Mercurial > hg > xemacs-beta
annotate man/lispref/debugging.texi @ 5908:6174848f3e6c
Use parse_integer() in read_atom(); support bases with ratios like integers
src/ChangeLog addition:
2015-05-08 Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net>
* data.c (init_errors_once_early):
Move the Qunsupported_type here from numbers.c, so it's available
when the majority of our types are not supported.
* general-slots.h: Add it here, too.
* number.c: Remove the definition of Qunsupported_type from here.
* lread.c (read_atom):
Check if the first character could reflect a rational, if so, call
parse_integer(), don't check the syntax of the other
characters. This allows us to accept the non-ASCII digit
characters too.
If that worked partially, but not completely, and the next char is
a slash, try to parse as a ratio.
If that fails, try isfloat_string(), but only if the first
character could plausibly be part of a float.
Otherwise, treat as a symbol.
* lread.c (read_rational):
Rename from read_integer. Handle ratios with the same radix
specification as was used for integers.
* lread.c (read1):
Rename read_integer in this function. Support the Common Lisp
#NNNrMMM syntax for parsing a number MMM of arbitrary radix NNN.
man/ChangeLog addition:
2015-05-08 Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net>
* lispref/numbers.texi (Numbers):
Describe the newly-supported arbitrary-base syntax for rationals
(integers and ratios). Describe that ratios can take the same base
specification as integers, something also new.
tests/ChangeLog addition:
2015-05-08 Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net>
* automated/lisp-reader-tests.el:
Check the arbitrary-base integer reader syntax support, just
added. Check the reader base support for ratios, just added.
Check the non-ASCII-digit support in the reader, just added.
author | Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net> |
---|---|
date | Sat, 09 May 2015 00:40:57 +0100 |
parents | 9fae6227ede5 |
children |
rev | line source |
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428 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the XEmacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
444 | 3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
428 | 4 @c See the file lispref.texi for copying conditions. |
5 @setfilename ../../info/debugging.info | |
6 @node Debugging, Read and Print, Byte Compilation, Top | |
7 @chapter Debugging Lisp Programs | |
8 | |
9 There are three ways to investigate a problem in an XEmacs Lisp program, | |
10 depending on what you are doing with the program when the problem appears. | |
11 | |
12 @itemize @bullet | |
13 @item | |
14 If the problem occurs when you run the program, you can use a Lisp | |
15 debugger (either the default debugger or Edebug) to investigate what is | |
16 happening during execution. | |
17 | |
18 @item | |
19 If the problem is syntactic, so that Lisp cannot even read the program, | |
20 you can use the XEmacs facilities for editing Lisp to localize it. | |
21 | |
22 @item | |
23 If the problem occurs when trying to compile the program with the byte | |
24 compiler, you need to know how to examine the compiler's input buffer. | |
25 @end itemize | |
26 | |
27 @menu | |
28 * Debugger:: How the XEmacs Lisp debugger is implemented. | |
29 * Syntax Errors:: How to find syntax errors. | |
30 * Compilation Errors:: How to find errors that show up in byte compilation. | |
31 * Edebug:: A source-level XEmacs Lisp debugger. | |
32 @end menu | |
33 | |
34 Another useful debugging tool is the dribble file. When a dribble | |
35 file is open, XEmacs copies all keyboard input characters to that file. | |
36 Afterward, you can examine the file to find out what input was used. | |
37 @xref{Terminal Input}. | |
38 | |
39 For debugging problems in terminal descriptions, the | |
40 @code{open-termscript} function can be useful. @xref{Terminal Output}. | |
41 | |
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42 @node Debugger, Syntax Errors, Debugging, Debugging |
428 | 43 @section The Lisp Debugger |
44 @cindex debugger | |
45 @cindex Lisp debugger | |
46 @cindex break | |
47 | |
48 The @dfn{Lisp debugger} provides the ability to suspend evaluation of | |
49 a form. While evaluation is suspended (a state that is commonly known | |
50 as a @dfn{break}), you may examine the run time stack, examine the | |
51 values of local or global variables, or change those values. Since a | |
52 break is a recursive edit, all the usual editing facilities of XEmacs are | |
53 available; you can even run programs that will enter the debugger | |
54 recursively. @xref{Recursive Editing}. | |
55 | |
56 @menu | |
57 * Error Debugging:: Entering the debugger when an error happens. | |
58 * Infinite Loops:: Stopping and debugging a program that doesn't exit. | |
59 * Function Debugging:: Entering it when a certain function is called. | |
