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authorGeorg Brandl <georg@python.org>2007-08-15 14:28:22 (GMT)
committerGeorg Brandl <georg@python.org>2007-08-15 14:28:22 (GMT)
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+
+.. _debugger:
+
+*******************
+The Python Debugger
+*******************
+
+.. module:: pdb
+ :synopsis: The Python debugger for interactive interpreters.
+
+
+.. index:: single: debugging
+
+The module :mod:`pdb` defines an interactive source code debugger for Python
+programs. It supports setting (conditional) breakpoints and single stepping at
+the source line level, inspection of stack frames, source code listing, and
+evaluation of arbitrary Python code in the context of any stack frame. It also
+supports post-mortem debugging and can be called under program control.
+
+.. index::
+ single: Pdb (class in pdb)
+ module: bdb
+ module: cmd
+
+The debugger is extensible --- it is actually defined as the class :class:`Pdb`.
+This is currently undocumented but easily understood by reading the source. The
+extension interface uses the modules :mod:`bdb` (undocumented) and :mod:`cmd`.
+
+The debugger's prompt is ``(Pdb)``. Typical usage to run a program under control
+of the debugger is::
+
+ >>> import pdb
+ >>> import mymodule
+ >>> pdb.run('mymodule.test()')
+ > <string>(0)?()
+ (Pdb) continue
+ > <string>(1)?()
+ (Pdb) continue
+ NameError: 'spam'
+ > <string>(1)?()
+ (Pdb)
+
+:file:`pdb.py` can also be invoked as a script to debug other scripts. For
+example::
+
+ python -m pdb myscript.py
+
+When invoked as a script, pdb will automatically enter post-mortem debugging if
+the program being debugged exits abnormally. After post-mortem debugging (or
+after normal exit of the program), pdb will restart the program. Automatic
+restarting preserves pdb's state (such as breakpoints) and in most cases is more
+useful than quitting the debugger upon program's exit.
+
+.. versionadded:: 2.4
+ Restarting post-mortem behavior added.
+
+Typical usage to inspect a crashed program is::
+
+ >>> import pdb
+ >>> import mymodule
+ >>> mymodule.test()
+ Traceback (most recent call last):
+ File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
+ File "./mymodule.py", line 4, in test
+ test2()
+ File "./mymodule.py", line 3, in test2
+ print spam
+ NameError: spam
+ >>> pdb.pm()
+ > ./mymodule.py(3)test2()
+ -> print spam
+ (Pdb)
+
+The module defines the following functions; each enters the debugger in a
+slightly different way:
+
+
+.. function:: run(statement[, globals[, locals]])
+
+ Execute the *statement* (given as a string) under debugger control. The
+ debugger prompt appears before any code is executed; you can set breakpoints and
+ type ``continue``, or you can step through the statement using ``step`` or
+ ``next`` (all these commands are explained below). The optional *globals* and
+ *locals* arguments specify the environment in which the code is executed; by
+ default the dictionary of the module :mod:`__main__` is used. (See the
+ explanation of the built-in :func:`exec` or :func:`eval` functions.)
+
+
+.. function:: runeval(expression[, globals[, locals]])
+
+ Evaluate the *expression* (given as a string) under debugger control. When
+ :func:`runeval` returns, it returns the value of the expression. Otherwise this
+ function is similar to :func:`run`.
+
+
+.. function:: runcall(function[, argument, ...])
+
+ Call the *function* (a function or method object, not a string) with the given
+ arguments. When :func:`runcall` returns, it returns whatever the function call
+ returned. The debugger prompt appears as soon as the function is entered.
+
+
+.. function:: set_trace()
+
+ Enter the debugger at the calling stack frame. This is useful to hard-code a
+ breakpoint at a given point in a program, even if the code is not otherwise
+ being debugged (e.g. when an assertion fails).
+
+
+.. function:: post_mortem(traceback)
+
+ Enter post-mortem debugging of the given *traceback* object.
+
+
+.. function:: pm()
+
+ Enter post-mortem debugging of the traceback found in ``sys.last_traceback``.
+
+
+.. _debugger-commands:
+
+Debugger Commands
+=================
+
+The debugger recognizes the following commands. Most commands can be
+abbreviated to one or two letters; e.g. ``h(elp)`` means that either ``h`` or
+``help`` can be used to enter the help command (but not ``he`` or ``hel``, nor
+``H`` or ``Help`` or ``HELP``). Arguments to commands must be separated by
+whitespace (spaces or tabs). Optional arguments are enclosed in square brackets
+(``[]``) in the command syntax; the square brackets must not be typed.
+Alternatives in the command syntax are separated by a vertical bar (``|``).
+
+Entering a blank line repeats the last command entered. Exception: if the last
+command was a ``list`` command, the next 11 lines are listed.
+
+Commands that the debugger doesn't recognize are assumed to be Python statements
+and are executed in the context of the program being debugged. Python
+statements can also be prefixed with an exclamation point (``!``). This is a
+powerful way to inspect the program being debugged; it is even possible to
+change a variable or call a function. When an exception occurs in such a
+statement, the exception name is printed but the debugger's state is not
+changed.
