1. Debugging

Prerequisite: 102

This course will cover the basics of debugging using gdb, strace, vmstat, and other tools found on a Linux system. The student will learn how to choose a particular tool based on the bug they are trying to solve. Students will become proficient in using gdb and strace to analyze existing or new processes.

Students will work through the following chapters and perform the exercises. Questions may be asked of the mentor as well as the community on IRC.

1.1. Topics

These need to be organized into chapters. Feel free to add topics.

• gdb
  • backtrace
  • frame
  • disassemble
  • printing and tab-completing types
  • core dumps
  • symbols
• strace
  • what is a system call and why might we want to trace them?
• ltrace
• perf
• vmstat
• iostat
• valgrind

1.2. Chapter 1

1.3. Chapter 2

1.4. Chapter 3

1.5. Chapter 4

1.6. Chapter 5

1.7. Chapter 6

1.8. Chapter 7

1.9. Chapter 8

1.10. Chapter 9

1.11. Chapter 10