Re: [Compile] Inserting compiled code via jumps

Paul Naert
2018-12-17T17:01:38Z

Hi,
The idea is similar to fast breakpoints conditions, as gdb would need
to patch in a jump to the compiled code directly or via a trampoline.
Here is an example of how it could be used :

(gdb) fcompile file snippet.c test.c:8

// snippet.c is compiled via gcc. It could contain a call to an trace
collector function for instance
// The instruction corresponding to line 8 of source file test.c is
replaced by a jump to a trampoline
// In the trampoline we call _gdb_expr_(), and then execute the
instruction that we replaced, corrected for displacement

(gdb) run

// The code from snippet.c is executed every time we hit line 8 of test.c

This would directly encompass fast breakpoint conditions, using a
snippet like "if(cond) __asm__("int3");".
NB: this does not work right now because gdb does not debug the
inserted snippet, but it should when injected via a jump.

The code for patching in the jump is located in gdbserver, I think
there is no use for dyninst for this. I am currently trying to migrate
what is necessary to a common directory.

If you need any more information let me know.

Thanks,

Paul

Tom Tromey <tom@tromey.com> wroteÂ :

>>>>>> "Paul" == Paul Naert <paul.naert@polymtl.ca> writes:
>
> Paul> I am a masters student and I would like to devote my research to
> Paul> improving GDB's GCC Compile and Execute by adding the possibility to
> Paul> jump directly to the compiled code without having to hit a breakpoint.
>
> Paul> The idea is to reuse the same principle that was used in fast
> Paul> tracepoints to insert code in a compiled program, except that instead
> Paul> of jumping to GDB's collector function we would execute the code
> Paul> compiled by GCC each time we hit the selected instruction.
>
> I am not sure I really understand the idea.
>
> With the "compile" command, we had hopes of someday extending it to
> either allow fast breakpoint conditions (by compiling the breakpoint
> condition and patching the process); or to allow fix-and-continue
> (recompiling a single function and inserting it).
>
> Is your idea like one of these? If it's different, could you maybe show
> an example of how a user would use it?
>
> Paul> - Has someone already worked on this ? On the wiki page there are
> Paul> mentions to future projects that seem related (fast breakpoint
> Paul> conditions most notably)
>
> As far as I know nobody is working on it.
>
> Paul> - Do you see any reason why that would not work that I missed,
> Paul> except for the limitations of the existing Compile project?
>
> I think it's entirely possible. I think the main issues involve the
> patching -- figuring out how to replace instructions. Maybe dyninst
> could be used to help with the rewriting, or maybe it can be done purely
> in gdb.
>
> thanks,
> Tom