{M-x grep-find} (also available as @kbd{M-x
358 find-grep}) is similar to @kbd{M-x grep}, but it supplies a different
359 initial default for the command---one that runs both @code{find} and
360 @code{grep}, so as to search every file in a directory tree. See also
361 the @code{find-grep-dired} command, in @ref{Dired and Find}.
364 @section Finding Syntax Errors On The Fly
365 @cindex checking syntax
367 Flymake mode is a minor mode that performs on-the-fly syntax
368 checking for many programming and markup languages, including C, C++,
369 Perl, HTML, and @TeX{}/La@TeX{}. It is somewhat analogous to Flyspell
370 mode, which performs spell checking for ordinary human languages in a
371 similar fashion (@pxref{Spelling}). As you edit a file, Flymake mode
372 runs an appropriate syntax checking tool in the background, using a
373 temporary copy of the buffer. It then parses the error and warning
374 messages, and highlights the erroneous lines in the buffer. The
375 syntax checking tool used depends on the language; for example, for
376 C/C++ files this is usually the C compiler. Flymake can also use
377 build tools such as @code{make} for checking complicated projects.
379 To activate Flymake mode, type @kbd{M-x flymake-mode}. You can move
380 to the errors spotted by Flymake mode with @kbd{M-x
381 flymake-goto-next-error} and @kbd{M-x flymake-goto-prev-error}. To
382 display any error messages associated with the current line, use
383 @kbd{M-x flymake-display-err-menu-for-current-line}.
385 For more details about using Flymake, see @ref{Top, Flymake,
386 Flymake, flymake, The Flymake Manual}.
389 @section Running Debuggers Under Emacs
401 @c Do you believe in GUD?
402 The GUD (Grand Unified Debugger) library provides an interface to
403 various symbolic debuggers from within Emacs. We recommend the
404 debugger GDB, which is free software, but you can also run DBX, SDB or
405 XDB if you have them. GUD can also serve as an interface to Perl's
406 debugging mode, the Python debugger PDB, the bash debugger, and to
407 JDB, the Java Debugger. @xref{Debugging,, The Lisp Debugger, elisp,
408 the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, for information on debugging Emacs
412 * Starting GUD:: How to start a debugger subprocess.
413 * Debugger Operation:: Connection between the debugger and source buffers.
414 * Commands of GUD:: Key bindings for common commands.
415 * GUD Customization:: Defining your own commands for GUD.
416 * GDB Graphical Interface:: An enhanced mode that uses GDB features to
417 implement a graphical debugging environment through
422 @subsection Starting GUD
424 There are several commands for starting a debugger, each corresponding
425 to a particular debugger program.
428 @item M-x gdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
430 Run GDB as a subprocess of Emacs. By default, this operates in
431 graphical mode; @xref{GDB Graphical Interface}. Graphical mode
432 does not support any other debuggers.
434 @item M-x dbx @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
436 Similar, but run DBX instead of GDB.
438 @item M-x xdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
440 @vindex gud-xdb-directories
441 Similar, but run XDB instead of GDB. Use the variable
442 @code{gud-xdb-directories} to specify directories to search for source
445 @item M-x sdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
447 Similar, but run SDB instead of GDB.
449 Some versions of SDB do not mention source file names in their
450 messages. When you use them, you need to have a valid tags table
451 (@pxref{Tags}) in order for GUD to find functions in the source code.
452 If you have not visited a tags table or the tags table doesn't list one
453 of the functions, you get a message saying @samp{The sdb support
454 requires a valid tags table to work}. If this happens, generate a valid
455 tags table in the working directory and try again.
457 @item M-x bashdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
459 Run the bash debugger to debug @var{file}, a shell script.
461 @item M-x perldb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
463 Run the Perl interpreter in debug mode to debug @var{file}, a Perl program.
465 @item M-x jdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
467 Run the Java debugger to debug @var{file}.
469 @item M-x pdb @key{RET} @var{file} @key{RET}
471 Run the Python debugger to debug @var{file}.
474 Each of these commands takes one argument: a command line to invoke
475 the debugger. In the simplest case, specify just the name of the
476 executable file you want to debug. You may also use options that the
477 debugger supports. However, shell wildcards and variables are not
478 allowed. GUD assumes that the first argument not starting with a
479 @samp{-} is the executable file name.
481 @node Debugger Operation
482 @subsection Debugger Operation
484 @cindex fringes, and current execution line in GUD
485 When you run a debugger with GUD, the debugger uses an Emacs buffer
486 for its ordinary input and output. This is called the GUD buffer. The
487 debugger displays the source files of the program by visiting them in
488 Emacs buffers. An arrow (@samp{=>}) in one of these buffers indicates
489 the current execution line.@footnote{Under a window system, the arrow
490 appears in the left fringe of the Emacs window.} Moving point in this
491 buffer does not move the arrow.
