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author | Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org> | 1994-03-28 20:21:44 +0000 |
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committer | Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org> | 1994-03-28 20:21:44 +0000 |
commit | 73804d4b1beeb0e5510792396018296c672288b2 (patch) | |
tree | 419247c40388c0d26bad57523b2c56d933a6a57d /lispref/edebug.texi | |
parent | f142f62a0ac4d515265edc4fcdda31f0b63a7311 (diff) | |
download | emacs-73804d4b1beeb0e5510792396018296c672288b2.tar.gz |
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diff --git a/lispref/edebug.texi b/lispref/edebug.texi new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..c36ac42768e --- /dev/null +++ b/lispref/edebug.texi @@ -0,0 +1,1676 @@ +@comment -*-texinfo-*- + +@c This file is intended to be used as a section within the Emacs Lisp +@c Reference Manual. It may also be used by an independent Edebug User +@c Manual, edebug.tex, in which case the Edebug node below should be used +@c with the following links to the Bugs section and to the top level: + +@c , Bugs and Todo List, Top, Top + +@node Edebug, Bugs and Todo List, Top, Top +@section Edebug +@cindex Edebug mode + +@cindex Edebug + Edebug is a source-level debugger for Emacs Lisp programs with which +you can: + +@itemize @bullet +@item +Step through evaluation, stopping before and after each expression. + +@item +Set conditional or unconditional breakpoints. + +@item +Stop when a specified condition is true (the global break event). + +@item +Trace slow or fast, stopping briefly at each stop point, or +at each breakpoint. + +@item +Display expression results and evaluate expressions as if outside of +Edebug. + +@item +Automatically reevaluate a list of expressions and +display their results each time Edebug updates the display. + +@item +Output trace info on function enter and exit. + +@item +Stop when an error occurs. + +@item +Display a backtrace, omitting Edebug's own frames. + +@item +Specify argument evaluation for macros and defining forms. + +@item +Obtain rudimentary coverage testing and frequency counts. +@end itemize + +The first three sections below should tell you enough about Edebug to +enable you to use it. + +@menu +* Using Edebug:: Introduction to use of Edebug. +* Instrumenting:: You must instrument your code + in order to debug it with Edebug. +* Modes: Edebug Execution Modes. Execution modes, stopping more or less often. +* Jumping:: Commands to jump to a specified place. +* Misc: Edebug Misc. Miscellaneous commands. +* Breakpoints:: Setting breakpoints to make the program stop. +* Trapping Errors:: trapping errors with Edebug. +* Views: Edebug Views. Views inside and outside of Edebug. +* Eval: Edebug Eval. Evaluating expressions within Edebug. +* Eval List:: Expressions whose values are displayed + each time you enter Edebug. +* Printing in Edebug:: Customization of printing. +* Trace Buffer:: How to produce trace output in a buffer. +* Coverage Testing:: How to test evaluation coverage. +* The Outside Context:: Data that Edebug saves and restores. +* Instrumenting Macro Calls:: Specifying how to handle macro calls. +* Options: Edebug Options. Option variables for customizing Edebug. +@end menu + +@node Using Edebug +@subsection Using Edebug + + To debug a Lisp program with Edebug, you must first @dfn{instrument} +the Lisp code that you want to debug. A simple way to do this is to +first move point into the definition of a function or macro and then do +@kbd{C-u C-M-x} (@code{eval-defun} with a prefix argument). See +@ref{Instrumenting}, for alternative ways to instrument code. + + Once a function is instrumented, any call to the function activates +Edebug. Activating Edebug may stop execution and let you step through +the function, or it may update the display and continue execution while +checking for debugging commands, depending on which Edebug execution +mode you have selected. The default execution mode is step, which does +stop execution. @xref{Edebug Execution Modes}. + + Within Edebug, you normally view an Emacs buffer showing the source of +the Lisp code you are debugging. This is referred to as the @dfn{source +code buffer}. This buffer is temporarily read-only. + + An arrow at the left margin indicates the line where the function is +executing. Point initially shows where within the line the function is +executing, but this ceases to be true if you move point yourself. + + If you instrument the definition of @code{fac} (shown below) and then +execute @code{(fac 3)}, here is what you normally see. Point is at the +open-parenthesis before @code{if}. + +@example +(defun fac (n) +=>@point{}(if (< 0 n) + (* n (fac (1- n))) + 1)) +@end example + +@cindex stop points +The places within a function where Edebug can stop execution are called +@dfn{stop points}. These occur both before and after each subexpression +that is a list, and also after each variable reference. +Here we show with periods the stop points found in the function +@code{fac}: + +@example +(defun fac (n) + .(if .(< 0 n.). + .(* n. .(fac (1- n.).).). + 1).) +@end example + +The special commands of Edebug are available in the source code buffer +in addition to the commands of Emacs Lisp mode. For example, you can +type the Edebug command @key{SPC} to execute until the next stop point. +If you type @key{SPC} once after entry to @code{fac}, here is the +display you will see: + +@example +(defun fac (n) +=>(if @point{}(< 0 n) + (* n (fac (1- n))) + 1)) +@end example + +When Edebug stops execution after an expression, it displays the +expression's value in the echo area. + +Other frequently used commands are @kbd{b} to set a breakpoint at a stop +point, @kbd{g} to execute until a breakpoint is reached, and @kbd{q} to +exit Edebug and return to the top-level command loop. Type @kbd{?} to +display a list of all Edebug commands. + +@node Instrumenting +@subsection Instrumenting for Edebug + + In order to use Edebug to debug Lisp code, you must first +@dfn{instrument} the code. Instrumenting code inserts additional code +into it, code which invokes Edebug at the proper places. + + Once a function is instrumented, any call to the function activates +Edebug. This may or may not stop execution, depending on the Edebug +execution mode in use. Some Edebug modes only update the display to +indicate the progress of the evaluation without stopping execution. + +@kindex C-M-x +@findex eval-defun (Edebug) + Once you have loaded Edebug, the command @kbd{C-M-x} +(@code{eval-defun}) is redefined so that when invoked with a prefix +argument on a definition, it instruments the definition before +evaluating it. (The source code itself is not modified.) If the +variable @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, that inverts the +meaning of the prefix argument: then @kbd{C-M-x} instruments the +definition @emph{unless} it has a prefix argument. The default value of +@code{edebug-all-defs} is @code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x +edebug-all-defs} toggles the value of the variable +@code{edebug-all-defs}. + +@findex edebug-all-forms +@findex eval-region (Edebug) +@findex eval-current-buffer (Edebug) + If @code{edebug-all-defs} is non-@code{nil}, then the commands +@code{eval-region}, @code{eval-current-buffer}, and @code{eval-buffer} +also instrument any definitions they evaluate. Similarly, +@code{edebug-all-forms} controls whether @code{eval-region} should +instrument @emph{any} form, even non-defining forms. This doesn't apply +to loading or evaluations in the minibuffer. The command @kbd{M-x +edebug-all-forms} toggles this option. + +@findex edebug-eval-top-level-form +Another command, @kbd{M-x edebug-eval-top-level-form}, is available to +instrument any top-level form regardless of the value of +@code{edebug-all-defs} or @code{edebug-all-forms}. + +When Edebug is about to instrument code for the first time in a session, +it runs the hook @code{edebug-setup-hook}, then sets it to @code{nil}. +You can use this to load up Edebug specifications associated with a +package you are using, but only when you also use Edebug. + +While Edebug is active, the command @kbd{I} +(@code{edebug-instrument-callee}) instruments the definition of the +function or macro called by the list form after point, if is not already +instrumented. This