Re: Discussing the next GDB release (GDB 7.0?)

[Michael Snyder <msnyder@vmware.com>]

Jakob Engblom wrote:
>> For what its worth, I can't speak to the level of criticality of
>> process record and replay, but we would really like to see this in
>> the 7.0 release.
>>
>> I am almost ready with the Eclipse support for it (I manually
>> applied the patches to GDB) and plan on doing a demo at EclipseCon.
>> From what I was told, reverse debugging generates a lot of interest
>> in people and would be a great addition to GDB.
>>
>> Great work on the whole Reverse Debugging feature and
>> Process Record and Replay!
> 
> I wonder if record/replay and reverse debugging are one and the same feature
> from the perspective of inclusion in gdb 7.0?   It seems so from the above?
> Logically, they can be separated into at least five parts:
> 
> * revexec support in gdb-serial
> 
> * reveexec support in MI
> 
> * revexec support in the gdb kernel
> 
> * record/replay as one way to effect revexec for the case of
> x86-linux-user-process
> 
> * revexec from external sources, such as VMWare, Simics, and other simulators
> 
> Which parts of these are currently under consideration for inclusion in the
> first 7.0 release?

The first three are already in (except I'm a little fuzzy
about the state of MI).  Oh, and by the way (Eli and Joel),
I owe you a NEWS entry.

The fourth (process record/replay) is what's currently on the table
for discussion.

The fifth bullet item (reverse exec from external sources such as
VMware, Virtutech etc). doesn't require any approval or action on
the part of the gdb maintainers, unless it uncovers a bug or problem
in the gdb parts.  Y'all (including me) can just go to town!  ;-)