493 You can start editing these source files at any time in the buffers
494 that display them. The arrow is not part of the file's
495 text; it appears only on the screen. If you do modify a source file,
496 keep in mind that inserting or deleting lines will throw off the arrow's
497 positioning; GUD has no way of figuring out which line corresponded
498 before your changes to the line number in a debugger message. Also,
499 you'll typically have to recompile and restart the program for your
500 changes to be reflected in the debugger's tables.
502 If you wish, you can control your debugger process entirely through the
503 debugger buffer, which uses a variant of Shell mode. All the usual
504 commands for your debugger are available, and you can use the Shell mode
505 history commands to repeat them. @xref{Shell Mode}.
507 @cindex tooltips with GUD
508 @vindex tooltip-gud-modes
509 @vindex gud-tooltip-mode
510 @vindex gud-tooltip-echo-area
511 The Tooltip facility (@pxref{Tooltips}) provides support for GUD@.
512 You activate this feature by turning on the minor mode
513 @code{gud-tooltip-mode}. Then you can display a variable's value in a
514 tooltip simply by pointing at it with the mouse. In graphical mode,
515 with a C program, you can also display the @code{#define} directive
516 associated with an identifier when the program is not executing. This
517 operates in the GUD buffer and in source buffers with major modes in
518 the list @code{gud-tooltip-modes}. If the variable
519 @code{gud-tooltip-echo-area} is non-@code{nil} then the variable's
520 value is displayed in the echo area.
522 With GDB in text command mode (@pxref{GDB Graphical Interface}),
523 it is possible that use of GUD tooltips can cause a function to be
524 called with harmful side-effects. In this case, Emacs disables
527 @node Commands of GUD
528 @subsection Commands of GUD
530 The GUD interaction buffer uses a variant of Shell mode, so the
531 commands of Shell mode are available (@pxref{Shell Mode}). GUD mode
532 also provides commands for setting and clearing breakpoints, for
533 selecting stack frames, and for stepping through the program. These
534 commands are available both in the GUD buffer and globally, but with
535 different key bindings. It also has its own tool bar from which you
536 can invoke the more common commands by clicking on the appropriate
537 icon. This is particularly useful for repetitive commands like
538 gud-next and gud-step and allows the user to hide the GUD buffer.
540 The breakpoint commands are normally used in source file buffers,
541 because that is the easiest way to specify where to set or clear the
542 breakpoint. Here's the global command to set a breakpoint:
547 Set a breakpoint on the source line that point is on.
550 @kindex C-x C-a @r{(GUD)}
551 Here are the other special commands provided by GUD. The keys
552 starting with @kbd{C-c} are available only in the GUD interaction
553 buffer. The key bindings that start with @kbd{C-x C-a} are available in
554 the GUD interaction buffer and also in source files.
558 @kindex C-c C-l @r{(GUD)}
561 Display in another window the last line referred to in the GUD
562 buffer (that is, the line indicated in the last location message).
563 This runs the command @code{gud-refresh}.
566 @kindex C-c C-s @r{(GUD)}
569 Execute a single line of code (@code{gud-step}). If the line contains
570 a function call, execution stops after entering the called function.
573 @kindex C-c C-n @r{(GUD)}
576 Execute a single line of code, stepping across entire function calls
577 at full speed (@code{gud-next}).
580 @kindex C-c C-i @r{(GUD)}
583 Execute a single machine instruction (@code{gud-stepi}).
587 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(GUD)}
590 Continue execution without specifying any stopping point. The program
591 will run until it hits a breakpoint, terminates, or gets a signal that
592 the debugger is checking for (@code{gud-cont}).
596 @kindex C-c C-d @r{(GUD)}
599 Delete the breakpoint(s) on the current source line, if any
600 (@code{gud-remove}). If you use this command in the GUD interaction
601 buffer, it applies to the line where the program last stopped.
604 @kindex C-c C-t @r{(GUD)}
607 Set a temporary breakpoint on the current source line, if any.
608 If you use this command in the GUD interaction buffer,
609 it applies to the line where the program last stopped.
612 The above commands are common to all supported debuggers. If you are
613 using GDB or (some versions of) DBX, these additional commands are available:
617 @kindex C-c < @r{(GUD)}
620 Select the next enclosing stack frame (@code{gud-up}). This is
621 equivalent to the @samp{up} command.
