Invoke and control GDB from Python

Question

I am running a Python GUI application. I want to invoke and control GDB from it, like load an executable file, set breakpoints etc. I see that GDB has a command line interface which can be used by sending strings to the GDB process, but I want to do it the Python way. Is there a gdb.py? I see that "archer" branch has something like "import gdb", but it doesn't work in Ubuntu's default installation of Python. Where do I get this module or is there any other method to control GDB from Python?

A how to do the ABC question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4060565/how-to-script-gdb-with-python-example-add-breakpoints-run-what-breakpoint-d — Ciro Santilli Путлер Капут 六四事, Jul 04 '15 at 21:49

score 21 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 16 '10 at 11:01

21

Yes, you can control GDB from Python. The Python documentation is at http://sourceware.org/gdb/current/onlinedocs/gdb/Python.html#Python.

If you want an example of some scripting, take a look at http://tromey.com/blog/?p=548

answered Aug 16 '10 at 11:01

timbo

11,517
6
48
62

thx. i've mentioned this archer branch in my question already. it seems to be a work-in-progress. i'm going to give it a shot. but what i actually want is a python module that hooks up with existing GDB, not the archer one. – Seeker Aug 17 '10 at 06:01

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 06 '17 at 22:41

pygdbmi is what you want.

With it I was able to reset an embedded target from Python using the following:

from pygdbmi.gdbcontroller import GdbController
if __name__ == '__main__':
    gdbmi = GdbController()
    response = gdbmi.write('b main')
    response = gdbmi.write('target remote localhost:2331')
    response = gdbmi.write('mon reset 0')
    response = gdbmi.write('c')

gdbgui provides a much cooler example.

Invoke and control GDB from Python

2 Answers2

Linked