60 * Explicit Debug:: Entering it at a certain point in the program. | |
61 * Using Debugger:: What the debugger does; what you see while in it. | |
62 * Debugger Commands:: Commands used while in the debugger. | |
63 * Invoking the Debugger:: How to call the function @code{debug}. | |
64 * Internals of Debugger:: Subroutines of the debugger, and global variables. | |
65 @end menu | |
66 | |
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67 @node Error Debugging, Infinite Loops, Debugger, Debugger |
428 | 68 @subsection Entering the Debugger on an Error |
69 @cindex error debugging | |
70 @cindex debugging errors | |
71 | |
72 The most important time to enter the debugger is when a Lisp error | |
73 happens. This allows you to investigate the immediate causes of the | |
74 error. | |
75 | |
76 However, entry to the debugger is not a normal consequence of an | |
77 error. Many commands frequently get Lisp errors when invoked in | |
78 inappropriate contexts (such as @kbd{C-f} at the end of the buffer) and | |
79 during ordinary editing it would be very unpleasant to enter the | |
80 debugger each time this happens. If you want errors to enter the | |
81 debugger, set the variable @code{debug-on-error} to non-@code{nil}. | |
82 | |
83 @defopt debug-on-error | |
84 This variable determines whether the debugger is called when an error is | |
85 signaled and not handled. If @code{debug-on-error} is @code{t}, all | |
86 errors call the debugger. If it is @code{nil}, none call the debugger. | |
87 | |
88 The value can also be a list of error conditions that should call the | |
89 debugger. For example, if you set it to the list | |
90 @code{(void-variable)}, then only errors about a variable that has no | |
91 value invoke the debugger. | |
92 | |
93 When this variable is non-@code{nil}, Emacs does not catch errors that | |
94 happen in process filter functions and sentinels. Therefore, these | |
95 errors also can invoke the debugger. @xref{Processes}. | |
96 @end defopt | |
97 | |
438 | 98 @defopt debug-on-signal |
99 This variable is similar to @code{debug-on-error} but breaks | |
100 whenever an error is signalled, regardless of whether it would be | |
101 handled. | |
102 @end defopt | |
103 | |
428 | 104 @defopt debug-ignored-errors |
105 This variable specifies certain kinds of errors that should not enter | |
106 the debugger. Its value is a list of error condition symbols and/or | |
107 regular expressions. If the error has any of those condition symbols, | |
108 or if the error message matches any of the regular expressions, then | |
109 that error does not enter the debugger, regardless of the value of | |
110 @code{debug-on-error}. | |
111 | |
112 The normal value of this variable lists several errors that happen often | |
113 during editing but rarely result from bugs in Lisp programs. | |
114 @end defopt | |
115 | |
116 To debug an error that happens during loading of the @file{.emacs} | |
117 file, use the option @samp{-debug-init}, which binds | |
118 @code{debug-on-error} to @code{t} while @file{.emacs} is loaded and | |
119 inhibits use of @code{condition-case} to catch init file errors. | |
120 | |
121 If your @file{.emacs} file sets @code{debug-on-error}, the effect may | |
122 not last past the end of loading @file{.emacs}. (This is an undesirable | |
123 byproduct of the code that implements the @samp{-debug-init} command | |
124 line option.) The best way to make @file{.emacs} set | |
125 @code{debug-on-error} permanently is with @code{after-init-hook}, like | |
126 this: | |
127 | |
128 @example | |
129 (add-hook 'after-init-hook | |
130 '(lambda () (setq debug-on-error t))) | |
131 @end example | |
132 | |
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133 @node Infinite Loops, Function Debugging, Error Debugging, Debugger |
428 | 134 @subsection Debugging Infinite Loops |
135 @cindex infinite loops | |
136 @cindex loops, infinite | |
137 @cindex quitting from infinite loop | |
138 @cindex stopping an infinite loop | |
139 | |
140 When a program loops infinitely and fails to return, your first | |
141 problem is to stop the loop. On most operating systems, you can do this | |
142 with @kbd{C-g}, which causes quit. | |
143 | |
144 Ordinary quitting gives no information about why the program was | |
145 looping. To get more information, you can set the variable | |
146 @code{debug-on-quit} to non-@code{nil}. Quitting with @kbd{C-g} is not | |
147 considered an error, and @code{debug-on-error} has no effect on the | |
148 handling of @kbd{C-g}. Likewise, @code{debug-on-quit} has no effect on | |
149 errors. | |
150 | |
151 Once you have the debugger running in the middle of the infinite loop, | |
152 you can proceed from the debugger using the stepping commands. If you | |
153 step through the entire loop, you will probably get enough information | |
154 to solve the problem. | |
155 | |
156 @defopt debug-on-quit | |
157 This variable determines whether the debugger is called when @code{quit} | |