624 @kindex C-c > @r{(GUD)}
627 Select the next inner stack frame (@code{gud-down}). This is
628 equivalent to the @samp{down} command.
631 If you are using GDB, these additional key bindings are available:
635 @kindex C-c C-r @r{(GUD)}
638 Start execution of the program (@code{gud-run}).
641 @kindex C-c C-u @r{(GUD)}
644 Continue execution to the current line. The program will run until
645 it hits a breakpoint, terminates, gets a signal that the debugger is
646 checking for, or reaches the line on which the cursor currently sits
650 @kindex TAB @r{(GUD)}
651 @findex gud-gdb-complete-command
652 With GDB, complete a symbol name (@code{gud-gdb-complete-command}).
653 This key is available only in the GUD interaction buffer, and requires
654 GDB versions 4.13 and later.
657 @kindex C-c C-f @r{(GUD)}
660 Run the program until the selected stack frame returns (or until it
661 stops for some other reason).
664 @kindex C-x C-a C-j @r{(GUD)}
666 Only useful in a source buffer, (@code{gud-jump}) transfers the
667 program's execution point to the current line. In other words, the
668 next line that the program executes will be the one where you gave the
669 command. If the new execution line is in a different function from
670 the previously one, GDB prompts for confirmation since the results may
671 be bizarre. See the GDB manual entry regarding @code{jump} for
675 These commands interpret a numeric argument as a repeat count, when
678 Because @key{TAB} serves as a completion command, you can't use it to
679 enter a tab as input to the program you are debugging with GDB.
680 Instead, type @kbd{C-q @key{TAB}} to enter a tab.
682 @node GUD Customization
683 @subsection GUD Customization
685 @vindex gdb-mode-hook
686 @vindex dbx-mode-hook
687 @vindex sdb-mode-hook
688 @vindex xdb-mode-hook
689 @vindex perldb-mode-hook
690 @vindex pdb-mode-hook
691 @vindex jdb-mode-hook
692 On startup, GUD runs one of the following hooks: @code{gdb-mode-hook},
693 if you are using GDB; @code{dbx-mode-hook}, if you are using DBX;
694 @code{sdb-mode-hook}, if you are using SDB; @code{xdb-mode-hook}, if you
695 are using XDB; @code{perldb-mode-hook}, for Perl debugging mode;
696 @code{pdb-mode-hook}, for PDB; @code{jdb-mode-hook}, for JDB. You can
697 use these hooks to define custom key bindings for the debugger
698 interaction buffer. @xref{Hooks}.
700 Here is a convenient way to define a command that sends a particular
701 command string to the debugger, and set up a key binding for it in the
702 debugger interaction buffer:
706 (gud-def @var{function} @var{cmdstring} @var{binding} @var{docstring})
709 This defines a command named @var{function} which sends
710 @var{cmdstring} to the debugger process, and gives it the documentation
711 string @var{docstring}. You can then use the command @var{function} in any
712 buffer. If @var{binding} is non-@code{nil}, @code{gud-def} also binds
713 the command to @kbd{C-c @var{binding}} in the GUD buffer's mode and to
714 @kbd{C-x C-a @var{binding}} generally.
716 The command string @var{cmdstring} may contain certain
717 @samp{%}-sequences that stand for data to be filled in at the time
718 @var{function} is called:
722 The name of the current source file. If the current buffer is the GUD
723 buffer, then the ``current source file'' is the file that the program
725 @c This said, ``the name of the file the program counter was in at the last breakpoint.''
726 @c But I suspect it is really the last stop file.
729 The number of the current source line. If the current buffer is the GUD
730 buffer, then the ``current source line'' is the line that the program
734 The text of the C lvalue or function-call expression at or adjacent to point.
737 The text of the hexadecimal address at or adjacent to point.
740 The numeric argument of the called function, as a decimal number. If
741 the command is used without a numeric argument, @samp{%p} stands for the
744 If you don't use @samp{%p} in the command string, the command you define
745 ignores any numeric argument.
