gdb scripting: execute commands at selected breakpoint

Question

I'd like to predefine some breakpoints in a gdb script and to invoke some special commands at these breakpoints and afterwards to automatically continue the program execution. So, ideally, I'd like to have a gdb script like the following:

b someFunction
...
if breakpoint from above reached do:
  print var1
  call someOtherFunction
  continue
done

Additionally an unfortunate fact is, that I can't rely on the python interface for using breakpoints, as the gdb version at the server I currently work at is too old!

possible duplicate of Do specific action when certain breakpoint hits in gdb — Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com
– Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com, Commented Jun 13, 2015 at 21:43

Toby Speight · Accepted Answer · 2025-04-08 15:43:32Z

64

You should take a look at the commands command, which enables you to add a series of GDB commands (i.e. a list of commands) which will be executed when the breakpoint is hit. See the breakpoint command list section of the GDB manual.

For example:

break someFunction
commands
print var1
end

When the breakpoint on someFunction is hit, GDB will execute the command print var1.

edited Apr 8 at 15:43

Toby Speight

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answered Dec 18, 2012 at 15:56

borrible

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6 Comments

Lord Bo Over a year ago

Thank You, that was the key! One little additional remark: If You have extensive output by using such a command and do not want it to be stopped everytime it hits the bottom of the terminal (because then gdb will ask "Type <return> to continue, or q <return> to quit"), just state "set pagination off" in gdb or your script.

pixelbeat Over a year ago

Note this doesn't work in non interactive mode (--batch or MI mode for example) until sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=10079 is fixed

Vram Vardanian Over a year ago

If say I wand to execute same commands for multiple breakpoints, then how to do it? (without copy pasting;)

legends2k Over a year ago

Additional remark: begin and end your command list with silent and cont: silent skips the usual output GDB shows on breakpoint hit, cont skips breaking into the interactive prompt; continues after playing your command list. Some call this a tracepoint i.e. just trace values of a variable without stopping execution.

remcycles Over a year ago

@VramVardanian commands takes a list of breakpoint numbers as an argument. Use info b to list the breakpoints.

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