158 is signaled and not handled. If @code{debug-on-quit} is non-@code{nil}, | |
159 then the debugger is called whenever you quit (that is, type @kbd{C-g}). | |
160 If @code{debug-on-quit} is @code{nil}, then the debugger is not called | |
161 when you quit. @xref{Quitting}. | |
162 @end defopt | |
163 | |
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164 @node Function Debugging, Explicit Debug, Infinite Loops, Debugger |
428 | 165 @subsection Entering the Debugger on a Function Call |
166 @cindex function call debugging | |
167 @cindex debugging specific functions | |
168 | |
169 To investigate a problem that happens in the middle of a program, one | |
170 useful technique is to enter the debugger whenever a certain function is | |
171 called. You can do this to the function in which the problem occurs, | |
172 and then step through the function, or you can do this to a function | |
173 called shortly before the problem, step quickly over the call to that | |
174 function, and then step through its caller. | |
175 | |
176 @deffn Command debug-on-entry function-name | |
177 This function requests @var{function-name} to invoke the debugger each time | |
178 it is called. It works by inserting the form @code{(debug 'debug)} into | |
179 the function definition as the first form. | |
180 | |
181 Any function defined as Lisp code may be set to break on entry, | |
182 regardless of whether it is interpreted code or compiled code. If the | |
183 function is a command, it will enter the debugger when called from Lisp | |
184 and when called interactively (after the reading of the arguments). You | |
185 can't debug primitive functions (i.e., those written in C) this way. | |
186 | |
187 When @code{debug-on-entry} is called interactively, it prompts | |
188 for @var{function-name} in the minibuffer. | |
189 | |
190 If the function is already set up to invoke the debugger on entry, | |
191 @code{debug-on-entry} does nothing. | |
192 | |
193 @strong{Please note:} if you redefine a function after using | |
194 @code{debug-on-entry} on it, the code to enter the debugger is lost. | |
195 | |
196 @code{debug-on-entry} returns @var{function-name}. | |
197 | |
198 @example | |
199 @group | |
200 (defun fact (n) | |
201 (if (zerop n) 1 | |
202 (* n (fact (1- n))))) | |
203 @result{} fact | |
204 @end group | |
205 @group | |
206 (debug-on-entry 'fact) | |
207 @result{} fact | |
208 @end group | |
209 @group | |
210 (fact 3) | |
211 @end group | |
212 | |
213 @group | |
214 ------ Buffer: *Backtrace* ------ | |
215 Entering: | |
216 * fact(3) | |
217 eval-region(4870 4878 t) | |
218 byte-code("...") | |
219 eval-last-sexp(nil) | |
220 (let ...) | |
221 eval-insert-last-sexp(nil) | |
222 * call-interactively(eval-insert-last-sexp) | |
223 ------ Buffer: *Backtrace* ------ | |
224 @end group | |
225 | |
226 @group | |
227 (symbol-function 'fact) | |
228 @result{} (lambda (n) | |
229 (debug (quote debug)) | |
230 (if (zerop n) 1 (* n (fact (1- n))))) | |
231 @end group | |
232 @end example | |
233 @end deffn | |
234 | |
444 | 235 @deffn Command cancel-debug-on-entry &optional function-name |
428 | 236 This function undoes the effect of @code{debug-on-entry} on |
237 @var{function-name}. When called interactively, it prompts for | |
238 @var{function-name} in the minibuffer. If @var{function-name} is | |
239 @code{nil} or the empty string, it cancels debugging for all functions. | |
240 | |
241 If @code{cancel-debug-on-entry} is called more than once on the same | |
242 function, the second call does nothing. @code{cancel-debug-on-entry} | |
243 returns @var{function-name}. | |
244 @end deffn | |
245 | |
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246 @node Explicit Debug, Using Debugger, Function Debugging, Debugger |
428 | 247 @subsection Explicit Entry to the Debugger |
248 | |
249 You can cause the debugger to be called at a certain point in your | |
250 program by writing the expression @code{(debug)} at that point. To do | |
251 this, visit the source file, insert the text @samp{(debug)} at the | |
252 proper place, and type @kbd{C-M-x}. Be sure to undo this insertion | |
253 before you save the file! | |
254 | |
255 The place where you insert @samp{(debug)} must be a place where an | |
256 additional form can be evaluated and its value ignored. (If the value | |
257 of @code{(debug)} isn't ignored, it will alter the execution of the | |
258 program!) The most common suitable places are inside a @code{progn} or | |
259 an implicit @code{progn} (@pxref{Sequencing}). | |
260 | |
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261 @node Using Debugger, Debugger Commands, Explicit Debug, Debugger |
428 | 262 @subsection Using the Debugger |
263 | |
264 When the debugger is entered, it displays the previously selected | |
265 buffer in one window and a buffer named @samp{*Backtrace*} in another | |
266 window. The backtrace buffer contains one line for each level of Lisp | |