is possible only if Edebug knows where to find the +source for that function; after loading Edebug, @code{eval-region} +records the position of every definition it evaluates, even if not +instrumenting it. See also the @kbd{i} command (@pxref{Jumping}), which +steps into the call after instrumenting the function. + +@cindex special forms (Edebug) +@cindex interactive commands (Edebug) +@cindex anonymous lambda expressions (Edebug) +@cindex Common Lisp (Edebug) +@pindex cl.el (Edebug) +@pindex cl-specs.el + Edebug knows how to instrument all the standard special forms, an +interactive form with an expression argument, anonymous lambda +expressions, and other defining forms. Edebug cannot know what a +user-defined macro will do with the arguments of a macro call, so you +must tell it; @xref{Instrumenting Macro Calls}, for details. + +@findex eval-expression (Edebug) + To remove instrumentation from a definition, simply reevaluate its +definition in a way that does not instrument. There are two ways of +evaluating forms without instrumenting them: from a file with +@code{load}, and from the minibuffer with @code{eval-expression} +(@kbd{M-ESC}). + + If Edebug detects a syntax error while instrumenting, it leaves point +at the erroneous code and signals an @code{invalid-read-syntax} error. + + @xref{Edebug Eval}, for other evaluation functions available +inside of Edebug. + +@node Edebug Execution Modes +@subsection Edebug Execution Modes + +@cindex Edebug execution modes +Edebug supports several execution modes for running the program you are +debugging. We call these alternatives @dfn{Edebug execution modes}; do +not confuse them with major or minor modes. The current Edebug mode +determines how far Edebug continues execution before stopping---whether +it stops at each stop point, or continues to the next breakpoint, for +example---and how much Edebug displays the progress of the evaluation +before it stops. + +Normally, you specify the Edebug execution mode by typing a command to +continue the program in a certain mode. Here is a table of these +commands. All except for @kbd{S} resume execution of the program, at +least for a certain distance. + +@table @kbd +@item S +Stop: don't execute any more of the program for now, just wait for more +Edebug commands (@code{edebug-stop}). + +@item @key{SPC} +Step: stop at the next stop point encountered (@code{edebug-step-mode}). + +@item n +Next: stop at the next stop point encountered after an expression +(@code{edebug-next-mode}). Also see @code{edebug-forward-sexp} in +@ref{Edebug Misc}. + +@item t +Trace: pause one second at each Edebug stop point (@code{edebug-trace-mode}). + +@item T +Rapid trace: update the display at each stop point, but don't actually +pause (@code{edebug-Trace-fast-mode}). + +@item g +Go: run until the next breakpoint (@code{edebug-go-mode}). @xref{Breakpoints}. + +@item c +Continue: pause one second at each breakpoint, and then continue +(@code{edebug-continue-mode}). + +@item C +Rapid continue: move point to each breakpoint, but don't pause +(@code{edebug-Continue-fast-mode}). + +@item G +Go non-stop: ignore breakpoints (@code{edebug-Go-nonstop-mode}). You +can still stop the program by typing @kbd{S}, or any editing command. +@end table + +In general, the execution modes earlier in the above list run the +program more slowly or stop sooner. + +While executing or tracing, you can interrupt the execution by typing +any Edebug command. Edebug stops the program at the next stop point and +then executes the command that you typed. For example, typing @kbd{t} +during execution switches to trace mode at the next stop point. You can +use @kbd{S} to stop execution without doing anything else. + +If your function happens to read input, a character you type intending +to interrupt execution may be read by the function instead. You can +avoid such unintended results by paying attention to when your program +wants input. + +@cindex keyboard macros (Edebug) +Keyboard macros containing the commands in this section do not +completely work: exiting from Edebug, to resume the program, loses track +of the keyboard macro. This is not easy to fix. Also, defining or +executing a keyboard macro outside of Edebug does not affect commands +inside Edebug. This is usually an advantage. But see the +@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro} option (@pxref{Edebug Options}). + +When you enter a new Edebug level, the initial execution mode comes from +the value of the variable @code{edebug-initial-mode}. By default, this +specifies step mode. Note that you may reenter the same Edebug level +several times if, for example, an instrumented function is called +several times from one command. + + +@node Jumping +@subsection Jumping + + The commands described in this section execute until they reach a +specified location. All except @kbd{i} make a temporary breakpoint to +establish the place to stop, then switch to go mode. Any other +breakpoint reached before the intended stop point will also stop +execution. @xref{Breakpoints}, for the details on breakpoints. + + These commands may fail to work as expected in case of nonlocal exit, +because a nonlocal exit can bypass the temporary breakpoint where you +expected the program to stop. + +@table @kbd +@item h +Proceed to the stop point near where point is (@code{edebug-goto-here}). + +@item f +Run the program forward over one expression +(@code{edebug-forward-sexp}). + +@item o +Run the program until the end of the containing sexp. + +@item i +Step into the function or macro called by the form after point. +@end table + +The @kbd{h} command proceeds to the stop point near the current location +if point, using a temporary breakpoint. See @ref{Breakpoints}, for more +about breakpoints. + +The @kbd{f} command runs the program forward over one expression. More +precisely, it sets a temporary breakpoint at the position that +@kbd{C-M-f} would reach, then executes in go mode so that the program +will stop at breakpoints. + +With a prefix argument @var{n}, the temporary breakpoint is placed +@var{n} sexps beyond point. If the containing list ends before @var{n} +more elements, then the place to stop is after the containing +expression. + +Be careful that the position @kbd{C-M-f} finds is a place that the +program will really get to; this may not be true in a +@code{cond}, for example. + +The @kbd{f} command does @code{forward-sexp} starting at point, rather +than at the stop point, for flexibility. If you want to execute one +expression @emph{from the current stop point}, type @kbd{w} first, to +move point there, and then type @kbd{f}. + +The @kbd{o} command continues ``out of'' an expression. It places a +temporary breakpoint at the end of the sexp containing point. If the +containing sexp is a function definition itself, it continues until just +before the last sexp in the definition. If that is where you are now, +it returns from the function and then stops. In other words, this +command does not exit the currently executing function unless you are +positioned after the last sexp. + +The @kbd{i} command steps into the function or macro called by the list +form after point. Note that the form need not be the one about to be +evaluated. But if the form is a function call about to be evaluated, +remember to use this command before any of the arguments are evaluated, +since otherwise it will be too late. + +The @kbd{i} command instruments the function or macro it's supposed to +step into, if it isn't instrumented already. This is convenient, but keep +in mind that the function or macro remains instrumented unless you explicitly +arrange to deinstrument it. + +@node Edebug Misc +@subsection Miscellaneous Edebug Commands + + Some miscellaneous Edebug commands are described here. + +@table @kbd +@item ? +Display the help message for Edebug (@code{edebug-help}). + +@item C-] +Abort one level back to the previous command level +(@code{abort-recursive-edit}). + +@item q +Return to the top level editor command loop (@code{top-level}). This +exits all recursive editing levels, including all levels of Edebug +activity. However, instrumented code protected with +@code{unwind-protect} or @code{condition-case} forms may resume +debugging. + +@item Q +Like @kbd{q} but don't stop even for protected code +(@code{top-level-nonstop}). + +@item r +Redisplay