+
+Multiple commands may be entered on a single line, separated by ``;;``. (A
+single ``;`` is not used as it is the separator for multiple commands in a line
+that is passed to the Python parser.) No intelligence is applied to separating
+the commands; the input is split at the first ``;;`` pair, even if it is in the
+middle of a quoted string.
+
+The debugger supports aliases. Aliases can have parameters which allows one a
+certain level of adaptability to the context under examination.
+
+.. index::
+ pair: .pdbrc; file
+ triple: debugger; configuration; file
+
+If a file :file:`.pdbrc` exists in the user's home directory or in the current
+directory, it is read in and executed as if it had been typed at the debugger
+prompt. This is particularly useful for aliases. If both files exist, the one
+in the home directory is read first and aliases defined there can be overridden
+by the local file.
+
+h(elp) [*command*]
+ Without argument, print the list of available commands. With a *command* as
+ argument, print help about that command. ``help pdb`` displays the full
+ documentation file; if the environment variable :envvar:`PAGER` is defined, the
+ file is piped through that command instead. Since the *command* argument must
+ be an identifier, ``help exec`` must be entered to get help on the ``!``
+ command.
+
+w(here)
+ Print a stack trace, with the most recent frame at the bottom. An arrow
+ indicates the current frame, which determines the context of most commands.
+
+d(own)
+ Move the current frame one level down in the stack trace (to a newer frame).
+
+u(p)
+ Move the current frame one level up in the stack trace (to an older frame).
+
+b(reak) [[*filename*:]*lineno*``|``*function*[, *condition*]]
+ With a *lineno* argument, set a break there in the current file. With a
+ *function* argument, set a break at the first executable statement within that
+ function. The line number may be prefixed with a filename and a colon, to
+ specify a breakpoint in another file (probably one that hasn't been loaded yet).
+ The file is searched on ``sys.path``. Note that each breakpoint is assigned a
+ number to which all the other breakpoint commands refer.
+
+ If a second argument is present, it is an expression which must evaluate to true
+ before the breakpoint is honored.
+
+ Without argument, list all breaks, including for each breakpoint, the number of
+ times that breakpoint has been hit, the current ignore count, and the associated
+ condition if any.
+
+tbreak [[*filename*:]*lineno*``|``*function*[, *condition*]]
+ Temporary breakpoint, which is removed automatically when it is first hit. The
+ arguments are the same as break.
+
+cl(ear) [*bpnumber* [*bpnumber ...*]]
+ With a space separated list of breakpoint numbers, clear those breakpoints.
+ Without argument, clear all breaks (but first ask confirmation).
+
+disable [*bpnumber* [*bpnumber ...*]]
+ Disables the breakpoints given as a space separated list of breakpoint numbers.
+ Disabling a breakpoint means it cannot cause the program to stop execution, but
+ unlike clearing a breakpoint, it remains in the list of breakpoints and can be
+ (re-)enabled.
+
+enable [*bpnumber* [*bpnumber ...*]]
+ Enables the breakpoints specified.
+
+ignore *bpnumber* [*count*]
+ Sets the ignore count for the given breakpoint number. If count is omitted, the
+ ignore count is set to 0. A breakpoint becomes active when the ignore count is
+ zero. When non-zero, the count is decremented each time the breakpoint is
+ reached and the breakpoint is not disabled and any associated condition
+ evaluates to true.
+
+condition *bpnumber* [*condition*]
+ Condition is an expression which must evaluate to true before the breakpoint is
+ honored. If condition is absent, any existing condition is removed; i.e., the
+ breakpoint is made unconditional.
+
+commands [*bpnumber*]
+ Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number *bpnumber*. The commands
+ themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just 'end' to
+ terminate the commands. An example::
+
+ (Pdb) commands 1
+ (com) print some_variable
+ (com) end
+ (Pdb)
+
+ To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type commands and follow it
+ immediately with end; that is, give no commands.
+
+ With no *bpnumber* argument, commands refers to the last breakpoint set.
+
+ You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply use the
+ continue command, or step, or any other command that resumes execution.
+
+ Specifying any command resuming execution (currently continue, step, next,
+ return, jump, quit and their abbreviations) terminates the command list (as if
+ that command was immediately followed by end). This is because any time you
+ resume execution (even with a simple next or step), you may encounter· another
+ breakpoint--which could have its own command list, leading to ambiguities about
+ which list to execute.
+
+ If you use the 'silent' command in the command list, the usual message about
+ stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may be desirable for breakpoints
+ that are to print a specific message and then continue. If none of the other
+ commands print anything, you see no sign that the breakpoint was reached.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.5
+
+s(tep)
+ Execute the current line, stop at the first possible occasion (either in a
+ function that is called or on the next line in the current function).
+
+n(ext)
+ Continue execution until the next line in the current function is reached or it
+ returns. (The difference between ``next`` and ``step`` is that ``step`` stops
+ inside a called function, while ``next`` executes called functions at (nearly)
+ full speed, only stopping at the next line in the current function.)
