Writing a Linux Debugger (2017) • Hacker News Board

Re: Writing a Linux Debugger (2017)

#11

Post by jjnoakes » Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 2:00 AM UTC

PhilipRoman wrote: post #3

Nice, I really like that it describes the DWARF format instead of just handwaving around it. I've been considering adding DWARF support to my compiler so that I can use mainstream debuggers with it and this article has just destroyed my last excuse to procrastinate. I must admit, the title got me very excited (it's still a cool article regardless) - something I've always wanted is a system-wide debugger for Linux. So…

SystemTap or ebpf might be the way to go for visibility at that level. Not quite a debugger, but they can be very helpful.

Re: Writing a Linux Debugger (2017)

#12

Post by schemescape » Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 4:15 AM UTC

PhilipRoman wrote: post #3

Nice, I really like that it describes the DWARF format instead of just handwaving around it. I've been considering adding DWARF support to my compiler so that I can use mainstream debuggers with it and this article has just destroyed my last excuse to procrastinate. I must admit, the title got me very excited (it's still a cool article regardless) - something I've always wanted is a system-wide debugger for Linux. So…

Not sure about Linux specifically, but it sounds like you’re looking for a kernel debugger that can communicate with a user mode debugger (or debuggers).

Edit: actually SystemTap mentioned in a sibling comment sounds simpler if you just need instrumentation.

Re: Writing a Linux Debugger (2017)

#13

Post by setheron » Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 4:57 AM UTC

How does one debug the Linux kernel ? I want to step through some portions.

Even with UML it sounds arduous

Re: Writing a Linux Debugger (2017)

#14

Post by PhilipRoman » Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 5:34 AM UTC

jjnoakes wrote: post #11

PhilipRoman wrote: post #3

Nice, I really like that it describes the DWARF format instead of just handwaving around it. I've been considering adding DWARF support to my compiler so that I can use mainstream debuggers with it and this article has just destroyed my last excuse to procrastinate. I must admit, the title got me very excited (it's still a cool article regardless) - something I've always wanted is a system-wide debugger for Linux. So…

SystemTap or ebpf might be the way to go for visibility at that level. Not quite a debugger, but they can be very helpful.

I had heard of SystemTap, but had no idea it was that powerful. In particular, the user space marker feature sounds like what I need. Although it sounds like it may require manual instrumentation.