the most recently known expression result in the echo area +(@code{edebug-previous-result}). + +@item d +Display a backtrace, excluding Edebug's own functions for clarity +(@code{edebug-backtrace}). + +You cannot use debugger commands in the backtrace buffer in Edebug as +you would in the standard debugger. + +The backtrace buffer is killed automatically when you continue +execution. +@end table + +>From the Edebug recursive edit, you may invoke commands that activate +Edebug again recursively. Any time Edebug is active, you can quit to +the top level with @kbd{q} or abort one recursive edit level with +@kbd{C-]}. You can display a backtrace of all the +pending evaluations with @kbd{d}. + +@node Breakpoints +@subsection Breakpoints + +@cindex breakpoints +Edebug's step mode stops execution at the next stop point reached. +There are three other ways to stop Edebug execution once it has started: +breakpoints, the global break condition, and source breakpoints. + +While using Edebug, you can specify @dfn{breakpoints} in the program you +are testing: points where execution should stop. You can set a +breakpoint at any stop point, as defined in @ref{Using Edebug}. For +setting and unsetting breakpoints, the stop point that is affected is +the first one at or after point in the source code buffer. Here are the +Edebug commands for breakpoints: + +@table @kbd +@item b +Set a breakpoint at the stop point at or after point +(@code{edebug-set-breakpoint}). If you use a prefix argument, the +breakpoint is temporary (it turns off the first time it stops the +program). + +@item u +Unset the breakpoint (if any) at the stop point at or after +point (@code{edebug-unset-breakpoint}). + +@item x @var{condition} @key{RET} +Set a conditional breakpoint which stops the program only if +@var{condition} evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value +(@code{edebug-set-conditional-breakpoint}). With a prefix argument, the +breakpoint is temporary. + +@item B +Move point to the next breakpoint in the definition +(@code{edebug-next-breakpoint}). +@end table + +While in Edebug, you can set a breakpoint with @kbd{b} and unset one +with @kbd{u}. First move point to the Edebug stop point of your choice, +then type @kbd{b} or @kbd{u} to set or unset a breakpoint there. +Unsetting a breakpoint where none has been set has no effect. + +Reevaluating or reinstrumenting a definition forgets all its breakpoints. + +A @dfn{conditional breakpoint} tests a condition each time the program +gets there. Any errors that occur as a result of evaluating the +condition are ignored, as if the result were @code{nil}. To set a +conditional breakpoint, use @kbd{x}, and specify the condition +expression in the minibuffer. Setting a conditional breakpoint at a +stop point that has a previously established conditional breakpoint puts +the previous condition expression in the minibuffer so you can edit it. + +You can make a conditional or unconditional breakpoint +@dfn{temporary} by using a prefix arg with the command to set the +breakpoint. When a temporary breakpoint stops the program, it is +automatically unset. + +Edebug always stops or pauses at a breakpoint except when the Edebug +mode is Go-nonstop. In that mode, it ignores breakpoints entirely. + +To find out where your breakpoints are, use the @kbd{B} command, which +moves point to the next breakpoint in the definition following point, or +to the first breakpoint if there are no following breakpoints. This +command does not continue execution---it just moves point in the buffer. + +@menu +* Global Break Condition:: Breaking on an event. +* Source Breakpoints:: Embedding breakpoints in source code. +@end menu + + +@node Global Break Condition +@subsubsection Global Break Condition + +@cindex stopping on events +@cindex global break condition + A @dfn{global break condition} stops execution when a specified +condition is satisfied, no matter where that may occur. Edebug +evaluates the global break condition at every stop point. If it +evaluates to a non-@code{nil} value, then execution stops or pauses +depending on the execution mode, as if a breakpoint had been hit. If +evaluating the condition gets an error, execution does not stop. + +@findex edebug-set-global-break-condition +@vindex edebug-global-break-condition + You can set or edit the condition expression, stored in +@code{edebug-global-break-condition}, using the @kbd{X} command +(@code{edebug-set-global-break-condition}). + + The global break condition is the simplest way to find where in your +code some event occurs, but it makes code run much more slowly. So you +should reset the condition to @code{nil} when not using it. + +@node Source Breakpoints +@subsubsection Source Breakpoints + +@findex edebug +@cindex source breakpoints + All breakpoints in a definition are forgotten each time you +reinstrument it. To make a breakpoint that won't be forgotten, you can +write a @dfn{source breakpoint}, which is simply a call to the function +@code{edebug} in your source code. You can, of course, make such a call +conditional. For example, in the @code{fac} function, insert the first +line as shown below to stop when the argument reaches zero: + +@example +(defun fac (n) + (if (= n 0) (edebug)) + (if (< 0 n) + (* n (fac (1- n))) + 1)) +@end example + +When the @code{fac} definition is instrumented and the function is +called, the call to @code{edebug} acts as a breakpoint. Depending on +the execution mode, Edebug stops or pauses there. + +If no instrumented code is being executed when @code{edebug} is called, +that function calls @code{debug}. +@c This may not be a good idea anymore. + +@node Trapping Errors +@subsection Trapping Errors + +Emacs normally displays an error message when an error is signaled and +not handled with @code{condition-case}. While Edebug is active, it +normally responds to all unhandled errors. You can customize this with +the options @code{edebug-on-error} and @code{edebug-on-quit}; see +@ref{Edebug Options}. + +When Edebug responds to an error, it shows the last stop point +encountered before the error. This may be the location of a call to a +function which was not instrumented, within which the error actually +occurred. For an unbound variable error, the last known stop point +might be quite distant from the offending variable reference. In that +case you might want to display a full backtrace (@pxref{Edebug Misc}). + +If you change @code{debug-on-error} or @code{debug-on-quit} while +Edebug is active, these changes will be forgotten when Edebug becomes +inactive. Furthermore, during Edebug's recursive edit, these variables +are bound to the values they had outside of Edebug. + +@ignore @c I don't want to document something that works only partly -- rms. +Edebug can also trap signals even if they are handled. If +@code{debug-on-error} is a list of signal names, Edebug will stop when +any of these errors are signaled. Edebug shows you the last known stop +point just as for unhandled errors. After you continue execution, the +error is signaled again (but without being caught by Edebug). Edebug +can only trap errors that are handled if they are signaled in Lisp code +(not subroutines) since it does so by temporarily replacing the +@code{signal} function. +@end ignore + +@node Edebug Views +@subsection Edebug Views + +These Edebug commands let you view aspects of the buffer and window +status that obtained before entry to Edebug. + +@table @kbd +@item v +View the outside window configuration (@code{edebug-view-outside}). + +@item p +Temporarily display the outside current buffer with point at its outside +position (@code{edebug-bounce-point}). With a prefix argument @var{n}, +pause for @var{n} seconds instead. + +@item w +Move point back to the current stop point (@code{edebug-where}) in the +source code buffer. Also, if you use this command in a different window +displaying the same buffer, that window will be used instead to display +the current definition in the future. + +@item W +Forget the saved outside window configuration---so that the current +window configuration will remain unchanged when you next exit Edebug (by +continuing the program). Also toggle the @code{edebug-save-windows} +variable. +@ignore @c This text is implementation-oriented and doesn't emphasize + what users really want to know. +Toggle the @code{edebug-save-windows} variable which indicates whether +the outside window configuration is saved and restored +(@code{edebug-toggle-save-windows}). Also, each time it is toggled on, +make the outside window configuration the same as the current window +configuration. +@end ignore +@end table + +You can view the outside window configuration with @kbd{v} or just +bounce to the point in the current buffer with @kbd{p}, even if +it is not normally displayed. After moving point, you may wish to jump +back to the stop point with @kbd{w} from a source code buffer. + +@ignore I don't understand this -- rms +If you type @kbd{W} twice, Edebug continues saving and restoring an +outside window configuration, but updates it to match the current +configuration. You can use this to add another buffer to be displayed +whenever Edebug is active. However, the automatic redisplay of +@samp{*edebug*} and @samp{*edebug-trace*} may conflict with the buffers +you wish to see unless you have enough windows open. + +With a prefix argument, @code{W} only toggles saving and restoring of +the selected window. To specify a window that is not displaying the +source code buffer, you must use @kbd{C-x X W} from the global keymap. +@end ignore + +@node Edebug Eval +@subsection Evaluation + +While within Edebug, you can evaluate expressions ``as if'' Edebug were +not running. Edebug tries to be invisible to the expression's +evaluation and printing. Evaluation of expressions that cause side +effects will work as expected except for things that Edebug explicitly +saves and restores. @xref{The Outside Context}, for details on this +process. + +@table @kbd +@item e @var{exp} @key{RET} +Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context outside of Edebug +(@code{edebug-eval-expression}). That is, Edebug tries to minimize its +interference with the evaluation. + +@item M-@key{ESC} @var{exp} @key{RET} +Evaluate expression @var{exp} in the context of Edebug itself. + +@item C-x C-e +Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug +(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}). +@end table + +@cindex lexical binding (Edebug) +Edebug supports evaluation of expressions containing references to +lexically bound symbols created by the following constructs in +@file{cl.el} (version 2.03 or later): @code{lexical-let}, +@code{macrolet}, and @code{symbol-macrolet}. + + +@node Eval List +@subsection Evaluation List Buffer + +You can use the @dfn{evaluation list buffer}, called @samp{*edebug*}, to +evaluate expressions interactively. You can also set up the +@dfn{evaluation list} of expressions to be evaluated automatically each +time Edebug updates the display. + +@table @kbd +@item E +Switch to the evaluation list buffer @samp{*edebug*} +(@code{edebug-visit-eval-list}). +@end table + +In the @samp{*edebug*} buffer you can use the commands of Lisp +Interaction mode (@pxref{Lisp Interaction,,, emacs, The GNU Emacs +Manual}) as well as these special commands: + +@table @kbd +@item LFD +Evaluate the expression before point, in the outside context, and insert +the value in the buffer (@code{edebug-eval-print-last-sexp}). + +@item C-x C-e +Evaluate the expression before point, in the context outside of Edebug +(@code{edebug-eval-last-sexp}). + +@item C-c C-u +Build a new evaluation list from contents of the buffer +(@code{edebug-update-eval-list}). + +@item C-c C-d +Delete the evaluation list group that point is in +(@code{edebug-delete-eval-item}). + +@item C-c C-w +Switch back to the source code buffer at the current stop point +(@code{edebug-where}). +@end table + +You can evaluate expressions in the evaluation list window with +@kbd{LFD} or @kbd{C-x C-e}, just as you would in @samp{*scratch*}; +but they are evaluated in the context outside of Edebug. + +The expressions you enter interactively (and their results) are lost +when you continue execution; but you can set up an @dfn{evaluation list} +consisting of expressions to be evaluated each time execution stops. + +@cindex evaluation list group +To do this, write one or more @dfn{evaluation list groups} in the +evaluation list buffer. An evaluation list group consists of one or +more Lisp expressions. Groups are separated by comment lines. + +The command @kbd{C-c C-u} (@code{edebug-update-eval-list}) rebuilds the +evaluation list, scanning the buffer and using the first expression of +each group. + +Be careful not to add expressions that execute instrumented code since +that would cause an infinite loop. +@c There ought to be a way to fix this. + +Redisplaying the evaluation list works by inserting each expression in +the buffer, followed by its current value. It also inserts comment +lines so that each expression becomes its own group. Thus, if you type +@kbd{C-c C-u} again without changing the buffer text, the evaluation +list is effectively unchanged. + +If an error occurs during an evaluation from the evaluation list, the +error message is displayed in a string as if it were the result. +Therefore, expressions that use variables not currently valid do not +interrupt your debugging. + +Here is an example of what the evaluation list window looks like after +several expressions have been added to it: + +@smallexample +(current-buffer) +#<buffer *scratch*> +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +(selected-window) +#<window 16 on *scratch*> +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +(point) +196 +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +bad-var +"Symbol's value as variable is void: bad-var" +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +(recursion-depth) +0 +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +this-command +eval-last-sexp +;--------------------------------------------------------------- +@end smallexample + +To delete a group, move point into it and type @kbd{C-c C-d}, or simply +delete the text for the group and update the evaluation list with +@kbd{C-c C-u}. To add a new expression to the evaluation list, insert +the expression at a suitable place, and insert a new comment line. (You +need not insert dashes in the comment line---its contents don't matter.) +Then type @kbd{C-c C-u}. + +After selecting @samp{*edebug*}, you can return to the source code +buffer with @kbd{C-c C-w}. The @samp{*edebug*} buffer is killed when +you continue execution, and recreated next time it is needed. + + +@node Printing in Edebug +@subsection Printing in Edebug + +@cindex printing (Edebug) +@cindex printing circular structures +@pindex cust-print + If an expression in your program produces a value containing circular +list structure, you may get an error when Edebug attempts to print it. + +@vindex edebug-print-length +@vindex edebug-print-level + One way to cope with circular structure is to set @code{print-length} +or @code{print-level} to truncate the printing. Edebug does this for +you; it binds @code{print-length} and @code{print-level} to 50 if they +were @code{nil}. (Actually, the variables @code{edebug-print-length} +and @code{edebug-print-level} specify the values to use within Edebug.) +@xref{Output Variables}. + + You can also print circular structures and structures that share +elements more informatively by using the @file{cust-print} package. + + To load @file{cust-print} and activate custom printing only for +Edebug, simply use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-install-custom-print}. +To restore the standard print functions, use @kbd{M-x +edebug-uninstall-custom-print}. + + Here is an example of code that creates a circular structure: + +@example +(setq a '(x y)) +(setcar a a)) +@end example + +@noindent +Custom printing prints this as @samp{Result: #1=(#1# y)}. The +@samp{#1=} notation labels the structure that follows it with the label +@samp{1}, and the @samp{#1#} notation references the previously labelled +structure. This notation is used for any shared elements of lists or +vectors. + + Other programs can also use custom printing; see @file{cust-print.el} +for details. + +@node Trace Buffer +@subsection Trace Buffer +@cindex trace buffer + + Edebug can record an execution trace in a buffer named +@samp{*edebug-trace*}. This is a log of function calls and returns, +showing the function names and their arguments and values. To enable +trace recording, set @code{edebug-trace} to a non-@code{nil} value. + + Making a trace