Thread names in GDB

Hi,

I was trying to set names to specific threads in a multi threaded application. This is to make sure that the debugging becomes easy when we debug the app. I tried using the function prctl(2) for the same purpose. Stil thread name doesnt appear when I try
(gdb) thread apply all bt


Currently the o/p of the above command is something like what I have pasted below

Thread 2 (process 980): #0 0x2aabd524 in ?? ()

I would like to see it as

Name (process 980): #0 0x2aabd524 in ?? ()

or

Thread 2 (process Name): #0 0x2aabd524 in ?? ()

is this possible?

this is how I used the function

prctl(PR_SET_NAME, (unsigned long) "Name", 0, 0, 0);

Thanks

You won't see thread names unless you compile with debug symbols. For gcc that's the "-g" switch.

Originally Posted by smallpond You won't see thread names unless you compile with debug symbols. For gcc that's the "-g" switch.

I clearly see debug symbols in my program as I have compiled it with -g option as you said.
But still I dont see a name.
My requirement is I should be able to set a name and then the name should appear on GDB for each thread.

if you are referring to ?? in my first post, I edited the actual function names which was appearing on gdb to ??

Haven't spent much time worrying over thread NAMES in GDB. Your attempt appeared to be a fair one; however it didn't work. I've always seen it in the "Thread # (Process #)" form. I would think that you'd have better success modifying GDB source and recompiling it so that it would do what you want; however you'd have to determine if the PR_SET_NAME gave symbol information sufficient enough for GDB's use. That is the core problem IMHO. The process name is dynamic, not sure that it is available to the symbol table.