267 function execution currently going on. At the beginning of this buffer | |
268 is a message describing the reason that the debugger was invoked (such | |
269 as the error message and associated data, if it was invoked due to an | |
270 error). | |
271 | |
272 The backtrace buffer is read-only and uses a special major mode, | |
273 Debugger mode, in which letters are defined as debugger commands. The | |
274 usual XEmacs editing commands are available; thus, you can switch windows | |
275 to examine the buffer that was being edited at the time of the error, | |
276 switch buffers, visit files, or do any other sort of editing. However, | |
277 the debugger is a recursive editing level (@pxref{Recursive Editing}) | |
278 and it is wise to go back to the backtrace buffer and exit the debugger | |
279 (with the @kbd{q} command) when you are finished with it. Exiting | |
280 the debugger gets out of the recursive edit and kills the backtrace | |
281 buffer. | |
282 | |
283 @cindex current stack frame | |
284 The backtrace buffer shows you the functions that are executing and | |
285 their argument values. It also allows you to specify a stack frame by | |
286 moving point to the line describing that frame. (A stack frame is the | |
287 place where the Lisp interpreter records information about a particular | |
288 invocation of a function.) The frame whose line point is on is | |
289 considered the @dfn{current frame}. Some of the debugger commands | |
290 operate on the current frame. | |
291 | |
292 The debugger itself must be run byte-compiled, since it makes | |
293 assumptions about how many stack frames are used for the debugger | |
294 itself. These assumptions are false if the debugger is running | |
295 interpreted. | |
296 | |
297 @need 3000 | |
298 | |
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299 @node Debugger Commands, Invoking the Debugger, Using Debugger, Debugger |
428 | 300 @subsection Debugger Commands |
301 @cindex debugger command list | |
302 | |
303 Inside the debugger (in Debugger mode), these special commands are | |
304 available in addition to the usual cursor motion commands. (Keep in | |
305 mind that all the usual facilities of XEmacs, such as switching windows | |
306 or buffers, are still available.) | |
307 | |
308 The most important use of debugger commands is for stepping through | |
309 code, so that you can see how control flows. The debugger can step | |
310 through the control structures of an interpreted function, but cannot do | |
311 so in a byte-compiled function. If you would like to step through a | |
312 byte-compiled function, replace it with an interpreted definition of the | |
313 same function. (To do this, visit the source file for the function and | |
314 type @kbd{C-M-x} on its definition.) | |
315 | |
316 Here is a list of Debugger mode commands: | |
317 | |
318 @table @kbd | |
319 @item c | |
320 Exit the debugger and continue execution. This resumes execution of the | |
321 program as if the debugger had never been entered (aside from the | |
322 effect of any variables or data structures you may have changed while | |
323 inside the debugger). | |
324 | |
325 Continuing when an error or quit was signalled will cause the normal | |
326 action of the signalling to take place. If you do not want this to | |
327 happen, but instead want the program execution to continue as if | |
328 the call to @code{signal} did not occur, use the @kbd{r} command. | |
329 | |
330 @item d | |
331 Continue execution, but enter the debugger the next time any Lisp | |
332 function is called. This allows you to step through the | |
333 subexpressions of an expression, seeing what values the subexpressions | |
334 compute, and what else they do. | |
335 | |
336 The stack frame made for the function call which enters the debugger in | |
337 this way will be flagged automatically so that the debugger will be | |
338 called again when the frame is exited. You can use the @kbd{u} command | |
339 to cancel this flag. | |
340 | |
341 @item b | |
342 Flag the current frame so that the debugger will be entered when the | |
343 frame is exited. Frames flagged in this way are marked with stars | |
344 in the backtrace buffer. | |
345 | |
346 @item u | |
347 Don't enter the debugger when the current frame is exited. This | |
348 cancels a @kbd{b} command on that frame. | |
349 | |
350 @item e | |
351 Read a Lisp expression in the minibuffer, evaluate it, and print the | |
352 value in the echo area. The debugger alters certain important | |
353 variables, and the current buffer, as part of its operation; @kbd{e} | |
354 temporarily restores their outside-the-debugger values so you can | |
355 examine them. This makes the debugger more transparent. By contrast, | |
356 @kbd{M-:} does nothing special in the debugger; it shows you the | |
357 variable values within the debugger. | |
358 | |
359 @item q | |