buffer is not the same thing as using trace execution +mode (@pxref{Edebug Execution Modes}). + + When trace recording is enabled, each function entry and exit adds +lines to the trace buffer. A function entry record looks like +@samp{::::@{} followed by the function name and argument values. A +function exit record looks like @samp{::::@}} followed by the function +name and result of the function. + + The number of @samp{:}s in an entry shows its recursion depth. You +can use the braces in the trace buffer to find the matching beginning or +end of function calls. + +@findex edebug-print-trace-before +@findex edebug-print-trace-after + You can customize trace recording for function entry and exit by +redefining the functions @code{edebug-print-trace-before} and +@code{edebug-print-trace-after}. + +@defmac edebug-tracing string body@dots{} +This macro requests additional trace information around the execution +of the @var{body} forms. The argument @var{string} specifies text +to put in the trace buffer. All the arguments are evaluated. +@code{edebug-tracing} returns the value of the last form in @var{body}. +@end defmac + +@defun edebug-trace format-string &rest format-args +This function inserts text in the trace buffer. It computes the text +with @code{(apply 'format @var{format-string} @var{format-args})}. +It also inserts a newline to separate entries. +@end defun + + @code{edebug-tracing} and @code{edebug-trace} insert lines in the trace +buffer even if Edebug is not active. + + Adding text to the trace buffer also scrolls its window to show the +last lines inserted. + +@ignore @c too vague +There may be some display problems if you use +tracing along with the evaluation list. +@end ignore + +@node Coverage Testing +@subsection Coverage Testing + +@cindex coverage testing +@cindex frequency counts +@cindex performance analysis +Edebug provides rudimentary coverage testing and display of execution +frequency. All execution of an instrumented function accumulates +frequency counts, both before and after evaluation of each instrumented +expression, even if the execution mode is Go-nonstop. Coverage testing +is more expensive, so it is only done if @code{edebug-test-coverage} is +non-@code{nil}. The command @kbd{M-x edebug-display-freq-count} +displays both the frequency data and the coverage data (if recorded). + +@deffn Command edebug-display-freq-count +This command displays the frequency count data for each line of the +current definition. + +The frequency counts appear comment lines after each line of code, and +you can undo all insertions with one @code{undo} command. The counts +are appear under the @kbd{(} before an expression or the @kbd{)} after +an expression, or on the last character of a symbol. Values do not appear if +they are equal to the previous count on the same line. + +The character @samp{=} following the count for an expression says that +the expression has returned the same value each time it was evaluated +This is the only coverage information that Edebug records. + +To clear the frequency count and coverage data for a definition, +reinstrument it. +@end deffn + +For example, after evaluating @code{(fac 5)} with a source +breakpoint, and setting @code{edebug-test-coverage} to @code{t}, when +the breakpoint is reached, the frequency data looks like this: + +@example +(defun fac (n) + (if (= n 0) (edebug)) +;#6 1 0 =5 + (if (< 0 n) +;#5 = + (* n (fac (1- n))) +;# 5 0 + 1)) +;# 0 +@end example + +The comment lines show that @code{fac} has been called 6 times. The +first @code{if} statement has returned 5 times with the same result each +time; the same is true of the condition on the second @code{if}. +The recursive call of @code{fac} has not returned at all. + + +@node The Outside Context +@subsection The Outside Context + +Edebug tries to be transparent to the program you are debugging, but it +does not succeed completely. Edebug also tries to be transparent when +you evaluate expressions with @kbd{e} or with the evaluation list +buffer, by temporarily restoring the outside context. This section +explains precisely what context Edebug restores, and how Edebug fails to +be completely transparent. + +@c This can be fixed and should be +The same mechanism that avoids masking certain variable's outside values +also currently makes it impossible to set these variables within Edebug. + +@menu +* Checking Whether to Stop:: When Edebug decides what to do. +* Edebug Display Update:: When Edebug updates the display. +* Edebug Recursive Edit:: When Edebug stops execution. +@end menu + +@node Checking Whether to Stop +@subsubsection Checking Whether to Stop + +Whenever Edebug is entered just to think about whether to take some +action, it needs to save and restore certain data. + +@itemize @bullet +@item +@code{max-lisp-eval-depth} and @code{max-specpdl-size} are both +incremented one time to reduce Edebug's impact on the stack. +You could, however, still run out of stack space when using Edebug. + +@item +The state of keyboard macro execution is saved and restored. While +Edebug is active, @code{executing-macro} is bound to +@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}. + +@end itemize + + +@node Edebug Display Update +@subsubsection Edebug Display Update + +When Edebug needs to display something (e.g., in trace mode), it saves +the current window configuration from ``outside'' Edebug (@pxref{Window +Configurations,,, elisp, GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}). When +you exit Edebug (by continuing the program), it restores the previous +window configuration. + +Emacs redisplays only when it pauses. Usually, when you continue +execution, the program comes back into Edebug at a breakpoint or after +stepping without pausing or reading input in between. In such cases, +Emacs never gets a chance to redisplay the ``outside'' configuration. +What you see is the same window configuration as the last time Edebug +was active, with no interruption. + +Entry to Edebug for displaying something also saves and restores the +following data, but some of these are deliberately not restored if an +error or quit signal occurs. + +@itemize @bullet +@item +@cindex current buffer point and mark (Edebug) +Which buffer is current, and the positions of point and the mark in the +current buffer, are saved and restored. + +@item +@cindex window configuration (Edebug) +The outside window configuration is saved and restored if +@code{edebug-save-windows} is non-@code{nil} (@pxref{Edebug Display Update}). + +The window configuration is not restored on error or quit, but the +outside selected window @emph{is} reselected even on error or quit in +case a @code{save-excursion} is active. If the value of +@code{edebug-save-windows} is a list, only the listed windows are saved +and restored. + +The window start and horizontal scrolling of the source code buffer are +not restored, however, so that the display remains coherent within Edebug. + +@item +@vindex edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points +The value of point in each displayed buffer is saved and restored if +@code{edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points} is non-@code{nil}. + +@item +The variables @code{overlay-arrow-position} and +@code{overlay-arrow-string} are saved and restored. So you can safely +invoke Edebug from the recursive edit elsewhere in the same buffer. + +@item +@code{cursor-in-echo-area} is locally bound to @code{nil} so that +the cursor shows up in the window. +@end itemize + +@node Edebug Recursive Edit +@subsubsection Edebug Recursive Edit + +When Edebug is entered and actually reads commands from the user, it +saves (and later restores) these additional data: + +@itemize @bullet +@item +The current match data. @xref{Match Data}. + +@item +@code{last-command}, @code{this-command}, @code{last-command-char}, +@code{last-input-char}, @code{last-input-event}, +@code{last-command-event}, @code{last-event-frame}, +@code{last-nonmenu-event}, and @code{track-mouse}. Commands used within +Edebug do not affect these variables outside of Edebug. + +The key sequence returned by @code{this-command-keys} is changed by +executing commands within Edebug and there is no way to reset +the key sequence from Lisp. + +@item +Complex commands executed while in Edebug are added to the variable +@code{command-history}. In rare