748 @node GDB Graphical Interface
749 @subsection GDB Graphical Interface
751 @findex gdb-mouse-set-clear-breakpoint
752 @findex gdb-mouse-toggle-breakpoint
753 By default, the command @code{gdb} starts GDB using a graphical
754 interface where you view and control the program's data using Emacs
755 windows. You can still interact with GDB through the GUD buffer, but
756 the point of this mode is that you can do it through menus and clicks,
757 without needing to know GDB commands. For example, you can click
758 @kbd{Mouse-1} in the fringe or display margin of a source buffer to
759 set a breakpoint there and, on a graphical display, a red bullet will
760 appear. If a breakpoint already exists on that line, this action will
761 remove it. You can also enable or disable a breakpoint by clicking
762 @kbd{Mouse-3} on the bullet. If you drag the debugger arrow in the
763 fringe with @kbd{Mouse-1}, execution will continue to the line where
764 you release the button, provided it is still in the same frame
765 (@code{gdb-mouse-until}). Alternatively, you can click @kbd{Mouse-2}
766 at some point in the fringe of this buffer and execution will advance
769 @vindex gud-gdb-command-name
771 You can also run GDB in text command mode, which creates a buffer
772 for input and output to GDB. To do this, set
773 @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to @code{"gdb --fullname"} or edit the
774 startup command in the minibuffer to say that. You need to do use
775 text command mode to run multiple debugging sessions within one Emacs
776 session. If you have customized @code{gud-gdb-command-name} in that
777 way, then you can use @kbd{M-x gdba} to invoke GDB in graphical mode.
780 * GDB User Interface Layout:: Control the number of displayed buffers.
781 * Breakpoints Buffer:: A breakpoint control panel.
782 * Stack Buffer:: Select a frame from the call stack.
783 * Watch Expressions:: Monitor variable values in the speedbar.
784 * Other GDB User Interface Buffers:: Input/output, locals, registers,
785 assembler, threads and memory buffers.
788 @node GDB User Interface Layout
789 @subsubsection GDB User Interface Layout
790 @cindex GDB User Interface layout
792 @findex gdb-many-windows
793 @vindex gdb-many-windows
795 If the variable @code{gdb-many-windows} is @code{nil} (the default
796 value) then gdb just pops up the GUD buffer unless the variable
797 @code{gdb-show-main} is non-@code{nil}. In this case it starts with
798 two windows: one displaying the GUD buffer and the other with the
799 source file with the main routine of the inferior.
801 If @code{gdb-many-windows} is non-@code{nil}, regardless of the value of
802 @code{gdb-show-main}, the layout below will appear unless
803 @code{gdb-use-inferior-io-buffer} is @code{nil}. In this case the
804 source buffer occupies the full width of the frame.
807 +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
809 | GUD buffer (I/O of GDB) | Locals buffer |
811 |--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
813 | Source buffer | I/O buffer (of inferior) |
815 |--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
817 | Stack buffer | Breakpoints buffer |
819 +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
822 To toggle this layout, do @kbd{M-x gdb-many-windows}.
824 @findex gdb-restore-windows
825 If you change the window layout, for example, while editing and
826 re-compiling your program, then you can restore it with the command
827 @code{gdb-restore-windows}.
829 You may also choose which additional buffers you want to display,
830 either in the same frame or a different one. Select them from
831 @samp{GUD->GDB-windows} or @samp{GUD->GDB-Frames} sub-menu
832 respectively. If the menu-bar is unavailable, type @code{M-x
833 gdb-display-@var{buffertype}-buffer} or @code{M-x
834 gdb-frame-@var{buffertype}-buffer} respectively, where
835 @var{buffertype} is the relevant buffer type e.g breakpoints.
837 When you finish debugging then kill the GUD buffer with @kbd{C-x k},
838 which will also kill all the buffers associated with the session.
839 However you need not do this if, after editing and re-compiling your
840 source code within Emacs, you wish continue debugging. When you
841 restart execution, GDB will automatically find your new executable.
842 Keeping the GUD buffer has the advantage of keeping the shell history
843 as well as GDB's breakpoints. You need to check, however, that the
844 breakpoints in the recently edited code are still where you want them.
846 @node Breakpoints Buffer
847 @subsubsection Breakpoints Buffer
849 The breakpoints buffer shows the existing breakpoints and watchpoints
850 (@pxref{Breakpoints,,, gdb, The GNU debugger}). It has three special
855 @kindex SPC @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
856 @findex gdb-toggle-breakpoint
857 Enable/disable the breakpoint at the current line
858 (@code{gdb-toggle-breakpoint}). On a graphical display, this changes
859 the color of a bullet in the margin of the source buffer at the
860 relevant line. This is red when the breakpoint is enabled and grey
861 when it is disabled. Text-only terminals correspondingly display
862 a @samp{B} or @samp{b}.
865 @kindex d @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
866 @findex gdb-delete-breakpoint
867 Delete the breakpoint at the current line (@code{gdb-delete-breakpoint}).
870 @kindex RET @r{(GDB breakpoints buffer)}
871 @findex gdb-goto-breakpoint
872 Display the file in the source buffer at the breakpoint specified at
873 the current line (@code{gdb-goto-breakpoint}). Alternatively, click
874 @kbd{Mouse-2} on the breakpoint that you wish to visit.
