can I check out the class definition from binary?

can I check out the class definition from binary?

[lin q]

Hi,
  I have a program built on Linux and having problem in debuging it in GDB. 
I am suspecting that its symbol table is not built as expected, meaning the 
debug info is not complete.

  I wonder how to use the binutils to check that. For example I now there is 
a class C1 defined in lib1.so, then how I can print out the definition? I 
just run "nm", but it only print out the names of the symbol table, it does 
not list the class definition.

Thanks.

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Re: can I check out the class definition from binary?

[Nick Clifton]

Hi Lin,

>  I have a program built on Linux and having problem in debuging it in 
> GDB. I am suspecting that its symbol table is not built as expected, 
> meaning the debug info is not complete.

Why do you think that it is not complete ?

>  I wonder how to use the binutils to check that. For example I now there 
> is a class C1 defined in lib1.so, then how I can print out the 
> definition? I just run "nm", but it only print out the names of the 
> symbol table, it does not list the class definition.

If you are using the DWARF debug format then the answer is no.  The 
"readelf" program does have the ability to decode and display DWARF 
debug information, but it will do so at a very low level, rather than 
reconstructing high level information like class types.

If you are using the STABS debug format then you may be in luck.  Try 
using the "objdump" program with the "-g" switch.  This may give you the 
information that you are looking for, although you should be aware that 
the STABS format has some limitations with respect to complex C++ 
classes and so it may not be able to provide you with all of the 
information that you want.

Cheers
   Nick

RE: can I check out the class definition from binary?

[Dave Korn]

----Original Message----
>From: Nick Clifton
>Sent: 05 May 2005 10:49

>>  I wonder how to use the binutils to check that. For example I now there
>> is a class C1 defined in lib1.so, then how I can print out the
>> definition? I just run "nm", but it only print out the names of the
>> symbol table, it does not list the class definition.
> 
> If you are using the DWARF debug format then the answer is no.  The
> "readelf" program does have the ability to decode and display DWARF
> debug information, but it will do so at a very low level, rather than
> reconstructing high level information like class types.
> 
> If you are using the STABS debug format then you may be in luck.  Try
> using the "objdump" program with the "-g" switch.  This may give you the
> information that you are looking for, although you should be aware that
> the STABS format has some limitations with respect to complex C++
> classes and so it may not be able to provide you with all of the
> information that you want.


  Or how about using GDB to display the type information ?  The "ptype
CLASSNAME" command should help; at any rate, it should show what class info
appears to be there.


    cheers,
      DaveK
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