cases this can alter execution. + +@item +Within Edebug, the recursion depth appears one deeper than the recursion +depth outside Edebug. This is not true of the automatically updated +evaluation list window. + +@item +@code{standard-output} and @code{standard-input} are bound to @code{nil} +by the @code{recursive-edit}, but Edebug temporarily restores them during +evaluations. + +@item +The state of keyboard macro definition is saved and restored. While +Edebug is active, @code{defining-kbd-macro} is bound to +@code{edebug-continue-kbd-macro}. +@end itemize + +@node Instrumenting Macro Calls +@subsection Instrumenting Macro Calls + +When Edebug instruments an expression that calls a Lisp macro, it needs +additional advice to do the job properly. This is because there is no +way to tell which subexpressions of the macro call are forms to be +evaluated. (Evaluation may occur explicitly in the macro body, or when +the resulting expansion is evaluated, or any time later.) You must +explain the format of calls to each macro to enable Edebug to handle it. +To do this, use @code{def-edebug-form-spec} to define the format of +calls to a given macro. + +@deffn Macro def-edebug-spec macro specification +Specify which expressions of a call to macro @var{macro} are forms to be +evaluated. For simple macros, the @var{specification} often looks very +similar to the formal argument list of the macro definition, but +specifications are much more general than macro arguments. + +The @var{macro} argument may actually be any symbol, not just a macro +name. +@end deffn + +Here is a simple example that defines the specification for the +@code{for} macro described in the Emacs Lisp Reference Manual, followed +by an alternative, equivalent specification. + +@example +(def-edebug-spec for + (symbolp "from" form "to" form "do" &rest form)) + +(def-edebug-spec for + (symbolp ['from form] ['to form] ['do body])) +@end example + +Here is a table of the possibilities for @var{specification} and how each +directs processing of arguments. + +@table @bullet + +@item @code{t} +All arguments are instrumented for evaluation. + +@item @code{0} +None of the arguments is instrumented. + +@item a symbol +The symbol must have an Edebug specification which is used instead. +This indirection is repeated until another kind of specification is +found. This allows you to inherit the specification for another macro. + +@item a list +The elements of the list describe the types of the arguments of a +calling form. The possible elements of a specification list are +described in the following sections. +@end table + +@menu +* Specification List:: How to specify complex patterns of evaluation. +* Backtracking:: What Edebug does when matching fails. +@c * Debugging Backquote:: Debugging Backquote +* Specification Examples:: To help understand specifications. +@end menu + + +@node Specification List +@subsubsection Specification List + +@cindex Edebug specification list +A @dfn{specification list} is required for an Edebug specification if +some arguments of a macro call are evaluated while others are not. Some +elements in a specification list match one or more arguments, but others +modify the processing of all following elements. The latter, called +@dfn{specification keywords}, are symbols beginning with @samp{&} (such +as @code{&optional}). + +A specification list may contain sublists which match arguments that are +themselves lists, or it may contain vectors used for grouping. Sublists +and groups thus subdivide the specification list into a hierarchy of +levels. Specification keywords only apply to the remainder of the +sublist or group they are contained in. + +When a specification list involves alternatives or repetition, matching +it against an actual macro call may require backtracking. +@xref{Backtracking}, for more details. + +Edebug specifications provide the power of regular expression matching, +plus some context-free grammar constructs: the matching of sublists with +balanced parentheses, recursive processing of forms, and recursion via +indirect specifications. + +Here's a table of the possible elements of a specification list, with +their meanings: + +@table @code +@item sexp +A single unevaluated Lisp object object. + +@item form +A single evaluated expression, which is instrumented. + +@item place +@findex edebug-unwrap +A place to store a value, as in the Common Lisp @code{setf} construct. + +@item body +Short for @code{&rest form}. See @code{&rest} below. + +@item function-form +A function form: either a quoted function symbol, a quoted lambda +expression, or a form (that should evaluate to a function symbol or +lambda expression). This is useful when an argument that's a lambda +expression might be quoted with @code{quote} rather than +@code{function}, since it instruments the body of the lambda expression +either way. + +@item lambda-expr +A lambda expression with no quoting. + +@item &optional +@kindex &optional @r{(Edebug)} +All following elements in the specification list are optional; as soon +as one does not match, Edebug stops matching at this level. + +To make just a few elements optional followed by non-optional elements, +use @code{[&optional @var{specs}@dots{}]}. To specify that several +elements must all match or none, use @code{&optional +[@var{specs}@dots{}]}. See the @code{defun} example below. + +@item &rest +@kindex &rest @r{(Edebug)} +All following elements in the specification list are repeated zero or +more times. All the elements need not match in the last repetition, +however. + +To repeat only a few elements, use @code{[&rest @var{specs}@dots{}]}. +To specify several elements that must all match on every repetition, use +@code{&rest [@var{specs}@dots{}]}. + +@item &or +@kindex &or @r{(Edebug)} +Each of the following elements in the specification list is an +alternative. One of the alternatives must match, or the @code{&or} +specification fails. + +Each list element following @code{&or} is a single alternative. To +group two or more list elements as a single alternative, enclose them in +@code{[@dots{}]}. + +@item ¬ +@kindex ¬ @r{(Edebug)} +Each of the following elements is matched as alternatives as if by using +@code{&or}, but if any of them match, the specification fails. If none +of them match, nothing is matched, but the @code{¬} specification +succeeds. + +@item &define +@kindex &define @r{(Edebug)} +Indicates that the specification is for a defining form. The defining +form itself is not instrumented (i.e. Edebug does not stop before and +after the defining form), but forms inside it typically will be +instrumented. The @code{&define} keyword should be the first element in +a list specification. + +@item nil +This is successful when there are no more arguments to match at the +current argument list level; otherwise it fails. See sublist +specifications and the backquote example below. + +@item gate +@cindex preventing backtracking +No argument is matched but backtracking through the gate is disabled +while matching the remainder of the specifications at this level. This +is primarily used to generate more specific syntax error messages. See +@ref{Backtracking}, for more details. Also see the @code{let} example +below. + +@item @var{other-symbol} +@cindex indirect specifications +Any other symbol in a specification list may be a predicate or an +indirect specification. + +If the symbol has an Edebug specification, this @dfn{indirect +specification} should be either a list specification that is used in +place of the symbol, or a function that is called to process the +arguments. The specification may be defined with @code{def-edebug-spec} +just as for macros. See the @code{defun} example below. + +Otherwise, the symbol should be a predicate. The predicate is called +with the argument and the specification fails if the predicate returns +@code{nil}. In either case, that argument is not instrumented. + +@findex keywordp +@findex lambda-list-keywordp +Some suitable predicates include @code{symbolp}, @code{integerp}, +@code{stringp}, @code{vectorp}, and @code{atom}. +@ignore +, @code{keywordp}, and +@code{lambda-list-keywordp}. The last two, defined in @file{edebug.el}, +test whether the argument is a symbol starting with @samp{@code{:}} and +@samp{@code{&}} respectively. +@end ignore + +@item [@var{elements}@dots{}] +@cindex [@dots{}] (Edebug) +A vector of elements groups the elements into a single @dfn{group +specification}. Its meaning has nothing to do with vectors. + +@item "@var{string}" +The argument should be a symbol named @var{string}. This specification +is equivalent to the quoted symbol, @code{'@var{symbol}}, where the name +of @var{symbol} is the @var{string}, but the string form is preferred. + +@ignore +@item '@var{symbol} @r{or} (quote @var{symbol}) +The argument should be the symbol @var{symbol}. But use a string +specification instead. +@end ignore + +@item (vector @var{elements}@dots{}) +The argument should be a vector whose elements must match the +@var{elements} in the specification. See the backquote example below. + +@item (@var{elements}@dots{}) +Any other list is a @dfn{sublist specification} and the argument must be +a list whose elements match the specification @var{elements}. + +@cindex dotted lists (Edebug) +A sublist specification may be a dotted list and the corresponding list +argument may then be a dotted list. Alternatively, the last @sc{cdr} of a +dotted list specification may be another sublist specification (via a +grouping or an indirect specification, e.g. @code{(spec . [(more +specs@dots{})])}) whose elements match the non-dotted list arguments. +This is useful in recursive specifications such as in the backquote +example below. Also see the description of a @code{nil} specification +above for terminating such recursion. + +Note that a sublist specification of the form @code{(specs . nil)} +means the same as @code{(specs)}, and @code{(specs . +(sublist-elements@dots{}))} means the same as @code{(specs +sublist-elements@dots{})}. +@end table + +@c Need to document extensions with &symbol and :symbol + +Here is a list of additional specifications that may only appear after +@code{&define}. See the @code{defun} example below. + +@table @code +@item name +The argument, a symbol, is the name of the defining form. + +A defining form is not required to have a name field; and it may have +multiple name fields. + +@item :name +This construct does not actually match an argument. The element +following @code{:name} should be a symbol; it is used as an additional +name component for the definition. You can use this to add a unique, +static component to the name of the definition. It may be used more +than once. + +@item arg +The argument, a symbol, is the name of an argument of the defining form. +However, lambda list keywords (symbols starting with @samp{@code{&}}) +are not allowed. See @code{lambda-list} and the example below. + +@item lambda-list +@cindex lambda-list (Edebug) +This matches a lambda list---the argument list of a lambda expression. +The argument should be a list of symbols. + +@item def-body +The argument is the body of code in a definition. This is like +@code{body}, described above, but a definition body must be instrumented +with a different Edebug call that looks up information associated with +the definition. Use @code{def-body} for the highest level list of forms +within the definition. + +@item def-form +The argument is a single, highest-level form in a definition. This is +like @code{def-body}, except use this to match a single form rather than +a list of forms. As a special case, @code{def-form} also means that +tracing information is not output when the form is executed. See the +@code{interactive} example below. +@end table + +@node Backtracking +@subsubsection Backtracking + +@cindex backtracking +@cindex syntax error (Edebug) +If a specification fails to match at some point, this does not +necessarily mean a syntax error will be signaled; instead, +@dfn{backtracking} will take place until all alternatives have been +exhausted. Eventually every element of the argument list must be +matched by some element in the specification, and every required element +in the specification must match some argument. + +Backtracking is disabled for the remainder of a sublist or group when +certain conditions occur, described below. Backtracking is reenabled +when a new alternative is established by @code{&optional}, @code{&rest}, +or @code{&or}. It is also reenabled initially when processing a +sublist or group specification or an indirect specification. + +You might want to disable backtracking to commit to some alternative so +that Edebug can provide a more specific syntax error message. Normally, +if no alternative matches, Edebug reports that none matched, but if one +alternative is committed to, Edebug can report how it failed to match. + +First, backtracking is disabled while matching any of the form +specifications (i.e. @code{form}, @code{body}, @code{def-form}, and +@code{def-body}). These specifications will match any form so any error +must be in the form itself rather than at a higher level. + +Second, backtracking is disabled after successfully matching a quoted +symbol or string specification, since this usually indicates a +recognized construct. If you have a set of alternative constructs that +all begin with the same symbol, you can usually work around this +constraint by factoring the symbol out of the alternatives, e.g., +@code{["foo" &or [first case] [second case] ...]}. + +Third, backtracking may be explicitly disabled by using the +@code{gate} specification. This is useful when you know that +no higher alternatives may apply. + +@ignore +@node Debugging Backquote +@subsubsection Debugging Backquote + +@findex ` (Edebug) +@cindex backquote (Edebug) +Backquote (@kbd{`}) is a macro that results in an expression that may or +may not be evaluated. It is often used to simplify the definition of a +macro to return an expression to be evaluated, but Edebug cannot know +whether the resyult of backquote will be used in any other way. + +The forms inside unquotes (@code{,} and @code{,@@}) are evaluated, and +Edebug instruments them. + +Edebug supports nested backquotes, but there is a limit on the support +of quotes inside of backquotes. Forms quoted with @code{'} are not +normally evaluated, but if the quoted form appears immediately within +@code{,} and @code{,@@} forms, Edebug treats this as a backquoted form +at the next higher level (even if there is not a next higher level; this +is difficult to fix). + +@findex edebug-` +If the backquoted forms are code to be evaluated, you can have Edebug +instrument them by using @code{edebug-`} instead of the regular +@code{`}. Unquoting forms can be used inside @code{edebug-`} anywhere a +form is normally allowed. But @code{(, @var{form})} may be used in two +other places specially recognized by Edebug: wherever a predicate +specification would match, and at the head of a list form where the +function name normally appears. The @var{form} inside a spliced +unquote, @code{(,@@ @var{form})}, will be instrumented, but the unquote +form itself will not be instrumented since this would interfere with the +splicing. + +There is one other complication with using @code{edebug-`}. If the +@code{edebug-`} call is in a macro and the macro may be called from code +that is also instrumented, and if unquoted forms contain any macro +arguments bound to instrumented forms, then you should modify the +specification for the macro as follows: the specifications for those +arguments must use @code{def-form} instead of @code{form}. (This is to +reestablish the Edebugging context for those external forms.) + +For example, the @code{for} macro (@pxref{Problems with Macros,,, elisp, +Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}) is shown here but with @code{edebug-`} +substituted for regular @code{`}. + +@example +(defmacro inc (var) + (list 'setq var (list '1+ var))) + +(defmacro for (var from init to final do &rest body) + (let ((tempvar (make-symbol "max"))) + (edebug-` (let (((, var) (, init)) + ((, tempvar) (, final))) + (while (<= (, var) (, tempvar)) + (,@ body) + (inc (, var))))))) +@end example + +Here is the corresponding modified Edebug specification and a +call of the macro: + +@example +(def-edebug-spec for + (symbolp "from" def-form "to" def-form "do" &rest def-form)) + +(let ((n 5)) + (for i from n to (* n (+ n 1)) do + (message "%s" i))) +@end example + +After instrumenting the @code{for} macro and the macro call, Edebug +first steps to the beginning of the macro call, then into the macro +body, then through each of the unquoted expressions in the backquote +showing the expressions that will be embedded. Then when the macro +expansion is evaluated, Edebug will step through the @code{let} form and +each time it gets to an unquoted form, it will jump back to an argument +of the macro call to step through that expression. Finally stepping +will continue after the macro call. Even more convoluted execution +paths may result when using anonymous functions. + +@vindex edebug-unwrap-results +When the result of an expression is an instrumented expression, it is +difficult to see the expression inside the instrumentation. So +you may want to set the option @code{edebug-unwrap-results} to a +non-@code{nil} value while debugging such expressions, but it would slow +Edebug down to always do this. + +@end ignore +@node Specification Examples +@subsubsection Specification Examples + +It may be easier to understand Edebug specifications by studying +the examples provided here. + +A @code{let} special form has a sequence of bindings and a body. Each +of the bindings is either a symbol or a sublist with a symbol and +optional value. In the specification below, notice the @code{gate} +inside of the sublist to prevent backtracking once a sublist is found. + +@example +(def-edebug-spec let + ((&rest + &or symbolp (gate symbolp &optional form)) + body)) +@end example + +Edebug uses the following specifications for @code{defun} and +@code{defmacro} and the associated argument list and @code{interactive} +specifications. It is necessary to handle interactive forms specially +since an expression argument it is actually evaluated outside of the +function body. + +@example +(def-edebug-spec defmacro defun) ; @r{Indirect ref to @code{defun} spec} +(def-edebug-spec defun + (&define name lambda-list + [&optional stringp] ; @r{Match the doc string, if present.} + [&optional ("interactive" interactive)] + def-body)) + +(def-edebug-spec lambda-list + (([&rest arg] + [&optional ["&optional" arg &rest arg]] + &optional ["&rest" arg] + ))) + +(def-edebug-spec interactive + (&optional &or stringp def-form)) ; @r{Notice: @code{def-form}} +@end example + +The specification for backquote below illustrates how to match +dotted lists and use @code{nil} to terminate recursion. It also +illustrates how components of a vector may be matched. (The actual +specification defined by Edebug does not support dotted lists because +doing so causes very deep recursion that could fail.) + +@example +(def-edebug-spec ` (backquote-form)) ;; alias just for clarity + +(def-edebug-spec backquote-form + (&or ([&or "," ",@@"] &or ("quote" backquote-form) form) + (backquote-form . [&or nil backquote-form]) + (vector &rest backquote-form) + sexp)) +@end example + + +@node Edebug Options +@subsection Edebug Options + + These options affect the behavior of Edebug: + +@defopt edebug-setup-hook +Functions to call before Edebug is used. Each time it is set to a new +value, Edebug will call those functions once and then +@code{edebug-setup-hook} is reset to @code{nil}. You could use this to +load up Edebug specifications associated with a package you are using +but only when you also use Edebug. +@xref{Instrumenting}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-all-defs +If this is non-@code{nil}, normal evaluation of defining forms such as +@code{defun} and @code{defmacro} instruments them for Edebug. This +applies to @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, and +@code{eval-current-buffer}. @xref{Instrumenting}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-all-forms +If this is non-@code{nil}, the commands @code{eval-defun}, @code{eval-region}, +and @code{eval-current-buffer} instrument all forms, even those that +don't define anything. + +Use the command @kbd{M-x edebug-all-forms} to toggle the value of this +option. +@xref{Instrumenting}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-save-windows +If this is non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores the window +configuration. That takes some time, so if your program does not care +what happens to the window configurations, it is better to set this +variable to @code{nil}. + +If the value is a list, only the listed windows are saved and +restored. + +You can use the @kbd{W} command in Edebug to change this variable +interactively. @xref{Edebug Display Update}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-save-displayed-buffer-points +If non-@code{nil}, Edebug saves and restores point in all buffers. + +Saving and restoring point in other buffers is necessary if you are +debugging code that changes the point of a buffer which is displayed in +a non-selected window. If Edebug or the user then selects the window, +the buffer's point will change to the window's point. + +Saving and restoring point in all buffers is expensive, since it +requires selecting each window twice, so enable this only if you need +it. @xref{Edebug Display Update}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-initial-mode +If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it specifies the initial execution +mode for Edebug when it is first activated. Possible values are +@code{step}, @code{next}, @code{go}, @code{Go-nonstop}, @code{trace}, +@code{Trace-fast}, @code{continue}, and @code{Continue-fast}. + +The default value is @code{step}. +@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-trace +@findex edebug-print-trace-before +@findex edebug-print-trace-after +Non-@code{nil} means display a trace of function entry and exit. +Tracing output is displayed in a buffer named @samp{*edebug-trace*}, one +function entry or exit per line, indented by the recursion level. + +The default value is @code{nil}. + +Also see @code{edebug-tracing}. +@xref{Tracing}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-test-coverage +If non-@code{nil}, Edebug tests coverage of all expressions debugged. +This is done by comparing the result of each expression +with the previous result. Coverage is considered OK if two different +results are found. So to sufficiently test the coverage of your code, +try to execute it under conditions that evaluate all expressions more +than once, and produce different results for each expression. + +Use @kbd{M-x edebug-display-freq-count} to display the frequency count +and coverage information for a definition. +@xref{Coverage Testing}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-continue-kbd-macro +If non-@code{nil}, continue defining or executing any keyboard macro +that is executing outside of Edebug. Use this with caution since it is not +debugged. +@xref{Edebug Execution Modes}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-print-length +If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-length} to this while printing +results in Edebug. The default value is @code{50}. +@xref{Printing in Edebug}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-print-level +If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-level} to this while printing +results in Edebug. The default value is @code{50}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-print-circle +If non-@code{nil}, bind @code{print-circle} to this while printing +results in Edebug. The default value is @code{nil}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-on-error +Edebug binds @code{debug-on-error} to this value, if +@code{debug-on-error} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping +Errors}. +@end defopt + +@defopt edebug-on-quit +Edebug binds @code{debug-on-quit} to this value, if +@code{debug-on-quit} was previously @code{nil}. @xref{Trapping +Errors}. +@end defopt + + If you change the values of @code{edebug-on-error} or +@code{edebug-on-quit} while Edebug is active, their values won't be used +until the @emph{next} time Edebug is invoked at a deeper command level. + +@ignore +@defopt edebug-unwrap-results +Non-@code{nil} if Edebug should unwrap results of expressions. This is +useful when debugging macros where the results of expressions are +instrumented expressions. But don't do this when results might be +circular, or an infinite loop will result. @xref{Debugging Backquote}. +@end defopt +@end ignore + +@defopt edebug-global-break-condition +If non-@code{nil}, an expression to test for at every stop point. +If the result is non-nil, then break. Errors are ignored. +@xref{Global Break Condition}. +@end defopt + |