Design And Implementation Of Task-level Debugger Based On Embedded Linux

Embedded equipment is a kind of mainstream product during digital age. Embedded software is the core of digital products, but embedded OS and development tool are the base of embedded software. In the development process of embedded system, object software needs to be debugged by means of cross-debugging. Nowadays embedded applications tend to be more complicated and most of them provide OS support and adopt multi-task programming. All above require cross-debugger that can provide special task-level debugging support. The task-level debugging system adopts cross-debugging mode, which means both of the debugger for host, ZGDB, and the debug agent for target, TDAgent, support task-level debugging feature. The former sends debugging commands and receives the execution results, and the latter receives debugging commands and executes them.Firstly, this thesis describes the debugger's principle and analyses thoroughly Insight which graphs GDB(GNU's Debugger) so that readers can understand debugger holistically. Secondly, Insight will be changed and enhanced so that it can support dynamic-download and remote create-inferior. At the same time, graphical interfaces are perfected in order to users use it conveniently.Cross-debugging includes system-debugger and task-debugger. But task-debugger is the stress of this thesis. First, the thesis depicts the concept and working flow of both system-debugger and task-debugger .The task-debugging agent is the key of the whole debugging system. It runs as a task, which is supported by OS. In succession, we design and implement the task-debugging agent, TDAgent. It completes basic debugging functions, which includes: creating inferior, attaching/detaching inferior, killing inferior, single step, continue, reading or writing memory, reading or writing registers, restarting and so on. Except for primary functions, the new features that include task-identify, running-control and others are added. The system adopts module and hiberarchy design, and haspowerful functions, real time features, portability, and is easy-clipped which meets the requirements of different users.At present, Tornado is a very popular embedded development tool. According to test, ZGDB arrives at eighty percent Tornado's performance. ZGDB is being used inside ZTE corporation presently and wins good feedback. At one time, it reduces the cost of development for embedded application by a long way.