360 Terminate the program being debugged; return to top-level XEmacs | |
361 command execution. | |
362 | |
363 If the debugger was entered due to a @kbd{C-g} but you really want | |
364 to quit, and not debug, use the @kbd{q} command. | |
365 | |
366 @item r | |
367 Return a value from the debugger. The value is computed by reading an | |
368 expression with the minibuffer and evaluating it. | |
369 | |
370 The @kbd{r} command is useful when the debugger was invoked due to exit | |
371 from a Lisp call frame (as requested with @kbd{b}); then the value | |
372 specified in the @kbd{r} command is used as the value of that frame. It | |
373 is also useful if you call @code{debug} and use its return value. | |
374 | |
375 If the debugger was entered at the beginning of a function call, @kbd{r} | |
376 has the same effect as @kbd{c}, and the specified return value does not | |
377 matter. | |
378 | |
379 If the debugger was entered through a call to @code{signal} (i.e. as a | |
380 result of an error or quit), then returning a value will cause the | |
381 call to @code{signal} itself to return, rather than throwing to | |
382 top-level or invoking a handler, as is normal. This allows you to | |
383 correct an error (e.g. the type of an argument was wrong) or continue | |
384 from a @code{debug-on-quit} as if it never happened. | |
385 | |
386 Note that some errors (e.g. any error signalled using the @code{error} | |
387 function, and many errors signalled from a primitive function) are not | |
388 continuable. If you return a value from them and continue execution, | |
389 then the error will immediately be signalled again. Other errors | |
390 (e.g. wrong-type-argument errors) will be continually resignalled | |
391 until the problem is corrected. | |
392 @end table | |
393 | |
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394 @node Invoking the Debugger, Internals of Debugger, Debugger Commands, Debugger |
428 | 395 @subsection Invoking the Debugger |
396 | |
397 Here we describe fully the function used to invoke the debugger. | |
398 | |
399 @defun debug &rest debugger-args | |
400 This function enters the debugger. It switches buffers to a buffer | |
401 named @samp{*Backtrace*} (or @samp{*Backtrace*<2>} if it is the second | |
402 recursive entry to the debugger, etc.), and fills it with information | |
403 about the stack of Lisp function calls. It then enters a recursive | |
404 edit, showing the backtrace buffer in Debugger mode. | |
405 | |
406 The Debugger mode @kbd{c} and @kbd{r} commands exit the recursive edit; | |
407 then @code{debug} switches back to the previous buffer and returns to | |
408 whatever called @code{debug}. This is the only way the function | |
409 @code{debug} can return to its caller. | |
410 | |
411 If the first of the @var{debugger-args} passed to @code{debug} is | |
412 @code{nil} (or if it is not one of the special values in the table | |
413 below), then @code{debug} displays the rest of its arguments at the | |
414 top of the @samp{*Backtrace*} buffer. This mechanism is used to display | |
415 a message to the user. | |
416 | |
417 However, if the first argument passed to @code{debug} is one of the | |
418 following special values, then it has special significance. Normally, | |
419 these values are passed to @code{debug} only by the internals of XEmacs | |
420 and the debugger, and not by programmers calling @code{debug}. | |
421 | |
422 The special values are: | |
423 | |
424 @table @code | |
425 @item lambda | |
426 @cindex @code{lambda} in debug | |
427 A first argument of @code{lambda} means @code{debug} was called because | |
428 of entry to a function when @code{debug-on-next-call} was | |
429 non-@code{nil}. The debugger displays @samp{Entering:} as a line of | |
430 text at the top of the buffer. | |
431 | |
432 @item debug | |
433 @code{debug} as first argument indicates a call to @code{debug} because | |
434 of entry to a function that was set to debug on entry. The debugger | |
435 displays @samp{Entering:}, just as in the @code{lambda} case. It also | |
436 marks the stack frame for that function so that it will invoke the | |
437 debugger when exited. | |
438 | |
439 @item t | |
440 When the first argument is @code{t}, this indicates a call to | |
441 @code{debug} due to evaluation of a list form when | |
442 @code{debug-on-next-call} is non-@code{nil}. The debugger displays the | |
443 following as the top line in the buffer: | |
444 | |
445 @smallexample | |
446 Beginning evaluation of function call form: | |
447 @end smallexample | |
448 | |
449 @item exit | |
450 When the first argument is @code{exit}, it indicates the exit of a | |
451 stack frame previously marked to invoke the debugger on exit. The | |
452 second argument given to @code{debug} in this case is the value being | |
453 returned from the frame. The debugger displays @samp{Return value:} on | |
454 the top line of the buffer, followed by the value being returned. | |
