Re: [patch, doc RFA] New command-line option -na.

Eli Zaretskii
2010-12-15T06:05:38Z

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> Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:40:10 -0800
> From: Doug Evans <dje@google.com>
> Cc: gdb-patches@sourceware.org
>
> >> +Loads any auto-loaded scripts provided by the program being debugged.
> >> +@xref{Auto-loading}.
> >
> > In addition to the same rewording as above, this sounds inaccurate:
> > aren't these scripts loaded only as part of loading the debuggee's
> > executable file? Â If so, we should mention that here, because (AFAIU),
> > invoking GDB without any program as the argument won't trigger any
> > auto-loading.
>
> Reword per suggestion, but I kinda like the original wording.
> The context here is startup, e.g. shared libraries aren't read at this point.

"Startup" is not well defined, from the user's POV. The manual uses
that term loosely as something vaguely understandable by everyone.
Wearing my user's hat, when I type "gdb core" or "gdb -p 1234",
everything GDB does before I get my first prompt is "startup". That
includes loading shared libraries (unless auto-solib-add is OFF),
AFAIK.

> If you wish a different wording, can you provide one? Thanks.

How about this one:

If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
@xref{Auto-Loading}.

> >> +@kindex set auto-load
> >> +@item set auto-load [yes|no]
> >> +Enable or disable the auto-loading of scripts.
> >> +
> >> +@kindex show auto-load
> >> +@item show auto-load
> >> +Show whether auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
> >> Â @end table
> >
> > If we are going to leave this section inside the Python chapter, then
> > we should say "auto-load Python scripts" etc. elsewhere, because this
> > feature is limited to loading Python scripts, right?
>
> I like what it's in the patch.
> There's no reason why one couldn't have non-python auto-loaded
> scripts, and there's no reason at the moment for having a different
> option to control them.
> So I don't want "python" in the option name.
> Having it the Python section of the manual is fine for now since
> that's all we currently support.

It's entirely unreasonable to have a command that is not limited to
Python in a Python specific section. We could either move it out or
say something like "Enable or disable auto-loading of Python scripts."
(Note that I didn't ask to have "python" in the option's name.)
Please choose one or the other; I can go with either one.

I'm also open to other suggestions, if you (or someone else) have
them.

Thanks.