878 @subsubsection Stack Buffer
880 The stack buffer displays a @dfn{call stack}, with one line for each
881 of the nested subroutine calls (@dfn{stack frames}) now active in the
882 program. @xref{Backtrace,, Backtraces, gdb, The GNU debugger}.
884 @findex gdb-frames-select
885 The selected frame number is displayed in reverse contrast. Move
886 point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to select it
887 (@code{gdb-frames-select}) and display the associated source in the
888 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} on a frame to
889 select it. If the locals buffer is displayed then its contents update
890 to display the variables that are local to the new frame.
892 @node Watch Expressions
893 @subsubsection Watch Expressions
894 @cindex Watching expressions in GDB
897 If you want to see how a variable changes each time your program stops
898 then place the cursor over the variable name and click on the watch
899 icon in the tool bar (@code{gud-watch}).
901 Each watch expression is displayed in the speedbar. Complex data
902 types, such as arrays, structures and unions are represented in a tree
903 format. To expand or contract a complex data type, click @kbd{Mouse-2}
904 on the tag to the left of the expression.
906 @findex gdb-var-delete
907 With the cursor over the root expression of a complex data type, type
908 @kbd{D} to delete it from the speedbar
909 (@code{gdb-var-delete}).
911 @kindex RET @r{(GDB speedbar)}
912 @findex gdb-edit-value
913 With the cursor over a simple data type or an element of a complex
914 data type which holds a value, type @key{RET} or click @kbd{Mouse-2} to edit
915 its value. A prompt for a new value appears in the mini-buffer
916 (@code{gdb-edit-value}).
918 @vindex gdb-show-changed-values
919 If you set the variable @code{gdb-show-changed-values} to
920 non-@code{nil} (the default value), Emacs will use
921 font-lock-warning-face to display values that have recently changed in
924 @vindex gdb-use-colon-colon-notation
925 If you set the variable @code{gdb-use-colon-colon-notation} to a
926 non-@code{nil} value then, in C, Emacs will use the
927 @var{function}::@var{variable} format to display variables in the
928 speedbar. Since this does not work for variables defined in compound
929 statements, the default value is @code{nil}.
931 @node Other GDB User Interface Buffers
932 @subsubsection Other Buffers
935 @item Input/Output Buffer
936 @vindex gdb-use-inferior-io-buffer
937 If the variable @code{gdb-use-inferior-io-buffer} is non-@code{nil},
938 the executable program that is being debugged takes its input and
939 displays its output here, otherwise it uses the GUD buffer. To toggle
940 the use of this buffer, do @kbd{M-x gdb-use-inferior-io-buffer}.
942 Some of the commands from shell mode are available here. @xref{Shell
946 The locals buffer displays the values of local variables of the
947 current frame for simple data types (@pxref{Frame Info, Frame Info,
948 Information on a frame, gdb, The GNU debugger}).
950 Arrays and structures display their type only. You must display them
951 separately to examine their values. @xref{Watch Expressions}.
953 @item Registers Buffer
954 @findex toggle-gdb-all-registers
955 The registers buffer displays the values held by the registers
956 (@pxref{Registers,,, gdb, The GNU debugger}). Press @key{SPC} to
957 toggle the display of floating point registers
958 (@code{toggle-gdb-all-registers}).
960 @item Assembler Buffer
961 The assembler buffer displays the current frame as machine code. An
962 overlay arrow points to the current instruction and you can set and
963 remove breakpoints as with the source buffer. Breakpoint icons also
964 appear in the fringe or margin.
967 @findex gdb-threads-select
968 The threads buffer displays a summary of all threads currently in your
969 program (@pxref{Threads, Threads, Debugging programs with multiple
970 threads, gdb, The GNU debugger}). Move point to any thread in the
971 list and press @key{RET} to select it (@code{gdb-threads-select}) and
972 display the associated source in the source buffer. Alternatively,
973 click @kbd{Mouse-2} on a thread to select it. If the locals buffer is
974 displayed then its contents update to display the variables that are
975 local to the new thread.
978 The memory buffer allows the user to examine sections of program
979 memory (@pxref{Memory, Memory, Examining memory, gdb, The GNU
980 debugger}). Click @kbd{Mouse-1} on the appropriate part of the header
981 line to change the starting address or number of data items that the
982 buffer displays. Click @kbd{Mouse-3} on the header line to select the
983 display format or unit size for these data items.
