what are your favorite gdb features?

amikoyan · 04-04-2024, 02:04 PM

I have spent some time using GDB as a learning tool recently.

I particularly like the Text User Interface (TUI) https://sourceware.org/gdb/current/o....html/TUI.html because you can watch your code unfold.

Does anyone else have any other helpful ways GDB can be used to learn about how a program works?

EdGr · 04-04-2024, 05:30 PM

People never thank me when I tell them that they are doing it wrong.

You are doing it wrong.

The way to learn about how a program works is by studying the source code. The source may even have documentation.

gdb is for low-level debugging. You want to start at a high-level of abstraction and then work down. Gdb is appropriate when the high-level design is right, but some implementation bug has crept in.

P.S. You can be an exception to the above rule by thanking me.
Ed

amikoyan · 04-05-2024, 02:00 AM

Thank you EdGr.

I am always willing to listen to advice from people who know more than me.

GDB lets me see 'inside' the program as it executes allowing me to check it is actually doing what I think it does.

I have found GDB useful to better understand my own very simple programs. For example I use it to check that a nested loop is doing what I think it is doing. More than once GDB has highlighted a misconception that I have with loops.

Any tips you can give on learning C will be heeded.

pan64 · 04-05-2024, 02:45 AM

yes, you must be in serious trouble if you need gdb to catch the error.
But anyway, you can definitely learn it if you wish. And also there are cases when it is really useful.
For example if you want to learn how a c code actually runs.

EdGr · 04-05-2024, 08:42 AM

amikoyan - You are welcome.

Once you master C semantics, you will write programs that are large enough to require layers of abstraction. Top-down design becomes mandatory.

I think you are making good progress. The way to become good at programming is to write a lot of code.
Ed

amikoyan · 04-05-2024, 10:05 AM

I will keep going. I think EdGr's advice to write more code is good advice.

Thank you for the encouragement.