How can I enter commands to a gdb prompt while debugging with Eclipse CDT?

c++ gdb eclipse-cdt
synaptik picture synaptik · Apr 16, 2012 · Viewed 9.2k times · Source

I'm using Eclipse (Helios SR1) CDT for my C++ development. Eclipse interfaces with GDB for debugging, but I can't figure out how to manually enter commands to GDB while debugging through the Eclipse interface. For example, it would be nice to be able to enter p myVar instead of having to click and scroll through the local variables window.

Note: The only reason I'd like to use the Eclipse interface for debugging is because I like how it shows the code that is being stepped through. So if anyone has an alternative to suggest that would allow me to view the code that's being stepped through, please suggest! (I've used DDD, but I don't especially like it.)

Answer

dbrank0 picture dbrank0 · Apr 16, 2012

It is actually very simple.

Start debugging (eclipse will switch to Debug Perspective). Then make sure Console View is shown. If it's not show it (Window->Show view...). In that view you will find "Display selected console" icon. Select down arrow next to it an select console named "gdb" (not gdb traces!).

What you enter in this console is forwarded directly to gdb (you can use all gdb commands).

Related questions

How to enable gdb pretty printing for C++ STL objects in Eclipse CDT?

I'm trying to add pretty printing for STL objects in eclipse cdt. I tried to follow the steps described here: http://sourceware.org/gdb/wiki/STLSupport I checked out the python folder, but I can't seem to get this done... …

Read More
Debugging with Eclipse CDT and GDB

I have Eclipse CDT C++ application project that uses shared library. This library is compiled with debug info and its source is available at the right path. Now I try to debug my application with Eclipse and GDB. If I …

Read More
Better variable exploring when debugging C++ code with Eclipse/CDT

Using Eclipse and CDT to debug C++ code the variable windows is cumbersome and not very informative for types defined in the standard template library or in boost (e.g. shared_ptr). Just an example how this may look like …

Read More