988 @section Executing Lisp Expressions
990 Emacs has several different major modes for Lisp and Scheme. They are
991 the same in terms of editing commands, but differ in the commands for
992 executing Lisp expressions. Each mode has its own purpose.
995 @item Emacs-Lisp mode
996 The mode for editing source files of programs to run in Emacs Lisp.
997 This mode defines @kbd{C-M-x} to evaluate the current defun.
998 @xref{Lisp Libraries}.
999 @item Lisp Interaction mode
1000 The mode for an interactive session with Emacs Lisp. It defines
1001 @kbd{C-j} to evaluate the sexp before point and insert its value in the
1002 buffer. @xref{Lisp Interaction}.
1004 The mode for editing source files of programs that run in Lisps other
1005 than Emacs Lisp. This mode defines @kbd{C-M-x} to send the current defun
1006 to an inferior Lisp process. @xref{External Lisp}.
1007 @item Inferior Lisp mode
1008 The mode for an interactive session with an inferior Lisp process.
1009 This mode combines the special features of Lisp mode and Shell mode
1010 (@pxref{Shell Mode}).
1012 Like Lisp mode but for Scheme programs.
1013 @item Inferior Scheme mode
1014 The mode for an interactive session with an inferior Scheme process.
1017 Most editing commands for working with Lisp programs are in fact
1018 available globally. @xref{Programs}.
1020 @node Lisp Libraries
1021 @section Libraries of Lisp Code for Emacs
1023 @cindex loading Lisp code
1025 Lisp code for Emacs editing commands is stored in files whose names
1026 conventionally end in @file{.el}. This ending tells Emacs to edit them in
1027 Emacs-Lisp mode (@pxref{Executing Lisp}).
1030 To execute a file of Emacs Lisp code, use @kbd{M-x load-file}. This
1031 command reads a file name using the minibuffer and then executes the
1032 contents of that file as Lisp code. It is not necessary to visit the
1033 file first; in any case, this command reads the file as found on disk,
1034 not text in an Emacs buffer.
1037 @findex load-library
1038 Once a file of Lisp code is installed in the Emacs Lisp library
1039 directories, users can load it using @kbd{M-x load-library}. Programs can
1040 load it by calling @code{load-library}, or with @code{load}, a more primitive
1041 function that is similar but accepts some additional arguments.
1043 @kbd{M-x load-library} differs from @kbd{M-x load-file} in that it
1044 searches a sequence of directories and tries three file names in each
1045 directory. Suppose your argument is @var{lib}; the three names are
1046 @file{@var{lib}.elc}, @file{@var{lib}.el}, and lastly just
1047 @file{@var{lib}}. If @file{@var{lib}.elc} exists, it is by convention
1048 the result of compiling @file{@var{lib}.el}; it is better to load the
1049 compiled file, since it will load and run faster.
1051 If @code{load-library} finds that @file{@var{lib}.el} is newer than
1052 @file{@var{lib}.elc} file, it issues a warning, because it's likely that
1053 somebody made changes to the @file{.el} file and forgot to recompile
1056 Because the argument to @code{load-library} is usually not in itself
1057 a valid file name, file name completion is not available. Indeed, when
1058 using this command, you usually do not know exactly what file name
1062 The sequence of directories searched by @kbd{M-x load-library} is
1063 specified by the variable @code{load-path}, a list of strings that are
1064 directory names. The default value of the list contains the directory where
1065 the Lisp code for Emacs itself is stored. If you have libraries of
1066 your own, put them in a single directory and add that directory
1067 to @code{load-path}. @code{nil} in this list stands for the current default
1068 directory, but it is probably not a good idea to put @code{nil} in the
1069 list. If you find yourself wishing that @code{nil} were in the list,
1070 most likely what you really want to do is use @kbd{M-x load-file}
1074 Often you do not have to give any command to load a library, because
1075 the commands defined in the library are set up to @dfn{autoload} that
1076 library. Trying to run any of those commands calls @code{load} to load
1077 the library; this replaces the autoload definitions with the real ones
1081 Emacs Lisp code can be compiled into byte-code which loads faster,
1082 takes up less space when loaded, and executes faster. @xref{Byte
1083 Compilation,, Byte Compilation, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}.
1084 By convention, the compiled code for a library goes in a separate file
1085 whose name consists of the library source file with @samp{c} appended.
1086 Thus, the compiled code for @file{foo.el} goes in @file{foo.elc}.
1087 That's why @code{load-library} searches for @samp{.elc} files first.
1089 @vindex load-dangerous-libraries
1090 @cindex Lisp files byte-compiled by XEmacs
1091 By default, Emacs refuses to load compiled Lisp files which were
1092 compiled with XEmacs, a modified versions of Emacs---they can cause
1093 Emacs to crash. Set the variable @code{load-dangerous-libraries} to
1094 @code{t} if you want to try loading them.