+
+r(eturn)
+ Continue execution until the current function returns.
+
+c(ont(inue))
+ Continue execution, only stop when a breakpoint is encountered.
+
+j(ump) *lineno*
+ Set the next line that will be executed. Only available in the bottom-most
+ frame. This lets you jump back and execute code again, or jump forward to skip
+ code that you don't want to run.
+
+ It should be noted that not all jumps are allowed --- for instance it is not
+ possible to jump into the middle of a :keyword:`for` loop or out of a
+ :keyword:`finally` clause.
+
+l(ist) [*first*[, *last*]]
+ List source code for the current file. Without arguments, list 11 lines around
+ the current line or continue the previous listing. With one argument, list 11
+ lines around at that line. With two arguments, list the given range; if the
+ second argument is less than the first, it is interpreted as a count.
+
+a(rgs)
+ Print the argument list of the current function.
+
+p *expression*
+ Evaluate the *expression* in the current context and print its value.
+
+ .. note::
+
+ ``print`` can also be used, but is not a debugger command --- this executes the
+ Python :keyword:`print` statement.
+
+pp *expression*
+ Like the ``p`` command, except the value of the expression is pretty-printed
+ using the :mod:`pprint` module.
+
+alias [*name* [command]]
+ Creates an alias called *name* that executes *command*. The command must *not*
+ be enclosed in quotes. Replaceable parameters can be indicated by ``%1``,
+ ``%2``, and so on, while ``%*`` is replaced by all the parameters. If no
+ command is given, the current alias for *name* is shown. If no arguments are
+ given, all aliases are listed.
+
+ Aliases may be nested and can contain anything that can be legally typed at the
+ pdb prompt. Note that internal pdb commands *can* be overridden by aliases.
+ Such a command is then hidden until the alias is removed. Aliasing is
+ recursively applied to the first word of the command line; all other words in
+ the line are left alone.
+
+ As an example, here are two useful aliases (especially when placed in the
+ :file:`.pdbrc` file)::
+
+ #Print instance variables (usage "pi classInst")
+ alias pi for k in %1.__dict__.keys(): print "%1.",k,"=",%1.__dict__[k]
+ #Print instance variables in self
+ alias ps pi self
+
+unalias *name*
+ Deletes the specified alias.
+
+[!]*statement*
+ Execute the (one-line) *statement* in the context of the current stack frame.
+ The exclamation point can be omitted unless the first word of the statement
+ resembles a debugger command. To set a global variable, you can prefix the
+ assignment command with a ``global`` command on the same line, e.g.::
+
+ (Pdb) global list_options; list_options = ['-l']
+ (Pdb)
+
+run [*args* ...]
+ Restart the debugged python program. If an argument is supplied, it is splitted
+ with "shlex" and the result is used as the new sys.argv. History, breakpoints,
+ actions and debugger options are preserved. "restart" is an alias for "run".
+
+ .. versionadded:: 2.6
+
+q(uit)
+ Quit from the debugger. The program being executed is aborted.
+
+
+.. _debugger-hooks:
+
+How It Works
+============
+
+Some changes were made to the interpreter:
+
+* ``sys.settrace(func)`` sets the global trace function
+
+* there can also a local trace function (see later)
+
+Trace functions have three arguments: *frame*, *event*, and *arg*. *frame* is
+the current stack frame. *event* is a string: ``'call'``, ``'line'``,
+``'return'``, ``'exception'``, ``'c_call'``, ``'c_return'``, or
+``'c_exception'``. *arg* depends on the event type.
+
+The global trace function is invoked (with *event* set to ``'call'``) whenever a
+new local scope is entered; it should return a reference to the local trace
+function to be used that scope, or ``None`` if the scope shouldn't be traced.
+
+The local trace function should return a reference to itself (or to another
+function for further tracing in that scope), or ``None`` to turn off tracing in
+that scope.
+
+Instance methods are accepted (and very useful!) as trace functions.
+
+The events have the following meaning:
+
+``'call'``
+ A function is called (or some other code block entered). The global trace
+ function is called; *arg* is ``None``; the return value specifies the local
+ trace function.
+
+``'line'``
+ The interpreter is about to execute a new line of code (sometimes multiple line
+ events on one line exist). The local trace function is called; *arg* is
+ ``None``; the return value specifies the new local trace function.
+
+``'return'``
+ A function (or other code block) is about to return. The local trace function
+ is called; *arg* is the value that will be returned. The trace function's
+ return value is ignored.
+
+``'exception'``
+ An exception has occurred. The local trace function is called; *arg* is a
+ triple ``(exception, value, traceback)``; the return value specifies the new
+ local trace function.
+
+``'c_call'``
+ A C function is about to be called. This may be an extension function or a
+ builtin. *arg* is the C function object.
+
+``'c_return'``
+ A C function has returned. *arg* is ``None``.
+
+``'c_exception'``
+ A C function has thrown an exception. *arg* is ``None``.
+
+Note that as an exception is propagated down the chain of callers, an
+``'exception'`` event is generated at each level.
+
+For more information on code and frame objects, refer to :ref:`types`.
+