README for GDB release on AIX Toolbox
====================================

This is the most recent update of GDB on the IBM AIX Toolbox (gdb-7.9.1-1).

A Summary of the new features and fixes will be listed here after Installation Instructions.
Known Bugs/Issues are also highlighted towards the end of this document.

Downloading and Installation -- quick overview
============================

We have made GDB available as a ready to install RPM in the Toolbox.
This RPM contains GDB configured to run on NATIVE POWERPC 64 on AIX,

The link to Download the RPM is --

ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/aix/freeSoftware/aixtoolbox/RPMS/ppc/gdb/gdb-7.9.1-1.aix6.1.ppc.rpm

Dependencies --
============

GDB uses Expat, an XML parsing library, to implement some target-specific features.
Expat is available as a ready to install RPM on the Toolbox. Download link is as follows :-

ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/aix/freeSoftware/aixtoolbox/RPMS/ppc/expat/expat-2.0.1-2.aix5.3.ppc.rpm

Features/Fixes provided in GDB-7.9.1 as of  2015-10-29 --
====================================================

* Powerpc 64 NATIVE configuration supported.

* Debugging of  64 Bit Core files.

* Fix to deal with the issue of line handling in case of debugging xlc compiled binaries.
  This fixed list and breakpoint issues.

* Fix to read the correct  'Auxiliary Entry' when debugee is compiled with "xlc -qfuncsect" flag.

* Added new command - 'mmapfile' to perform memory mapping of symbols/addresses
  while debugging core files.

* Support for debugging xlC++ added.
  GDB can now recognize most of the 'stabstrings' generated by xlC++. This has improved
  the debugging of xlC++ compiled binaries drastically.

* Fix to deal with the way partial symbol tables are read when debugee is compiled with
  xlc -qfuncsect flag. Previously, many '<incomplete type>'s  reported as GDB was not
  reading the dependent partial symbol tables.

* Bug Fixed-- multiple <incomplete type> occurrences while displaying stack trace of a core dump.
  The last two fixes mentioned above have resolved almost all the <incomplete type> declarations.
  92-95 % of the types have been resolved.

* Support added to debug core files generated in Large Memory model where the .data section
  starts from 0x3xxxxxxx segment. 

Known Limitations --
===============
===============

* xlC++ support limitations :- Virtual classes/functions, Pure Virtual Functions support to be added.
* Debugging extremely enormous binary would cause segmentation fault or Backtrace stopped: frame did not save the PC error