1097 @section Evaluating Emacs Lisp Expressions
1098 @cindex Emacs-Lisp mode
1099 @cindex mode, Emacs-Lisp
1101 @findex emacs-lisp-mode
1102 Lisp programs intended to be run in Emacs should be edited in
1103 Emacs-Lisp mode; this happens automatically for file names ending in
1104 @file{.el}. By contrast, Lisp mode itself is used for editing Lisp
1105 programs intended for other Lisp systems. To switch to Emacs-Lisp mode
1106 explicitly, use the command @kbd{M-x emacs-lisp-mode}.
1108 For testing of Lisp programs to run in Emacs, it is often useful to
1109 evaluate part of the program as it is found in the Emacs buffer. For
1110 example, after changing the text of a Lisp function definition,
1111 evaluating the definition installs the change for future calls to the
1112 function. Evaluation of Lisp expressions is also useful in any kind of
1113 editing, for invoking noninteractive functions (functions that are
1118 Read a single Lisp expression in the minibuffer, evaluate it, and print
1119 the value in the echo area (@code{eval-expression}).
1121 Evaluate the Lisp expression before point, and print the value in the
1122 echo area (@code{eval-last-sexp}).
1124 Evaluate the defun containing or after point, and print the value in
1125 the echo area (@code{eval-defun}).
1126 @item M-x eval-region
1127 Evaluate all the Lisp expressions in the region.
1128 @item M-x eval-current-buffer
1129 Evaluate all the Lisp expressions in the buffer.
1133 @c This uses ``colon'' instead of a literal `:' because Info cannot
1134 @c cope with a `:' in a menu
1135 @kindex M-@key{colon}
1140 @findex eval-expression
1141 @kbd{M-:} (@code{eval-expression}) is the most basic command for evaluating
1142 a Lisp expression interactively. It reads the expression using the
1143 minibuffer, so you can execute any expression on a buffer regardless of
1144 what the buffer contains. When the expression is evaluated, the current
1145 buffer is once again the buffer that was current when @kbd{M-:} was
1148 @kindex C-M-x @r{(Emacs-Lisp mode)}
1150 In Emacs-Lisp mode, the key @kbd{C-M-x} is bound to the command
1151 @code{eval-defun}, which parses the defun containing or following point
1152 as a Lisp expression and evaluates it. The value is printed in the echo
1153 area. This command is convenient for installing in the Lisp environment
1154 changes that you have just made in the text of a function definition.
1156 @kbd{C-M-x} treats @code{defvar} expressions specially. Normally,
1157 evaluating a @code{defvar} expression does nothing if the variable it
1158 defines already has a value. But @kbd{C-M-x} unconditionally resets the
1159 variable to the initial value specified in the @code{defvar} expression.
1160 @code{defcustom} expressions are treated similarly.
1161 This special feature is convenient for debugging Lisp programs.
1162 Typing @kbd{C-M-x} on a @code{defface} expression reinitializes
1163 the face according to the @code{defface} specification.
1166 @findex eval-last-sexp
1167 The command @kbd{C-x C-e} (@code{eval-last-sexp}) evaluates the Lisp
1168 expression preceding point in the buffer, and displays the value in the
1169 echo area. It is available in all major modes, not just Emacs-Lisp
1170 mode. It does not treat @code{defvar} specially.
1172 When the result of an evaluation is an integer, you can type
1173 @kbd{C-x C-e} a second time to display the value of the integer result
1174 in additional formats (octal, hexadecimal, and character).
1176 If @kbd{C-x C-e}, or @kbd{M-:} is given a numeric argument, it
1177 inserts the value into the current buffer at point, rather than
1178 displaying it in the echo area. The argument's value does not matter.
1179 @kbd{C-M-x} with a numeric argument instruments the function
1180 definition for Edebug (@pxref{Instrumenting, Instrumenting for Edebug,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}).
1183 @findex eval-current-buffer
1184 The most general command for evaluating Lisp expressions from a buffer
1185 is @code{eval-region}. @kbd{M-x eval-region} parses the text of the
1186 region as one or more Lisp expressions, evaluating them one by one.
1187 @kbd{M-x eval-current-buffer} is similar but evaluates the entire
1188 buffer. This is a reasonable way to install the contents of a file of
1189 Lisp code that you are ready to test. Later, as you find bugs and
1190 change individual functions, use @kbd{C-M-x} on each function that you
1191 change. This keeps the Lisp world in step with the source file.
