Re: How to setup a breakpoint on constructor

Michael Elizabeth Chastain
2004-07-16T19:31:28Z

To take the points in reverse order,

> (B) It exposes the difference between complete and base constructors,
> which is an implementation detail of the C++ ABI that most users don't
> understand.

That is reality. The reality is that g++ emits two functions in the
object code. In my opinion, if we try to gloss over that, then we'll
just create more confusion for commands such as 'disassemble' and
'tbreak'.

> (A) It was an ugly interface change to work around an internal
> limitation, and they needed to retrain users to it.

I agree with this part, to an extent. However, the gdb group
has no control over the fact that there are two object code
functions.

I like the way it worked in gcc 2.95.3. With gcc 2.95.3,
gcc emits one function with a hidden parameter. c++ programmers
and gdb are both familiar with hidden parameters ('this').
If I recall correctly, Apple modified gcc 3.X to do something
similar.

Michael C