455 | |
456 @item error | |
457 @cindex @code{error} in debug | |
458 When the first argument is @code{error}, the debugger indicates that | |
459 it is being entered because an error or @code{quit} was signaled and not | |
460 handled, by displaying @samp{Signaling:} followed by the error signaled | |
461 and any arguments to @code{signal}. For example, | |
462 | |
463 @example | |
464 @group | |
465 (let ((debug-on-error t)) | |
466 (/ 1 0)) | |
467 @end group | |
468 | |
469 @group | |
470 ------ Buffer: *Backtrace* ------ | |
471 Signaling: (arith-error) | |
472 /(1 0) | |
473 ... | |
474 ------ Buffer: *Backtrace* ------ | |
475 @end group | |
476 @end example | |
477 | |
478 If an error was signaled, presumably the variable | |
479 @code{debug-on-error} is non-@code{nil}. If @code{quit} was signaled, | |
480 then presumably the variable @code{debug-on-quit} is non-@code{nil}. | |
481 | |
482 @item nil | |
483 Use @code{nil} as the first of the @var{debugger-args} when you want | |
484 to enter the debugger explicitly. The rest of the @var{debugger-args} | |
485 are printed on the top line of the buffer. You can use this feature to | |
486 display messages---for example, to remind yourself of the conditions | |
487 under which @code{debug} is called. | |
488 @end table | |
489 @end defun | |
490 | |
491 @need 5000 | |
492 | |
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493 @node Internals of Debugger, , Invoking the Debugger, Debugger |
428 | 494 @subsection Internals of the Debugger |
495 | |
496 This section describes functions and variables used internally by the | |
497 debugger. | |
498 | |
499 @defvar debugger | |
500 The value of this variable is the function to call to invoke the | |
501 debugger. Its value must be a function of any number of arguments (or, | |
502 more typically, the name of a function). Presumably this function will | |
503 enter some kind of debugger. The default value of the variable is | |
504 @code{debug}. | |
505 | |
506 The first argument that Lisp hands to the function indicates why it | |
507 was called. The convention for arguments is detailed in the description | |
508 of @code{debug}. | |
509 @end defvar | |
510 | |
511 @deffn Command backtrace &optional stream detailed | |
512 @cindex run time stack | |
513 @cindex call stack | |
514 This function prints a trace of Lisp function calls currently active. | |
515 This is the function used by @code{debug} to fill up the | |
516 @samp{*Backtrace*} buffer. It is written in C, since it must have access | |
517 to the stack to determine which function calls are active. The return | |
518 value is always @code{nil}. | |
519 | |
520 The backtrace is normally printed to @code{standard-output}, but this | |
521 can be changed by specifying a value for @var{stream}. If | |
522 @var{detailed} is non-@code{nil}, the backtrace also shows places where | |
523 currently active variable bindings, catches, condition-cases, and | |
524 unwind-protects were made as well as function calls. | |
525 | |
526 In the following example, a Lisp expression calls @code{backtrace} | |
527 explicitly. This prints the backtrace to the stream | |
528 @code{standard-output}: in this case, to the buffer | |
529 @samp{backtrace-output}. Each line of the backtrace represents one | |
530 function call. The line shows the values of the function's arguments if | |
531 they are all known. If they are still being computed, the line says so. | |
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532 The arguments of special operators are elided. |
428 | 533 |
534 @smallexample | |
535 @group | |
536 (with-output-to-temp-buffer "backtrace-output" | |
537 (let ((var 1)) | |
538 (save-excursion | |
539 (setq var (eval '(progn | |
540 (1+ var) | |
541 (list 'testing (backtrace)))))))) | |
542 | |
543 @result{} nil | |
544 @end group | |
545 | |
546 @group | |
547 ----------- Buffer: backtrace-output ------------ | |
548 backtrace() | |
549 (list ...computing arguments...) | |
550 (progn ...) | |
551 eval((progn (1+ var) (list (quote testing) (backtrace)))) | |
552 (setq ...) | |
553 (save-excursion ...) | |
554 (let ...) | |
555 (with-output-to-temp-buffer ...) | |
556 eval-region(1973 2142 #<buffer *scratch*>) | |
557 byte-code("... for eval-print-last-sexp ...") | |
558 eval-print-last-sexp(nil) | |
559 * call-interactively(eval-print-last-sexp) | |
560 ----------- Buffer: backtrace-output ------------ | |
561 @end group | |
562 @end smallexample | |
563 | |
564 The character @samp{*} indicates a frame whose debug-on-exit flag is | |
565 set. | |
566 @end deffn | |
567 | |
568 @ignore @c Not worth mentioning | |
569 @defopt stack-trace-on-error | |
570 @cindex stack trace | |
571 This variable controls whether Lisp automatically displays a | |
572 backtrace buffer after every error that is not handled. A quit signal | |
573 counts as an error for this variable. If it is non-@code{nil} then a | |