1193 @vindex eval-expression-print-level
1194 @vindex eval-expression-print-length
1195 @vindex eval-expression-debug-on-error
1196 The customizable variables @code{eval-expression-print-level} and
1197 @code{eval-expression-print-length} control the maximum depth and length
1198 of lists to print in the result of the evaluation commands before
1199 abbreviating them. @code{eval-expression-debug-on-error} controls
1200 whether evaluation errors invoke the debugger when these commands are
1203 @node Lisp Interaction
1204 @section Lisp Interaction Buffers
1206 The buffer @samp{*scratch*} which is selected when Emacs starts up is
1207 provided for evaluating Lisp expressions interactively inside Emacs.
1209 The simplest way to use the @samp{*scratch*} buffer is to insert Lisp
1210 expressions and type @kbd{C-j} after each expression. This command
1211 reads the Lisp expression before point, evaluates it, and inserts the
1212 value in printed representation before point. The result is a complete
1213 typescript of the expressions you have evaluated and their values.
1215 The @samp{*scratch*} buffer's major mode is Lisp Interaction mode, which
1216 is the same as Emacs-Lisp mode except for the binding of @kbd{C-j}.
1218 @findex lisp-interaction-mode
1219 The rationale for this feature is that Emacs must have a buffer when
1220 it starts up, but that buffer is not useful for editing files since a
1221 new buffer is made for every file that you visit. The Lisp interpreter
1222 typescript is the most useful thing I can think of for the initial
1223 buffer to do. Type @kbd{M-x lisp-interaction-mode} to put the current
1224 buffer in Lisp Interaction mode.
1227 An alternative way of evaluating Emacs Lisp expressions interactively
1228 is to use Inferior Emacs-Lisp mode, which provides an interface rather
1229 like Shell mode (@pxref{Shell Mode}) for evaluating Emacs Lisp
1230 expressions. Type @kbd{M-x ielm} to create an @samp{*ielm*} buffer
1231 which uses this mode.
1234 @section Running an External Lisp
1236 Emacs has facilities for running programs in other Lisp systems. You can
1237 run a Lisp process as an inferior of Emacs, and pass expressions to it to
1238 be evaluated. You can also pass changed function definitions directly from
1239 the Emacs buffers in which you edit the Lisp programs to the inferior Lisp
1243 @vindex inferior-lisp-program
1245 To run an inferior Lisp process, type @kbd{M-x run-lisp}. This runs
1246 the program named @code{lisp}, the same program you would run by typing
1247 @code{lisp} as a shell command, with both input and output going through
1248 an Emacs buffer named @samp{*lisp*}. That is to say, any ``terminal
1249 output'' from Lisp will go into the buffer, advancing point, and any
1250 ``terminal input'' for Lisp comes from text in the buffer. (You can
1251 change the name of the Lisp executable file by setting the variable
1252 @code{inferior-lisp-program}.)
1254 To give input to Lisp, go to the end of the buffer and type the input,
1255 terminated by @key{RET}. The @samp{*lisp*} buffer is in Inferior Lisp
1256 mode, which combines the special characteristics of Lisp mode with most
1257 of the features of Shell mode (@pxref{Shell Mode}). The definition of
1258 @key{RET} to send a line to a subprocess is one of the features of Shell
1262 For the source files of programs to run in external Lisps, use Lisp
1263 mode. This mode can be selected with @kbd{M-x lisp-mode}, and is used
1264 automatically for files whose names end in @file{.l}, @file{.lsp}, or
1265 @file{.lisp}, as most Lisp systems usually expect.
1267 @kindex C-M-x @r{(Lisp mode)}
1268 @findex lisp-eval-defun
1269 When you edit a function in a Lisp program you are running, the easiest
1270 way to send the changed definition to the inferior Lisp process is the key
1271 @kbd{C-M-x}. In Lisp mode, this runs the function @code{lisp-eval-defun},
1272 which finds the defun around or following point and sends it as input to
1273 the Lisp process. (Emacs can send input to any inferior process regardless
1274 of what buffer is current.)
1276 Contrast the meanings of @kbd{C-M-x} in Lisp mode (for editing programs
1277 to be run in another Lisp system) and Emacs-Lisp mode (for editing Lisp
1278 programs to be run in Emacs): in both modes it has the effect of installing
1279 the function definition that point is in, but the way of doing so is
1280 different according to where the relevant Lisp environment is found.
1281 @xref{Executing Lisp}.
1284 arch-tag: 9c3c2f71-b332-4144-8500-3ff9945a50ed