574 backtrace is shown in a pop-up buffer named @samp{*Backtrace*} on every | |
575 error. If it is @code{nil}, then a backtrace is not shown. | |
576 | |
577 When a backtrace is shown, that buffer is not selected. If either | |
578 @code{debug-on-quit} or @code{debug-on-error} is also non-@code{nil}, then | |
579 a backtrace is shown in one buffer, and the debugger is popped up in | |
580 another buffer with its own backtrace. | |
581 | |
582 We consider this feature to be obsolete and superseded by the debugger | |
583 itself. | |
584 @end defopt | |
585 @end ignore | |
586 | |
587 @defvar debug-on-next-call | |
588 @cindex @code{eval}, and debugging | |
589 @cindex @code{apply}, and debugging | |
590 @cindex @code{funcall}, and debugging | |
591 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it says to call the debugger before | |
592 the next @code{eval}, @code{apply} or @code{funcall}. Entering the | |
593 debugger sets @code{debug-on-next-call} to @code{nil}. | |
594 | |
595 The @kbd{d} command in the debugger works by setting this variable. | |
596 @end defvar | |
597 | |
598 @defun backtrace-debug level flag | |
599 This function sets the debug-on-exit flag of the stack frame @var{level} | |
600 levels down the stack, giving it the value @var{flag}. If @var{flag} is | |
601 non-@code{nil}, this will cause the debugger to be entered when that | |
602 frame later exits. Even a nonlocal exit through that frame will enter | |
603 the debugger. | |
604 | |
605 This function is used only by the debugger. | |
606 @end defun | |
607 | |
608 @defvar command-debug-status | |
609 This variable records the debugging status of the current interactive | |
610 command. Each time a command is called interactively, this variable is | |
611 bound to @code{nil}. The debugger can set this variable to leave | |
612 information for future debugger invocations during the same command. | |
613 | |
614 The advantage, for the debugger, of using this variable rather than | |
615 another global variable is that the data will never carry over to a | |
616 subsequent command invocation. | |
617 @end defvar | |
618 | |
619 @defun backtrace-frame frame-number | |
620 The function @code{backtrace-frame} is intended for use in Lisp | |
621 debuggers. It returns information about what computation is happening | |
622 in the stack frame @var{frame-number} levels down. | |
623 | |
624 If that frame has not evaluated the arguments yet (or is a special | |
625 form), the value is @code{(nil @var{function} @var{arg-forms}@dots{})}. | |
626 | |
627 If that frame has evaluated its arguments and called its function | |
628 already, the value is @code{(t @var{function} | |
629 @var{arg-values}@dots{})}. | |
630 | |
631 In the return value, @var{function} is whatever was supplied as the | |
632 @sc{car} of the evaluated list, or a @code{lambda} expression in the | |
633 case of a macro call. If the function has a @code{&rest} argument, that | |
634 is represented as the tail of the list @var{arg-values}. | |
635 | |
636 If @var{frame-number} is out of range, @code{backtrace-frame} returns | |
637 @code{nil}. | |
638 @end defun | |
639 | |
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640 @node Syntax Errors, Compilation Errors, Debugger, Debugging |
428 | 641 @section Debugging Invalid Lisp Syntax |
642 | |
643 The Lisp reader reports invalid syntax, but cannot say where the real | |
644 problem is. For example, the error ``End of file during parsing'' in | |
645 evaluating an expression indicates an excess of open parentheses (or | |
646 square brackets). The reader detects this imbalance at the end of the | |
647 file, but it cannot figure out where the close parenthesis should have | |
648 been. Likewise, ``Invalid read syntax: ")"'' indicates an excess close | |
649 parenthesis or missing open parenthesis, but does not say where the | |
650 missing parenthesis belongs. How, then, to find what to change? | |
651 | |
652 If the problem is not simply an imbalance of parentheses, a useful | |
653 technique is to try @kbd{C-M-e} at the beginning of each defun, and see | |
654 if it goes to the place where that defun appears to end. If it does | |
655 not, there is a problem in that defun. | |
656 | |
657 However, unmatched parentheses are the most common syntax errors in | |
658 Lisp, and we can give further advice for those cases. | |
659 | |
660 @menu | |
661 * Excess Open:: How to find a spurious open paren or missing close. | |
662 * Excess Close:: How to find a spurious close paren or missing open. | |
663 @end menu | |
664 | |
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665 @node Excess Open, Excess Close, Syntax Errors, Syntax Errors |
428 | 666 @subsection Excess Open Parentheses |
667 | |
668 The first step is to find the defun that is unbalanced. If there is | |
669 an excess open parenthesis, the way to do this is to insert a | |
670 close parenthesis at the end of the file and type @kbd{C-M-b} | |
671 (@code{backward-sexp}). This will move you to the beginning of the | |
672 defun that is unbalanced. (Then type @kbd{C-@key{SPC} C-_ C-u | |
673 C-@key{SPC}} to set the mark there, undo the insertion of the | |
674 close parenthesis, and finally return to the mark.) | |
675 | |
676 The next step is to determine precisely what is wrong. There is no | |
677 way to be sure of this except to study the program, but often the | |
678 existing indentation is a clue to where the parentheses should have | |
679 been. The easiest way to use this clue is to reindent with @kbd{C-M-q} | |
680 and see what moves. | |
681 | |
682 Before you do this, make sure the defun has enough close parentheses. | |
683 Otherwise, @kbd{C-M-q} will get an error, or will reindent all the rest | |
684 of the file until the end. So move to the end of the defun and insert a | |
685 close parenthesis there. Don't use @kbd{C-M-e} to move there, since | |
686 that too will fail to work until the defun is balanced. | |
687 | |
688 Now you can go to the beginning of the defun and type @kbd{C-M-q}. | |
689 Usually all the lines from a certain point to the end of the function | |
690 will shift to the right. There is probably a missing close parenthesis, | |
691 or a superfluous open parenthesis, near that point. (However, don't | |
692 assume this is true; study the code to make sure.) Once you have found | |
693 the discrepancy, undo the @kbd{C-M-q} with @kbd{C-_}, since the old | |
694 indentation is probably appropriate to the intended parentheses. | |
695 | |
696 After you think you have fixed the problem, use @kbd{C-M-q} again. If | |
697 the old indentation actually fit the intended nesting of parentheses, | |
698 and you have put back those parentheses, @kbd{C-M-q} should not change | |
699 anything. | |
700 | |
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701 @node Excess Close, , Excess Open, Syntax Errors |
428 | 702 @subsection Excess Close Parentheses |
703 | |
704 To deal with an excess close parenthesis, first insert an open | |
705 parenthesis at the beginning of the file, back up over it, and type | |
706 @kbd{C-M-f} to find the end of the unbalanced defun. (Then type | |
707 @kbd{C-@key{SPC} C-_ C-u C-@key{SPC}} to set the mark there, undo the | |
708 insertion of the open parenthesis, and finally return to the mark.) | |
709 | |
710 Then find the actual matching close parenthesis by typing @kbd{C-M-f} | |
711 at the beginning of the defun. This will leave you somewhere short of | |
712 the place where the defun ought to end. It is possible that you will | |
713 find a spurious close parenthesis in that vicinity. | |
714 | |
715 If you don't see a problem at that point, the next thing to do is to | |
716 type @kbd{C-M-q} at the beginning of the defun. A range of lines will | |
717 probably shift left; if so, the missing open parenthesis or spurious | |
718 close parenthesis is probably near the first of those lines. (However, | |
719 don't assume this is true; study the code to make sure.) Once you have | |
720 found the discrepancy, undo the @kbd{C-M-q} with @kbd{C-_}, since the | |
721 old indentation is probably appropriate to the intended parentheses. | |
722 | |
723 After you think you have fixed the problem, use @kbd{C-M-q} again. If | |
724 the old indentation actually fit the intended nesting of parentheses, | |
725 and you have put back those parentheses, @kbd{C-M-q} should not change | |
726 anything. | |
727 | |
728 @node Compilation Errors, Edebug, Syntax Errors, Debugging | |
729 @section Debugging Problems in Compilation | |
730 | |
731 When an error happens during byte compilation, it is normally due to | |
732 invalid syntax in the program you are compiling. The compiler prints a | |
733 suitable error message in the @samp{*Compile-Log*} buffer, and then | |
734 stops. The message may state a function name in which the error was | |
735 found, or it may not. Either way, here is how to find out where in the | |
736 file the error occurred. | |
737 | |
738 What you should do is switch to the buffer @w{@samp{ *Compiler Input*}}. | |
739 (Note that the buffer name starts with a space, so it does not show | |
740 up in @kbd{M-x list-buffers}.) This buffer contains the program being | |
741 compiled, and point shows how far the byte compiler was able to read. | |
742 | |
743 If the error was due to invalid Lisp syntax, point shows exactly where | |
744 the invalid syntax was @emph{detected}. The cause of the error is not | |
745 necessarily near by! Use the techniques in the previous section to find | |
746 the error. | |
747 | |
748 If the error was detected while compiling a form that had been read | |
749 successfully, then point is located at the end of the form. In this | |
750 case, this technique can't localize the error precisely, but can still | |
751 show you which function to check. | |
752 | |
753 @include edebug-inc.texi |